I think the biggest need is the outside pass rushing linebacker which can be addressed via the draft. Three hybrid players are top ten caliber picks and they're Brian Orakpo, Aaron Maybin, and Everette Brown.
"HoustonMatt" wrote:
Agreed with all of this, but let me add another outside pass rushing linbacker that stands a decent shot of being available with our 2nd round pick -
George Selvie. While not as good as the three mentioned above, the value in round two would be good. Guys like Selvie make it possible to grab one of the top OTs in round one and still find a competant OLB with the 2nd pick.
"porky88" wrote:
+1
Another second round guy that would be able to help us is Ron Brace out of BC. He's 6'3 329, so he could play the nose, but won't come with the first round grade his teammate Raji has.
If Orakpo isn't available at 9, I'd really be for a trade down at this point. There's a lot of tweeners in this draft that could play rush linebacker for us, and DT/DE types like Jackson from LSU and Moala from USC that can play the 5 technique.
I'm worried about the Aaron Kampman situation though. It looks like he's going nowhere, which could be a mistake. If he doesn't work out in the 3-4 then we've essentially wasted our most valuable asset, whereas trading him now would bring in a Jared Allen type return.
I guess if the personal stays the same, plus draft picks, I'd like to have a defense next year of:
DE - Pickett
NT - either Ron Brace/B.J. Raji
DE - Jolly
OLB - Kampman
ILB - Barnett
ILB - Hawk
OLB - one of Orakpo/Brown/Maybin/Selvie/Jeremy Thompson
I think Hawk has the size to be a solid ILB in this scheme, but Barnett isn't an engage and shed type of player, so if we don't get great lineplay his play will completely drop off. He should be another candidate for trade and a wider bodied LB should be brought in, or maybe just give Bishop a shot. Jenkins, Harrell (if healthy), and Cole should give us decent depth along the defensive line.