Drafting a Squad, Spring 2019
Going into spring I have put together two separate squads of players from Michigan's roster using a draft-style format. The two teams are 'Team Maize' and 'Team Blue' of course, and by virtue of a coin flip, Blue goes first. The picks rotated in each round, so the teams got to make consecutive picks except for the first and last overall. There were 33 rounds - I kinda ran out of real talent at that point so it felt like I would just be throwing darts at the rest of the roster in order to make picks.
It is interesting how the two different squads shaped up. I will talk more about that below. First, let's take a look at how this fake draft turned out.
For all intents and purposes, I should tell you that I did all the selecting myself. I don't think it matters, but I like to be transparent. I felt like I was always trying to make the best possible pick for each team in any given round. I would love to here some arguments about how my selections fell into place, and I would be open to going head to head with anybody. I think it would be interesting to see how different people choose.
But putting all arguments aside, what this exercise ultimately tells me is that there is enough talent to field two fairly talented teams for the spring game. It should be fun! What more do you want?
Here we go!
Rnd Pos Name
1. Blue selects CB Lavert Hill - Best player on team?
1. Maize selects QB Shea Patterson - The experienced returning starter and a Top 25 passer.
2. Maize selects LB Khaleke Hudson - Only real experienced Viper and one of the team's best defenders.
2. Blue selects WR Donovan Peoples-Jones - The top play-maker in a deep pool of receivers.
3. Blue selects LB Josh Ross - Linebacker is thin this spring. Take the best ones one you can, especially when the top guy is already off the board.
3. Maize selects WR Nico Collins - Might be preparing for the NFL draft a year from now.
4. Maize selects DT Carlo Kemp - A returning interior lineman that can penetrate the backfield.
4. Blue selects WR Tarik Black - Might be the best receiver on the team if he can stay healthy.
5. Blue selects G Ben Bredeson - The team's best lineman? Perhaps.
5. Maize selects C Cesar Ruiz - If Bredeson isn't the best lineman then Ruiz might be.
6. Maize selects CB Ambry Thomas - We know he has big-play potential with the ball in his hands. Is he ready to start at corner?
6. Blue selects DT Michael Dwumfour - The other top interior lineman on the team who can also disrupt the backfield. Is he ready to be a leader?
7. Blue selects OT Jon Runyan Jr. - A surprise performer in 2018. Can he take another step up in his development? If so, he could be a high draft pick next spring.
7. Maize selects TE Nick Eubanks - The top big-play threat at tight end.
8. Maize selects S Josh Metellus - Could be a real star in his final season. The team needs him to be a leader.
8. Blue selects DE Kwity Paye - Flashed the potential last year. Should be a starter.
9. Blue selects WR Oliver Martin - Provides solid depth at receiver. Will get more opportunities this year.
9. Maize selects OG Michael Onwenu - The returning starter at right guard with loads of potential. He too could vault himself into a high draft pick with a big year.
10. Maize selects FB/LB Ben Mason - Could be a starter at fullback and linebacker in the spring game.
10. Blue selects QB Dylan McCaffrey - McCaffrey could've gone higher. A lot higher. Honestly, he could've gone as high as number two overall.
11. Blue selects S Brad Hawkins - Could be the starter in place of Tyree Kinnel. Has the makings of a solid defender.
11. Maize selects OT Andrew Stueber - Possibly the starter at right tackle.
12. Maize selects TE Sean McKeon - Has a lot of experience but not a ton of stats.
12. Blue selects RB Zach Charbonnet - Might be the big-play star in the backfield the team is hoping for.
13. Blue selects DE Aiden Hutchinson - Might be a starter on the D-line. Looks like a future star.
13. Maize selects S J'Marick Woods - If Hawkins isn't starting then Woods might just be instead.
14. Maize selects DT Donovan Jeter - Should be a top backup in the interior line rotation this year.
14. Blue selects TE Mustapha Muhammad - Was the team's top TE recruiting target last year.
15. Blue selects OT Jalen Mayfield - Should challenge for playing time this year.
15. Maize selects WR Ronnie Bell - A huge surprise play-maker as a freshman last season.
16. Maize selects CB Vincent Gray - Might be challenging for Long's vacant spot this year.
16. Blue selects S Jalen Kelly-Powell - A versatile prospect that has had some injury issues. Can he stay healthy?
17. Blue selects LB Cam McGrone - Should be vying for playing time this year. Was the top linebacker target in last year's recruiting cycle.
