We do need defense but you don't pass on talent for need.
If the TE is the best player available then you take him.
Swaim is a good player but he is showing he can't stay healthy. Who knows about Rico Gathers. Who knows about Hannah.
TE is a crucial position on this team and Witten gives our WR's almost no relief with his lack of ability to stretch the seams and every year that goes by he gets a little worse at blocking and setting the edge.
A young dynamic TE that can stretch the seams for our WR's, set the edge for Zeke, and give Dak another option in the area of the field that he loves to throw in would be a great pick for us.
I think our backup TE is more important then it has ever been and we could really throw teams for a loop with guys that are hybrid TE/WR's.
I'm definitely not saying not to pass on BPA for need, but in this draft, I'm sure (as much as one could be, behind a screen -- har har
) that there will be similar graded offensive and defensive picks available in the third. This is a deep defensive draft (particularly DBs). And if so, it's a no-brainer. You go D. Our daggon achilles heal.
If the best pick available is undeniably an offensive player (TE, WR, OL etc) then go for it, but I damn well hope the pick is right in lieu of not going D.
Hanna is oft injured, Swaim was injured last season. Doesn't mean it's gonna be a trend (especially for Swaim).
I completely disagree about Witten. All he does is stretch and attack the seam. That's what he does. With occasional outs and comebacks. But he eats on that seam. He blocks, too, despite what is said by some around here.
Don't want to see a pick in the top 100 on an O prospect, especially after this consvertative apporach to the FA. D D D