Poll: Which position on the defense would you draft for first if there were studs on the board at all 3 areas of need? (1 Viewer)

[SuperSaint]

I think its hands-down, LB would be the choice for me if Laurinitis is there.

 

[fahad]

i think it all depend on what you do if FA but our team badly need CB and we need to fix this problem first, you have to have in mind that M.Mckenzie is hurt... we were bad with him in the line up taking care of one side of the field and we were getting killed on the other side and now he is hurt .. this is really bad. sure we need LB, DT, S but as of the way this season ends you can not say that the CB position is not screaming for help.

 

[hcajun25]

Safety.

DT is an easy upgrade over the off-season. I do not have any particular free agents or trade scenarios in mind, but there are seemingly always veteran DTs available that can shore up the line for a year or two (Grady Jackson's services a few years ago is a perfect example). Dorsey is out of the question as he's a sure top-5 selection and I don't envision Ellis from USC having a significant impact as a rookie, leading to the dreaded "investing in the future" strategy that I loathe. We need immediate impact, and that's certainly attainable with the 10th selection.

I feel like we're going to make some noise in the off-season and land a solid LB. Be it free agency or through a trade, there are several options available. Pair that FA with Fujita and Shanle/Simoneau, and we're in pretty good shape. On top of that, I was relatively unimpressed with Laurinitis' play in the NC game and find him to be undersized. I think he will be forever compared to AJ Hawk for obvious reasons, but he will never emerge from his shadow as I believe he is inferior. Additionally, I think Manauluga from USC at 10 is a bit early.

As many of yall have highlighted in your off-season "wish lists", I also think we'll make a significant CB signing which is good since drafting a CB early is risky. The safety position is different and can provide us with some significant improvements on the defensive side of the ball even at the 10th pick. If Kenny Phillips from Miami is available, regardless of who else is available, we must select him - he's an outstanding athlete that will have an immediate impact.

I really hope Loomis and Co. don't screw this one up like last year...

 

[d3vanj]

It all depends on who we pick up in FA.
If we get a linemen or two who can get consistent pressure on the QB on EVERY SINGLE PLAY, I'd go for a saftey, such as Kenny Phillips, and pick up a decent cover corner who KP can consistently help over the top if he gets burned, and draft a LB in the 2nd

 

[Brees 2 Colston]

We need a CB badly we got beat all season there. But there is more chance of signing a CB in FA that can do a job.

 

[Gumbo's Dad]

I think a DT might have more of an immediate impact than a rookie CB, but elite CB's seem to be more rare. We need more than 1 CB as McKenzie's future availability is a question. Would Samuel even want to come here? So I say CB. Draft is deep at LB, and Laurenitis is solid but not a stud. But I could not criticize Ellis selection.

 

[CoolBrees1]

I've always been a firm believer that it starts in the trenches...the DL winning the frontline battles determines many a outcomes to the game...JMO

 

[BigRonJon]

Depends on FA.

The injury to McKenzie heavily influences my vote. Now we need 2 starting CBs next year.

I am really hoping we address CB, LB, DT in FA and dont rely on the draft to address everything and expect several rookies to have to come in and make immediate impact.

 

[iambruce]

I feel if you can get a stud DT in there, there would be more of impact than if you took a CB. I find that CB's have a difficult time with the transition into the NFL. DT's usually make more of a splash. If you get a stud DT that can draw double teams, you can open it up for C. Grant and W. Smith. This will put WAY more pressure on opposing QB's which will automatically make our secondary better.

Now I would definitely go after either LB or CB in round 2! LOL don't get me wrong... we need CB's but I think there will be CB's available in the 2nd round.

What we do in free agency will determine what we ultimately do. But if the draft were tomorrow..... i'd have to go with a DT!

 

[Bishop]

Well the second that we can't reach the QB, then our secondary gets torched. Heat on QBs isn't some every-other play thing, even with the best of Ds. The opposing OL is paid just as much to protect the QB. I'm not fully buying into the notion that DTs and LBs are the cornerstones of the D. Good coverage also forces the QB to hold the ball longer, giving the blitz time to get to him. I believe that our secondary is in the worst shape, so that's how I've voted.

 

[ibelieve]

I am tired of seeing every other team in the league get a stud lb that starts right away and makes a huge impact. I want a lber if he is there.

 

[jsberry]

Secondary help is needed ASAP so I would go with a FA there.

I would draft a LB.

 

[kevison]

I am tired of seeing every other team in the league get a stud lb that starts right away and makes a huge impact. I want a lber if he is there.

lus-un2: See Patrick Willis this year, and Demeco Ryans last year. We need immediate impact before our window of opportunity closes.

We have to get better at CB via free agency, as well as DT. Neither of these positions seem to make an immediate impact.

 

[Bishop]

I thought we were voting under the assumption that we hadn't signed any FA. I'd prefer a vet stud CB, but I don't like our odds of signing one, anyway.

 

[bergeaux]

D-line and LB play makes the secondary exponentially better. I DO NOT want us to take a DE unless we can convince Grant to move inside. If we do, then draft a DE, if not, draft a MLB or DT, whichever is higher on the draft board when we draft.

 

[ibelieve]

lus-un2: See Patrick Willis this year, and Demeco Ryans last year. We need immediate impact before our window of opportunity closes.

We have to get better at CB via free agency, as well as DT. Neither of these positions seem to make an immediate impact.

Don't forget Beason, Sims, DJ Williams, Vilma, Hawk, David Harris, Rudd, Tatupu and many others.

If we dont get Vilma or Briggs somehow, I really want to go LBER.