A few hypothetical questions.

[Verdict]

Here are a few random questions. I would like to hear your gut feeling about each one.

1. Do you believe that drafting one (1) defensive lineman in the top two rounds will adequately address our defensive line needs? (Assumes that no top tier new free agent defensive lineman is signed).

2. Which position do you think is the most currently pressing need on the defensive line?

3. Which defensive line position do you think we are most set at and able to neglect, if necessary? (Assumes no top tier new free agent at this position is signed).

4. How comfortable are you that we could "stand pat" in the secondary, if necessary?

5. Suppose, hypothetically, that there are no top tier free agents signed prior to the draft. Also assume, for this scenario that the best players available in the top two rounds when we select are offensive players, both of whom we have a first round grade on. Would you be comfortable with following the board and selecting the said offensive players or would you try to reposition (trade down) and select three (3) defensive players with those picks who we have graded as second to third round value? (Assume all of the foregoing are facts and are not the subject of debate).

6. If we stayed put in scenario #5 above and went offense with the first and second round picks, but went defense heavy the rest of the draft, how much do you think we could reasonably expect to improve the defense NEXT SEASON.

 

[xwalker]

@Verdict

1. No. The history of production for rookie passs rushers is not great for the late 1st awnd later.

2. Weak Side DE because Lawrence/Mincey can play either side.

3. I think they can manage Brent/Bishop can handle the 1tech position.

4. Define stand pat. They can manage by keeping Carr and Moore but they need more depth.

5. Do they sign all of their own FAs? Either way I would not count on filling needs in the draft. They could manage by keeping their own FAs and adding some mid tier FAs, so take the offensive players if they are really BPA.

6. The later defensive picks don't change anything. They have a lot of possibilities with some guys that were on IR, the practice squad or didn't play much like Brent/Bishop.

There is no reason for them not to address needs in Free Agency. It might not be top rated guys ike Suh, but they can get some good players.

 

[Bluefin]

1. No. The history of production for rookie passs rushers is not great for the late 1st awnd later.

Agreed.

I expect the team will attempt to cover as many needs as possible during free agency prior to the draft. They will want to add DL early if possible, but must be prepared to go another direction depending on how the picks unfold ahead of them going on the clock in round one.

Improving the DL is too pressing to sit back and wait until the draft.

2. Weak Side DE because Lawrence/Mincey can play either side.

Absolutely.

There isn't an explosive first step WDE on the roster at this time.

I'm optimistic about DeMarcus Lawrence, but he doesn't look like that kind of player.

Neither are free agents to be George Selvie and Anthony Spencer.

Let them go and try to sign better players.

Jabaal Sheard might be such a player and maybe Brian Orakpo or Greg Hardy will join a potential contender on a "prove it" deal.

3. I think they can manage Brent/Bishop can handle the 1tech position.

Exactly.

Nothing against Nick Hayden, who is a try hard player, but upgrading NT next season should be easy to do and provide a definite impact on the field.

Josh Brent will be in true game shape and should be so much better than Hayden while Ken Bishop has a motor and upside. The off-season program should do wonders for him, IMO.

I'm wide open to adding a NT during the draft as well.

4. Define stand pat. They can manage by keeping Carr and Moore but they need more depth.

Uncomfortable.

Brandon Carr may stay with a pay cut but the team needs to continue transitioning to CBs who fit what Rod Marinelli wants.

A veteran FS to play on passing downs wouldn't be wrong, either.

5. Do they sign all of their own FAs? Either way I would not count on filling needs in the draft. They could manage by keeping their own FAs and adding some mid tier FAs, so take the offensive players if they are really BPA.

Either.

I'm fine with following the board and selecting offensive players in rounds one and two or trading down with the picks in order to target defensive players.

6. The later defensive picks don't change anything. They have a lot of possibilities with some guys that were on IR, the practice squad or didn't play much like Brent/Bishop.

There is no reason for them not to address needs in Free Agency. It might not be top rated guys ike Suh, but they can get some good players.

We couldn't expect to get a lot of rookie defensive help from round three and thereafter.

Maybe a surprise emerges from the group, but no one would be counting on it.

Expecting the defense to improve in this scenario would depend entirely on whatever moves occur during free agency.

 

[JoeKing]

Here are a few random questions. I would like to hear your gut feeling about each one.

1. Do you believe that drafting one (1) defensive lineman in the top two rounds will adequately address our defensive line needs? (Assumes that no top tier new free agent defensive lineman is signed).

