This board is overlooking our needs at linebacker

[Verdict]

Everyone keeps talking about our needs on the defensive line, and is harping over a perceived need at safety, but much less about our linebacking corps. If you take off the rose colored glasses, we seem to have a stud in Sean Lee, but beyond him, there is a pretty steep drop off in the quality of play overall.

Even if Carter steps up his play then there is still a lot of room to upgrade this linebacking corps in the draft or via free agency. A stud linebacker might significantly upgrade the overall play of this defense....possibly more so than a safety or defensive lineman that we could obtain through the draft this year. My guess is we will take a linebacker early ..... probably in the first three rounds, with the smart money being on round two or three, unless Barr falls to us at #16.

 

[Questfor6]

I'm not overlooking that position I'm down with either of the FSU guys in the middle rounds, Shazier if by some devine miracle he falls to 47, or Smallwood or Tripp in round 4 or later.

I'd love to see Barr fall to 16 because I think we could use him a lot like Denver deploys Von Miller.

 

[17yearsandcounting]

Why cant we get a safety that isnt terrible for once?

 

[dmq]

We aren't overlooking the problem. We just have needs everywhere.

 

[Sydla]

Everyone keeps talking about our needs on the defensive line, and is harping over a perceived need at safety, but much less about our linebacking corps. If you take off the rose colored glasses, we seem to have a stud in Sean Lee, but beyond him, there is a pretty steep drop off in the quality of play overall.

Even if Carter steps up his play then there is still a lot of room to upgrade this linebacking corps in the draft or via free agency. A stud linebacker might significantly upgrade the overall play of this defense....possibly more so than a safety or defensive lineman that we could obtain through the draft this year. My guess is we will take a linebacker early ..... probably in the first three rounds, with the smart money being on round two or three, unless Barr falls to us at #16.

I don't think anyone is overlooking the LB position. But the DE spot is likely a bigger black hole at this point than LB.

 

[alicetooljam]

Im fine with a LB in the first 3 rounds...as long as its defense, you pretty much cant go wrong...unless youre Jerry.

 

[AKATheRake]

After the top 3 LB's the talent to draft pick value level drops dramatically.

Mack won't be there at 16.

If Barr is I take him in a heartbeat.

CJ Mosley is also a very strong consideration if he physically checks out well and is the best player on our board at that pick.

I don't think LB is being overlooked at all.

In fact Jerry Jones even stated the FO may be considering 1 of the top 3 LB's in the 1st round since the talent at that position drops off greatly after.

 

[Doomsday101]

Everyone keeps talking about our needs on the defensive line, and is harping over a perceived need at safety, but much less about our linebacking corps. If you take off the rose colored glasses, we seem to have a stud in Sean Lee, but beyond him, there is a pretty steep drop off in the quality of play overall.

Even if Carter steps up his play then there is still a lot of room to upgrade this linebacking corps in the draft or via free agency. A stud linebacker might significantly upgrade the overall play of this defense....possibly more so than a safety or defensive lineman that we could obtain through the draft this year. My guess is we will take a linebacker early ..... probably in the first three rounds, with the smart money being on round two or three, unless Barr falls to us at #16.

I think many are focused on the greater need. however if a top LB is sitting there then I personally would not have a problem taking him. I want playmakers on defense guys who can come in and make a differance. No doubt though much of the problems start on the DL.

 

[Va_BoysFan4 Life]

I do not think the LB corp is being overlooked and I agree that we do need to add a stud. However, IMO I still believe the DL need the 1st or 2nd round attention. Or possibly both. And for me, I feel very strong about Carter having a strong comeback year. I think the switch in defense, the injuries, and the lack of continuity affect not only Carter but the defense as a hold.

And with that being said, I have no problem adding Barr if he feel in our lap.

 

[Verdict]

I think many are focused on the greater need. however if a top LB is sitting there then I personally would not have a problem taking him. I want playmakers on defense guys who can come in and make a differance. No doubt though much of the problems start on the DL.

Better linebackers make our defense against the run much better, and helps in the passing game as well. If we get solid linebacker play, it is probably a pretty good bet that the defensive line and defensive backfield will look better since they will be getting help that they haven't really had. All three defensive units can affect how the other units play, and how effective they are. You can cover up a deficiency in one area, but filling holes in all three levels is problematic.

 

[Doomsday101]

Better linebackers make our defense against the run much better, and helps in the passing game as well. If we get solid linebacker play, it is probably a pretty good bet that the defensive line and defensive backfield will look better since they will be getting help that they haven't really had. All three defensive units can affect how the other play, and how effective they are. You can cover up a deficiency in one area, but filling holes in every one is problematic.

Better LB can help unless they are getting bulldozed by 300 plus guys who are able to get to the 2nd level because DL can't hold up and take out a much smaller LB. Our LB core is not bad we do have some very good players. DL saw 18 guys come and go last year and now we have 2 starters gone.I'm not opposed to using a 1st rd on a LB but I'm also not blind to where the primary problem was and currently is

 

[cowboys1981]

Everyone keeps talking about our needs on the defensive line, and is harping over a perceived need at safety, but much less about our linebacking corps. If you take off the rose colored glasses, we seem to have a stud in Sean Lee, but beyond him, there is a pretty steep drop off in the quality of play overall.

Even if Carter steps up his play then there is still a lot of room to upgrade this linebacking corps in the draft or via free agency. A stud linebacker might significantly upgrade the overall play of this defense....possibly more so than a safety or defensive lineman that we could obtain through the draft this year. My guess is we will take a linebacker early ..... probably in the first three rounds, with the smart money being on round two or three, unless Barr falls to us at #16.

That's because the Dline is an area of higher need. Until the Melton signing we didn't have anyone that would be an impact player on the trenches. Everything starts up front and I'm ok with not drafting a LB if we end up drafting 3 quality Dlineman.

 

[JBS]

Not necessarily... some of us think there are too many holes to fill in one season.. might even be too many to fix in two seasons... Bc we have so many holes, we just value the needs at other positions more

 

[iceberg]

http://cowboyszone.com/threads/will-linebacker-be-our-achilles-heel-in-2014.286133/

 

[KLJ]

Why cant we get a safety that isnt terrible for once?

i agree. that's the position i think people overlook the most

 

[XxTDxX]

Guys like Telvin Smith and Christian Kirksey are midround guys I like at Will LB.. I think we are set at SAM

 

[17yearsandcounting]

The team should be looking to get someone in to challenge Carter, though. Some of his effort last season was disgraceful and that has nothing to do with any change in scheme or anything like that.

 

[thunderpimp91]

With the depth of d line players in this draft I wouldn't be too upset if round 1 we went with a linebacker, but I wouldnt prefer it. Make no mistake about it, in most 4-3 systems a plus D line can make a bad backer group average and an average group of backers good.

 

[OhSnap]

The team should be looking to get someone in to challenge Carter, though. Some of his effort last season was disgraceful and that has nothing to do with any change in scheme or anything like that.

I've got a theory that he either doesn't want to be playin football or he don't wanna play it for the Cowboys or it's just not his priority right now.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

I say draft LB in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th...