Next in our series of all-college conference rosters is the Big Ten Conference. Take a look at what the 2017 roster looked like here, Big Ten NFL Roster 2017. After looking at the pool of players, we decided to go with a 3 wide, single back base offense and a base 3-4 defense.
The Criteria
The criteria is very similar to last year with 3 main differences. The addition of a player on their 5th year extension, the spreading of rookie deals throughout different rounds of each draft, and making sure each college in the conference is represented.
- The roster must be under the current salary cap of $177.2M
- We use an even spread of rookie deals roughly based on league averages: 8 from 2017, 6 from 2016, 5 from 2015, and 1 player from the first round of the 2014 draft that is on their 5th year extension (where applicable)
- These rookie deals will also be spread throughout different rounds of that years draft, to better simulate an actual roster
- We will include one rookie from each round of the draft (were applicable)
- Each college in the conference will be represented
- We will have a well rounded roster that includes role players and special team
The Offense
Quarterbacks
| QBs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tom Brady | Brian Hoyer | |
| NE | NE | |
| $22M | $915K | |
| Michigan | Michigan State |
There are a few good starting QBs to chose from the Big Ten, Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, but there is one obvious choice, Tom Brady. Not only is he the GOAT, but his $22M cap hit is less than all 3 of the previously named Big Ten QBs. So then the obvious choice to back up Brady is his current back up in New England, from Michigan State, Brian Hoyer.
2 roster spots filled, 51 left
$22.915M Spent | $154.285M Left
Running Backs
| RBs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | Jordan Howard | Rex Burkhead |
| NYG | CHI | NE |
| $5.672M | $692K | $2.313M |
| Penn State | Indiana | Nebraska |
| Tevin Coleman | Corey Clements | |
| ATL | PHI | |
| $978K | $558K | |
| Indiana | Wisconsin |
There is an impressive group of running backs to chose from for this Big Ten roster. We decided to have our starting running back be our 1st round pick of the roster, Saquon Barkley. Barkley has looked well worth his #2 overall draft position. Backing him up will be the Bears’ Jordan Howard. The Patriots’ Rex Burkhead can be used in 3rd down situations as a receiving threat out of the backfield, as well as a solid help in pass protection. Former Hoosier Tevin Coleman could also see time as a receiving threat, but also can be used as a change of pace back and be utilized in special teams. We round out the RBs with the Eagles’ Corey Coleman. Coleman provides great depth for the roster and has the ability to be a great contributor on special teams.
5 roster spots filled, 46 left
$10.213M Spent | $144.072M Left
Wide Receivers
| WRs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Michael Thomas | Stefon Diggs | Geronimo Allison |
| NO | MIN | GB |
| $1.396M | $4.963M | $630K |
| Ohio State | Maryland | Illinois |
| DaeSean Hamilton | Darrius Heyward-Bey | Noah Brown |
| DEN | PIT | DAL |
| $651K | $1.333M | $490K |
| Penn State | Maryland | Ohio State |
Leading the wide receivers is the Saints’ 2nd round pick from 2016, from Ohio State, Michael Thomas. He provides a reliable, big-body target for Brady and is a perfect counterpoint to our #2 option from Maryland, Stefon Diggs. The combination of Thomas and Diggs with Brady under center could be lethal. Moving into the slot, we have the Packers Geronimo Allison. Allison has really come into his own this season and is establishing himself as a starting caliber WR after signing with Green Bay in 2016 as an UDFA out of Illinois. We then have our next rookie of the roster, our 4th round pick out of Penn State, DaeSean Hamilton. We round out the wide receivers with a couple of special teams contributors, veteran Darrius Heyward-Bey and the Cowboys’ Noah Brown. Overall a lot of talent for not a lot of money in this WR corps.
6 roster spots filled, 40 left
$9.463M Spent | $134.609M Left
Tight Ends
| TEs | ||
|---|---|---|
| George Kittle | Vernon Davis | Mike Gesicki |
| SF | WAS | MIA |
| $630K | $5.333M | $1.202M |
| Iowa | Maryland | Penn State |
| Matt LaCosse | ||
| DEN | ||
| $555K | ||
| Illinois |
Getting the start at tight end is the one bright spot on the 49ers’ offense since Jimmy G went down, 2017 5th round pick out of Iowa, George Kittle. Kittle is currently PFF’s top graded tight end and has been one of the top fantasy options for TE this season. Backing him up, and providing additional help in the passing game, is Redskins’ Vernon Davis. At 34 years old, Davis is still out there burning linebackers and showing off his run blocking skills. We then have our next rookie, 2nd round pick out of Penn State, Mike Gesicki. We round out the TEs with special teamer Matt LaCosse.
