**Update** When I first did this post, I looked at just the straight up best, 53-man roster I could make with guys from the ACC (if you want to see that post you can find it HERE). But I decided to take it one step further and try to get into the mindset of an NFL GM. To do that, I needed to incorporate one key thing, the salary cap, which in 2017 is $167 million. So what I have here is a viable, NFL roster that could actually (in theory) exist.
The Criteria
I used what is going to be the standard going forward for these active, within the cap, 53-man rosters.
- The roster must be under the current salary cap of $167M
- We use the league average on rookie deals, which is 5 from 2014, 6 from 2015, and 9 from 2016.
- We will include one rookie from each round of the draft (were applicable)
- We will have a well rounded roster that includes role players and special teams
The Offense
Quarterbacks
| QBs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jameis Winston | Jacoby Brissett | E.J. Manuel |
| TB | IND | OAK |
| $6.913M | $580K | $640K |
| FSU | NC St | FSU |
Taking the reigns for the All-ACC roster is Florida State’s Jameis Winston. I gave him the start over Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers to save on cap space (Winston’s almost $7M cap hit is a lot smaller than Rivers’ $18M and Ryan’s almost $24M), while still having a franchise QB. He’ll be backed up by Brissett, the Patriots 2016 3rd round pick who is now backing up Luck in Indy, and former 1st-round pick E.J Manuel. Both of which are serviceable backups and take up very little cap space.
3 roster spots filled, 50 left
$8.133M Spent | $158.867M Left
Running Backs
| RBs | ||
|---|---|---|
| LeSean McCoy | Dalvin Cook | James Conner |
| BUF | MIN | PIT |
| $8.875M | $1.155M | $642K |
| Pitt | FSU | Pitt |
| Duke Johnson | Andre Ellington | |
| CLE | ARI | |
| $930K | $905K | |
| Miami | Clemson |
I had a lot of talent to chose from for the starting back, but ultimately, Shady McCoy was the better option of Devonta Freeman, Lamar Miller, and Frank Gore. With this years crop of rookie running backs, I figured this would be a great place to add talent while also saving money. Backing up McCoy will be 2nd-round pick Dalvin Cook and 3rd-round pick James Conner. Cook can be a great receiving option out of the back field, while Conner can see some carrier on the goal line or in short yardage. Rounding out the running backs are Duke Johnson, who is better than his fourth slot on the depth chart, but has a low cap number and can provide help in the passing game, and Andre Ellington, who will provide mostly support on special teams.
5 roster spots filled, 45 left
$12.507M Spent | $146.36M Left
Wide Receivers
| WRs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Demaryius Thomas | Travis Benjamin | Sammy Watkins |
| DEN | LAC | LAR |
| $12.033M | $6.5M | $690K |
| GT | Miami | Clemson |
| Tyler Boyd | Brandon Tate | Charone Peake |
| CIN | BUF | NYJ |
| $968K | $695K | $557K |
| Pitt | UNC | Clemson |
I had to make a tough choice for which WR would start for this group, but Thomas’ cap number made him the right choice over Deandre Hopkins ($18M) and Larry Fitzgerald (~$15M). Starting opposite Thomas will be former 1st-round pick, Sammy Watkins. Watkins’ trade from the Bills to the Rams makes him great value for the spot. The starting WRs round out with Benjamin in the Slot. Behind them is veteran Brandon Tate, who will be a big contributor on special teams, and a couple of 2016 picks in Boyd and Peake
6 roster spots filled, 39 left
$21.443M Spent | $124.917 Left
Tight Ends
| TEs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Greg Olsen | David Njoku | Clive Walford |
| CAR | CLE | OAK |
| $10.35M | $1.732M | $909K |
| Miami | Miami | Miami |
It is no surprise to see all 3 tight end spots come from Miami aka “Tight End U.” We start with Panthers star Greg Olsen, who provides every-down capabilities to the position. Browns’ 1st-round pick, David Njoku, would be great in 2 TE passing sets and red zone scenarios. Clive Walford can play in an H-back style role , while also being a staring-caliber backup.
