06-29-2019, 10:40 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-02-2019, 03:21 PM by Fordhammer.)
With the NSFL draft just around the corner, we're back again to try our hand at moving some draft stock. We've chosen a player at every position (except WR, where we've selected two, and OL, where we've selected none), and challenged ourselves to make GMs rethink their draft board ranking of those prospects. Some of these prospects are players we already feel should go early on draft day, who just need a final push to be first overall (Honda Edmond comes to mind as part of this group), while others on this list present more of a challenge, needing help to find themselves back on a GM's radar (Albert Garrett, for example, feels like he fits the bill for this group). Regardless, we believe every player in this draft has some amount of potential, and we're here to try to share that thinking with GMs who need convincing. So, without further ado...
Kicky Bobby, K/P, Alabama State University: No, we're not going through this list in the traditional order; we've decided to have a bit of fun and do it alphabetically (by last name), just to add to the challenge. Anyway, about Bobby: the former Hornet has some of the best leg strength in the class, and he's not terribly inaccurate to boot, so in terms of just his ability to kick the ball, you wouldn't be so wrong to pick ol' Kicky Bobby on those merits alone. However, we're going to point to a different reason you should be considering Bobby for your roster: mobility. Bobby has better speed and agility than the other special teams prospects in this class, so if you're looking for somebody who could carry the rock on a trick play, Bobby might just be your man. There are also rumors floating around that Bobby isn't afraid to contribute to the defensive element of special teams, so if those rumors prove true, you can expect this guy to lead his class of kicking prospects in tackles every year. Plus, at the end of the day, what GMs in this league are looking for is somebody who'll have success in the locker room, and Bobby figures to add some life wherever he goes; unlike your run-of-the-mill special teams player, Bobby comes with an ego, so he'll certainly add some flavor to a locker room that feels a bit bland heading into the draft.
Tyron Brackenridge, S, University of Maryland: First things first, let's give some respect where respect is due: the Maryland Terrapins have arguably the greatest uniforms in the NCAA, so Brackenridge already knows what it means to look fly as hell on the field. If you want to see him rock your banging uniform, give him a call on draft day. Brackenridge isn't a particularly great coverage safety, a statement which immediately starts a nasty alarm tone in a GM's head; however, let me ease your concern. DSFL quarterbacks are absolutely not the most refined players in the NSFL system, so DSFL teams rely heavily on the running game. This plays perfectly into Brackenridge's hands; while he's not going to be snagging many interceptions, he's the safety most well-suited to playing a supporting role in the running game, boasting as good a tackling ability as some of the class's linebackers (light bulb, anybody?), which means that despite less-than-ideal coverage ratings, Brackenridge still might record some of the best statistics among the members of his class. Plus, any time a quarterback thinks about hurling the long ball, Brackenridge will always be in a position to make a play; he is, after all, a safety. Brackenridge has been a bit reserved since he declared for the draft, which threatens to scare GMs away from taking him early, but if he starts to make some noise, he figures to be exactly the type of player you want for a DSFL locker room.
Ducky Donut, RB, University of Oregon: I can talk about how fly Oregon's uniform are in this space, if you'd like, but I actually think the name is the thing that most draws me to Ducky Donut; what player in his right mind doesn't want to protect that guy, based on name alone? Now, the numbers: obviously, for running backs, speed is a top priority, and Donut certainly delivers with the second highest speed rating in his class. However, there's more to Donut than just speed; the former Duck has the endurance to contribute on most, if not all, offensive snaps, and possibly still have room to contribute on special teams, assuming his hands improve some. Donut is also the smallest running back of the class, so while his agility doesn't immediately turn heads, his size figures to make him just this much harder to hit. As for locker room talk, Ducky himself has been soft-spoken, but his brother, Saba, has been fairly vocal recently, so maybe drafting the duo will be useful for a team in need at both positions.
