Hayden had 570 snaps last year to compare that to Crawford who had 625. McClain had 325 (but wasn't healthy most of the year). Melton had 424 (was also not healthy).
McClain should be healthier this year, and Melton's snaps are going to be replaced by a crew mostly of defensive ends.
You also have Whaley potentially making the roster, and potentially increased roles if Coleman and Bishop make the team.
The amount of snaps at that 1 technique is pretty small, and I bet Hayden doesn't see more than 400 snaps this year assuming people are healthy.
Hayden is fine for what he is. He isn't going to make a lot of plays in the passing game... but nobody is at that 1-tech spot. It is just the nature of this defense.
Every defense has players at one position or another that are just blue collar guys who don't pile up stats. Hayden and the 1-tech is Dallas'.
Everyone wants a blue chipper at every position, I suppose, and I wouldn't mind upgrading the 1-tech myself. I wanted Grady Jarrett or Michael Bennett in the draft when they started sliding... but Marinelli just doesn't see either of them as much of an upgrade at that position when they would be asked to do the same things that Hayden is.
The truth is that I thought Jarrett would rotate some at the 3-tech spot to give Crawford a rest... when Marinelli all along planned on using Mincey/Hardy/J Crawford inside in the nickle to provide a pass rush.
Instead of one of the DT's that wouldn't have provided as much inside rush as the bigger DE's... the team was able to add a LB like Wilson or a swing tackle like Green, both of whom can really help upgrade their position groups.
Adding Gregory in the second round... besides really adding talent to the DE group... gives Marinelli more flexibility to use some of his bigger DE's inside, IMO and might have taken away any chance of drafting a DT.