3 roster spots filled, 36 left
$12.991M Spent | $111.926M Left
Offensive Line
| OL | ||
|---|---|---|
| T Duane Brown | T Morgan Moses | G Shaq Mason |
| HOU | WAS | NE |
| $9.4M | $3.621M | $726K |
| VT | UVA | GT |
| G Joe Thuney | C Rodney Hudson | T Chris Hairston |
| NE | OAK | LAC |
| $768K | $6.95M | $1.8M |
| NC St | FSU | Clemson |
| G/C Joe Looney | C Luke Bowanko | |
| DAL | BAL | |
| $850K | $690K | |
| WF | UVA |
We start with a veteran Left Tackle in Duane Brown, even though he is currently holding out to get a new contract. On the right side, we have Redskins’ tackle Morgan Moses, who was one of the top graded RT in the league last year. The offensive line capitalizes on some young (read inexpensive) talent at the guard spots, and they just so happen to play on the same team, the New England Patriots. Both Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney have started off the 2017 season with high grades. Lastly at center, we have Raiders’ Pro Bowler Rodney Hudson.
8 roster spots filled, 28 left
$24.805M Spent | $87.121M Left
Offensive Spending Breakdown
The offense accounted for 48.3% of the total team salary. This makes sense once you see the defense, as we have a few more “superstars” on that side of the ball. Overall, the offense has good balance, but does lack in depth at certain positions.
The Defense
Defensive Line
| DL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Donald | Michael Johnson | Timmy Jernigan |
| LAR | CIN | PHI |
| $3.225M | $5.125M | $1.018M |
| Pitt | GT | FSU |
| Chris Long | Eddie Goldman | D.J. Reader |
| PHI | CHI | HOU |
| $1.85M | $1.551M | $594K |
| UVA | FSU | Clemson |
| Carlos Watkins | ||
| HOU | ||
| $570K | ||
| Clemson |
We start off with another holdout in Aaron Donald, but right now, we’ll take his All-Pro talent for rookie contract money. Starting at nose guard would be current Eagles 1-tech, Timmy Jernigan. And to round out the 3 man front of this defense, would be current Bengals DE, Michael Johnson, who would be moved slightly inside to play 5-tech in the defense. Backing them up is veteran lineman, Chris Long, and some young talent, including the Texans’ current, starting nose tackle, D.J. Reader, and their 4th-round pick, Carlos Watkins.
7 roster spots filled, 21 left
$13.933M Spent | $73.188M Left
Linebackers
| LBs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Luke Kuechly | Zach Brown | Vic Beasley |
| CAR | WAS | ATL |
| $12.363M | $2.55M | $3.953M |
| BC | UNC | Clemson |
| Derrick Morgan | Julius Peppers | Kyle Wilber |
| TEN | CAR | DAL |
| $7.969M | $3.5M | $1.75M |
| GT | UNC | WF |
| Dekoda Watson | Marquel Lee | Josh Harvey-Clemons |
| SF | OAK | WAS |
| $1.333M | $528K | $486K |
| FSU | WF | Louisville |
The linebackers are highlighted by former Defensive Player of the Year, Luke Kuechly. Starting on either side of him are fellow Pro Bowlers Zach Brown and Vic Beasley. Finishing out the starting backers is pass rusher, Derrick Morgan. Backing them up starts with future Hall of Famer Julius Peppers, who can be brought in as a situational pass rusher. Backing up the inside are a couple of rookies; Marquel Lee, who was the Raiders 5th-round selection, and Josh Harvey-Clemons, who won a spot on the 53-man roster after being a 7th-round pick by the Redskins.
9 roster spots filled, 12 left
$34.432M Spent | $38.756M Left
Cornerbacks
| CBs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Xavier Rhodes | Jalen Ramsey | Coty Sensabaugh |
| MIN | JAX | PIT |
| $10.426M | $5.307M | $988K |
| FSU | FSU | Clemson |
| D.J. White | Juston Burris | |
| KC | NYJ | |
| $588K | $678K | |
| GT | NC St |
Starting at corner are a couple of Florida State stand-outs, Xavier Rhodes and Jalen Ramsey. 5th-year pro, Coty Sensabaugh takes the nickel slot. A couple of young guys round of the group. This is probably the biggest vulnerability on the team, if Rhodes or Ramsey goes down, there isn’t much depth behind.