Honda Edmond, TE, University of Michigan: It pains me to write so much about a former Wolverine; the University of Michigan spurned my law school application, so that may be part of the sting, plus the little brown jug still resides in Michigan, so that is also a contributing factor. However, you can't argue with results, and Edmond is the type of player who get them. Despite smaller size and lower physicality then the other tight ends of the draft, Edmond has the technique to be the best of the bunch from day one. Edmond's hands are just slightly more sure than the rest of his class of tight ends, and there is not doubt who the best blocker of the group is, so Edmond should almost undoubtedly be the top tight end on every GM's draft board. Given his size, Edmond may also be an option to take snaps at the wide receiver position, especially in the red zone, so this is a player who lends himself well to versatility. There's also countless reports that Edmond is an excellent locker room presence, with a hidden talent for graphic design, so GMs will undoubtedly be giving him additional looks headed into draft day.
Albert Garrett, DE, Virginia Technical College: As a (slightly ashamed) fan of Michael Vick and Tyrod Taylor, I have to admit I'm fond of the Hokie offense (also, again, the color scheme), but the defense I'm more neutral on, and especially running a defensive lineman myself, selling Garrett is something I chose to do as a challenge. Garrett in particular offers a level of challenge on top of that, as he is far from your traditional defensive end. Garrett's lackluster strength will likely be a cause for concern among GMs looking for an edge player, but the fact of the matter is, that isn't how Garrett intends to get results. Garrett isn't going to be the guy who pushes his way through offensive linemen, a strategy the most defensive linemen intend to employ; instead, he relies on mobility to work his way around the wall of meat separating him from the quarterback. This might unique play style has a real chance to pay off for Garrett, if offensive linemen struggle to adjust to his speed and agility. Garrett also boasts the best tackling of the defensive end prospects of season seventeen, meaning that once he finds his way to the backfield, he has the best chance of bring the ballcarrier down. Garrett has been quiet since declaring for the draft, and his radio silence doesn't bode well for his locker room talk; however, all the defensive ends in the class have been silent since their respective declarations, so Garrett isn't going to lose ground among them based on that alone.
Action Jackson, WR, University of Georgia: Jackson is one of two former Bulldog wide receivers in this draft class; specifically, he's the one I had ranked lower in my wide receiver prospect rankings, so we're going to give him the spotlight here. Jackson isn't exceptionally fast, which may drive GMs who aren't paying attention to the realities of the game away. Speed is a valuable asset to a wide receiver for two reasons: one, it allows him to get to the deep ball, and too, it allows him to create separation from a defensive back. The first is not as crucial in the DSFL, where quarterbacks aren't going to be as capable of throwing the deep ball. The second is less of a problem for Jackson; despite a less-than-appealing speed rating, he has the strength to outmuscle defensive backs, so he has a different means of creating the separation necessary to make plays on the ball, one that will come in handy especially in the red zone. Speaking of handy, Jackson does have solid hands, so if you can send a ball his general direction, there's a good chance he'll be able to snag it. There's also an argument to be made that Jackson belongs on the field for designed running plays, and maybe that he could take snaps at the tight end position, given his above average ability to provide a nice chip block. Jackson also figures to be a great character to have in the locker room; sure, he's a bit loud, and not afraid to pick a fight, but his teammates are his brothers, and that means the guys who share a sideline with him will find themselves liking Action Jackson.
Mervin Leonard, CB, n/a: I mentioned in my defensive back rankings that I'm rooting for Leonard, and that hasn't changed a bit; what has changed is that Leonard is delivering results that I'd like to share with y'all. Leonard recently made noteworthy improvements to his speed, leaving him as the new fastest corner back prospect in this draft, a trait that GMs of the DSFL will almost certainly have to take notice of. Leonard also ranks among the most agile corners of the crop, which bodes well for his mobility at the position, meaning we may very well see some spectacular interceptions from him, and, with his newfound speed, there's a very real possibility anything he manages to snag is going to the house. Of course, Leonard doesn't have particularly great hands, so it's more likely he'll just be knocking the ball out of the air, but when a receiver does manage to get his hands on the ball, you can still count on Leonard, as he's one of the better tacklers in the class. At the very least, consider Leonard on the grounds of his recent work and locker room presence; he figures to be a gritty player to have on the team, and anybody can appreciate that.
