How will the position groups look after the draft and FA?
 

So what will or won't we be worrying most about post-draft? Or after the first round of FA, if that happens some time after the draft this year.

My first take is:

QB Not a big worry. :)
TE Ditto.
RB Ditto. BJGE/Woodhead were a perfectly good duo. The issue is depth, which may or may not include Faulk and may or may not include a rookie.
LT Ditto, if Light is re-signed, which I therefore think he will be.
WR The only guys to feel confident in are Branch and Welker. There will be worry.
Interior OL. There will be worry even if Mankins stays and a high pick is used on a rookie. There will be a lot of worry in any other scenario.

K/P/LS Not a big worry, although there's always Gost's health.

DL Probably not a big worry. We should have Wilfork, Warren, Brace, a high pick, and a variety of lesser contributors (but not Mike Wright).
OLB Big worry. Nobody who could possibly added would in any way be a lock to perform well. Yes, Cunningham and Ninkovich could continue to develop, making this a position of immediate strength. But to put it mildly, that's not the only plausible outcome.
ILB Not a big worry. Spikes showed both good and bad instincts. The good should start winning out fast.
S Not a big worry. For 2012 it's another matter, but there's plenty of talent for 2011.
CB McCourty/Bodden look solid. But depth, including nickel, will still be a worry.

Re: How will the position groups look after the draft and FA?
 

I guarantee that if we draft a DE who can set the edge our need for an OLB will be much less.

IMO, DL is as big of a need as OLB (Specifally DE, not so much DT)

Re: How will the position groups look after the draft and FA?
 

You're not wrong, but I don't think you've invalidated my point(s).

Re: How will the position groups look after the draft and FA?
 

-- QB √
-- TE, need to upgrade depth via competition on the PSquad with a slight emphasis on blocking due to Crumpler's age.
-- RB √
-- LT, even if Light isn't re-signed, it's not a worry at starter, depth could use competition.
-- LG, when you factor in the draft it's not a worry even if Mankins is lost.
-- C, Koppen backed up by Connolly and Wendell is a solid line-up (anti-Koppen wankers may attend a meeting in Borges' & Felger's Fine Whine Emporium any evening this season).
-- RG, not so much a worry as an opportunity, I'm excited to see who emerges from the scrum.
-- RT, this only becomes an issue if Light's slot remains open, and even then I think Vollmer is staying put.
-- WR, too much doom and gloom. Tate had a good redshirt rookie season. Edelbinky needs to remain healthy through Training Camp, but what do you expect from a kid going 100 MPH all the time? I do hope he's taking advantage of his California proximity to Brady to get in some quality timing work.

-- P, PK, LS -- camp bodies needed.

-- D-line, competition is needed and this is the draft to put the screws on.
-- OLB, not as bad as you project. Ninkovich has a very solid first season starting, I'm excited to see where he goes. Cunningham will take a leap forward, I have no doubt. I'm not sure if Moore will make a smooth transition to playing in space, but I'm inclined to hedge my bet his way. TBC is what he is, a 9 year veteran journeyman who can bring the heat on a good day. Murrell is back, I give him a sporting chance to stick. Nink, Cunnigham, and Moore give me confidence in an improved OLB corps, life will be good.
-- ILB √
-- CB, well Merry Christmas and now there are whispers about Bodden's health! I'm surprised Gillette's flag isn't at half mast for all the Patriots doomed by injuries last season: Kaczur, Warren, Bodden, Wright ... when will Wilhite get his mournful pronouncement of doom? Not a worry.
-- S, despite the number of returning starters this seems to be an area of concern as I read the NE tea leaves. I believe Matt Patricia moving over to Safety is an attempt to kick-start some of these guys off their plateaus.

Re: How will the position groups look after the draft and FA?
 

I didn't know those positions were square roots.

Re: How will the position groups look after the draft and FA?
 

Wasn't trying to go against your opinions, I was just pointing out that drafting a top DE will lessen the need for an OLB.

Re: How will the position groups look after the draft and FA?
 

Firmly rooted indeed.

Re: How will the position groups look after the draft and FA?
 

DEs dont 'set the edge' they play head up on the OT in our system.

Re: How will the position groups look after the draft and FA?
 

and in our std 3-4 the OLB is supposed to take on the pulling guard, TE, FB or whatever forcing the play inside to the ILBs who tackle the RB

in reality, results vary

Re: How will the position groups look after the draft and FA?
 

Whether forced inside or not, the OLB is still the guy 'setting the edge'. That terms is way, way overused on this board.
There are many dynamics of playing contain, ome of which is to force the play back inside, but simply forcing the runner to run E-W just by controlling the los allow the pursuit as well as the corner and safety coming up to make the play. Its still a 2gap run D technique, the difference is that if you get pinned horribly inside there is a lot more room to run. In reality its not hard to find an OLB who can play contain, its finding one who can also play off that 2 gap technique to defend the off tackle run inside of him that really makes the difference.
In any event it is the OLB not the DE who handles that. The DE is responsible for the gap on either side of the T, the 'the edge'.