5 roster spots filled, 7 left
$17.987M Spent | $20.769M Left
Safeties
| Ss | ||
|---|---|---|
| Kam Chancellor | Morgan Burnett | Deon Bush |
| SEA | GB | CHI |
| $6.644M | $6.981M | $672K |
| VT | GT | Miami |
| Chuck Clark | ||
| BAL | ||
| $508K | ||
| VT |
We start the safeties out with Legion of Boom member, Kam Chancellor. Who for this single roster scenario, we get to take advantage of his back-loaded, 3-year extension (in two years his cap number doubles). With Chancellor at the SS, Morgan Burnett, who is on the last year of a 4-year extension, moves over to play FS. Backing them up are of a couple of young guys, including our last rookie of the bunch, Chuck Clark; the Ravens’ 6th-round pick out of Virginia Tech
4 roster spots filled, 3 left
$14.805M Spent | $5.964M Left
Defensive Spending Breakdown
The defense accounted for 49.11% of the overall cap. Linebackers took up the most money, taking up 42.43% of the entire defensive budget, and 20.84% of the overall team budget.
Specialists and Head Coach
| ST and HC | ||
|---|---|---|
| K Steven Hauschka | P Andy Lee | LS Garrison Sanborn |
| BUF | ARI | TB |
| $2.6M | $1M | $615K |
| NC St | Pitt | FSU |
| Head Coach | Bruce Arians | VT |
The kicker and punter have a combined 3 Pro Bowls and 3 1st-team All-Pros (and by both, I mean all Andy Lee). And former Bill, now Buc, Garrison Sanborn takes the long snapping duties.
Former Virginia Tech star QB, Bruce Arians (who still holds the VT record for most rushing TDs in a season by a QB) takes the head coaching spot for the team.
3 roster spots filled, 0 left
$4.215M Spent | $1.749M Left
The Starting 22
Due to the ACC headquarters location, I’ve named this team the Greensboro Coastals.
| Offense | |
|---|---|
| QB | Jameis Winston |
| RB | LeSean McCoy |
| Z | Sammy Watkins |
| X | Demaryius Thomas |
| Slot | Travis Benjamin |
| TE | Greg Olsen |
| LT | Duane Brown |
| LG | Joe Thuney |
| C | Rodney Hudson |
| RG | Shaq Mason |
| RT | Morgan Moses |
| Defense | |
|---|---|
| DE | Michael Johnson |
| NT | Timmy Jernigan |
| DT | Aaron Donald |
| Sam | Vic Besley |
| Mike | Luke Kuechly |
| Will | Zach Brown |
| Jack | Derrick Morgan |
| CB | Xavier Rhodes |
| CB | Jalen Ramsey |
| SS | Kam Chancellor |
| FS | Morgan Burnett |
Team Breakdown
| School | # of Players |
|---|---|
| Boston College | 1 |
| Clemson | 8 |
| Duke | 0 |
| Florida State | 10 |
| Georgia Tech | 6 |
| Louisville | 1 |
| Miami | 6 |
| NC State | 4 |
| North Carolina | 3 |
| Pittsburgh | 5 |
| Syracuse | 0 |
| Virginia | 4 |
| Virginia Tech | 3 |
| Wake Forest | 3 |
Topping the list is Florida State with 10 alumni on this list. The 2016 National Champs come in second with 8 alumni on the roster. And we have a tie for third, with both Miami and Georgia Tech with 6. Syracuse and Duke both finished with no one on the roster, with Duke’s Jamison Crowder just missing out in order to meet the rookie contract criteria.
As for the NFL teams included in this roster, the Oakland Raiders top the list with 4 players on this roster. 4 teams ended up with no one on the roster, the Giants, Dolphins, Lions, and Saints.
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