17. Maize selects CB Myles Sims - If he's not in the mix for a job this year I will be surprised. The team was very happy to pull him out of Georgia a year ago.
18. Maize selects LB Devin Gil - A solid performer if nothing flashy. Has lots of experience.
18. Blue selects DT Mazi Smith - Could be the big-bodied tackle the team needs in the mix.
19. Blue selects C/G Stephen Spanellis - An experienced, dependable backup on the interior.
19. Maize selects RB Hassan Haskins - It's a bit of a craps-shoot at the position and Haskins might surprise.
20. Maize selects DE/LB Josh Uche - Might be the top pass-rusher on the team.
20. Blue selects LB Jordan Anthony - I am expecting him to break into the rotation this year.
21. Blue selects OL Chuck Filiaga - Might be ready to challenge for a job on the right side of the line.
21. Maize selects OT Ryan Hayes - I've heard good things about his fulltime transition to tackle.
22. Maize selects DE Luiji Vilain - Has elite-level athleticism but needs to be healthy.
22. Blue selects RB Tru Wilson - Experienced if unspectacular. Led the team with over six yards per carry.
23. Blue selects TE Luke Schoonmaker - Rumor has it that this guy is living in the weight room and pushing his teammates.
23. Maize selects RB Christian Turner - Looks like a good candidate for some more carries. Though he could very well have a breakout spring, I actually think the competition for carries is going to be tough.
24. Maize selects OT Joel Honigford - Has had a couple years to develop. Will he compete for a job in 2020?
24. Blue selects RB/LB Michael Barrett - A candidate to be the starting Viper after the Hudson era is complete.
25. Blue selects CB Benjamin St-Juste - Another big talent that has had some injury issues.
25. Maize selects WR Jake McCurry - Earned a scholarship after contributing quite a bit in 2018.
26. Maize selects WR Nate Shoenle - Another guy that really helps pad the depth chart. Was injured much of 2018.
26. Blue selects CB Sammy Faustin - Might be another guy in the mix to play this year.
27. Blue selects LB/S Jordan Glasgow - Has some experience but doesn't appear to be starting material.
27. Maize selects DL Julius Welschof - An intriguing athlete that needs all the experience he can get.
28. Maize selects OG Stephen Paea - After him it's pretty much nothing but walk-ons on the depth chart until reinforcements show up this summer.
28. Blue selects TE Erik All - Might be buried on the depth chart but has the potential to contribute immediately.
29. Blue selects QB Joe Milton - Might have the biggest arm on the team. Probably could go higher to somebody who wants to stockpile QB's.
29. Maize selects QB Cade McNamara - Might be fun to watch this spring but is not expected to compete for playing time.
30. Maize selects CB Jalen Perry - Could provide some depth.
30. Blue selects CB/WR Mike Sainristil - Has the speed and athleticism to be a play-maker.
Blue Team
QB - McCaffrey/Milton
RB - Charbonnet/Wilson/Barrett
TE - Muhammad/Schoonmaker/All
WR- Peoples-Jones
WR- Black
WR - Martin/Sainristil
LT - Runyan Jr.
LG - Bredeson
C - Spanellis
RG - Filiaga
RT - Mayfield
DE - Paye
DT - Dwumfour
DT - Smith
DE - Hutchinson
LB - Glasgow
LB - Ross
LB - Anthony/McGrone
CB - L. Hill
CB - St-Juste/Faustin
S - Hawkins
S - Kelly-Powell
Team Blue Analysis: Offensively, this team is built for the 'Speed in Space' philosophy brought to town by new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. The combination of Peoples-Jones, Black, Martin, and Sainristil sould be a very dangerous group of downfield threats. Having fan favorite McCaffrey slinging it would not hurt either. He appears to have the makings of a star at QB. The rotation at running back is a mixture of one steady veteran and two unproven youngsters with very high ceilings. Tight end is completely unproven but it looks like there is enough speed and athleticism to pull a few rabbits out of a hat. Muhammad was a top target in 2018 but Schoonmaker, who was a converted QB in that same class, is building up a lot of hype for himself this offseason due to his progress in the weight room. He apparently runs a 4.6 forty as well. The line is more built for pass protection as well, with the two returning All-Big Ten performers on the left side and a solid backup starting at center. The combo of Fliaga and Mayfield on the right side is intriguing. Both have loads of potential and both should be in the mix to start this year at right tackle. Defensively, this unit is looks to have a 'bend but don't break' feel to it. The front seven is built to stop the run and collapse the pocket and blow up blocking schemes from the inside-out. The secondary has one sure-thing and a bunch of question marks, but it might be big and versatile enough to cause a lot of issues for route runners. The presence of Hill at corner pretty much shuts down one side of the field.
