Ok, lets start this off by establishing the two groups of thought that many people seem to be mixing together. The first group are those who think the OLine needs desperate attention and then there is the group that may agree the OLine could use help, but believe Koetter and Licht are mostly happy with what they have.
I'm part of the second group. Yes I do think the OLine could use a few more studs, but I think I understand K&L's thinking. Koetter even said, we could use new pieces everywhere. There is not a single position group that couldn't use some attention. But keeping within the scope of just one offseason, what is the best way to make the greatest impact to win more games in 2017?
Going into 2017 with Humpries, Sheppard, Martino and Huff as the 2-5 WR's will not win us many games. Neither will Cross, Myers, and Stocker. Martin is gone. Sims and Quizz are role players not 16 game starters. One thing that is a fact, none of these players are explosive. Humpries is the closest one to it. But of all the WR screens that he ran, how many went for big yardage? Put a Cory Davis in there and maybe a few of those break open. Speed with talent kills.
Except for the WR screen, how many times did Winston take a 1-3 step drop and fire? How many quick slants did we see? Yeah not many. Again, put a talented WR in there with speed and now the LBs need to keep their depth instead on crowding the line. Put a RB that can beat a DE and LB to the corner and again the defense has to back up a little. Have a quality 2nd TE and they can't successfully cover him with a DE. My point being, the OLine can be helped with play calling if there is talent at the skill positions. Right now, except for Evans, most defenses believe they can cover the rest (including Brate) with minimal effort. As a result they can focus on getting to the QB. Force them to actually respect and maybe even fear the skill position players, and it's a game changer for the OLine.
So there are two ways to improve the OLine. Get (draft or FA) more studs and try to build a massive wall. Problem with that, that won't make Martino or Cross any better. Add a Corey Davis, Bucky Hodges and a good RB, not only did you improve those positions, but you helped the OLine too. And from what Koetter has said in his press conferences, I think that is what he wants to do too.
