We all know the season will turn on a few key positions. Namely, QB, the emergence of a reliable LT, whether someone makes the leap at DT and who takes leadership of the Safety position.
However, there are some subtle positions this upcoming year that will make a 1-2 game difference in terms of W/L. One, because of depth. Injuries are inevitable; let's just hope they're minimal. Two, because these are positions that get important snaps during games and we can't afford a heavy dropoff.
3rd DE - Depending on who wins the SDE role or what they decide to do with it (hopefully, leave Garvin over at WDE), this could be either Hill (if he arrives) or Rousseau. Either way, it's a critical position because it'll get upward of 30 snaps per game.
Swing OTackle - Another position of scary need. My hope is for John Campbell to play behind Kennedy and Scaife. For those who got to watch him practice, he supposedly wasn't that far away in his first year. If he can serve as a swing tackle, he'd give us much needed depth.
Slot - I can imagine Enos using Jeff Thomas all over the field. Thomas should play both inside and outside because he can open up the field when placed outside, but also consistently win if given option routes and such inside. With the groundbreaking emergence of the concept of motion being introduced into the offense, a guy like Mark Pope can potentially do well at this spot and be moved around the field to avoid bump.
2nd DT - This one is huge. It's a wild card right now. Bethel has been there, but if we're going to be really good, and we accept no one (even a blooming Nesta) is going to truly replace what a 23 year old Gerald Willis provided, we need the 2nd and 3rd DTs to chip in here. The ideal situation is Jon Ford takes a massive leap. There are doubts among observers. We shall see.
Nickel - Blades? Bandy sliding inside for specific packages? A Safety? More Striker? This position is critical to continuing last year's surprising climb to the top of the 3rd down conversion statistical rankings.
