[DJ's left nut]

I really think the biggest offensive game-changer this team could add would be a big-time TE.

You want to see this run game take a step forward, allow us to play 75% of the time in 12 personnel. The team plays so much from the shotgun that it's hard to incorporate the FB as much without telegraphing what you're doing or fundamentally altering the character and timing of the offense by working under center.

But when you're in 12 personnel, you essentially have the modern day 'pro set' by having that extra blocker in there, he's just there in the form of a TE instead of a FB. And with as much motion as we run, you could effectively have him blocking from the backfield if you wanted.

The best way (schematically) for this running game to be truly dangerous would be to make it more powerful and less predictable. The only way to do both of those things is with a TE that is a plus run-blocker and dangerous in the pattern. That would allow us to come out in 12 personnel most of the time and give opposing defenses no obvious tells. To me the best combination of those traits is probably Hockenson but I think Smith is potentially so dynamic in the pattern that merely credible as a run-blocker and terrifying as a pass-catcher puts him ahead of the Iowa kids.