That starting lineup is arguably worse at every skill position besides qb. I like Strong but his ceiling is probably Fields.
I don't necessarily, which is why I've been saying that I wouldn't mind a high end transfer Portal RB to pair with Williams, to help blunt the loss of both Price and Love. ND likes a 2-back system, and I'd rather not break in two unproven guys at the same time. I'd rather add a guy whose been a starter and produced a high level, while breaking in Williams in a co-starting role.
I think they're hoping WR takes a step forward as group, and that the sum of the part wind up being better than last year. I think they can get a little bit more out of Faison, focused solely on football after giving up lacrosse. He's probably near maxed out, but maybe you get 10% more out him. I agree that Strong's production probably makes out at that of Malachi Fields'. To be conservative, let's say you take a 15% step back there. Greathouse is the key, IMO. You got almost nothing out of him last year because he was injured, despite most projections pre season having him 800-1000 yards and high single digit TD's. People will sleep on him now because we're a full yesr away from what he did in the playoffs last year, but I think thr slot position sees a HUGE upgrade if Greathouse can stay healthy and get back to being that guy... Then there is the depth. If Micah Gilbert can stay healthy this year, you'll get more out of him. The same is true of KK Smith. It's yet to bee seen who else they bring in at WR and how that player might compare to Will Pauling. As a group, you could see greater production in 2026, even if the takent doesn't blow you away on paper.
Tight end is another discussion about the collection being better than the one. With Flanagan out the majority of last year, Eli Raridon was really your only productive tight end. If you add a guy like Brody Foley and he gives you close to what Raridon did, and Flanagan in combination with Flanigan and / or Premer can give better depth and improved 2 and 3 TE looks, the grouo as a whole could wind up being more productive, even if no single TE is as good as Raridon.
QB is pretty straight forward. You're counting on CJ Carr to take a big step in his second year as a starter, especially as the running back room takes a step back. If he has the Heisman contending season that most think he's capable of, the offense could just as good as it was last year, driven by Carr at QB. 2741 yards passing, 24 TDs and 6 INTs this year. If that can become 3400 yards passing, 32+ TDs and and 8 INTs this year, the offense is going to be top 15 nationally.
Lastly, there is a chance for the OL to take a sizeable jump but it depends on the health of Jagusah, the further development of Lambert and the integration of Black into the lineup. They have tons of talent, if they can be a Joe Moore Award finalist OL, that will everyone else reach their potential. Bigger run lanes for lesser talented backs. Better protection for WRs and TEs to work open. More time for CJ to process and pick defenses apart.
