Quote:I respectfully disagree with FBT's assertion that if Bortles is the QB we think he can be, it won't matter who is catching his passes.

 

History has repeatedly demonstrated that when teams draft a franchise QB, the overwhelming tendency is to invest heavily in skill positions to give him the weapons with which to succeed.

 

Dallas followed Aikman's selection in 1989 with RB Emmitt Smith and WR Alexander Wright in 1990, WR Alvin Harper in 1991, WR Jimmy Smith in 1992, and WR Kevin Williams in 1993.

 

Indy followed Manning's selection in 1998 with RB Edgerrin James in 1989, WR Reggie Wayne in 2001, and TE Dallas Clark in 2003.  Marvin Harrison was already on the roster.  Indy supplied Andrew Luck with TEs Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen and WR T.Y. Hilton in 2012, traded for RB Trent Richardson in 2013, and added FA WR Andre Johnson, RB Frank Gore, and drafted WR Phillip Dorsett this year.

 

The Steelers drafted Ben Roethlisberger in 2004.  To maximize his chances of success, they added TE Heath Miller in 2005, WR Santonio Holmes in 2006, and Rashard Mendenhall in 2008.

 

When the Saints acquired Drew Brees in 2006, they also added Reggie Bush the same year, WR Robert Meachem the next. 

 

There are numerous other examples, successful or otherwise, that illustrate the common mindset among NFL teams.

 

Undoubtedly, a great QB can make his receivers better and more productive.  But great QBs still need talented receivers with which to work.  They still need guys who can get off the jam, gain separation, and catch the ball.  Without guys with these abilities, a great QB can be hamstrung.

 

While we have depth at the TE position, Thomas' and Lee's absences have the potential to limit Bortles' and the offense's productivity.