Maize
QB - Patterson/McNamara
RB - Haskins/Mason/Turner
TE - Eubanks
TE - McKeon
WR - Collins/McCurry
WR - Bell/Shoenle
LT - Hayes/Honigford
LG - Paea
C - Ruiz
RG - Onwenu
RT - Stueber
DE - Vilain
DT - Kemp
DT - Jeter
DE - Uche/Welschof
LB - Hudson
LB - Mason
LB - Gil
CB - Thomas/Perry
CB - Gray/Sims
S - Metellus
S - Woods
Team Maize Analysis: This offense is built around a power-running game. Patterson would be counted on to be the glue that holds it all together, but the combination of Haskins, Mason, and Turner is meant to grind out a lot of tough yards. The presence of Mason at fullback, McKeon at tight end, and Ruiz, Onwenu, and Stueber making up three-fifths of the O-line, this unit possesses some real push in the run-game. One of those running backs could make a living running behind those four guys. The problem for a defense that might focus on stopping the run is that this unit also has a receiving group capable of gouging out large chunks of field on any given play. Collins looks like a star in the making. Eubanks, at the second tight end position, nearly averaged 20 yards per catch last season. Bell proved to be dangerous with the ball in his hands too. McCurry and Shoenle have both earned scholarships and playing time since coming to Michigan as walk-ons. This offense could line up in just about any formation and come at you in a variety of ways. The defense should be decent against the pass. Uche is the best pass-rusher on the team and Kemp is the best interior lineman. Both guys want to have big years. Jeter and Vilain are up and comers looking for an opportunity to showcase their skills, as is the German-born Welschof. Hudson provides leadership and versatility at linebacker. Mason is playing both ways but most of his reps will be here on defense. That is where he is needed most. Gil will be there to help him. The secondary is loaded with a group of four corners that are all tall and athletic. Lots of a talent there. Metellus will be the leader in the group. Woods will help him patrol the middle. This team could run a lot of nickel and dime packages in order to maximize its talent.
It is interesting how the two different squads shaped up. I will talk more about that below. First, let's take a look at how this fake draft turned out.
For all intents and purposes, I should tell you that I did all the selecting myself. I don't think it matters, but I like to be transparent. I felt like I was always trying to make the best possible pick for each team in any given round. I would love to here some arguments about how my selections fell into place, and I would be open to going head to head with anybody. I think it would be interesting to see how different people choose.
But putting all arguments aside, what this exercise ultimately tells me is that there is enough talent to field two fairly talented teams for the spring game. It should be fun! What more do you want?
Here we go!
Rnd Pos Name
1. Blue selects CB Lavert Hill - Best player on team?
1. Maize selects QB Shea Patterson - The experienced returning starter and a Top 25 passer.
2. Maize selects LB Khaleke Hudson - Only real experienced Viper and one of the team's best defenders.
2. Blue selects WR Donovan Peoples-Jones - The top play-maker in a deep pool of receivers.
3. Blue selects LB Josh Ross - Linebacker is thin this spring. Take the best ones one you can, especially when the top guy is already off the board.
3. Maize selects WR Nico Collins - Might be preparing for the NFL draft a year from now.
4. Maize selects DT Carlo Kemp - A returning interior lineman that can penetrate the backfield.
4. Blue selects WR Tarik Black - Might be the best receiver on the team if he can stay healthy.
5. Blue selects G Ben Bredeson - The team's best lineman? Perhaps.
5. Maize selects C Cesar Ruiz - If Bredeson isn't the best lineman then Ruiz might be.
6. Maize selects CB Ambry Thomas - We know he has big-play potential with the ball in his hands. Is he ready to start at corner?
6. Blue selects DT Michael Dwumfour - The other top interior lineman on the team who can also disrupt the backfield. Is he ready to be a leader?
7. Blue selects OT Jon Runyan Jr. - A surprise performer in 2018. Can he take another step up in his development? If so, he could be a high draft pick next spring.
