1. 3-Tech DT - it's the biggest need by far. We have no legitimate starters there, unless you consider Ratliff starter quality, but for me he didn't seem all that great last year - just better than what we were used to. 3-Tech is one of the most important positions on our defense, if we don't get a new one in the draft I'll be pretty dissapointed. (Spell check thinks I mean disjointed.... lol.)
2. Both safeties - Another position where I'm not sure we have much. Mundy may turn out to be average, but I'm not optimistic about the rest of them. it isn't quite as important to the overall play of our defense, but no matter what position it is if you don't really have anyone capable of playing it competently it will make life much more difficult.
3. Linebacker in general - I actually am a lot more worried about our linebacker corps than a lot of people around here seem to be. Either Bostic or Shea may do well enough to earn a starting spot on the outside, but we need some sort of contingency plan. Taking two shitty players from other positions and having them compete for another spot doesn't quite inspire confidence. At middle linebacker, DJ was not good at all last year and was actually the target of a lot of hate when he was healthy, having a lot of people calling for Bostic to start. Once Bostic managed to be worse though, everyone forgot about it. Even at the beginning of the year the defensive line wasn't anything special though, so that probably contributed a bit. Briggs is the only player here I am sure can play well next year.
4. NT - Separated this one from 3-Tech as it isn't quite the same thing, and isn't as much of a need - We need an Aaron Donald more than a Louis Nix. (Not saying we should draft either, just using a couple big names as an example.) Paea isn't elite, but he's been part of a very good defensive line in the past and is solid enough to live with if we can get a good supporting cast around him. Hell, Ratliff may end up winning the spot - who knows. Point is, it's not an ideal situation and I definitely think if we have the opportunity to get better at the position go ahead, but we can survive with what we have now at the moment.
5. CB - This finds itself pretty far down the list due to the fact whoever we bring in might not even end up playing nickel. Frey, much like Paea isn't an amazing player, but he isn't going to be the downfall of our defense. We've already got two pro-bowl caliber corners starting. We definitely need to plan for the future, but I'm not too worried about CB at the moment. Only thing that scares me is Tillman going down/being sidelined a lot like last year.
6. #2 TE - It gets the win over backup running back simply because a second tight end would see the field a lot more unless there is an injury, and I'm really not sure who we plan on lining up here next year. Can't imagine a damned seventh rounder wouldn't be better than what we have right now.
7. Backup running back - Ford could end up being good, but hasn't shown enough yet to rely on him in the case Forte goes down. To add to that, it'd probably be best if Forte could take a breather every once in a while.
