Which Departure Hurts Michigan The Most?
Now that news has broken on the departures of Nico Collins and Dylan McCaffrey from Michigan, it is clear that the Wolverines team will look very different when it takes the field on Oct. 24.
Over the offseason, Michigan lost 10 contributors to the NFL Draft and a few more key players to free agency, so U-M was always going to be a young team in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced a few other players to leave the program, such as Jalen Mayfield, Ambry Thomas and of course Collins and McCaffrey. But which loss will impact Michigan the most?
The argument for Mayfield: Out of the 10 Michigan players drafted in April, four of those athletes were offensive lineman in college. That means U-M was set to break in 80% of a completely new offensive line. Now with Mayfield going pro, that number jumps to 100%. Though Ryan Hayes has some playing experience, most of Michigan's blockers are green and will likely need some seasoning no matter who the Wolverines face in Week 1.
Mayfield was supposed to be the one anchor and trusted piece along the OL, so his loss is big in more ways than one. Offensive line is one of the tougher positions in terms of adjusting to the physicality of college football, so a growth period is expected for any young group, and Michigan's front five could experience an extended growth period without relying on Mayfield at left tackle.
The argument for Thomas: Over the past few seasons, Michigan's secondary has been a strength of the defense. The Wolverines have routinely fielded a strong corps of defensive backs, and the same was true a season ago. But without Lavert Hill and Josh Metellus providing depth, the corner spots were going to be crucial areas where key players would need to step up.
Ambry Thomas, who has shown the ability to lock down receivers with his speed and length, was the top returning player at the outside cornerback position, and it seemed as if Thomas was going to take a big step forward in leading Michigan's defense. Without Thomas back there, Michigan will have to see a big step up from Vincent Gray. In all honesty, Gray would have needed a strong fall campaign anyways as the team's No. 2 corner, so his contributions will weigh even larger now.
The argument for Collins: Over the offseason, Nico Collins was awarded the No. 1 jersey, which traditionally goes to a dominant wide receiver at Michigan, and Collins was also on the cusp of what could have been a huge 2020 season. In the past, Collins was held back by Shea Patterson's limitations, so improved quarterback play could have helped jettison Collins into a likely first round selection.
Without the downfield threat returning to Michigan, the Wolverines will use a host of younger receivers, but the good news is that position is quite well-stocked. Ronnie Bell is a productive, crafty receiver that accumulated up 48 catches and 758 yards a year ago, so he has shown the ability to get the job done. Though he is a reliable asset, younger players like Giles Jackson, Roman Wilson and A.J. Henning need to step up to keep the offense moving smoothly. Now, that is not asking a lot given the talent at the position, but it's another example of how Michigan is going to be very young and inexperienced all the way around.
The argument for McCaffrey: Without Patterson under center, the quarterback job was to be fought out between Dylan McCaffrey and Joe Milton over the offseason. After reports from Schembechler Hall that Milton had solidified himself as the top option, McCaffrey began to look elsewhere, and it appears that he's going to pursue other options.
That leaves Michigan with Milton at QB, which is a good place to be considering the immense talent from the strong-armed passer. Milton exudes arm talent, and the team has really been galvanized by his work ethic over the offseason. At times, Milton's decision making has looked a bit erratic, but that is something that can be improved over time, and Michigan will hope that enough time has passed for him to grow into his own in 2020.
An inexperienced quarterback can easily hold a team back, but where McCaffrey's departure really hurts U-M is in the depth department. Either quarterback could have conceivably started for Michigan this fall, so not having that other option to turn to in the event of injury or poor play is another factor that will limit U-M this season.
Verdict: Having a poor offensive line can cripple a team's ability to move the football all season long. Jalen Mayfield was desperately needed to offer some stability up front, and his loss only makes the job for Ed Warinner more difficult. Five new starters on the OL is not a favorable recipe, but it's the position Michigan is in sans-Mayfield, which makes his departure the toughest to overcome.
Losing which player do you think is the biggest blow for Michigan? Who would you most want to return? Let us know!