4 roster spots filled, 36 left
$7.72M Spent | $126.889M Left
Offensive Line
| OL | ||
|---|---|---|
| T Taylor Lewan | T Jack Conklin | G Marshal Yanda |
| TEN | TEN | BAL |
| $10.7M | $4.336M | $10.125M |
| Michigan | Michigan State | Iowa |
| G Brandon Scherff | C Travis Frederick | T Dennis Kelly |
| WAS | DAL | TEN |
| $6.75M | $6.275M | $1.308M |
| Iowa | Wisconsin | Purdue |
| G Dan Feeney | C AQ Shipley | |
| LAC | ARI | |
| $865K | $1.508M | |
| Indiana | Penn State |
Here’s where this All Big Ten roster really shines, and why Saquon would break records on this roster. There is a slew of top tier offensive lineman to chose from for this roster. We tried to find the best combination that didn’t blow out the salary cap. This starting offensive line has a combined 4 1st-team All-Pros and 14 Pro Bowls. We start at the tackle position where we decided to take the Titans’ bookends. At LT, we have our 2014 1st round pick on his 5th year extension, from Michigan, Taylor Lewan. On the opposite side, we have former Spartan Jack Conklin. Backing them up will be their teammate in Tennessee, and our first Boilermaker of the roster, Dennis Kelly. Moving to the inside, we have a pair of former Hawkeyes. We start with one of the best guards in the game, the Ravens’ Marshal Yanda, then have the Redskins’ 1st round pick from 2015, Brandon Scherff. Backing them up will be the Chargers’ 3rd round pick from 2017, Dan Feeney. Lastly we move in to the center position. Starting will be the Cowboys’ Travis Frederick. While Frederick’s future is uncertain while he deals with a medical issue, what’s not uncertain is how dominant of an o-lineman he is when he is healthy. Backing him up is the Cardinals starting center, from Penn State, AQ Shipley. A lot of money spent, but this has the potential to be an all-time great offensive line.
8 roster spots filled, 28 left
$41.867M Spent | $85.022M Left
Offensive Spending Breakdown
The offense accounted for only 51.2% of the total team salary. This is not bad considering we have the GOAT at QB, an all-time great offensive line, and multiple play-makers. The offensive line obviously accounted for the majority of the spending, accounting for 45.4% of the offensive budget and 23.7% of the overall salary cap.
The Defense
Defensive Line
| DL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Joey Bosa | Ndamukong Suh | JJ Watt |
| LAC | LAR | HOU |
| $7.056M | $14.5M | $14.19M |
| Ohio State | Nebraska | Wisconsin |
| Akeem Spence | Jerel Worthy | Maurice Hurst |
| MIA | TB | OAK |
| $2.925M | $630K | $560K |
| Illinois | Michigan State | Michigan |
| Sebastian Joseph-Day | ||
| LAR | ||
| $519K | ||
| Rutgers |
Here is the next biggest highlight for this All Big Ten roster, the defensive line. This starting 3 combined has 2 Defensive Rookie of the Year, 3 Defensive Player of the Year, 10 Pro Bowl, and 7 1st team All-Pro awards. We have the Chargers’ 1st round pick from 2016, Joey Bosa, and future Hall of Famer JJ Watt on the outside, and the Rams’ Ndamukoung Suh on the inside. Having this much talent on the starting front meant sacrificing some depth. We added veterans Akeem Spence and Jerel Worthy for initial depth, then added 2 draft picks for the potential. 5th round pick out of Michigan Maurice Hurst, and 6th round pick out of Rutgers, Sebastian Joseph-Day.
7 roster spots filled, 21 left
$40.38M Spent | $44.642M Left
Linebackers
| LBs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Kerrigan | Yannick Ngakoue | Joe Schobert |
| WAS | JAX | CLE |
| $12.45M | $949K | $788K |
| Purdue | Maryland | Wisconsin |
| Anthony Hitchens | Hardy Nickerson | Jerome Baker |
| KC | CIN | MIA |
| $3.6M | $555K | $724K |
| Iowa | Illinois | Ohio State |
| Leon Jacobs | Anthony Walker | |
| JAX | IND | |
| $503K | $621K | |
| Wisconsin | Northwestern |
We made up for some of the big cap hits on the d-line by taking some rookie deals at the linebacker positions. That being said, we had to add one of the most underrated pass rushers in the league, and our last Boilermaker, the Redskins’ Ryan Kerrigan. Starting at the other outside linebacker spot will be Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. He beat out the Steelers’ TJ Watt, as we decided to use our 2017 1st round pick on Marshon Lattimore. Moving to the inside, we have the Chiefs’ Anthony Hitchens starting at Mike backer. And starting next to him at the Will backer is the Browns 4th round pick from 2016, Joe Schobert. Backing up the inside are a pair of second year players, UDFA out of Illinois, Hardy Nickerson, and 5th round pick out of Northwestern, Anthony Walker. Backing up the outside are a pair of rookies, 3rd round pick out of Ohio State, Jerome Baker, and 7th round pick out of Wisconsin, Leon Jacobs.
