to me (as it looks with a lot of others) it starts with the offensive and defensive lines. We already saw a lot of progress on the OL during the season last year, and I thought we saw progress on the DL during the season as well.
- a lot of the OL play is dependent on them playing together and working together. I thought our second string looked pretty good when they played, but I suspect the issue was lack of snaps together last year and that as more and more people learn to do their jobs, the units and backups will look better and better (and get more time)
Second thing to me is S&C - I'm expecting big things from Duval/Ellis after another year in the system for so many kids. I'm of the opinion that we have some good athletes and talent, but that it's needed real development. You could see the lack of physicality on the lines (albeit with the improvement I mentioned), but it extended to other areas as well -- in particular to our LB's and Safeties who had trouble finding the right gaps in run support, but who had trouble stopping runners when they did.
So a few names and why I think they could take a jump:
1. Damion Daniels - he was often a force when he was in the games last year, but his conditioning meant he couldn't play that many snaps. His brother helps here, but if he can get snaps and his brother is in the mix, we should have a solid 50-75% of the snaps covered, and maybe more if Davis takes a step forward and can be used in situations better suited to his physical type
2. Ben Stille - only a couple of years into his weight gain/conversion. I thought he was solid, but I expect to see a jump in quickness and explosiveness (I've seen quite a few players take that kind of jump a couple of years into that kind of bulking up after they adjust) along with another year of technical development. I think he can be a real anchor to the line
3. Hixson, Miller, Raridon -- we have a need on the interior of the line, and these guys played well when they got a shot last year. Those are just the names that pop up to me, but guys like Forbes and other younger guys also have a shot to step forward
4. Maurice Washington - I liked a lot of what I saw of him, but last year he often wasn't physical and often wasn't decisive enough. I think a lot of it was that he wasn't physically as strong as he needs to be. Another 10 lbs of muscle or a bit more will hopefully set him up.
5. JoJo Domann - I think he can take a big step. You saw the flashes last year, but if he can stay healthy and get stronger and more consistent, he'll be a serious playmaker
Those are only a few names, but as others have said, we are going to hope to see entire units play together and improve their game. I'm very excited to see how they look this spring!
