Please Draft ??? at #13

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Unfortunately, there's not a true DE on the list to pick from. Next to Haynesworth, a DE would have a hell of a lot more of an impact to the team than an OT or LB would.

Drafting a pure LB with our 1st pick should be out of the question as this draft is extremely deep in LBs. Theres not enough of a difference in an LB here and one we could find in the 3rd round to make the move worthwhile. Assuming we go for 2 of the 3 needs (OT/LB/DE) with our 1st and 3rd round picks, we will find a hell of alot better LB in the 3rd round than we could an OT or DE, so it makes more sense to go with one of those two positions with our first pick.

Also, of these three needs, LB is the position we are deepest at presently, and its the position we can get even deeper at simply by resigning marcus washington. If you agree that DE is our greatest need, then drafting Orakpo or Maybin would be comparitively foolish, since he'll be playing LB on 1st and 2nd downs and DE on 3rd. Which is why i'd go with Everett Brown or Robert Ayers if theyre on the board at 13. Think about it - which front 7 would you prefer:

1. Carter, Griffin, Haynesworth, Ayers
McIntosh/Thomas, Fletcher and Washington/Blades

OR

2. Carter, Griffin, Haynesworth, Wynn/Daniels
McIntosh, Fletcher, Orakpo or Maualuga

To me, the first option presents a far more dominant defense, but thats just my opinion.

If we're picking at 13, Andre Smith is the most likely OT to be there, and he's got two knocks against him: 1. Questionable character, drive, work ethic, etc. 2. He can't play LT (where as Oher has the potential to play LT and allow Samuels to move right and prolong his career). In the end, if available, I feel either Ayers or Brown would be the safest, most prudent investment to make at 13.

If it were up to me, and we had to pick a player at 13 (no trading up or down), this is how i would fill our teams 3 primary "conventional wisdom" needs:

DE - (First Round Pick) Robert Ayers, Tennessee
OT - (Third Round Pick) T.J. Lang, Eastern Michigan
LB - Resign Marcus Washington and sign the best OLB available in the 5th round.