Jim McMahon, QB, Brigham Young University: An important disclaimer for what I'm about to say is that I am not personally Mormon (no word about whether McMahon is a practicing Mormon): I have, bare minimum, four cousins who attended Brigham Young University, three in Utah, one in Idaho. Yes, they all went on missions, and yes, I believe they are all still practicing members of the church (again, no word on McMahon). Anyway, to the numbers: arm strength, accuracy, and intelligence all lean slightly in favor of LaFleur. Once again, let me emphasize the word slightly. I don't believe the differences between the two are enough to be statistically significant, at least in those categories. I do believe that McMahon has a significant advantage over LaFleur in one key respect: durability. The fact of the matter is that injuries happen in football, even to quarterbacks, but if you draft McMahon, you can be a bit more relaxed about that than you would be if you took LaFleur. At the end of the day, neither of these players is going to look polished from day one, so you have to go with the safer bet, and McMahon seems to be exactly that. It's worth noting that neither of these two has been particularly vocal since declaring, so that shouldn't weigh into the decision making process for a QB needy program.
Julian McMorris, WR, University of Manitoba: Yes, we're discussing another wide receiver, and yes, this one is Canadian. I honestly didn't know Canadian colleges has football, so this is a pleasant surprise to me. McMorris, like the previously-mentioned Jackson, likes to think of himself as a red zone receiver, and he does boast similar, although not identical, numbers in terms of his strength and his hands. However, McMorris doesn't lean quite so hard into being a red zone threat; instead, he leaves a bit of room for balance, and boasts better speed and agility than Jackson, so not only is it likely that he'll be able to outmuscle most defenders, he may actually still be able to outmaneuver defenders as well. McMorris is also massive for a wide receiver; his size is more on par with the tight end prospects of the class, so if all else fails, a quarterback can just lob the ball high, and McMorris will almost definitely have the first chance at it. McMorris has been a bit reserved since declaring for the draft, but he's a pleasant character to have in the locker room, so teammates will probably be comfortable having this guy as a teammate.
Nate Oliver, LB, University of California - Los Angeles: Insane to think that of all the former Bruins we could be profiling in this article (I believe there are four in this draft class), Oliver is the one making an appearance. Realistically, Oliver isn't the best linebacker to have on a team looking for a guy to play in coverage; luckily for Oliver, as we previously mentioned, the DSFL is a league that leans on the running game, and that is the area of the game in which he excels. No linebacker in this class is even remotely as strong as Oliver, who actually begins to compete with defensive linemen on the strength spectrum, nor are any quite as good of tacklers as him, which means that Oliver, even if he struggles in coverage, will be able to bring ballcarriers down, something other linebacker prospects might struggle with. Also worth noting: only one linebacker prospect (Tyrone Baker) is considerably faster than Oliver, and only one linebacker prospect (Daniel Glisack) is considerably more agile. If my math is correct, that means Oliver should have mobility that is roughly on par with the rest of his class, and that makes him probably the most well-rounded of the bunch. Linebacker is also yet another position where nobody is clearly in a position to be the best locker room guy, so go with the numbers, and take Oliver.
Bubba Thumper, DT, University of Tennessee: I promise I did not intentionally leave my former Volunteer for last; this is just how the alphabet works, people. I'm in a weird bind with Thumper; obviously, I'd like to present myself as humble, but also, I'll be damned if my boy doesn't find a good home in this draft. So, the challenge here is finding the proper balance between humility and promotion. We'll set that conversation aside for a rainy day, though: I'm here today to sell you Thumper. This guy is the definition of a run stuffer, with a strength rating just shy of leading the class (and consistently improving), and a tackling ability that is by far the best among defensive linemen (seriously, it's not even particularly close, people). Thumper also has a better football mind than his class of defensive tackle prospects, so he'll be able to read and react to the offense better than the others, which is just another boost for a run stuffer to have success in this league. Obviously, mobility isn't a major part of Thumper's game, so his ratings in speed and agility fall behind the rest of the class, but that doesn't mean Thumper can't move enough to make plays in the backfield once he gets there, which should be early and often. Thumper is definitely the type of player you want in your locker room; not only are the numbers impressive, he's a guy with solid work ethic and an inviting nature, making friends with teammates and opponents alike. So give him a chance, damn it.
