Maybe I missed the thread(s) you're referring to, but what I've read, and the discussions I've participated in, was talk about the need to
start addressing some of our skill positions. I don't think we need to make RB, QB, or OT our #1 priority, but we need to take a serious look at some of them. To ignore them would be a big mistake.
Let's talk about the big guy, O. Pace. He's starting to get "nicked-up" every year. Sure, you can call them freakish injuries, but when the body starts to break down, it usually doesn't stop. Personally, I believe his best days are over. Finding a replacement is not our biggest need, because we have definite holes elsewhere on the O-line that are more immediate, but we need to take a look at getting his replacement soon. ..Like in the next draft?
Steven Jackson. There's no doubt that Jax is a beast when healthy, and he makes our offense go, much the same as Faulk did. But the bulging disc in his back cannot be ignored and is not going away. How bad will it effect his career? How many good days vs. bad days will we see in him? Will it need rest from time to time? If the answer is it'll be a problem for the remainder of his playing days, do we want to invest a lot of money in him? He's due for a new contract, right? I would be a little leary about investing a big chunk of change until I know he's going to be a reliable and durable back. Leonard is NOT the answer. He's a good back-up, but he'll never be the kind of threat that a guy like Jackson is. Defenses do not need to pay special attention to Leonard like they do Jackson. Yesterday's game was a perfect example of the effect a guy like Jackson has on an opponents defense.
Holt? Bruce? It IS time to start thinking about the future with these guys. Especially Bruce. He's been a dependable pass-catcher since the LA days, and the man has proven his worth, without a doubt. But he's slowing down, and the position needs some speed and youth. If Holt is over the worst of his offseason surgery and he can regain his burst, he's got a few more years left, so that position we can leave alone for another couple of years.
On defense, when you say "good players", sadly, I'm not sure we have any there that are so good we can give any of them a free pass. :\ If there are "keepers", I'd say Carriker is set for years to come, as is
Tye Hill and the Spoon. I'm not going to shed a tear about Pisa or Brandon if they move on. Nor do I think Chavous or Bartell to be irreplaceable.
You are absolutely correct that the Rams must concentrate their next draft and offseason priorities to both lines, LB's and safety positions. That has to be our #1 priority. ...but we cannot ignore our skill positions much longer. Too many questions linger concerning long term injuries and age that cannot be ignored, and should be addressed in the next offseason. ...maybe as priority #1A?