7. Maize selects TE Nick Eubanks - The top big-play threat at tight end.
8. Maize selects S Josh Metellus - Could be a real star in his final season. The team needs him to be a leader.
8. Blue selects DE Kwity Paye - Flashed the potential last year. Should be a starter.
9. Blue selects WR Oliver Martin - Provides solid depth at receiver. Will get more opportunities this year.
9. Maize selects OG Michael Onwenu - The returning starter at right guard with loads of potential. He too could vault himself into a high draft pick with a big year.
10. Maize selects FB/LB Ben Mason - Could be a starter at fullback and linebacker in the spring game.
10. Blue selects QB Dylan McCaffrey - McCaffrey could've gone higher. A lot higher. Honestly, he could've gone as high as number two overall.
11. Blue selects S Brad Hawkins - Could be the starter in place of Tyree Kinnel. Has the makings of a solid defender.
11. Maize selects OT Andrew Stueber - Possibly the starter at right tackle.
12. Maize selects TE Sean McKeon - Has a lot of experience but not a ton of stats.
12. Blue selects RB Zach Charbonnet - Might be the big-play star in the backfield the team is hoping for.
13. Blue selects DE Aiden Hutchinson - Might be a starter on the D-line. Looks like a future star.
13. Maize selects S J'Marick Woods - If Hawkins isn't starting then Woods might just be instead.
14. Maize selects DT Donovan Jeter - Should be a top backup in the interior line rotation this year.
14. Blue selects TE Mustapha Muhammad - Was the team's top TE recruiting target last year.
15. Blue selects OT Jalen Mayfield - Should challenge for playing time this year.
15. Maize selects WR Ronnie Bell - A huge surprise play-maker as a freshman last season.
16. Maize selects CB Vincent Gray - Might be challenging for Long's vacant spot this year.
16. Blue selects S Jalen Kelly-Powell - A versatile prospect that has had some injury issues. Can he stay healthy?
17. Blue selects LB Cam McGrone - Should be vying for playing time this year. Was the top linebacker target in last year's recruiting cycle.
17. Maize selects CB Myles Sims - If he's not in the mix for a job this year I will be surprised. The team was very happy to pull him out of Georgia a year ago.
18. Maize selects LB Devin Gil - A solid performer if nothing flashy. Has lots of experience.
18. Blue selects DT Mazi Smith - Could be the big-bodied tackle the team needs in the mix.
19. Blue selects C/G Stephen Spanellis - An experienced, dependable backup on the interior.
19. Maize selects RB Hassan Haskins - It's a bit of a craps-shoot at the position and Haskins might surprise.
20. Maize selects DE/LB Josh Uche - Might be the top pass-rusher on the team.
20. Blue selects LB Jordan Anthony - I am expecting him to break into the rotation this year.
21. Blue selects OL Chuck Filiaga - Might be ready to challenge for a job on the right side of the line.
21. Maize selects OT Ryan Hayes - I've heard good things about his fulltime transition to tackle.
22. Maize selects DE Luiji Vilain - Has elite-level athleticism but needs to be healthy.
22. Blue selects RB Tru Wilson - Experienced if unspectacular. Led the team with over six yards per carry.
23. Blue selects TE Luke Schoonmaker - Rumor has it that this guy is living in the weight room and pushing his teammates.
23. Maize selects RB Christian Turner - Looks like a good candidate for some more carries. Though he could very well have a breakout spring, I actually think the competition for carries is going to be tough.
24. Maize selects OT Joel Honigford - Has had a couple years to develop. Will he compete for a job in 2020?
24. Blue selects RB/LB Michael Barrett - A candidate to be the starting Viper after the Hudson era is complete.
25. Blue selects CB Benjamin St-Juste - Another big talent that has had some injury issues.
25. Maize selects WR Jake McCurry - Earned a scholarship after contributing quite a bit in 2018.
26. Maize selects WR Nate Shoenle - Another guy that really helps pad the depth chart. Was injured much of 2018.
26. Blue selects CB Sammy Faustin - Might be another guy in the mix to play this year.
27. Blue selects LB/S Jordan Glasgow - Has some experience but doesn't appear to be starting material.
27. Maize selects DL Julius Welschof - An intriguing athlete that needs all the experience he can get.
28. Maize selects OG Stephen Paea - After him it's pretty much nothing but walk-ons on the depth chart until reinforcements show up this summer.
