I agree with what your saying.

Thing is though that although I am on board with you on getting another stud safety in this draft. If the safety we got now can do a pretty good job than I would sign him to a 2-3 year contract and address other positions before hitting that home run at safety.

That is when you must take advantage of not being overwhelmed at a certain position because it gives flexibility to go after positions that the team needs.

I would really like to draft or sign (free agency) better LBs to replace Henderson or Brinkley and get a better Safety to take Jamarca Sanfords spot but that is too much to do in an off season. You address those positions and suddenly how are you going to improve the WR, G, CB, and DT positions?

Its best bet to stick with 2 out of the 3 between Henderson, Brinkley, and Sanford…. if not staying with all 3 for 1-3 years because they are above-average players than can hold their own while other spots that actually need immediate attention to be addressed now.

How much better does a team get going from an above-average safety to a good (not guaranteed when its a draft prospect) safety when a position like G or WR position are still in serious question?

Like I said I share the same interest as you but now isn’t the time but also like I said before that if a player is too good to pass up than I would gladly take them.

Can only do so much in 1 year…..

I agree that Sanford has improved (against the run) but he at times is a reliability against the pass. We are in such a pass happy league that I believe having the best possible pass defending safeties is a must. Another inside backer I would like them to evaluate is Arther Brown. He seems like a gifted athlete. Te’o may drop to use in the first then I would grab him, best DT in second, and possibly DJ Swearinger or Phillip Thomas in the third. I would still love to use both of our fourth rd. picks on WRs that have fallen. Draft a guard in the fifth, and the best DL or LB available in the seventh rd. picks. This is a strong defensive draft, but I truly believe these pieces would make our defensive a top 10 D in 2013.

Getting LB Alec Ogletree would be such an awesome addition but he would need to add 15-20lbs over the next couple of years which is not out of reach.

It is just his speed and coverage skills that are sooo incredible for an ILB.

We drop the ILB into mid-deep field coverage a lot and with his speed, coverage skills, and great hands would be a very convenient weapon for years to come.

I would be fairly pleased with that draft. If I changed anything it really would not be far off at all. I like it.

As far as S Eric Reid……

I am with you in that for a long time I have been thinking that the team should get just 1 more elite safety that seal up that back end. Just look how well Harrison Smith improved the defense! So one part of me wants to get an Elam from the Gators, an Eric Reid from LSU, or even Lester from Alabama to give that back end a dominating look for the next decade.

BUT…

I think we would be foolish not the address the fact of how well Jamarca Sanford played this last season. He is looking good. In fact, Greenway on KFAN talked about Sanford being one of the best improving players he has seen in a while. Greenway said that he is a MUST resign. Mistral Raymond is gradually improving and could be a good safety within the next 1-2 years.

So I would say best bet is to go after a safety in the 4-7 rounds.

One of my favorite prospects that I nearly guarantee will see his draft projection move up is S Shamarko Thomas of Syracuse…. he would be a very nice 4-7th round selection.

About LB Nico Johnson

From what I know is that he played in all 13 games or so but only started in about half of them.

So I would think he rotated but for the most part he played a decent amount in every game anyways. He had pretty decent stats too compared to the rest of the defense.

I like him a lot and have been excited about seeing him at the Senior Bowl.

My gut feeling is that they will probably stick with one LB between Henderson or Brinkley or just keep both… they wont get rid of them both. Long term I think the team is going to make Audi Cole the starter at ILB, I just have a strong gut feeling about that but could be wrong. Henderson and Brinkley were average-above average as LBs go so if the team can retain them for a couple more years will be valuable since they can concentrate on other areas.

If they get rid of both Brinkley and Henderson this offseason it might be too much to handle trying to patch up those 2 spots while also trying to address other needs.

I say keep both Brinkley and Henderson for a couple of years. Spend a draft selection on a quality LB within the first 4 rounds and groom them until a couple of years down the road when Audi Cole and a soon to be draft prospect can take over.

I agree with you that Hunter is better than was advertised last season because of his injury.

Same could be said with Patterson if he had more than just last season at the the D1 level in the toughest conference (SEC) to perfect his game.

So it goes both ways really.

I also agree that an Allen or Hunter could be better suited to complement Harvin in our current state of our offense.

I just lean with Patterson since instead of just Harvin being the trick pony that lines up everywhere and contirbutes in different ways (pass or run)…. Patterson could be that too and would be overwhelming for defensive coordinators. They worry so much about Harvin already, then they would need to make sure Patterson is located and checked out…. that is all too much when your primarily scheming against AP. Patterson I think can develop nicely into a Julio Jones type player outside the numbers so you can still get a taste of what Hunter and Allen can do in that department.

It is also easier, in my opinion at least, to find a Hunter or Allen as opposed to a Patterson…. he has overall raw talent you cannot find every year.

If I had to take any of the 3 I would go with Patterson but I would not complain with a Hunter or Allen since they have just as much of a chance to become a great player at the next level.