Which state would make the best NFL team?

Liam Blackburn

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Which state would make the best NFL team? image

Free agency and the draft have not been the only topics of conversation among NFL players this offseason.

Last month they were debating which state would form the best team based on where players were born, according to NFL.com.

Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson said "We don't mess around in Texas" while Kansas City Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman suggested a Georgia all-star team would beat a Texas version "any day".

So just who could put out the best NFL team? We rank the top five.

 

5.) PENNSYLVANIA

With honourable mentions to Ohio, Louisiana and Alabama, it is Pennsylvania, home to Aaron Donald, arguably the NFL's best player, which sneaks into the top five.

Quarterback Matt Ryan is a former MVP, James Conner, when healthy, is a fine running back, and Chris Godwin, Will Fuller and Tyler Boyd a decent receiving corps.

Kevin Byard is a top safety but the state that Ty Law and Darrelle Revis hail from is suddenly seriously lacking in corners. 

Eli Apple and Daryl Worley would be helped if Donald got to the QB quickly...

4.) GEORGIA

Georgia's running game would certainly be fearsome as they could split carries between Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones and Kenyan Drake.

There is a lot to like with Deshaun Watson at quarterback, Bradley Chubb and Bud Dupree in the front seven and Darius Slay at corner.

However, given Tyreek Hill was actually born in Florida and only raised in Georgia, the best options at wideout are limited to Hardman and Demarcus Robinson.

Our verdict: Run the ball!

3.) TEXAS

You know you've got elite quarterbacks when Drew Brees, the all-time leader in passing yardage and touchdowns, would probably only be backing up Patrick Mahomes at this point. Poor Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray wouldn't even make the game-day 53.

The running game could do with some fresh blood given Peterson remains the state's top dog, yet Mike Evans, Courtland Sutton and Emmanuel Sanders is a decent trio of receivers.

Von Miller and Myles Garrett could form the most dominant pass-rushing tandem with Jamal Adams patrolling the back end, and any combination of Jason Peters, Trent Brown, Lane Johnson and Trent Williams would provide solidity at the tackle spots.

If there is an area of weakness, it's probably in the interior defensive line. If only Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones had been born in Houston, Texas, rather than Houston, Mississippi...

2.) FLORIDA

Home to the reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, the Sunshine State would certainly be able to pull together an impressive offense.

Imagine Jackson at QB, throwing passes to Antonio Brown, Amari Cooper, T.Y. Hilton and Florida-born-but-Georgia-raised Hill, while Derrick Henry, Marlon Mack and Dalvin Cook spearheaded the rushing attack?

An offense that put up points would be welcomed by Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa and Nick Bosa as they could pin their ears back ahead of Patrick Peterson and Derwin James.

Where Florida falls down is at offensive line. The Pouncey twins may have gone to high school at Lakeland, but they were born in Oklahoma, while Laremy Tunsil is another who moved to the state after being born.

1.) CALIFORNIA

The Golden State is home to some golden NFL talent, not least at the quarterback position.

Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers were born in hospitals around three hours apart, while starters Jared Goff, Derek Carr, Sam Darnold and Josh Allen are all well versed in 'California cool'.

Pick Brady in this California team and you can have his BFF Julian Edelman. Opt for Rodgers and you may select his favoured weapon Davante Adams. Both QBs would surely love a chance to throw to Los Angeles native Michael Thomas, tight end Zach Ertz or running back Joe Mixon too.

There is talent from California at every level of defense, including Arik Armstead, Frank Clark, Bobby Wagner, Marcus Peters and Richard Sherman, but what really sets Cal apart is the offensive line. 

David Bakhtiari, Mitchell Schwartz and Tyron Smith could provide protection at tackle while Joel Bitonio and Larry Warford solidified the interior for the USA's biggest state by population.

Liam Blackburn