Wake played in the CFL where they don't run nearly as much, and the OL or DL are off the line of scrimage by a yard, I believe. I'm not positive which it is but something like that. Either way, it is a little different than college or the NFL. I don't see how it wouldn't make sense to take OLBs with our first two picks. Our only solid LB is Porter and he's 31 years old.
Roth is also solid. His run defense is among the best in the league at his spot. It's possible that he may only be a two down OLB but there's no way he's not on the roster. And yes, they do line up off the line in the CFL. That is considered an advantage to the OL in pass pro. So if anything, Wake's crazy sack total was actually hindered by the rules. And he was paid 2nd rd money so there's no way he's not on the roster either. That's three near roster locks at OLB. Taking two more with our first two picks almost guarantees that we'd either have to roster an extra OLB and be light elsewhere or we'd have to cut one of our top two picks.
We also had 2 solid DEs last season going into the draft when we had Vonnie Holiday and the newly signed Randy Starks. Yet, we still decided to pick Merling and Langford with back to back picks. Don't get me wrong about Wake, I'm as big a fan of his as anyone and I'm hoping he sets the league on fire. I'm also prepared to be wrong. Saying that he's a guaranteed LB at this point, is a reach IMO. I don't see Roth as solid for the reasons you also added. Solid against the run, yes. Pass, hell no. I could see him eventually being fazed out if he can't improve his passrush or move inside. I don't think anyone would be suprised to see Moses or Anderson cut either.
We had a lot of age at DE so we needed youth there. We also didn't even have a full roster's worth of DL that were expected to stick under the new regime's size specs. We needed bodies on the DL. That's not the case with OLB. BTW the DEs weren't back to back. The Henne pick was in between those. Wake was paid 2nd rd money. About the only thing that guarantees him is a little time. Ordinarily that gives him at least two seasons unless he sleeps with Sparano's wife or something. And Roth may eventually be phased out if he doesn't improve in the next two seasons, but until then he's a near lock for a roster spot. Add in Porter and that's three of the likely four OLB spots we'll roster. That leaves one likely OLB spot available. We should still double up on it but not with our first two picks. Late round guys we can stash on the PS squad and don't have big salary cap consequences.
We still need ILBs as well. Yea, we resigned Channing, but he's far from being the kind of LB that will really take our defense to another level. He's like Roth, great against the run, horrible in the passing game. I still can very easily see us taking 2 LBs Day 1. You can point to the fact that this FO only has had one draft. But, I don't think it's logical not to look at BP history of drafting LBs when there is quality on the board. He sure seems much more involved in the decision making than was previously assumed.
I separated ILB from OLB. You originally projected two OLBs day 1 which I believe makes no sense. There is roster space and need for another ILB, so it is possible that we could take 1 OLB and 1 ILB day 1. However, ILB is not a position that I think we should take day 1. There is very little drop off in production from the ILBs drafted early compared to those taken in the mid-rounds. I see no reason to believe that this draft will be any difference. So I would only draft an ILB on day 1 if I thought he was an elite talent like a Ray Lewis. Otherwise it's usually more cost effective to take those guys in the mid-rounds.
No, I posted that we needed LBs on Day 1 and you made the point of a college DE converting to OLB from it. There may be guys who are capable of playing inside or on the outside, available on Day 1. Why not take a shot at one of those? LBs that have that kind of versatility are extremely valuable and exactly what we're missing with Channing Crowder. Precisely why we were all hoping that Dansby would slip into FA by some miracle.
I guess it was that every guy you mentioned is expected to be an OLB. And while the versatility is valuable taking a guy you project to be an ILB early isn't generally cost effective. That's why I already posted this statement: There is very little drop off in production from the ILBs drafted early compared to those taken in the mid-rounds. I see no reason to believe that this draft will be any difference. So I would only draft an ILB on day 1 if I thought he was an elite talent like a Ray Lewis. Otherwise it's usually more cost effective to take those guys in the mid-rounds. Back when everybody was screaming CB I kept saying that this organization doesn't value CBs and that the #2 CB was the least valuable position on our defense. Most people disagreed with me but now some have admitted that this organization really must not value CBs. The next least valuable position is the 2nd ILB. By less valuable I don't mean that there's no impact but rather that you don't need to expend large resources (large amounts of salary cap or high picks) to get them. Many good ones are often available in the mid-rounds. So it's not smart to spend a 2nd round pick for something you can get in the 5th. The exception would be if you see a guy you expect to be a true stud, HOF potential guy. At a minimum you should think that this guy could be that best at his position.
