What is the 2nd most important position in the NFL?

[thunderraiden]

If you guessed OT you would be one position off, if you picked LB you would be two positions off, defensive tackle? SEVEN positions off, no, the second most important position is the defensive end, now that Julius is gone, I'm not one to say that Everette, Johnson, or Brayton suck. No! I think at least one of them minus Brayton (who is just solid) have potential.

It just that I don't think going into the season without a solid defensive end that is at least decent at pass rushing... already... is going to bode very well when it is the second most important position on the football field. And when WR is the 6th most important position according to how NFL teams payout their players, it makes me think DE in the second, WR in the third, DT in 4th.

The chart can be found at this link:

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/10943/have-at-it-okung-vs-suh

I know some of you will dismiss this, but I think we even trade next years first to get another pick in the 2nd round just to get a WR as well in the 2nd so we can get DT in the 3rd.

[spartan_pantherfan]

You are wrong, Center is the second most important position.

If he does not do his job, your offense is shot.

[PhillyB]

with what authority/evidence do you make this declaration? i'm not sure these sorts of things can be definitively and unquestionably ranked...

[rayzor]

2nd most important job is debatable but i won't go there. let someone else argue that.

i do think what you are suggesting is very likely. we very well could see a scenario like last years in which we get a trade that gives us a late 1st or early 2nd. remember, hurney is still the GM and that is what he does.

if there is a DE up there close by we could be taking him. like i said in the other DE thread, i don't think we are quite done filling out the DE ranks. i see us with a draft pick and/or another vet brought in to compete for the 4th DE spot on the 53 man roster.

[SCMunnerlyn1]

Head Coach

[firstdayfan]

The second most important position is left tackle...mainly because his job is to protect the number one most important position. That's why you saw Julius peppers out there and not Jordan gross. DE is probably dropping even more than that as of late mainly because teams are switching to 3-4 and the DE position isn't as important. Just my two cents.

[Cyberjag]

You're all wrong. It's the beer vendor. Without him, if the other positions fail to do your jobs you'll have a lousy day at the game.

[Lumps]

Nah, Brown is going to get a shot, and this is the year to give him his shot.

I sitll think the panthers will possibly draft a DE, but it will be further down a bit....

Here is what I think the draft will be in order:

WR

DT

QB

WR#2/DE

After this another DT or possibly CB or Saftey help.

The point in all this is the Panther's offense is Lacking one WR, where are the Panther's defense which is usually full of vets and always expected to play hard is now going to be very unpredictable. But I think our offense is going to be fantastic as long as the panthers just draft someone who can catch the damn ball and get open 20% of the time.

[Wither]

Better yet, what's the first?

[Bobby]

Better yet, what's the first?

Holder

[faultlessjoint]

I was debating between FS and MLB, but I decided it's gotta be FS. FS is the last line of defense and if they make a mistake it quite often results in a TD. They can't rely on anyone else to clean up their mess and have to be able to take down RBs as well as cover WRs.

My argument against OT or DE, is that the lines work as units. A linemen's effectiveness is entirely dependent upon the effectiveness of the guys standing next to him. And it's easy for them to blame their failures on the unit. Whereas a FS is on an island, when he fugs up everyone sees it and there is no passing the blame.

[mick eye]

Your entire argument is based off franchise tag amounts. Financial implications is not the same as positional value. That is the avg salary of a position. Salary has less importance than you think. Fact is a elite pass rusher is gonna get paid ( Peppers) but that does not make him more important than a LT. Offensive lineman are consistently taken in the first round because they are not as greedy. They also have less risk attached to them. Where is Derrick Morgan gonna be drafted? Not top 5. You attempted to argue the level of importance when in actuality you merely are proving the value of positions in the FIRST ROUND. By the time we pick, or for that matter if we traded back up to the bottom of the 1st or top of the second salary is of MUCH LESS IMPORTANCE. Therefore your entire argument is shot.

1. QB franchise QB

2. LT elite pass rusher

3. DE elite pass rusher

4. CB shut down corner

5. WR number 1 WR

6. RB bell cow

This is the true importance chart. Linebackers, Defensive Tackles, and Safeties have to be truly special to compete with the other positions in the first round of the draft. If you do not have 1-6 you can not compete for the big prize. So by the 2nd round we are free to take whoever we like at a position of NEED. And despite what many that have not faith in Brayton, Brown and Johnson think it is not a huge need.

[Ricky Spanish]

did anyone read about that anthony hargrove kid in the article? why the hell not?

[Kevin Greene]

Head Coach

Winner