The more I look at things, the clearer it gets. The more film I watch, the more draft reports I read, and the more bad short yardage and goal line stats make clear, change needs to happen on the offensive line.
La'el Collins needs to go back to left guard. The 6'4" 320 lb lineman needs to go back to mauling people in a phone booth. To driving opponents off the ball in front of him. To move away from being unsure of himself, and who to block, and back to lining up and doing what he does best. You want to improve in short yardage situations? Line Collins up inside and let him do what he does best, drive people off the ball. Have two strengths at guard, on both sides, rather than having to pull your left guard to try to get any sort of movement. Stop playing with one arm tied behind your back.
At nearly $10 million in cap hit, Collins isn't worth the money at right tackle. He just might be at guard.
Connor Williams needs to go back to playing tackle. Right tackle, left tackle, swing tackle, any tackle. At 6'5" and 300 lbs, he's simply miscast inside. It may have made sense on paper, but it doesn't and never did on the field. Move him away from being bullrushed and run over and allow him to use his best attributes, feet and agility, to move on the perimeter and mirror pass rushers. Get better in pass protection by having a tackle play tackle.
As a second round draft pick, Williams is a liability, not an asset at guard. He lost the job to Xavier Su'a Filo for much of the season, and only got it back after the street free agent was hurt.
As it stands today, the team has two guys playing out of position, and it's hurting both of them and the team. Two guys trying to be something they're not. And it needs to end.
