Let me start by saying that is all started while sitting on the toilet.  I consume as much online NFL/NCAA football content as they will allow me to. But I also buy preseason College Football and NFL magazines by the metric ton. Rainforests bedamned, I find myself randomly partaking in useless exercises based on their always outdated content. But recently, after a wife-induced late night Taco Bell order, I found myself pondering many things. Most will only be discussed with my therapist, but there is one that I found myself constantly coming back to. Like an old flame. Or, unironically, Taco Bell. What would happen if there were an NFL team, competing in 2023, comprised solely of Michigan players? What would the team look like? What Offensive and Defensive concepts would they run to best utilize the talent pool?

Caveats:

- I used ESPN.com rosters and depth charts as of 6PM, Monday 9/11/23

-I did not peruse practice squads. So if a player is listed as above, but is PS, they were eligible

-I used the players' designated position on ESPN.com as the default. As you'll see below(if you hate yourself enough to read that far,) liberties had to be taken to fill out a starting lineup. I defaulted to the players' position from college whenever possible.

-I stuck with players whose college was listed as Michigan per ESPN

-I wanted to coax players out of "retirement." But that seemed like a cop out. 

-I went to EMU, so pardon my formatting.

Concepts based on personnel:

Offense: Uhh... Wing-T? Triple option?

Defense: Classic Ravens' 3-4.

STARTING LINEUPS

QB- Zach Gentry.

Hence the offense. Brady and Henne are retired. Ruuuuuuuudock and Shea are playing best-ball somewhere North of Gaylord. Gentry came to UM as a QB. Shut up, this is my excercise.

RB- Chris Evans

RB2- Hassan Haskins

FB- Bench Mason

Make the best of what you have.

WR1- Nico Collins

WR2- DPJ

WR 3- Ronnie Bell

Nico and DPJ can, maybe, possibly, go up and get the 12 passing attempts a game? Bell is a great downfield blocker.

TE1- L. Schoonmaker

TE2- Sean McKeon

Blockytypes that can leak out as safety valves when needed.

LT- M. Cole

LG- B. Bredeson

C- C. Ruiz

RG- M. Onwenu

RT- R. Hayes

This was the first position group I struggled with. Mason Cole was recruited as a center in the ilk of Ruiz. But he performed well in college as a true freshman LT when forced. RT came down to Jalen Mayfields' noted NFL struggles vs Hayes' ability to stick at tackle. Runyon and G. Glasgow were also considered to form an OL. And OLU is the first player I want on my practice squad.

DEFENSE-MAKE TRADES. The Edge positions are overabundant. Trade Uche for a Minshew-type  and a 1/2 round pick

DE- Hutch

DT- Mazi

DE- Gary

Stout against the run/pass rush upside.

OLB- Ojabo

MLB- D. Bush

MLB- J. Ross (taken out on passing downs)

OLB- K. Paye

Good luck, QBs.

CB1- DJ Turner

CB2- Ambry Thomas

Nickel CB- Jourdan Lewis

FS- Dax Hill

SS- J. Peppers

I'd bet 90 percent of NFL D-Coordinators would take that starting D. And the depth is ridiculous.

K- Moody

P- Robbins

LS- Cheeseman

Depth- Guys not mentioned above:

A. Steuber

Frank Clark

Chase Winovich

Danna

(not the RT} Hinton

Wormley

Mike Morris

Brandon Graham (Captain)

Mo Hurst

Cam McGrone

Khaleke Tha Freak

Dave Long. Jr

So have at it. Tell me how wrong I am/who I missed.

Random Notes: I was shocked at the amount of players from Western and Eastern Michigan on active rosters. Michigan State too, but that is less shocking.