This was actually my first squad, but admittedly I was a little uncomfortable going with so many first and second-year players as starters in my offense. As the summer played out, I see that perhaps my first inclination has as much or more promise as the team I published last month. The only changes I made to this squad since July were at guard and the defense. The offense is pretty much as I built it. I’ll call this my Rookie Scouting Portfolio Writers Team and the other team my Footballguys/Football Outisders squad. I have mad love for all three places, but couldn’t fill just one squad.

There are more RSP Writers Teams in the can that I’ll post as the season gets under way. You can go here for a complete look at the project, including the spreadsheet and rules so you can play at home. I can’t promise I’ll look or even publish all submissions, but feel free to send your team my way if you want – I’ve also posted a few reader’s teams and many rival the writer’s squads.

Offense

Running Back Depth Chart
Starting Position	Role (optional)	Name	Value	Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
RB1		Bilal Powell	2	I think Powell has lead back skill and potentially 3-4 years of feature back potential. He runs with good balance and power, but he also has burst and a that first or second move to make a defender miss in tight spaces. He’s also a strong pass protector and solid outlet receiver. If Bryce Brown doesn’t develop fast, I’m happy with Powell and Rainey as my rotation.
RB2		Bryce Brown	2.5	Brown is a risk because of his checkered (non) playing history in the college ranks, but I’ve seen enough of him at Tennessee and heard enough about his Pro Day to believe that he has franchise back skill. Size, speed, burst, strong inside vision, and terrific hands are hallmarks of his game. I think I have a potential steal and a player capable of 15-18 touches a game as a rookie. Pass protection is my only concern with him. If he develops, he’ll be a dangerous check-down option as well as a runner capable of closing out games.
RB3		Bobby Rainey	1.5	Rainey knows how to run inside and he’s a good receiver. He has long reminded me stylistically of Ray Rice and I think he’ll press for playing time. There is an open competition at this spot. While I anticipate Powell to win, Rainey and Brown will be in the mix and I won’t be afraid to use them if they play as I expect.

Wide Receiver Depth Chart
Starting Position	Role (optional)	Name	Value	Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
WR2	WR	Juron Criner	3.5	I wanted Greg Childs here, but once he got hurt Criner was an easy second choice and might prove to be the better decision. I love Criner’s hands and his skill after the catch. He’s a strong wide receiver with good balance and a some solid open field moves. He’s a lot like Michael Crabtree and Cris Carter in style and he provides that big-receiver, Marques Colston (another good stylistic comparison) presence to my young Drew Brees. My biggest issue with my receivers is where I’m going to play each. Eventually I want to move them around, but I want them to get familiar with with position and branch out as time passes.
WR3	Returner	Randall Cobb	6.5	Cobb is my cheaper version of Percy Harvin with not much dropoff. I think Cobb can play any of the receiver spots because of his physicality, athleticism, and intelligence. I can also use him in the backfield if my offensive coordinator wants to experiment with some QB/RB/WR hybrid stuff that Cobb can provide with his versatility. I don’t anticipate using too many gimmicks, but it’s nice to have that luxury if the offense starts clicking (or not). Most of all, Cobb will be a big-play threat anywhere on the field.
WR4	Returner	Titus Young	4	Young will learn all three receiver spots in this offense, but he’ll begin his career here as the slot receiver. I’ll use him on a combination of screens, running plays, crosses, and verticals. His open field skill and willingness to catch the ball in traffic will place a ton of pressure on the best nickel corners and when I send James Casey down field with Young in the same zone, I’m going to give defenses fits.
WR1	WR	Steve Smith (Stl)	3	Smith is a great possession receiver who will be where Wilson needs him to be and make plays against physical defenders. He’s also fast enough to get deep on play action passes. The fact that Wilson is so good at the bootleg will make Smith a viable vertical receiver in a way where Eli Manning always struggled. He’ll also provide strong tutelage on route running for the four young receivers. I’m thrilled with this receiving corps.
WR5	WR	Rod Streater	0.5	I liked Streater’s speed and skill at adjusting to the football when I saw him at Temple. I believe he has potential to contribute in a starting rotation as an outside receiver in four-receiver and empty sets. Give him a limited route tree of outs, fades, and comebacks and I think he can make some plays as he grows into his own.

