Sometimes, I like to contemplate the more subtle differences between college and professional football.  Depth is one of the greatest.  When there is an injury, the step down that many college teams take can be much more significant than in the NFL.  What does this matter, when talking about the best group of wide receivers and tight ends in the country?  Well, I think of it like this ― If a team is able to field 3 quality WRs and at least one pass-catching TE, on any given play, they have a huge advantage over most college defenses, because nickel and dime corners in college are often kids who just aren't ready to play.

 

This was big in my criteria for breaking down the best WR/TE unit.  Which team can go deep enough, with quality players, to create serious defensive mismatches?  I was surprised, as I went through my research, to find the number of teams that are actually really deep at WR.  Along with that, several had a viable pass-catching TE.  My top 5 are:  Oklahoma, Michigan, Cal, Georgia, and Miami.  I don't think I could go wrong with any of these units.  I’m sure a case could be made for them, but when you see a team with 3 very good WRs, one of which is the best in the country, and 2 TEs used in crucial situations in the passing game, and…oh… toss in that they are working with a freshman QB and RB, the Wolverines get the nod from me.

 

Looking at the athletes in this breakdown, you have to start with Braylon Edwards, a 6'3" field stretching game breaker.  There's nothing to say about Edwards, that I didn't say in his player profile.  He's just an amazing player to watch, and with the numbers he capable of putting up, he could not only end up being the best WR in the country, but maybe the best player in the country.  He shrugs off double teams, and not only still makes plays, but because of that, makes his teammates better.  There is a real synergy with the Wolverine pass catchers, and how they work off each other.

 

Next is Jason Avant (6'1", 203 lbs., Jr.), who is a perfect compliment for Edwards.  Avant runs crisp routes, has excellent hands, makes catches all over the field, and runs well after the catch.  This time next year, when Edwards is making plays on Sunday, Avant will be polishing his resume for his turn in the NFL.  He'd be the number one guy for plenty of teams in the Top 25, and as I said, has a game that compliments his teammates very well.

 

So, you’re Ohio State and your starting cornerbacks are locked up on these two with some deep safety help on Edwards.  Just when you’re feeling pretty good….  Well, you shouldn’t be.  Now you have to look down the line to see who you have who can cover Steve Breaston (6'1", 208 lbs., Jr.), another big, athletic target for the Wolverines.  I suppose a defender could take heart in knowing Breaston may be winded on the first play, because he probably just came off an amazing kick return on the previous play.  Breaston pushed Savant pretty hard this spring, and it more than likely made both of them better players for it.  He may not get the big stats of Edwards and Savant, but there's no doubt, watching him return kicks and make big catches, he's a great player and is only going to improve.

 

OK, so now you realize that your nickel back is going to have his work cut out for him, but it's not the end of the world, right?  You can just blitz.  Well, if you do, that will make for some very favorable Wolverine matchups for their 2 pass-catching tight ends, Tim Massaquoi (6'4”, 250 lbs., Sr.), and Tyler Ecker (6'6", 250 lbs., Jr.).  Massaquoi is the incumbent starter, after sharing the gig last year, and has shown a lot of smarts, making the most of the limited opportunities that present themselves, as the 4th or 5th receiving option on this squad.  Ecker is a fundamentally sound player, who doesn't get many chances to make plays, but simply by virtue of the fact that he can catch the ball, he has to be accounted for on defense, and requiring that attention benefits the rest of the WRs.

 

Before wrapping this up, it’s worthwhile to add one final note ― Michigan has a young man named Adrian Arrington (6'3", 178 lbs., Fr.), one of the 15 best wide receiving recruits in the country last year and he can't find the field.  He will though, once Edwards is gone, and he's talented enough that the Wolverines may see very little drop off in production next year. 

 

Michigan is a very young, talented team and their core unit on offense is their wide receivers and tight ends.  They create mismatches for defenses, making the job of their young QB easier.  In the next couple of years, as their freshman QB and RB get better, Michigan fans and all football fans will get to see a very balanced and very explosive team.  For Michigan, it starts with those exceptional wide receivers.