Building Through the Draft - Defense

[lostpoet2]

First off, great thread! Here is my breakdown by type of player from a GM standpoint.  The problem, in my opinion, is that there are too many guys in sections 3-4 of my list and just as many in sections 5-6 as 1-2.  

1. Definitely keep long term and build around
Atkins
Dunlap
Iloka
Shaw

2. Probably should keep long term
Kirkpatrick
Burfict

3. Depth/Rotational Players with limitations
V. Rey
Clarke
Hunt
Shawn Williams
Lewis-Harris
Sims
Thompson

4. Jury is still out
D. Smith (I’m optimistic)
Hardison (I’m optimistic)
DeShawn Williams
Flowers
Dawson (I’m pessimistic)
2016 draftees (hopefully Jackson, Billings, and Vigil become long term starters)

5. Serviceable but on the decline
Jones
Dansby

6. Need to cut bait
Peko
Maualuga
Dennard

Other general comments:

• I wish there were more guys like Shaw, who while not a superstar, is a really solid young player
• We shouldn’t have 4 starters from groups 5-6.
• There are too many guys in the unknown category because we don’t mix them in enough in sub packages.  For example, why Derron Smith can’t play in a big nickel or replace Williams in dime packages is beyond me.  I would also assume even if Vigil isn't a top-two linebacker who plays in the majority of 4-2-5 nickel snaps, he could get live reps in base 4-3, 3-3-5, or 3-2-6 packages.
• The DE position is thin despite recently investing fairly high picks in Hunt and Clarke. This has been beat to death though.  
• In our scheme you really need two linebackers who play 3 downs and can run down and clean up anything from sideline to sideline (think Carolina in 2014-2015).  A slimmed down Burfict could qualify if you paired him with a super rangey guy, but that's it unless Vigil or Dawson pan out.  We should primarily have this type of linebacker, but it has never been a priority.