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Duke Football: Blue Devils have found consistency in ACC

By Patrick Mayhorn

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 26: T.J. Rahming #3 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates his first half touchdown with teammates while playing the Northern Illinois Huskies during the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field on December 26, 2017 in Detroit Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 26: T.J. Rahming #3 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates his first half touchdown with teammates while playing the Northern Illinois Huskies during the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field on December 26, 2017 in Detroit Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Offense

The first key of improving offensively is having experience and talent at quarterback. Duke does. Daniel Jones is back for his third year as the starting quarterback. He took a step back last year after a great freshman campaign in 2016. However, he should be better this year, and the talent around him will help.

Last year, Duke’s biggest issue was inconsistency and a serious lack of big plays. Jones is a solid, efficient passer, but he’s not particularly explosive. If he can make more big plays and back the defense off, it’ll reduce his interception numbers and increase his team’s production.

The running game, oddly enough, may take a step forward. Despite losing Shaun Wilson, Brittain Brown was awesome as a freshman, and will probably be even better than Wilson. If Duke can run well, which they struggled with at times last year, it’ll be a huge boost for the offense.

Just like the rushing attack, the receivers should be improved. Almost everyone is back, including TJ Rahming, one of the best receivers in the conference. Behind him, Jonathan Lloyd, Chris Taylor, Daniel Helm, Davis Koppenhaver and Aaron Young are all back. Each of them was solid last year and should make for one of the best receiver groups in the country.

The biggest issue with this offense is up front. Their line stunk last year, and it returns just two starters this year. There’s potential in the group, but they’re unproven, and there’s no real reason to expect a good year from them.

Who takes over up front?

The only proven talent up front is probably Zach Harmon. The guard-turned-center will have to lead a really inexperienced group. Luckily, the group isn’t particularly young. Christian Harris, Julian Santos, and Zach Baker are all upperclassmen. Robert Kraeling, Rakavius Chambers and Jaylen Miller are all younger, but have talent.

Harris, Santos, Harmon, Baker and Kraeling seems like the most likely group. Will they have growing pains? Absolutely. Will they be better than last year? They very well could be.

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