Creating the ultimate 53-man roster is an easy task without any parameters, but it's a different exercise when operating under a salary cap. Roster construction becomes more complicated with other restrictions designed to prevent a squad from resembling last season's All-Pro team. The constraints bring more realism to selection proce s. The ground rules are as follows.Parameters1. The salary cap for the roster is $210.85 million although the actual NFL salary cap is $198.2 million for this year. The number being used is the league's average adjusted salary cap according to NFLPA data. Each NFL team's working salary cap varies largely because unused cap room can be carried over from one year to the next. For example, the have league's highest adjusted salary cap at just over $240.575 million largely thanks to carrying over little more than $41.55 million of cap room. The have the lowest at $197.204 million, which is about $1 million below the league wide number. Situations like this typically occur when incentives earned during the previous season that weren't counting on the cap get accounted for without sufficient cap room carrying over from the prior year to make up the difference.2. The NFL draft is an e sential element of roster building for NFL teams. It is here also. One player from each round of 2020 draft must be on the roster. The number requirement drops by one player for each year of the preceding three drafts (2017-2019). The limit of one player per round remains. Thus, only four 2017 draft picks are required. There's one other draft pick constraint. Only one 2016 first round pick whose fifth year option was exercised is allowed regardle s of whether he signed a contract extension. Selecting one isn't a nece sity. Aaron Hicks Jersey 3. The backups at each position are limited to players that aren't established starters so young veterans cracking the lineup for the first time are eligible. Second year players that started at least half of their team's games or played a minimum of 50 percent of the snaps on their side of the ball don't qualify as reserves unle s their playtime was because of injury. Players competing for starting jobs or where there's a "by committee approach" at a position, usually running back, are also acceptable. A backfield containing and is prohibited since both are workhorse or every down running backs.4. There's one big allowance being made defensively. Three starting cornerbacks are acceptable without sacrificing a starter in a traditional base defense since five or more defensive backs are now used over 60% percent of the time in the NFL. The result is twelve defensive starters.5. Choosing a player that was given a franchise or transition designation in 2020 is optional. However, only one player receiving a 2020 designation can be selected.Roster building philosophySelecting an elite quarterback was the top priority since the NFL is a pa ser driven league. A salary cap friendly potential franchise quarterback is the most valuable commodity in the NFL. This is because of the roster flexibility provided by the low cap number. Choosing one was a nece sity.An emphasis was also placed on the offensive and defensive lines. The old football adage of "it starts in the trenches" was a guiding principle in a sembling the roster.Long range planning wasn't taken into account so worrying about future salary cap obligations, the amount of cap room that could be carried over, expiring contracts and drafting players that might develop into starters down the road wasn't nece sary. Different choices would have been made if having to contend with a $175 million salary cap floor for 2021.The constraints prevented the selection of reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year . He has the NFL's biggest cap number for a cornerback at $24,421,773. wide receiver was also too cost prohibitive with a $20,416,668 cap number. middle linebacker remains the gold standard for off-ball linebackers. His $14,756,580 cap number isn't cost effective either.Here's the team I a sembled with some of my thoughts behind the selections. The 2020 cap number for each player is in parentheses.Offensive startersQB: , ($5,354,058)Mahomes is the youngest player to ever win both NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP. He is the only quarterback besides to ever throw for at least 50 touchdowns and 5,000 or more yards in the same season, which he accomplished in 2018 as a first year starter. Mahomes becoming the NFL's highest paid player was expected. Landing the most lucrative contract in American team sports history at $450 million over 10 years (worth up to $500 million with incentives) took practically everybody by surprise. Mahomes' 2020 salary cap number remained practically the same after signing his blockbuster contract extension.RB: , ($6,005,405)Having a cost effective quarterback allows for a luxury item in the backfield. Otherwise, an inexpensive lead ball carrier on a rookie contract would have been chosen. Henry led the NFL in rushing (1,540 yards) and tied for the league's most rushing touchdowns with 16 last season. He really made his mark in the playoffs during the Titans' run to the AFC Championship Game by becoming the first player to ever have two games of at least 180 rushing yards in the same postseason. Henry is a traditional ball carrier who doesn't add much in the pa sing game so a running back with receiving skills is a nece sary to complement him.WR: , Cardinals ($7,006,580)Hopkins has the best hands in the busine s. He rarely drops pa ses. Matt Holliday Jersey Over the last five years, Hopkins has the NFL's second most receptions (504), receiving yards (6,590) and touchdown catches (46). He'll alternate