It has taken me a while to realize this reality. Unless I am missing something, Gholston is going to be starting in the 3/4 scheme. The 3/4 has three linemen, and 4 LB's... right?
JPP is going to be an OLB in this scheme (unless we trade him). Yes... he could play "DE/DT" in this scheme, but to do so would put him on the inside of the OT, rather than the outside, where he normally plays. The DE/DT (it is kind of a hybrid of the two) in this scheme is not primarily a pass rusher. So, to put JPP at DE/DT would be a huge waste of money. So, he will play OLB.
Nassib, Barrett, and Spense are the other three OLB's we currently have on the roster.
McCoy is actually a perfect DE/DT in this scheme, from what I gather. And Vea is a perfect guy inside.
So, as things currently stand, Ghoston would be the other DE/DT... if the season started today.
Let me say this another way... I think the starting 7 we would role out today would be:
Gholston, Vea, McCoy... as the DL
JPP, Minter (sub Buchannon), David, Nassib/Barrett... as the LB's
When I look at this reality, a few obvious problems come to mind:
1). Is JPP really a fit as a stand-up rushing LB? This is why he was traded to us in the first place. It is not something he has really been known for.
2). Is Gholston really a starting quality player? I see him as the perfect backup to both DE's in this scheme... but a starter?
3). Is Minter really a starter? Again, I think he is a good backup for either inside LB. What you really want for that 2nd inside LB position, however, is a "thumper." A guy that runs downhill, hard and heavy, to stop the run. Beckwith would be perfect if he were healthy. Buchannon subs this guy in obvious passing downs.
4). In any case, don't we need one more 3/4 DE/DT... and 1 more ILB?
This is the problem with where we sit in the draft. I am not sure we should draft Allen, Sweat, or anyone like them... unless we have traded JPP. The bigger hole is actually the second DE/DT guy... not the rushing OLB (unless we think JPP is going to fail). If we drafted Quinnen Williams it would be perfect... as he would start alongside Vea and McCoy on the DL. Christian Wilkins, Ed Oliver, and Rashan Gary could also fill this role.
In terms of the ILB "thumper" guy, this is the least sexy position of the front 7 in this defense. He isn't typically a high draft pick. White would be a HUGE investment for this position. He also isn't ideal. He is smaller than the ideal fit. White's ideal role, in this defense, would actually be the one we are asking David to fill. White has been compared to Ray Lewis, for instance. Lewis played the role that we would be asking David to play. The other ILB, next to David, is the lowest paid guy in the front 7 of this defense. In an ideal world, this guy would be like 6'2" tall, at about 250 pounds. He would run somewhere in the 4.5 - 4.6 range. He would excel at reading and reacting to run plays... and keeping OG's off of David.
Anyway... I know those are a lot of thoughts. IMO, we should be signing an inside LB "thumper" guy in FA. The options would be guys like Zach Brown or Jake Ryan. This would allow us to not worry about ILB until the later rounds. And, I think we should draft a guy to compete against Gholston as a starting DLmen.
