Perhaps, but in the long term if it's a choice between giving Waddle OR Phillips a big, long term deal, I'm going with Waddle and letting Phillips go. Good player, but not elite and will command a big contract.Right. But it's a different strategy. The WR doesn't need to come in and contribute immediately. OBJ post June 1 will probably be that move for WR3 or Boyd. Rookie WR (probably Thomas) would be able to come in at his speed and contribute whenever. Hill and Waddle are only on the field together 40% of the time, so plenty of ways to get snaps and make a difference depending upon how he's coming along.
With DE, once Chubb and Phillips are back, you now burned a #1 on a DE who is buried on the depth chart.
Are you looking at only one year, or planning ahead?
There's no reason a good edge player would have to be relegated to the bench. You can rotate there too. Beyond that, counting on both Phillips and Chubb to return to 100% any time, let alone early in the season may not be wise.
It's far easier to get a decent #3 receiver than a good edge pass rusher.
I would rather take a good edge or Tackle prospect in rd1, and receiver in rd2.
As long as the player they pick is a stud, not going to complain too much, regardless of position.