because

1. A consistent pass rush automatically improves our  secondary.  This is my biggest point.  Where else can you upgrade a need and in doing so address a completely different area of the field as well?  We may not even have to take a corner if we go DE round one.
   
2. Kelsay, Denney are coming off serious injuries
   
3. Our 3 DEs are more effective in a rotation anyways, guaranteeing a blue clip DE plenty of snaps.
   
4. The talent after the top four (Long, Ghol, Harvey, Merling) drop considerably (see the midround DE article) If we want a immediate threat at the D-End spot, it'll have to come right away.

Not saying WR is less of a need, it's actually probably more, even with question marks on the top 3 WRs. But I believe a DE 1st rounder really makes this defense fully playoff-caliber especially when you consider the impact on our secondary.

Ideally, I would like to go DE first, although I honestly don't know whether Merlin or Harvey would be a better pick.  Then I would like to trade up in the 2nd (using our 3rd which I would have used for a CB, but already addressed implicitly through DE) and ensure we get James Hardy, the last week 1 starting caliber WR, except perhaps Jordy Nelson.  Then, with my 4th and hopefully a comp pick, address TE and then the offensive line.  I think this takes care of

1. Awful Pass rush
   
2. #2 WR
   
3. Implicit help for secondary
   
4. TE prospect
   
5. OLine depth or push for Fowler

Thoughts?