Don't we say that every year? Wasn't last year the year Bellichick was finally going to get the big pass-rushing threat we've been waiting for?? I'm not saying we won't draft a guy like that this year, but NEVER, EVER assume who or what Bill's going to draft.
I agree that you can't try to predict what BB is going to do in the draft, but Caserio went on the record to say that DE/OLB is one of the bright spots in talent and depth this yr. That may be a good sign, or it may be a smokescreen. Sometimes not everything is a smokescreen though, and at times things just are how they are. Hopefully this will be one of those times.
Another possible sign is the fact that most of the other positions are pretty well set, with the exception of a few. With 6 picks in the first 100 or so picks, I don't think that Belichick will mess around this yr in looking for that 'perfect fit.' Even he has to have his limits at some point, and it is a postion of need. He's got to be foaming at the mouth for that one big playmaker on defense, and I honestly think it will be a DT/DE + a free agent acquisition.
I went on the record to say that we were going primarily offense last yr, and was a lot closer to being right than wrong. I even argued towards grabbing one of the top 5-6 QB's, much to everyone's dismay; and that worked out pretty well too. I am strongly thinking that at least one, if not two picks in the top 100 will be Pats picks in the front seven. As much as I am normally wrong as a whole, maybe my draft thoughts can be a plus?
DT should be another position where there should be a nice group of players who are possible fits, it shouldn't be limited to DE/OLB. I actually think that they are just fine for the most part at LB, and that is considering that we may be active in free agency too. One way or another this defense will be improved. I can understand frustration about it, but if you look at the whole sample size from last yr (in a very weird year with uncertain labor situations, the draft coming before free agency, and no off-season mini's) the NEP did a pretty decent job at playing to their strengths on that side of the ball, changing up multiple fronts quite nicely, and improving/meshing together as the season went on.
Yes, there were flaws, but when the injury situations died down there was considerable progress down the stretch. I honestly believe 100% that this defense will continue to improve. Have faith buddy.