(02-25-2022, 01:40 AM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote:

(02-25-2022, 01:15 AM)Jag149 Wrote: Everyone seems to be discussing 3 players. Hutch, Thibs and Neal. All 3 may very well be good players in time.  The way I see it Hutch disappeared when he played against a stout SEC line both times this year. (Alabama and Georgia) Thibs played in the PAC-10 not know this year for its superior offensive lines. It was a shame he did not play against Ohio State, but against Utah he had 8 tackles over the span of 2 games. These guys will face much better competition as rookies so I would set my expectations lower for these guys if we draft them. Will they be good in time? Yea maybe so, but I do not expect they are the silver bullet to cure all our pass rush issues. It is flawed to say drafting one of them will make our offense better.

What I saw last year was a defense that played fairly well after the bye week. They were not the main reason we lost games. They would get a stop and be rewarded by a 3 and out,  then come back on the field with the other team in pretty good field position.  Guys we were 31st in time of possession last year. (20th the last 3 games) As a point of comparison in 2017 we were 5th and that was with Bortles as QB. The offense begins with the line.  Sure Cincinnati had a questionable line. They also had a QB that lead the league in sacks too. In fact the super bowl ended with him being sacked. (you really want that?) 

We have Little and Taylor under contract and can tag Cam.  Taylor has been less than what we would like. So unless you want to be talking next year about tagging Cam again we may want to pick the best available offensive tackle. We would still need to tag Cam this year as just like the edge guys the any o-lineman we draft will need some time to adjust as well. If we wait till the second round it appears the best will be long gone by the 33rd pick but then I guess we could get lucky.

Now free agency and the cap issues  of other teams can change every thing ....

Michigan didn't play Alabama last season. They only played Georgia. 

The Offensive Tackles in this draft aren't even close to being #1 overall picks. That would be reaching. You take the BAP.

Yea, my bad.  I was thinking of the Orange bowl last year and typed Alabama as well as Georgia. What I deserve for not proof reading.  Main point is anyone we pick at #1 will take some time to contribute.  There is no "stud in a box just add water" in this draft. I am hoping free agency and cap issues will allow us to snatch up some solid linemen.

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