2. Which position do you think is the most currently pressing need on the defensive line?

3. Which defensive line position do you think we are most set at and able to neglect, if necessary? (Assumes no top tier new free agent at this position is signed).

4. How comfortable are you that we could "stand pat" in the secondary, if necessary?

5. Suppose, hypothetically, that there are no top tier free agents signed prior to the draft. Also assume, for this scenario that the best players available in the top two rounds when we select are offensive players, both of whom we have a first round grade on. Would you be comfortable with following the board and selecting the said offensive players or would you try to reposition (trade down) and select three (3) defensive players with those picks who we have graded as second to third round value? (Assume all of the foregoing are facts and are not the subject of debate).

6. If we stayed put in scenario #5 above and went offense with the first and second round picks, but went defense heavy the rest of the draft, how much do you think we could reasonably expect to improve the defense NEXT SEASON.

1. yes
2. DT
3. DE
4. not
5. trade down
6. defensive holes not filled... defense would still be a weakness. No improvement.

 

[visionary]

Absolute NEEDS on defense

2 DL starters (not depth)
1 starter at FS
1 LB for rotation but may have to start

So to answer your questions, we need an impact FA DL and spend first 2 picks on defense

There will be plenty of defensive players at our picks who will be in the same tier as the offensive players

We are not "set" at any DL positions

We can stand pat at CB as long as we upgrade DL and FS and bring back Carr

 

[big dog cowboy]

1. Not even close.
2. DE
3. None
4. Between 0% and 0.1%
5. Trade down
6. Very little

What do I win?

 

[JoeyBoy718]

1. No.
2. Edge rusher.
3. 3-tech.
4. Our secondary as is will be good enough IF we drastically improve the D-line.
5. I'd trade and get more picks for D-line unless the guy available on offense is a can't miss talent (which I doubt will be available at 27).
6. I don't see much production from rookies drafted after the first two rounds. If our defense does improve it will be because of young guys get better, injured guys coming back, and any moves we make in free agency.

 

[dwreck27]

1. Do you believe that drafting one (1) defensive lineman in the top two rounds will adequately address our defensive line needs? (Assumes that no top tier new free agent defensive lineman is signed).
In a word. No. We honestly will need to pick some some key dline FA's if we want to see a huge improvement moving forward next season.

2. Which position do you think is the most currently pressing need on the defensive line?
As much as the logic is DE... I think it is just overall quality depth which i think is missing.

3. Which defensive line position do you think we are most set at and able to neglect, if necessary? (Assumes no top tier new free agent at this position is signed).
D-law and mincey i think are as "set in stone" as any position 2 deep i think.

4. How comfortable are you that we could "stand pat" in the secondary, if necessary?
Im fine with that if Carr takes a paycut and that cut brings us in a Fairley on a prove yourself deal. (But i wouldnt mind that money going to say Cromartie(sp) on a cheap deal similar to his AZ one)

5. Suppose, hypothetically, that there are no top tier free agents signed prior to the draft. Also assume, for this scenario that the best players available in the top two rounds when we select are offensive players, both of whom we have a first round grade on. Would you be comfortable with following the board and selecting the said offensive players or would you try to reposition (trade down) and select three (3) defensive players with those picks who we have graded as second to third round value? (Assume all of the foregoing are facts and are not the subject of debate).
I mean who would we grab with 1st round grades on offense and feel comfortable? Another 2nd round TE?? a QB??

6. If we stayed put in scenario #5 above and went offense with the first and second round picks, but went defense heavy the rest of the draft, how much do you think we could reasonably expect to improve the defense NEXT SEASON.
Next to zero you dont find difference makers right off the jump in the middle rounds but its not like it cant happen

 

[Verdict]

Here are a few random questions. I would like to hear your gut feeling about each one.

1. Do you believe that drafting one (1) defensive lineman in the top two rounds will adequately address our defensive line needs? (Assumes that no top tier new free agent defensive lineman is signed).

I think if we could grab ONE good player for the D-Line in the draft that is about all we will be able to get so I hope that is good enough.


2. Which position do you think is the most currently pressing need on the defensive line?

I would say defensive end. Crawford will probably be the 3 tech starter. One might also argue that the 1 tech is a greater need in which case we could use Brent and the rookie and let Hayden go.

3. Which defensive line position do you think we are most set at and able to neglect, if necessary? (Assumes no top tier new free agent at this position is signed).

