In all these discussions no one seems to want to consider Geneo Grissom as an OLB candidate and the potential #4 LB. We have a need there even though there are plenty of ST LBs and a surplus at DE.
Why?
It makes little difference whether you call Grissom a DE or OLB. He will make the 53 man squad. I usually list 5 DE's, 5 DT's and 5 LB's. With Grissom listed as an OLB, I would have 4 DE's, 5 DT's and 6 LB's. Either is a reasonable allocation of roster spots.
We have 2.2 LB's on the field on average. We have Hightower, Mayo and Collins. That makes 3. We usually carry 2 LB/STers. We have several who are better than Grissom at this dual role.
THAT BEING SAID
We could list 4 DT's, 4 DE's, 4 LB's, and 3 LB/ST/DL's. Perhaps, such a listing would better reflect the flexibility required by Belichick.
BOTTOM LINE - WHO DO WE NEED (after the 11 locks)?
DE: Ninkovich, Jones, Sheard
rookies: Flowers, Grissom (call them what you want)
DT: Brown, Siliga, Easley
LB: Mayo, Hightower, Collins
We have 3-5 positions left. I think that we need 2 additional DT's, 1 positional LB, and one more player, probably a ST/LB.