28. Blue selects TE Erik All - Might be buried on the depth chart but has the potential to contribute immediately.
29. Blue selects QB Joe Milton - Might have the biggest arm on the team. Probably could go higher to somebody who wants to stockpile QB's.
29. Maize selects QB Cade McNamara - Might be fun to watch this spring but is not expected to compete for playing time.
30. Maize selects CB Jalen Perry - Could provide some depth.
30. Blue selects CB/WR Mike Sainristil - Has the speed and athleticism to be a play-maker.
Blue Team
QB - McCaffrey/Milton
RB - Charbonnet/Wilson/Barrett
TE - Muhammad/Schoonmaker/All
WR- Peoples-Jones
WR- Black
WR - Martin/Sainristil
LT - Runyan Jr.
LG - Bredeson
C - Spanellis
RG - Filiaga
RT - Mayfield
DE - Paye
DT - Dwumfour
DT - Smith
DE - Hutchinson
LB - Glasgow
LB - Ross
LB - Anthony/McGrone
CB - L. Hill
CB - St-Juste/Faustin
S - Hawkins
S - Kelly-Powell
Team Blue Analysis: Offensively, this team is built for the 'Speed in Space' philosophy brought to town by new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. The combination of Peoples-Jones, Black, Martin, and Sainristil sould be a very dangerous group of downfield threats. Having fan favorite McCaffrey slinging it would not hurt either. He appears to have the makings of a star at QB. The rotation at running back is a mixture of one steady veteran and two unproven youngsters with very high ceilings. Tight end is completely unproven but it looks like there is enough speed and athleticism to pull a few rabbits out of a hat. Muhammad was a top target in 2018 but Schoonmaker, who was a converted QB in that same class, is building up a lot of hype for himself this offseason due to his progress in the weight room. He apparently runs a 4.6 forty as well. The line is more built for pass protection as well, with the two returning All-Big Ten performers on the left side and a solid backup starting at center. The combo of Fliaga and Mayfield on the right side is intriguing. Both have loads of potential and both should be in the mix to start this year at right tackle. Defensively, this unit is looks to have a 'bend but don't break' feel to it. The front seven is built to stop the run and collapse the pocket and blow up blocking schemes from the inside-out. The secondary has one sure-thing and a bunch of question marks, but it might be big and versatile enough to cause a lot of issues for route runners. The presence of Hill at corner pretty much shuts down one side of the field.
Maize
QB - Patterson/McNamara
RB - Haskins/Mason/Turner
TE - Eubanks
TE - McKeon
WR - Collins/McCurry
WR - Bell/Shoenle
LT - Hayes/Honigford
LG - Paea
C - Ruiz
RG - Onwenu
RT - Stueber
DE - Vilain
DT - Kemp
DT - Jeter
DE - Uche/Welschof
LB - Hudson
LB - Mason
LB - Gil
CB - Thomas/Perry
CB - Gray/Sims
S - Metellus
S - Woods
Team Maize Analysis: This offense is built around a power-running game. Patterson would be counted on to be the glue that holds it all together, but the combination of Haskins, Mason, and Turner is meant to grind out a lot of tough yards. The presence of Mason at fullback, McKeon at tight end, and Ruiz, Onwenu, and Stueber making up three-fifths of the O-line, this unit possesses some real push in the run-game. One of those running backs could make a living running behind those four guys. The problem for a defense that might focus on stopping the run is that this unit also has a receiving group capable of gouging out large chunks of field on any given play. Collins looks like a star in the making. Eubanks, at the second tight end position, nearly averaged 20 yards per catch last season. Bell proved to be dangerous with the ball in his hands too. McCurry and Shoenle have both earned scholarships and playing time since coming to Michigan as walk-ons. This offense could line up in just about any formation and come at you in a variety of ways. The defense should be decent against the pass. Uche is the best pass-rusher on the team and Kemp is the best interior lineman. Both guys want to have big years. Jeter and Vilain are up and comers looking for an opportunity to showcase their skills, as is the German-born Welschof. Hudson provides leadership and versatility at linebacker. Mason is playing both ways but most of his reps will be here on defense. That is where he is needed most. Gil will be there to help him. The secondary is loaded with a group of four corners that are all tall and athletic. Lots of a talent there. Metellus will be the leader in the group. Woods will help him patrol the middle. This team could run a lot of nickel and dime packages in order to maximize its talent.
Comments
Post a Comment