2018 way too early depth chart

I think Uche is a SAM, not Viper. I have a hard time seeing him in man coverage against a slot or rotating over to deep safety.

Don't buy the Winovich leaving talk. He was very good this year but there's room to improve (to my untrained eye in the stands, he looked to struggle against OSU). He's incredibly undersized (he'd be pushing for smallest DE in the NFL if he went pro) and that alone will max him out at a mid round pick. He's not big enough to be a 4-3 DE and has no experience ae a 3-4 OLB, his best NFL fit. All that plus the disappointing year for the team this year makes me think he's back easy. At safety I think Metellus/Kinnel would be fine for next year. Kinnel is going to be a senior and is what he is, but Metellus has room to grow. He was awul against OSU and the worst safety this year, but he was starting as a second year player so struggles are to be expected. He might stay stagnant as a player but he has a lot of room to grow as a 3rd year player with a year starting under his belt. It'd be nice to see Woods/JKP take a starting role since it means they'd be better than returning starters, but there's very little data there. With all 3 CBs coming back and early returns on Thomas/St. Juste being good, I'm interested to see if any shuffling occurs in the secondary to get more of those guys on the field. Edit: Apparently Runyan was the RT most of the 2nd half. Didn't notice that at the game. So it looks like RT is still a mess. Hopefully Runyan/JBB/someone can step up there. At LT, the chatter around Newsome is positive that he'll come back but I still have no expectations there. I don't buy Filiaga as a T, he seems ticketed for G. I think Stueber could be a real option there, he fits Frey's mold well. Late rising recruit who coaches were high on, and in his second year could reasonably contribute like Onwenu/Bredeson/Spanellis/Ruiz. That's my best LT guess. If not him it'd be kick Bredeson to LT and put Spanellis at G.

Eubanks to fullback. Book it.

I think the linebackers could be amazing next year. The speed at that position is going to be freakishly good. I am really hoping for some improvement at the safety positions. Either way the defense should be really good to great.

Team is going to be really really good.

EuBanks will be a dude next year. Linebackers will be young and fast next year. The whole defense will be pretty fast except Safety.

IS GOING TO NE FUN.

GO BLUE!!!

On D, you lumped all the corners into one depth and also all the safeties. Who do you have playing each position, and who is backing up whom? Nickel?

On offense:

Does on the RBs move to FB? Only one.
Runyan I figure for G or C.
What about WR1 v WR2, or X v Y?
Filiaga has been mentioned for RT.
If Newsome can play, doesn't he start at LT?
Can Bredeson back up at tackle?
I thought Honigford was also looked at for guard.

I’m looking at next year’s roster thinking that every position group will be upgraded. Some significantly. I believe OL will shake up more than most people are expecting. If JBB isn’t great pass blocking again, he’ll lose his job. Nothing will tank Michigan’s season quicker than having their QBs getting wrecked. The redshirt freshman are loaded with guys more talented and with more upside. Bredeson is talented enough to play LT and seeing how he’s their best all around lineman and LT is the most important position behind QB on offense, can’t see a scenario where he isn’t LT unless one of the young guys looks amazing. Losing their last slow LB and replacing him with explosive athletes. Deapite losing Hurst, their DL depth will be better. If Thomas makes a big turn this offseason, they’ll be much better in coverage next season too. Hoping he takes one of the top 2 spots because Michigan could use an outspoken, scrappy leader in their secondary.

Alex Malzone still has two years of eligibility left as a junior. I realize he hasn't had much playing time yet but he should still be listed on the depth chart. Sorry if this was mentioned already.

Ouch! Kwity 3rd on depth chart.  

 

All we lose is Higdon, Perry, JBB on offense; Gary (early to NFL), Winovich, Mone, Kinnell on defense, a few other guys such as Watson but not big contributors like most of the above. Rashan and Chase will be big losses but we're pretty deep on the D-line; slide Woods in for Kinnell ... and we have ND, MSU and OSU at home. 

That's why this year's recruiting class seems like a slight momentum-killer unless it finishes strong. We have the toughest schedule in the history of the program in 2020 and may look a lot like this year in terms of graduations (Bredeson, Onwenu) and early departures to the NFL (DPJ, Black, maybe Peters).

...move to RT.  In 1972, Bo moved Paul Seymour from TE to OT where he was named an All-American.  Seymour had played two years at TE and he went on to the NFL where he was moved back to TE.  Wheatley is athletic and could easily carry 300 lbs. (he was 290 lbs. as a freshman).