Top Three at Thirteen

Its interesting you said that... in reading many mocks, it seems most of the college DEs are pojected as either 3-4 DEs or LBs at the NFL level. Very few of the top DEs are pojected to be DEs in a 4-3 defense.

That said, our OL is more of a concern (by far) than our DL. Assuming we keep Griffin (as speculated), having a healthy Daniels back alone will upgrade our unit over last year, with or without Jason Taylor. It is an area that certainly needs to be addressed, but our entire Oline (save for Samuels) needs to be rebuilt over the next two years. As it stands right now, we need a new starting RT and one, if not two new starting guards. Center can be delayed one more year and Samuels needs to move to the RT position at some point in 2009 or 2010. Otherwise, he will need to be replaced soon - possibly as soon as 2011.

I certainly agree that OL is more pressing, simply because at present we have a QB on IR situation waiting to happen if Jansen/Heyer has to play a full year at RT (and Zorn won't leave a rb in to help, but that's another story). But I don't think the O line overall is much worse than the d-line/pass rush.

I know the D played well, but I don't think we can expect them to maintain as is if there's not something done to improve the pass rush. It doesn't have to be on the d-line, it could be an OLB (they could employ Brown as a such & line him up at DE on passing downs) or simply moving Landry back to SS & blitzing him more. I just don't think our defense is nearly talented enough to come back in 09 & continually keep us in games. I expect a fairly big dropoff if nothing is done to improve the starting lineup. Also, don't expect much from Phillip Daniels, I love that guy but he'll be 35 or 36(?) & his legs might not even be able to get him through OTAs. He might retire while he still has his health.

Another reason O-line should be our primary position to upgrade is so that Jason Campbell can be evaluated without having a poor line as an excuse. From bringing in Zorn to drafting 3 pass catchers in the 2nd round last year, this team has put an emphasis on giving Jason campbell everything he needs to succeed. It would be foolish to stop short now and allow him to be behind the same pathetic line in 09.

Just about every mock draft I have seen has us taking a DE. While I do think we could use a DE, I do not think it's our number 1 priority, or even #2 priority. We need OL help, and bad. Both our tackles are old, and our guards havent exactly been healthy...I am firm believer that you go only as far as your Oline can take you. We need to beef up.

We need an OT the more I think about it, and anything else can be taken care of next year or in free agency!

For me, I want us to stay put in the draft and take the BEST AVAILABLE at OL. If it's C, G or OT I don't care. We take that, use our picks again next year on offensive line so we have some depth and then pick up one of the below in FA:

KFFL - 2010 NFL Free Agents (http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/features/freeagents/fa.php?option=DL&y=2010)

We'll have a semi-full compliment of draft picks in 2010 so I'm feeling good provided we don't start mortgaging the future again.

if one of the 4 top OTs aren't there at 13, i'd want to try and trade down with a miami, or detroit, or vikings, a mid 20's pick, and pick up Britton or Beatty to plug in at RT. Then we'd either get a 2nd round, or another 3rd round pick. Use the next pick to take the best available G/C, then wit our 3rd pick, take either one of the gang of DTs available in the 3rd, or maybe OLB McRath from So. Miss...but Blades is only 24 and he started 5 games last year....wasn't the best but did get some PT, could be better this year...but he could be our starter at SSLB and cut Washington....or maybe McRath as a back-up to McIntosh since he is ite, but not great...plus he gets hurt

Then wit our 5th and 6th round picks, i'd pick the best available G/C or LB

I know this was posted last year but I thought it was appropriate for this discussion.

Colts president Polian says NFL draft needs updating (http://www.nfl.com/combine/story?id=09000d5d806dd335&template=with-video&confirm=true)

I'd rather have Aaron Curry than anyone else but it would be an expensive proposition to move up. The question is would it be better to trade down regardless of who is available? Or trade away next year's number 1 for the chance to go up and not have to worry about the high round price next year?