I want to start this look at ILB and SAF prospects with a cartoon-level summary before descending into the weeds. This article is going to focus less on position names than it will on defensive roles, so I think it will help to lay those out. An NFL defense has three basic jobs: stop the run, rush the passer, and cover the pass. In the modern game:
1. DLs and EDGE rushers focus mostly on run stuffing and pass rushing. [Outside the scope of this article]
2. Outside CBs focus mostly on pass coverage with a little attention left for run support.