Draft needs coming into focus

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Interesting Prisco article.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/11543464

LB: Middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans is one of the best in the league -- he is a tackling machine. The players next to him are young and have ability in Zach Diles and Xavier Adibi. They could use help there. There is some depth with Kevin Bentley and Chaun Thompson.

Secondary: They franchised Dunta Robinson, which means he's back as the starter at one corner. The other is a spot that needs an upgrade. Fred Bennett and Jacques Reeves will compete, but expect to see a high pick on a corner. Safeties Eugene Wilson and Nick Ferguson are just OK. They need help there.

For me, one of the problems with drafting Lbs high this season is that, barring injury, a team rarely uses more than 4 over the course of entire game-sometimes only the three starters (depending on whether there is a nickel replacement). Meanwhile, though a base defense has only 2 CBs, almost every game you will see 4 CBs get extensive playing time... Similarly, though we start 4 DL, it's likely that 7 or 8 make an impact in a game.

So, while Adibi and Diles have some questions, I think their promise is enough that a high round pick on a LB may only marginally improve the team. Meanwhile, a high pick at DE, DT, CB, S all can significantly improve the team, even if the starters stay healthy and the rookies are unable to unseat them... If we draft Cushing in round one, it's possible that he doesnt beat out Diles or Adibi and therefore will only see the field because of injury or because he's been pressed on the field due to his draft position and salary cap number.