A few things to consider so that people can understand that we do not need John Abraham.
I would actually take these points as proof we DO need Abaham (or Freeney or the equivalent).
1. Chandler Jones before his injury last year, was on pace for a DROY season and would've won had he stayed healthy. Even after, he made impact upon impact but now that he is healthy, lets see from the start of the season. He could emerge as one of the premiere defensive ends in the league kind of like a Jason Pierre-Paul type.
Agree 1 DE is set if Jones stays healthy, but as the roster sits, he will be double teamed every play. A DE on the other side who could command a dounble makes Jones better.
2. The drafting of pass rush extraordinaire OLB/DE Jamie Collins is important and will be an immediate impact on our pass rush. Of course, he will be in subpackages and certain formations at the defensive end spot occasionally.
There is no evidence that this will be his role. How many rookie 2nd rounders have the impact of a probowl caliber DE? None?
3. Rob Ninkovich is quietly a very good pass rusher, but is sometimes pulled away from the defensive end position during games to do other things because he is so versatile but he does make a timely and definite impact, especially during important parts in a game.
Simply cannot agree that Ninkovich is a good pass rusher. In almost every game last year he played exclusively DE.
4. I like what Justin Francis showed last year when he got playing time and that Buchanon kid has some good intangibles. Not to mention that Jermaine Cunningham is also solid depth. And what about Jake Bequette? He could prove great value at that position.
Francis played less than 200 snaps and outside of the game vs the mailing it in Dolphins really provided no pass rush.
Bequette couldn't earn an active roster spot.
Cunningham has not been the answer for 3 years, why would we rely on his as the answer in his 4th?
Buchanan was a 7th rounder who had 3 sacks in college last year.
These are reasons that we could feel we have potentially good depth, not that we don't need a good starter.
5. Jason Vega, lets see what he brings.
See above. Lets not pass on a good pass rusher by hoping a guy who couldn't make it in the NFL and went to Canada could be 50 times better than his best case.
6. Dont'a Hightower could possibly sub in and get some snaps at the defensive end spot in certain packages as well.
If he were as good as Abraham, this would have happened last year.
We want to stay young, athletic, healthy, fresh, fast and interchangeable at that position.
Nice adjectives but I'm more interested in getting a strong pass rush from the position, something we won't have if we go with the current roster.
