I think everyone would agree that a QB had the biggest impact on a team’s offensive production but what is next on the offensive side?
Ofcourse oline is important but when we drafted Barkley he had a big year regardless of the oline and when Beckham came in, his rookie year had a huge impact once he got on the field.
Teams have played the Giants in the past few years with the strategy it seemed to stop Barkley and let the QB beat you. The threat of Barkley touching the ball, regardless of you liked him or not, was real to a defense and they reacted accordingly. He touched the ball 20 plus times a game, was part of play action and although not his best ability but had to pass block. That is a lot of involvement we are losing.
I know you can’t ignore that if we improve our oline this year, everything may improve, but would drafting one of the top 3 WRs make up for what we will miss with Barkley leaving? There is a good chance with a rookie QB, that they won’t start. So if the Giants get a top WR and let’s say trade back up for a QB—that doesn’t play, do we have an effective offense?
My at least initial thought is we are one WR away from having a strong WR group and a number 1 shifts everyone into the right spot in that group.
But its a passing league. Teams can score in 2-3 plays these days. A stud WR takes the attention of a CB and safety. The safeties have to take a step back. It changes the way a team has to play D. Running lanes are more open. You can scheme other guys open because of the attention on the main WR. A good WR can catch it short and take it to the house. So a better OL and a great WR is greater than a better OL with a great RB.
With a banged up Barkley and a bad OL he didnt have the ability to create on his own any more. No doubt he will be better on Philly because he wont have the attention on him but he is not the same player he was as a rookie. He is not an every down back either. He needs to play maybe 60% instead of the 85% he was playing here.
In the case of the Giants, the front office has taken appropriate action on the OL. In terms of the QB, chances are that no matter who is drafted, he will have a steep learning curve and would probably benefit from some sort of apprenticeship. Could the combination of Jones / Lock be serviceable until a rookie could grow into the job? I believe so.
This leads to the "weapons". Put me in the category of those who want more at WR / TE / RB. Upgrades at least in 2 of these categories will have a big and noticeable impact. This is an area where the impact would be immediate.
But its a passing league. Teams can score in 2-3 plays these days. A stud WR takes the attention of a CB and safety. The safeties have to take a step back. It changes the way a team has to play D. Running lanes are more open. You can scheme other guys open because of the attention on the main WR. A good WR can catch it short and take it to the house. So a better OL and a great WR is greater than a better OL with a great RB.
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Rudy, once DeVito and Tyrod got on the field, all of a sudden Slayton and Hyatt were open and making plays downfield. If Tyrod had a stronger arm, Hyatt may have had 2 or 3 more TD as he had several steps on DBs on a few occasions and had to wait for the ball.
They do have WRs that can open downfield.