2021 Offensive Line: Finally Some Answers (or more questions)?

[davos]

So going into 2020 we had:

Okung-Daley-Paradis-Miller-Moton as our starting line. 

During 2020:

Unfortunately, after flashing year 1, Daley was continuously banged up even before the LVR game, we ending up starting Michael Schofield at LG week 1.  Okung also had to miss time, resulting in some bad weeks.  Miller and Moton held up pretty well.  Miller just missing the Lions and 2nd Saints game.  Paradis was a mixed bag but did pretty well on the weeks when everyone held up.  We were average, sometimes bad.  This resulted in a mixed bag and rankings on various sites around #18-22 as a unit.  It should be noted that Trent Scott (after starting 9 games the previous year for LAC), started 4 for us and honestly looked okay.  He is only 27.  The weak parts were LG and those Okung's off-weeks that also ripple-effected Paradis.  So 3 out of 5 spots ended up quite sh*tty. 

--

Now to our 2021 offseason:

FA: We re-sign John Miller at RG, add Cam Erving T/G, and Pat Elflein G/C.  Our returning guard and two swing linemen (which I still think are for depth/safety net starters)

Draft: We draft Brady Christensen LT/G (70th Overall), Deonte Brown G (190th Overall), and add a second Grambling State player to the line in UDFA David Moore

So! Going into the year we have a few possibilities to get ironed out in camp:

Left Tackle

Brady Christensen v. Cam Erving v. Trent Scott

This without a doubt is the most interest.  Brady is a huge dude, shorter arms than you'd like to see but heck, let's see how he rocks it against NFL competition.  He looks legit regardless.  Erving is a known commodity and Scott started 4 so we know what we're getting, and he can also improve. 

Left Guard

Dennis Daley v. Pat Elflein v. Cam Erving v. Brady Christensen v. David Moore

Elflein had some tough time in his career at center.  Did a bit better at LG recently but he's simply just okay depth.  This is actually the spot where we can test out a few different possibilities with a lot of dudes capable on the roster.

C

Matt Paradis (set starter), Pat Elflein

Not much to say.  Wish it was in better hands but Paradis is above average when he's got at minimum average guards on each side of him.

Right Guard

John Miller (set starter), Deonte Brown (depth), David Moore

This is both of their natural positions.  I think this is pretty set. Promising rookie has been brought in and another potential for depth.

Right Tackle

Taylor Moton (set starter), Cam Erving (depth)

--

So call me crazy but I think we have a chance to improve at LG, LT could be shaky but maybe Christensen surprises us.  Is he an NFL LT?  A guard?  I guess we'll find out but the staff seems super high on him.  70th overall is still pretty high up so we did seek out value and the guy we wanted here. 

I'm cautiously optimistic on the line.  We've got some interesting men in the mix.  We'll see how it shakes out.  Lots of big bodies on this team.

 

Edited May 2, 2021 by davos

[davos]

LG is going to be a FIGHT.

I'm curious to how Daley rebounds.  I wonder if he's going to just flake out or if last year was a weird injury one. He's my wildcard especially with all the competition at that LG spot.

[Pimpdaddy]

Lets  see what happens....Staff seems comfortable with what we have... if you think the line is going to hold a steel ass pocket every snap ur in for a disappointment. If you rollout and move the pocket, which Darnold can do, to keep things not as predictable like the last 10 years, then the personell looks ok... Its gonna be on Brady.  Once again we look crazy on O.. 

[Thomas9289]

I feel like we’re going to sign a Vet LT FA.

[pantherj]

Deonte Brown will fight to start if he loses some weight. Deonte cannot be bull rushed. He's like pushing an oak tree.

[OldhamA]

I think Moore will play C for us, if he makes the roster.

[AndrewLaskoski]

Interesting to not include Greg Little in the conversation. He certainly has the potential to make the roster and its to be seen how he responds to having his job threatened 

[RevJ]

I was thinking the same. Not that I think Little will be great, but that he has gone from trading up for/can't miss to an afterthought.

[davos]

Just now, AndrewLaskoski said:

Interesting to not include Greg Little in the conversation. He certainly has the potential to make the roster and its to be seen how he responds to having his job threatened 

Yeah, I just preferred to leave him out of it given how much of a non factor he's been his entire career so far.  I mean, Daley beat him out going into the season.  He not only needs to get healthy, but also prove his worth. 

Daley and Little can both play LT but given last year, don't believe either is realistically in the discussion.

If Daley comes back strong from his injury plagued season, then LG could be his to take. 

But we have now 3 hand picked dudes by the new regime at LT (2 FAs and 1 draftee) vying for the spot.

[Khyber53]

After everything looked like we were just passing on adding to the line (those first and second round picks just flew by) they did pick up a haul of warm bodies to throw in there. There could be some promise and I'm beginning to think Christensen could be steal and our answer at LT. Some folks point at size and arm length but the guy measures out a lot like Jordan Gross. If he plays like Jordan, then it will be the steal of the entire draft. What's the chance of that happening, though, right?

Jeremy Chinn turned out to be the steal of last year's draft, so maybe the third round is our magic round.

Overall, we have options and some youth in the mix for the offensive line. Hope we can get five guys who can gel and give us at least a bit more stability.

[davos]

1 minute ago, Khyber53 said:

After everything looked like we were just passing on adding to the line (those first and second round picks just flew by) they did pick up a haul of warm bodies to throw in there. There could be some promise and I'm beginning to think Christensen could be steal and our answer at LT. Some folks point at size and arm length but the guy measures out a lot like Jordan Gross. If he plays like Jordan, then it will be the steal of the entire draft. What's the chance of that happening, though, right?

Jeremy Chinn turned out to be the steal of last year's draft, so maybe the third round is our magic round.

Overall, we have options and some youth in the mix for the offensive line. Hope we can get five guys who can gel and give us at least a bit more stability.

*Chinn was a second rounder but I hear you.  The offensive haul in this draft is super intriguing.

-We added a guy to basically serve as the spread offense TE & FB/H-back (Tremble) with the potential to be a top TE, and don't forget added a more true balanced/receiving TE in Arnold.  Two big checks there.

-Added an LT/G high up (not round 1, but he's got the tape and confidence in the staff to try at LT)

-A huge, mammoth of a man at guard to throw into the competition

-And honestly, a potential superstar at WR IMO.  LSU has an eye for the position, we have his old coach, he's a football guy and sounds like awesome locker room presence.

-Then Chubba Hubbard.  I mean, this dude needs to secure the ball but he's lethal.  A really nice combo of a tough+speedy back.  Quick one cut, not afraid of contact, but his best trait is patience and identifying the right holes.  That last bit is the most important part in a RB transitioning.  I saw a fair comp as a tougher Michael Bennett which I don't mind. 

[Moo Daeng]

Don't forget the UDFA guard out of Grambling, Moore.

Edited May 2, 2021 by Moo Daeng

[davos]

Just now, Moo Daeng said:

Don't forget Dave Moore from Grambking at Guard.

Mentioned him about 3 times in the OP

[davos]

Even said how we now have 2 OLs from Grambling