What is the most important, game changing position, on defense in the current NFL? If you had 10 avg players on defense and an 11th game changer what position would that be at?
In today's NFL is it just someone who can get to the quarterback consistently regardless of being double teamed. The Superbowl saw two offenses move up and down the field but it was a strip sack that won/changed the game. We don't win our two Superbowls without Justin Tuck. Von Miller was a huge reason the Broncos won. The Patriots 2017 Superbowl win had many huge plays but the biggest may have been the strip sack by Dont'a Hightower Strip Sack.
We have consistently been discussing what will make our offense great--the qb debate for now and the future--but do we have the one player that on defense will make the plays in the playoffs and Superbowl to make a game changing difference. Landon Collins is awesome and Snacks is one of the best in the league. I thought we had two going into last year with JPP and Vernon. Will one of them turn it around, will we generate pressure with a new defensive scheme or do we still need "that player" and who could it be.
Lets say we fix the online in free agency, Eli is the QB that he can be, OBJ is the receiver that he is, and maybe we add a speedster running back in round 2 or 3, do we draft for defense. Is Chubb the one or is there another get to the qb player in the draft or free agency.
Also worth noting how you build a team is huge. Since all the other guys are never avg, in true implementation it's how you piece it together from FO to coaches / strategy to players / talent / execution. You can further color it w/ offensive trends & eras to be fair, but still we're asking who's MVP of the 11
IMO it's is front and center. In our 2 typical Ds, that's 4-3 DT / MLB or 3-4 NT / ILB. Safeties are huge, but for ex Landon Collins has less effect on every play than Snacks. That's not to say other spots are unimportant, but even CBs split the field so a lock down CB is great but just 'the place to NOT throw' if the other CB sucks. NT / DT / MLB / ILB on the other hand influence more on every play due simply to location on the field
But re: NYG's D - we have 2 DEs w/ Qs after the last 2 yrs but reason to believe they can make plays. All pro DT & SS. CBs are top heavy. But we're missing: LBs, FS, and depth everywhere. From that NYG's D needs LBs first w/ FS close by. That does not account for 'BPA' or overall position talent in a draft or FA...but it's a very general account of needs
I think it can be similar in thinking about defense, The dline is going to be involved in almost every play in a substantial way but if you have a Deon Sanders on the field he potentially can have an effect on the whole offense more than just taking away half of the field.
I think that the most dangerous potential is a linebacker who can get to the qb and also has the ability to cover--that is pretty rare. We saw how LT was able to influence a game and always had to be accounted for.
I wish there was that game changing LB that we could get to improve out pass rush and cover LB and rb.
2. Corner
3. Interior DL (NT/DT)
4. Safety
5. LB
Although LB/S are somewhat interchangeable
In a 4-3 - whatever DL is playing the QB's blindside.
+1 ... you beat me to it Boatie.
63 sacks one year lol
It would stink for the offense to come around and then watch quarterbacks sit back in the pocket all day.
Look at JJ Watt. he is a 3-4 DE but because of his talent he is in a defense which he can dominate.
L. T. and Strahan
Easy question
Every year and every team is it's own puzzle.
That said.
You -must- have a pass rush and it's a big part of what we love as fans.
How to "" right now here is debatable. But those as you guys mentioned are on the table of course.