Mock Off Season

[PatrickWillis]

Baalke on the priorities of a 3-4 OLB.

But Reed also has flashed good pass-rush ability at the Senior Bowl, and a number of teams are looking at him as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Reed and several other college defensive ends like Texas' Sam Acho and Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan said they've been trying to improve their draft value by practicing how to drop back in coverage and play pass defense.

That's fine, said Baalke, but the No. 1 criterion at the position is the ability to find the opposing quarterback.

"The thing you have to remember is that probably the third or the fourth thing they're going to ask those guys to do is drop (in coverage)," he said. "It's a lot more important for them to be able to rush the passer, set the edges on the run game, and then you worry about what they can do in the drops."

So while yes, coverage is important, pass rush ability is the MOST important.

Steelers: 2 premier rushers in Harrison and Woodley
Packers: Premiere rusher in Matthews
Ravens: premiere rusher in Suggs

Funny how all the dominant 3-4's have a bonafide sack artist.