Why on earth would we draft a DE in the first round?

[Shsonline]

Why do people keep calling for us to draft a DE in the first round, when it is nowhere near the top of our needs? We have Powell, Thomas, Reid, Nic Clemons, Kenny Peterson and Ekuban.

We don't need a superstar at DE to be successful, we need big bodies, run stuffers, grinders who won't look for attention or who won't look to rush the QB every play. IMO we need a RB and a premier LB or NT before we draft somebody like Jackson.

[Den615]

Why do people keep calling for us to draft a DE in the first round, when it is nowhere near the top of our needs? We have Powell, Thomas, Reid, Nic Clemons, Kenny Peterson and Ekuban.

We don't need a superstar at DE to be successful, we need big bodies, run stuffers, grinders who won't look for attention or who won't look to rush the QB every play. IMO we need a RB and a premier LB or NT before we draft somebody like Jackson.

Ekuban is no longer on the team. Powell and Thomas will get a shot at NT and Peterson, Reid, and Clemons are rotational players. Even if we get lucky and one or two of them turn into solid player you can never have enough good d-lineman. Just look at the Giants, they had one the best d-lines in football but are still trying to improve it. Osi Umenyora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Justin Tuck, Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard, they are so stacked its not even fair

I expect us to draft atleast 2 DE's and atleast one of them very early.

[Max Power]

Why do people keep calling for us to draft a DE in the first round, when it is nowhere near the top of our needs? We have Powell, Thomas, Reid, Nic Clemons, Kenny Peterson and Ekuban.

What is so great about any of those guys? Thomas has not made a difference since being drafted, Powell is coming off a season-ending knee injury, and Clemons and Reid are probable backups. Kenny Peterson is the best of that bunch, and even he shouldn't be more than a backup. It is a top need.

[Shsonline]

What is so great about any of those guys? Thomas has not made a difference since being drafted, Powell is coming off a season-ending knee injury, and Clemons and Reid are probable backups. Kenny Peterson is the best of that bunch, and even he shouldn't be more than a backup. It is a top need.

Moreso than OLB or NT? I disagree. You can find a solid 3-4 DE beyond the first round. You use 1st rounders for impact players. Quick, how many star "impact" 3-4 DEs can you name?

[Max Power]

Moreso than OLB or NT? I disagree. You can find a solid 3-4 DE beyond the first round. You use 1st rounders for impact players. Quick, how many star "impact" 3-4 DEs can you name?

That's a poor argument, you can find a solid player at any position beyond the 1st round. And the argument that 3-4 DE's aren't impact players is also poor. Tell that to Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Luis Castillo, and Chris Canty (when he was a Cowboy, he helped take blockers off of Ware - that is making an impact).

Another thing to point out is that there are different ways to make an impact. Commanding double teams consistently, allowing other players to make the play is one way to make an impact.

Although I would agree that to find an "impact" NT is top priority. Which is why I think getting BJ Raji should be top priority on draft day and they should do everything they can within reason to get him. Meaning trade up for him if necessary, just don't sell the farm.

[Den615]

Moreso than OLB or NT? I disagree. You can find a solid 3-4 DE beyond the first round. You use 1st rounders for impact players. Quick, how many star "impact" 3-4 DEs can you name?

The OLB's will look a hell of a lot better with a solid front 3. I agree that NT is the biggest need, but DE is just a big of need as OLB, if not more so.

If the stars aligned perfectly my draft would go something like this
1a. BJ Raji
1b. Tyson Jackson
2. Clint Sintim
3a. Rashad Johnson
3b. Kevin Barnes

and i would still draft at least one or two more 3-4 DE's for depth (Zach Potter, Rulon Davis)

[Gbt31]

Why on earth would we draft LB, especially when we have guys....who we have spend 1st and 2nd round picks on...transfering from DE to LB. Dumervil, Moss, Crowder. Yes I agree we need help with inside LB, but I really think if we give Woodyard a shot he will surprise some people. However, we need help on the DE spot. I think Thomas might succeed....probally not, but I'm really hoping that third we gave up last year pays off. Kenny Peterson is no more than a one year stopgap player. I'm still praying that we get Sanchez, Wells, Jackson or Ayers in the first round. If we land one of those players in round one I will be a very happy fan. But yes we do need DE...

