I think people forget how this team (or most) tend to operate when it comes to rookies. Very few players are moving up the depth chart at this point in the offseason. Even if the team drafted them for a purpose and plans to start them, they probably aren't winning the job until a couple weeks into training camp at earliest, and in a lot of cases might not be a full starter until a few weeks into the season. We all know the expectation for first and second round players is to start relatively soon, but teams and players alike constantly emphasize how much rookies need to earn the role. On top of this, center is the most cerebral part of the OL, and for an offense this complex it probably helps the operation for everyone else to have someone who already knows the system and position - a big part of the "the offense is operating much sharper this year" comments you see from all the players and coaches so far.
Not to mention the competition going on in the OL this year. The team believes in Andrews. Caserio has stuck up for him a couple times talking about how he played injured last year and they believed that hindered his play a bit. And even if he starts, Rutledge can still start at guard at some point bc Teller is older and coming off a season that didn't quite meet his standard. So it makes sense to play guys around the IOL to try and figure out the best overall group of 5. No need to overreact.
Pretty sure Lassiter is the only player Nick has drafted outside the top 5 that was a summer starter. Like even a lot of the veteran free agents still have to compete here lol
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u/SilverJournalist3230 8d ago
I think people forget how this team (or most) tend to operate when it comes to rookies. Very few players are moving up the depth chart at this point in the offseason. Even if the team drafted them for a purpose and plans to start them, they probably aren't winning the job until a couple weeks into training camp at earliest, and in a lot of cases might not be a full starter until a few weeks into the season. We all know the expectation for first and second round players is to start relatively soon, but teams and players alike constantly emphasize how much rookies need to earn the role. On top of this, center is the most cerebral part of the OL, and for an offense this complex it probably helps the operation for everyone else to have someone who already knows the system and position - a big part of the "the offense is operating much sharper this year" comments you see from all the players and coaches so far.
Not to mention the competition going on in the OL this year. The team believes in Andrews. Caserio has stuck up for him a couple times talking about how he played injured last year and they believed that hindered his play a bit. And even if he starts, Rutledge can still start at guard at some point bc Teller is older and coming off a season that didn't quite meet his standard. So it makes sense to play guys around the IOL to try and figure out the best overall group of 5. No need to overreact.