with in working out of the slot.WR: Michael Thomas, ($7,000,940)Thomas had one of the greatest receiving seasons in league history last year. He set the NFL single season reception record with 149 catches for 1,725 yards. Thomas also holds the record for most catches (473) during the first four seasons of an NFL career.WR: , ($8,394,080)Evans is one of the NFL's most dangerous deep threats. His 17.5 yards per catch (minimum of 64 receptions) are second in the NFL over the last two years. Evans and Hall of Famer Randy Mo s are the only players to ever reach 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first six seasons.TE: , ($5,815,094)Kittle dramatically re-set a stagnant tight end market recently with a five-year extension averaging $15 million per year. The 2017 fifth round pick set the single season receiving yards record by a tight end in 2018 with 1,377 yards. Kittle is the NFL's most complete tight end because of his blocking ability.LT: , ($6,432,285)Nagging injuries have kept Smith from playing all 16 games since 2015. Nonethele s, he still earned Pro Bowl honors for a seventh straight season in 2019.LG: , Colts ($6,610,798)In just two NFL seasons, Nelson has emerged to challenge as the league's best offensive guard. The two-time first team All-Pro is equally adept at pa s protection and run blocking.C: , ($5.237 Million)Hudson has been the model of consistency for the Raiders since joining the team in 2015 free agency. He is widely considered as the NFL's best pa s blocking center.RG: Zack Martin, Cowboys ($7,007,520)Martin has been dominant since entering the NFL in 2014. He's been named first team All-Pro or All-NFL in each of his six profe sional seasons.RT: , Chiefs ($10.82 Million)Schwartz continued to be a Pro Bowl snub last season because a distinction of the tackle positions isn't made in the selection proce s. Since the A sociated Pre s differentiates, Schwartz earned All-Pro honors for the fourth straight time.Defensive startersDE: , 49ers ($7,722,944)Bosa was named 2019's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. His 80 quarterback pre sures (combined sacks, quarterback hurries and quarterback hits) according to Pro Football Focus were tied for sixth most in the NFL last season. Bosa added four sacks in three games during San Francisco's playoff run that ended with a lo s to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.DT: , ($25,006,580)The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year is unquestionably the most disruptive force from the interior of a defensive line. His 12.5 sacks in 2019 were the second best single season total of his career. Donald set an NFL record for a defensive tackle with 20.5 sacks during the 2018 season.DT: , ($9,309,710)Heyward is a run stuffer with pa s rush ability. His 60 quarterback pre sures were third among NFL interior defensive lineman according to PFF.DE: , Saints ($9.097 Million)Jordan had a career high 15.5 sacks in 2019. His ability to pre sure opposing quarterbacks earned a third straight Pro Bowl berth.SLB: , Saints ($5.8 Million)Davis shifts over from his customary middle linebacker spot. He has played his best football since joining the Saints in 2018. Davis was named first team All-Pro by the A sociated Pre s last season.MLB: , 49ers ($1,104,067)Warner's cost effectivene s was too good to pa s up. The 2018 third round pick's four year rookie deal averages just under $1 million per year. Warner was named November's NFC Defensive Player of the Month last season after 33 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles in three games.WLB: , Colts ($1,982,315)2018's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year didn't succumb to a sophomore slump. He earned All-Pro honors for a second straight season. His 284 tackles are third most in the NFL over the last two seasons. Leonard also had 12 sacks, which is an impre sive total for an off-ball linebacker, and seven interceptions during that span.CB: , Rams ($6,209,580)Ramsey is considered as a shutdown cornerback. He just became the first $20 million per year defensive back in NFL history.CB: , ($4,307,650)Slay was acquired from the in a March trade to addre s a glaring weakne s in Philadelphia's secondary. He is one of two cornerbacks Sonny Gray Jersey to be named to the Pro Bowl (original ballot) in each of the last three years. Ramsey is the other one.FS: , Titans ($4,786,110)Byard is one of the NFL's best ball hawks at safety. His 17 interceptions since the beginning of the 2017 season are tops in the NFL.SS: , Cardinals ($3,783,593)Baker is the Swi s Army knife of the secondary because of his versatility. He has lined up practically everywhere for the Cardinals. After beginning his career as a special team standout, Baker has developed into a Pro Bowl safety in just three short years. The Cardinals recently rewarded Baker's succe s by making him the league's highest paid safety at $14.75 million per year.SpecialistsK: , ($5,105,640)P: , Seahawks ($829,118)LS: , Ravens ($1,248,460)KR: , Chiefs ($908,191)PR: HardmanTucker is the most accurate kicker in NFL history connecting on 266 of 293 field goal attempts for a 90.8 percent conversion rate (minimum of 100 made). He also has only mi sed three extra points since attempts were moved back to the 15 yard line in 2015. Dickson, a 2018 fifth round pick, was named first team All-Pro as a rookie. Cox was selected to the Pro Bowl for the third time in his career last season. Hardman handles return duties. The 2019 second round pick earned All-Pro honors after averaging 26.1 yards on kick returns and 9.3 yards per punt return last season.ReservesQB , Cowboys ($3,005,640)Dalton provides plenty of experience as Mahomes' backup. He has started