True, but you are expending cap dollars + a first round pick when you already have a first rounder + second rounder already at the position. I fully support one of the following: drafting Elam/signing Reed/signing Phillips. But I think after that all your other resources have to go into DT/WR/OL/DE/OLB.
Keep in mind that this is a hypothetical dream scenario for me. Let me explain...
I don't think Reed is coming here. I would love to see it happen, but I don't think it will. The reason is that I think he's going to want more money at the age of 35 than what the team will be willing to pay him. That being said, if I'm wrong, I would love to have him. Elam is my binky. IMO, he's the best safety in the draft. He has range, isn't a liability in coverage, is excellent in run support, and can hit. Those two together, with McCourty coming in depending on situation or package, would make this defense a damn hard one to throw on.
It's my opinion that this defense needs to get nasty and physical again if we're going to get Brady another Lombardi. We have that blueprint up front in the front seven with Wilfork, Mayo, Spikes, and Hightower. It's the back end that's still soft. Pulling in Reed while drafting Elam would completely re-tool the safety position and would be one of the best tandems in the NFL. But, like I said, if not Reed, I would gladly take a McCourty/Elam tandem. IMO, their skills play well off each other. Elam takes care of the nitty gritty in run support and McCourty's range makes him a threat for a turnover while being solid against the pass. Add Mathieu to the mix and throw him into the slot and you have three people in the secondary with very nasty dispositions.
As for the offseason/draft, here are the needs I see with only safety being in order of importance...
1. Safety
2. WR
3. 3-4 DE/4-3 DT
4. RG
5. CB
6. LB (coverage specialist)