Freeney staying

[ArtistFormerlyKnownAsBKR]

The last few years has been pretty good drafts for getting NT types, but there has only been 1 NT with 1st round grades in any of the recent drafts. And before that, there were some drafts where none of the NT had 1st round grades. And let's remember, 43 teams need run stuffing DT too. Star was drafted by a 43, and he was the only 1st round NT in last years draft.

Actually Richardson was picked right before Star.

[Steve]

Richardson is not a true NT. He plays the same position that Ngata played in Baltimore initally. The Jets play a LDE (Mo Wilkerson), a NT - Harrison or Ellis and Richardson lines up at RDT, which is a hybrid DT or DE. Richardson lines up as a 3 technique DT. Even though they call themselves a 34 team, they really play almost exclusively 4 man fronts with one of their OLB (Couples) lining up like a 43 DE.

[Viejo Bolt]

If we were drafting for need by priority (which we smartly won't), to me OLB isnt' even in the top three. I would go NT, CB, ILB and maybe even OL before OLB. But I think this year it's best to just select the best football player.

[Steve]

A lot of that depends. Freeney may be on the roster, but we can't seriously think he can last more then a year or two max. Since most rookies aren't that productive, if we want to draft an OLB and then have him step in without a big dropoff, we really need to be thinking a year ahead, maybe two.

Other postitions, you can afford to have more of a short term plan. A lot of OL start as rookies, some ILB, WR, RB... And some others can usually be expected to play, but not necessarily be as productive. I just don't think edge rushers are among those.