all 133 games he's played in nine NFL seasons. The were 70-61-2 in those games.RB , ($4,063,465)RB , Colts ($1,427,262)RB , Ravens ($757,285)RB , Chiefs ($895,020)Hunt is the third down back. He will get the bulk of the carries in relief of Henry. Hunt won the NFL rushing title in 2017 with 1,327 yards while a member of the Chiefs as a rookie. He is in proce s of rebuilding his career after a physical altercation with a woman led to his release by Chiefs in 2018 and an eight game suspension last season under the league's Personal Conduct Policy. Taylor was taken in the second round this year to split time with , who tore an Achilles in the season opener. Edwards, a 2018 undrafted free agent, is a power running back in Baltimore's run heavy offense. He has gained over 700 yards on the ground in each of the last two seasons. Sherman is the lone fullback.WR , ($2,308,621)WR , Raiders ($895,960)WR Mecole Hardman, Chiefs ($908,191)Westbrook has fallen out of favor in Jacksonville with new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden partially because of training camp injuries. He led the Jaguars with 66 receptions in 2018. Agohlor is determined to redeem himself after an injury plagued 2019 season with the Eagles. He started 62 of 72 games he played during five seasons in Philadelphia. Hardman is a speedster who averaged 20.7 yards per catch last season as a rookie.TE , Steelers ($3,508.460)TE , Seahawks ($919,147)Ebron was brought to Pittsburgh to pair with because of his receiving skills. He's also a red zone threat. Ebron tied for the NFL's second most receiving touchdowns in 2018 with 13. Di sly was taken in 2018's fourth round primarily because of his blocking ability. He seemed poised to have a breakout year before tearing an Achilles six games into last season.OL , Chiefs ($$895,020)OL , Steelers ($1,245,960)OL , ($810,463OL , Colts ($700,954)The offensive line depth is a mix of experience and youth. Remmers is the swing tackle. He has been a starter for the last five seasons. Wisniewski, who can play any interior line position, is a good insurance policy. The Chiefs found that out last season. He got in the lineup because of injuries and remained in the postseason during Kansas City's championship run. Kindley, a 2020 fourth round pick, is Miami's right guard. Pinter Don Mattingly Jersey , a 2020 fifth round pick, is making the transition from right tackle to the interior.DE , Washington Football Team ($6,287,935)DE , ($818,610)Young, the second overall pick in this year's NFL draft, is a preseason favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Odenigbo had seven sacks in spot duty last season.DT , Bengals ($1.275 Million)DT , ($959,520)Daniels was brought to Cincinnati to provide experienced defensive line depth as he'll do here. Jones was Week 16's AFC Defensive Player of the Week last season after getting 2.5 sacks against the Lions in one of the only times he received extensive playing time.LB , Washington Football Team ($794,832)LB , 49ers ($762,949)LB , Benglas ($902,978)LB , Saints ($700,731)Dion Hamilton is capitalizing on Ron Rivera taking over as head coach to receive more playing time. The 49ers didn't mi s a beat last season with Greenlaw filling in for on the strong side while he recovered from a torn pectoral muscle. A.J. Klein's departure in free agency and rehabbing a torn right ACL suffered in last season's playoffs have opened to door for Elli s to get on the field. It's probably just a matter of time before 2020 third round pick Logan Wilson cracks the starting lineup in Cincinnati.CB , ($10,754,230)CB J.C. Jackson, ($761,794)CB , Rams ($756,580)CB Chris Jackson, Titans ($632,540)Hayward is really the 12th starter. He has developed into a top flight cornerback since signing with the Chargers in 2016. Hayward will handle the Paul O'Neill Jersey slot in multiple wide receiver sets. That's where he initially made his mark after being drafted by the in 2012. New England is extremely deep at cornerback with Jackson joining and to play along Gilmore. Jackson tied for fourth in the NFL with five interceptions last season. Williams capably filling in for last season while his thumb healed has earned him more playing time. Jackson was a pleasant surprise for the Titans during training camp.S Julian Love-Giants ($894,295)S Jordan Fuller-Rams ($655,377)Love, a 2019 fourth round pick, is capable of playing both cornerback and safety. Fuller impre sed in his NFL debut against the CowboysTale of the tapeTotal salary cap room used (53 Players): $204,975,146Remaining salary cap room: $5,874,854Offense (25 Players): $91,725,208Defense (25 Players): $106,066,720Specialists (3 Players): $7,183,218Positional salary breakdown(Salary cap percentage in parentheses)QB: $8,359,698 (3.96%)RB: $13,148,437 (6.24%)WR: $20,214,372 (9.59%)TE: $10,242,701 (4.86%)OL: $39.76 Million (18.86%)DE: $23,926,489 (11.35%)DT: $36,550,810 (17.33%)LB: $12,047,872 (5.71%)CB: $23,422,374 (11.11%)S: $10,119,175 (4.8%)Final thoughtsAll of the cap room isn't being used. A cushion has been left for a full practice squad of 16 players (approximately $2.65 million) and to sign players when the inevitable injuries happen during the season.There is a bigger allocation of cap resources to defense, which should be expected with a low cost starting quarterback. 47.5 percent of the available cap space is devoted to the offensive and defensive lines, which is consistent with the starting in the trenches philosophy.Not surprisingly, the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs lead the way with five players. The Colts, 49ers, Rams and Saints have four players each. Eight clubs (, , Eagles, Falcons, , Lions, Packers and ) didn't have a player selected.