The argument that a first rounder at a need position will come in and be a plug and play starter from Day 1 does not necessarily hold water. The jump to the NFL is tremendous, mentally and physically, and, often, even successful players deal with a learning curve which means they dont get significant reps until later in their rookie year or even year 2. It happens fairly regularly. So even if we grab a player at a need position, it may not give the results you want out of the gate.
Regardless, we're building a winning program....which means that we're looking at a 5 year, and hopefully 7-10 year return on the player drafted. Picking for a one or two year need is not the way to go.
As for the cap commitment, we have "starter" money or young talent at every position other than one OLB, G, slot corner and maybe DT (depending on your view of Phillips or emphasis on 3rd DT). If we get a premier player at those positions, great! But would you limit your selection to one of them only due to contracts...poor call from my view
I'd not reach for a DE, but if you have a group of players in the same tier at 22 and one is a DE...grab the DE. As for getting one later in the draft to groom, I'd have no issue at all with doubling up on a DE if the talent is there in 1 and 3rd or later rounds.