Crawford and the others aren't even close. Melton will be a goner in my opinion unless he takes a drastic pay cut.

4. How comfortable are you that we could "stand pat" in the secondary, if necessary?

I am comfortable with who we have on the back end if we keep Claiborne and Carr but it would be the easiest position on the team to actually upgrade this year with a high draft pick. He could have instant impact here.

5. Suppose, hypothetically, that there are no top tier free agents signed prior to the draft. Also assume, for this scenario that the best players available in the top two rounds when we select are offensive players, both of whom we have a first round grade on. Would you be comfortable with following the board and selecting the said offensive players or would you try to reposition (trade down) and select three (3) defensive players with those picks who we have graded as second to third round value? (Assume all of the foregoing are facts and are not the subject of debate).

I would take the two first round offensive players and do what I could with the rest of the picks. If you go for the player, not the position like we have the past few years it upgrades your roster with less chance of having a bust.

6. If we stayed put in scenario #5 above and went offense with the first and second round picks, but went defense heavy the rest of the draft, how much do you think we could reasonably expect to improve the defense NEXT SEASON.

We could add quality depth with the later round picks. I think we could find contributors/ eventual starters at corner, safety and linebacker. I'm not confident we could find a DL starter after the third round without some degree of luck involved.

 

[Bullflop]

Here are a few random questions. I would like to hear your gut feeling about each one.

1. Do you believe that drafting one (1) defensive lineman in the top two rounds will adequately address our defensive line needs? (Assumes that no top tier new free agent defensive lineman is signed).

2. Which position do you think is the most currently pressing need on the defensive line?

3. Which defensive line position do you think we are most set at and able to neglect, if necessary? (Assumes no top tier new free agent at this position is signed).

4. How comfortable are you that we could "stand pat" in the secondary, if necessary?

5. Suppose, hypothetically, that there are no top tier free agents signed prior to the draft. Also assume, for this scenario that the best players available in the top two rounds when we select are offensive players, both of whom we have a first round grade on. Would you be comfortable with following the board and selecting the said offensive players or would you try to reposition (trade down) and select three (3) defensive players with those picks who we have graded as second to third round value? (Assume all of the foregoing are facts and are not the subject of debate).

6. If we stayed put in scenario #5 above and went offense with the first and second round picks, but went defense heavy the rest of the draft, how much do you think we could reasonably expect to improve the defense NEXT SEASON.

1. IMO, we need a DE and a DT on the defensive line. Both are or should be a high priority.
2. Both DE and DT are close to equal in priority. We should possibly take whichever one is rated better when our first pick comes up.
3. We might best neglect the DL positions where Tyrone Crawford and DeMarcus Lawrence are incumbents.
4. I'm not comfortable at DB at all. We might be wise to draft a promising CB and a FS as well.
5. I'm not necessarily comfortable trading out of the 1st round simply to draft for need. Take the BPA at a position of need there. We have enough positions of need to find a player of extremely high talent at #27.

 

[DC Cowboy]

Here are a few random questions. I would like to hear your gut feeling about each one.

1. Do you believe that drafting one (1) defensive lineman in the top two rounds will adequately address our defensive line needs? (Assumes that no top tier new free agent defensive lineman is signed).

2. Which position do you think is the most currently pressing need on the defensive line?

3. Which defensive line position do you think we are most set at and able to neglect, if necessary? (Assumes no top tier new free agent at this position is signed).

4. How comfortable are you that we could "stand pat" in the secondary, if necessary?

5. Suppose, hypothetically, that there are no top tier free agents signed prior to the draft. Also assume, for this scenario that the best players available in the top two rounds when we select are offensive players, both of whom we have a first round grade on. Would you be comfortable with following the board and selecting the said offensive players or would you try to reposition (trade down) and select three (3) defensive players with those picks who we have graded as second to third round value? (Assume all of the foregoing are facts and are not the subject of debate).

6. If we stayed put in scenario #5 above and went offense with the first and second round picks, but went defense heavy the rest of the draft, how much do you think we could reasonably expect to improve the defense NEXT SEASON.

I know the vast majority of us see our window of opportunity is for the next few years, but I really would like for this team to draft well and try to stay away from FA. I want us to continue to get younger and keep the mindset of letting players go a year or two early vs. a year late. I hope they can find a DE that can provide rush/pressure but a great O or D will not be built over night. So if we improve our pass rush that will improve out secondary. So I would be more comfortable with our secondary IF we improve our pass rush.