5 Most Valuable Players

Obviously, injuries are a huge part of the game and can have significant impacts on the season. Even though we are pretty deep, there are certain players that if lost to injury could have a serious negative effect on the season:

1. Ryan Baker (WLB): Baker is the veteran in an already thin LB corp. In addition, he'll play one of the two LB positions in our nickel package defense which we expect to see a lot of. If Baker goes down, we're left with Francios and four guys who have never played significant snaps at LB.

2. Tyrann Mathieu (CB): We are extremely deep at CB and an injury to Mathieu probably would not have a substantial impact on that position. Where it would have a substantial impact is in our nickel package. Mathieu is playmaking midget who thinks he's a LB. If Mathieu goes down, our defensive scheme, which will heavily rely on five DBs, will have to be altered.

3. Rueben Randle (WR): With the suspension to Shepard, Randle is the only WR in our team with any type of experience. He also provides a sure-handed target to a quarterback who has had his share of ups and downs. If Randle goes down, we will be left with a WR corp that had a total of 8 catches in college play.

4. Will Blackwell (OG): Blackwell's immediate impact was apparent to anyone paying attention when he returned to the line up full time in last year's Cotton Bowl. This year's offense is going to start and end with running the ball behind Blackwell. With the injury to Dworaczyk, we are left thin at OG. If Blackwell goes down, we are left with T-Bob and probably true freshman La'el Collins.

5. Michael Brockers (DT): While we are stacked at DE, we have a lot of unproven talent at DT. Brockers looks to be the leader of the group. If Brockers goes down, we pin our hopes on a few older guys with very little playing time and Anthony Johnson.