8 roster spots filled, 13 left
$20.19M Spent | $24.452M Left
Cornerbacks
| CBs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Marshon Lattimore | Trae Wayne | Marcus Cooper |
| NO | MIN | CHI |
| $3.491M | $4.119M | $1.488M |
| Ohio State | Michigan State | Rutgers |
| Leon Hall | Marcus Sherels | Stanley Jean-Baptiste |
| OAK | MIN | BAL |
| $720K | $1.4M | $630K |
| Michigan | Minnesota | Nebraska |
We start the corners out with our first round pick form 2017 out of Ohio State, Marshon Lattimore. Starting opposite him his another 1st round pick from the 2015 draft out of Michigan State, Trae Waynes. Backing them up are veterans Marcus Cooper and Leon Hall. Providing depth and help on special teams will be our only Golden Gopher of the roster, Marcus Shereels, and former Cornhusker, Stanley Jean-Baptiste.
6 roster spots filled, 7 left
$11.848M Spent | $12.604M Left
Safeties
| Ss | ||
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Amos | Kurt Coleman | Montae Nicholson |
| CHI | NO | WAS |
| $1.965M | $3.3M | $710K |
| Penn State | Ohio State | Michigan State |
| Ibraheim Campbell | ||
| NYJ | ||
| $705K | ||
| Northwestern |
Starting at strong safety will be our last representative from the 2015 draft, 5th round pick out of Penn State, Adrian Amos. Starting opposite him at the free safety position will be veteran Kurt Coleman. Backing up Amos will be our second Wildcat of the roster, the Jets’ Ibraheim Campbell. Rounding out the safeties, and contributing on special teams, is the Redskins’ 4th round pick in 2017 out of Michigan State, Montae Nicholson.
4 roster spots filled, 3 left
$6.68M Spent | $5.924M Left
Defensive Spending Breakdown
The defense accounted for only 44.7% of the overall team budget. The defensive line was absolutely where the majority of money was spent. The d-line accounted for $40.38M against the cap, which is 51.1% of the overall money spent on the defense, and 22.8% of the overall team budget.
Specialists and Head Coach
| ST and HC | ||
|---|---|---|
| K Robbie Gould | P Cameron Johnston | LS Jake McQuaide |
| SF | PHI | LAR |
| $2.25M | $488K | $1.344M |
| Penn State | Ohio State | Ohio State |
| Head Coach | Mike Vrabel | Ohio State |
We lead off the Big Ten specialist with one of the few kickers from the conference currently on an active roster, the 49ers Robbie Gould. At punter, we have former Buckeye, now Eagle, Cameron Johnston. Lastly we have 2017 Pro Bowl long snapper from the LA Rams, Jake McQuaide.
Former Ohio State defensive end Mike Vrabel will take the lead as head coach.
3 roster spots filled, 0 left
$4.082M Spent | $1.842M Left
The Starting 22
Due to the Big 10 headquarters location, I’ve named this team the Rosemont Bears.
| Offense | |
|---|---|
| QB | Tom Brady |
| RB | Saquon Barkley |
| Z | Michael Thomas |
| X | Stefon Diggs |
| Slot | Geronimo Allison |
| TE | George Kittle |
| LT | Taylor Lewan |
| LG | Marshal Yanda |
| C | Travis Frederick |
| RG | Brandon Scherff |
| RT | Jack Conklin |
| Defense | |
|---|---|
| DE | Joey Bosa |
| NT | Ndamukong Suh |
| DE | JJ Watt |
| Sam | Yannick Ngakoue |
| Mike | Anthony Hitchens |
| Will | Joe Schobert |
| Jack | Ryan Kerrigan |
| CB | Marshon Lattimore |
| CB | Trae Waynes |
| SS | Adrian Amos |
| FS | Kurt Coleman |
2019 Draft
New for this year, we are including a mock draft for each team for the 2019 NFL Draft. Each player is within a round of where we have them projected as of the time of this post.
| Round | Player | Pos. | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nick Bosa | Edge | Ohio State |
| 2 | Dwayne Haskins | QB | Ohio State |
| 3 | Kendall Sheffield | CB | Ohio State |
| 4 | Devin Bush | LB | Michigan |
| 5 | Raequan Williams | DT | Michigan State |
| 6 | Saquan Hampton | S | Rutgers |
| 7 | Jared Weyler | OC | Minnesota |