Fullback and Tight End Depth Chart
Starting Position	Role (optional)	Name	Value	Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
FB	H-Back	James Casey	2.5	Casey isn’t as fluid as Aaron Hernandez (no one is), but he’s closer that most players that others are comparing to the Patriots tight end. I think Casey could be an elite, hybrid weapon and I will allow Matt Hasselbeck (and eventually Russell Wilson) get Casey into spots where he can earn mismatches and generate first downs and big plays as a receiver. He’s going to give my offense tremendous flexibility.
TE1		Dwayne Allen	3.5	Ben Muth says Craig Stevens is the best blocking tight end in the NFL and I was tempted to take him for that reason. However, I think Dwayne Allen has the potential to become one of the better run and pass blockers at the position and I like his athleticism as a receiver and ball carrier a lot more. Allen can play H-back and I’ll likely move him around to use his versatility to help pass protect, provide an outlet, or go down field. Powell, Allen, and Casey provide a lot of versatility for linebackers and safeties to worry about.
TE2		Taylor Thompson	1.5	Thompson is a swing for the fences pick. The former defensive end at SMU was so good at his old high school position of tight end at the Shrine Game that he became a true NFL prospect at the position. Tall, fluid, and reportedly has natural hands, Thompson looks like a player with the potential to develop into a Rob Gronkowski-style of player. If he can learn to block with his size and athleticism, I might have a future top-shelf, all-around tight end. And I know that Matt Hasselbeck and Russell Wilson are tight end-friendly passers.
FB	FB	Tony Fiammetta	0.5	Fiammetta has excellent skill as a lead blocker. He’s been hurt, but in my system I only expect to use him as a situational player as long as Casey and Allen stay healthy.
TE2		Will Yeatman	0.5	Yeatman can block and make plays in the short range of the field. He’s a more athletic, but less refined player in the mold of Jeff King.

Defense

Linebacker Depth Chart
Starting Position	Role (optional)	Name	Value	Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
MLB1		Derrick O. Johnson	8.5	Johnson is becoming the player many expected. He’s a fine MLB and I don’t expect teams to get to both Dansby and Johnson if my line has the occasional failure.
WLB1		Karlos Dansby	6.5	Dansby will be my WILL. Athletic, good in coverage, and versatile to play MLB or SLB if needed. I like that I can blitz him, too.
SLB1		Will Witherspoon	3	A wily veteran capable of doing good things in this corps. Still a solid athlete with versatility.
SLB1		Vontaze Burfict	1	Potential middle linebacker with upside if he shows he cares about the game and willing to work at it. He’ll compete with Witherspoon and Morrison for SLB reps.
SLB2		Greg Jones	0.5	Strong side guy with good special teams skill.
MLB2		Kirk Morrison	0.5	He can play the middle if pressed into service and really all three positions, but he’ll be my reserve strong side guy.
SLB2		Gerald McRath	0.5	Good special teams player with excellent skills against the run and budding skills in pass coverage. Used as a nickel backer. Good depth.
SLB2	Situational Pass Rusher	Tahir Whitehead	0.5	My linebackers coach Gunther Cunningham says Whitehead is a much better player than he expected. The sack artist at Temple could surprise. I might even try him as a pass-rushing end in some situations. I’ll let him play special teams and learn the linebacker position for a year or two.

Defensive End and Tackle Depth Chart
Starting Position	Role (optional)	Name	Value	Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
DT1	Starting RDT	Geno Atkins	9.5	Atkins is among the best in the game and he knows Mike Zimmer’s defense.
RDE2	Situational DE	Willie Young	1.5	Young and Phillip Hunt are speedy off the edge, can play special teams, and rotate with Robison and Graham to create havoc on passing downs.
RDE1	Starting RDE	Brian Robison	3	I think Robison is just coming into his own as a player capable of pressuring the quarterback from the right side of the line, but smart enough to make plays in the run game. He’s a better athlete than some realize and I think I have a keeper for a good 3-5 seasons.
DT2	Starting LDT	Peria Jerry	0.5	Jerry will compete with Liuget for the starting job next to Atkins.
LDE1	Starting LDE	Brandon Graham	2.5	Graham has the potential to be a Pro Bowl player and I think he’s finally healthy enough to do it. At the very least, I think he’ll be a productive starter with excellent athleticism to penetrate in the run game and work off the edge as a pass rusher.
LDE2	Backup DE	Phillip Hunt	1	Hunt has the potential to become a pass rushing terror. The CFL star was impressive for the Eagles last year. He’s relentless off the edge and I think he and Willie Young will push each other for time.
DT3	Backup DT	Corey Liuget	0.5	Versatile DE/DT who I can use in situational capacity versus the run and pass.