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

Moreso than OLB or NT? I disagree. You can find a solid 3-4 DE beyond the first round. You use 1st rounders for impact players. Quick, how many star "impact" 3-4 DEs can you name?

I don't buy into the arguement that 3-4 DE's don't have a big impact just because they don't fill the stat sheet.

If that's the case then why did we waste a pick on Ryan Clady last year. He has no touchdowns or rushing yards, right?

Sorry, I don't mean to be a jerk. I've just had that thought several times over the last few days when I've seen guys use the 3-4 DE arguement.

[berlownacyo7s]

Why do people keep calling for us to draft a DE in the first round, when it is nowhere near the top of our needs? We have Powell, Thomas, Reid, Nic Clemons, Kenny Peterson and Ekuban.

We don't need a superstar at DE to be successful, we need big bodies, run stuffers, grinders who won't look for attention or who won't look to rush the QB every play. IMO we need a RB and a premier LB or NT before we draft somebody like Jackson.

I'll tell ya why. Because all of those guys are REAL GOOD.

[Shsonline]

I'll tell ya why. Because all of those guys are REAL GOOD.

Your sarcasm was not lost on me. Except...we don't KNOW how good they may or may not be. And to the guy equating a 3-4 DE to Clady. That's just foolish. And to the guy who is talking about LBers...sure we have a ton of LBers...a ton of LBers that we've seen play and are NOT starting material, who are not game changers or leaders, and who do not command respect from the opposing team.

[bklynbronco]

Your sarcasm was not lost on me. Except...we don't KNOW how good they may or may not be. And to the guy equating a 3-4 DE to Clady. That's just foolish. And to the guy who is talking about LBers...sure we have a ton of LBers...a ton of LBers that we've seen play and are NOT starting material, who are not game changers or leaders, and who do not command respect from the opposing team.

neither do the DE's you mention so why not start from scratch and start building up? either DE,NT or OLB are priorties and not in the order.

[Den615]

Your sarcasm was not lost on me. Except...we don't KNOW how good they may or may not be. And to the guy equating a 3-4 DE to Clady. That's just foolish. And to the guy who is talking about LBers...sure we have a ton of LBers...a ton of LBers that we've seen play and are NOT starting material, who are not game changers or leaders, and who do not command respect from the opposing team.

You can make the exact same argument for Moss, Dumervil, and Crowder.

[Hoserman117]

Because all those guys you just listed either

A: Have never played DE
B: Suck
C: Aren't on the team

Giant run stuffing DE's are incredibly important to any good 3-4 defense, and we currently have zero. Tyson Jackson is exactly what we need.

[Hoserman117]

Your sarcasm was not lost on me. Except...we don't KNOW how good they may or may not be. And to the guy equating a 3-4 DE to Clady. That's just foolish. And to the guy who is talking about LBers...sure we have a ton of LBers...a ton of LBers that we've seen play and are NOT starting material, who are not game changers or leaders, and who do not command respect from the opposing team.

It's not that hard to find good LB's. They're like runningbacks. Every team has at least 1-2 good-very good linebackers on their team. Very few teams have very good defensive lineman.

We can get top level LB talent in the 2nd and 3rd round, the same doesn't go for defensive lineman.

[Joshecalpoly]

Also a 4-3 DE does not equate to a 3-4 DE to change schemes like that requires that u get some new personel on the DL. It is easier to find a LB like the other guy said then a good DE or NT but to find a good DE or NT that fit into a 3-4 is a rarity that you dont pass up on.