Kicky Bobby, K/P, Alabama State University: No, we're not going through this list in the traditional order; we've decided to have a bit of fun and do it alphabetically (by last name), just to add to the challenge. Anyway, about Bobby: the former Hornet has some of the best leg strength in the class, and he's not terribly inaccurate to boot, so in terms of just his ability to kick the ball, you wouldn't be so wrong to pick ol' Kicky Bobby on those merits alone. However, we're going to point to a different reason you should be considering Bobby for your roster: mobility. Bobby has better speed and agility than the other special teams prospects in this class, so if you're looking for somebody who could carry the rock on a trick play, Bobby might just be your man. There are also rumors floating around that Bobby isn't afraid to contribute to the defensive element of special teams, so if those rumors prove true, you can expect this guy to lead his class of kicking prospects in tackles every year. Plus, at the end of the day, what GMs in this league are looking for is somebody who'll have success in the locker room, and Bobby figures to add some life wherever he goes; unlike your run-of-the-mill special teams player, Bobby comes with an ego, so he'll certainly add some flavor to a locker room that feels a bit bland heading into the draft.
Tyron Brackenridge, S, University of Maryland: First things first, let's give some respect where respect is due: the Maryland Terrapins have arguably the greatest uniforms in the NCAA, so Brackenridge already knows what it means to look fly as hell on the field. If you want to see him rock your banging uniform, give him a call on draft day. Brackenridge isn't a particularly great coverage safety, a statement which immediately starts a nasty alarm tone in a GM's head; however, let me ease your concern. DSFL quarterbacks are absolutely not the most refined players in the NSFL system, so DSFL teams rely heavily on the running game. This plays perfectly into Brackenridge's hands; while he's not going to be snagging many interceptions, he's the safety most well-suited to playing a supporting role in the running game, boasting as good a tackling ability as some of the class's linebackers (light bulb, anybody?), which means that despite less-than-ideal coverage ratings, Brackenridge still might record some of the best statistics among the members of his class. Plus, any time a quarterback thinks about hurling the long ball, Brackenridge will always be in a position to make a play; he is, after all, a safety. Brackenridge has been a bit reserved since he declared for the draft, which threatens to scare GMs away from taking him early, but if he starts to make some noise, he figures to be exactly the type of player you want for a DSFL locker room.
Ducky Donut, RB, University of Oregon: I can talk about how fly Oregon's uniform are in this space, if you'd like, but I actually think the name is the thing that most draws me to Ducky Donut; what player in his right mind doesn't want to protect that guy, based on name alone? Now, the numbers: obviously, for running backs, speed is a top priority, and Donut certainly delivers with the second highest speed rating in his class. However, there's more to Donut than just speed; the former Duck has the endurance to contribute on most, if not all, offensive snaps, and possibly still have room to contribute on special teams, assuming his hands improve some. Donut is also the smallest running back of the class, so while his agility doesn't immediately turn heads, his size figures to make him just this much harder to hit. As for locker room talk, Ducky himself has been soft-spoken, but his brother, Saba, has been fairly vocal recently, so maybe drafting the duo will be useful for a team in need at both positions.
Honda Edmond, TE, University of Michigan: It pains me to write so much about a former Wolverine; the University of Michigan spurned my law school application, so that may be part of the sting, plus the little brown jug still resides in Michigan, so that is also a contributing factor. However, you can't argue with results, and Edmond is the type of player who get them. Despite smaller size and lower physicality then the other tight ends of the draft, Edmond has the technique to be the best of the bunch from day one. Edmond's hands are just slightly more sure than the rest of his class of tight ends, and there is not doubt who the best blocker of the group is, so Edmond should almost undoubtedly be the top tight end on every GM's draft board. Given his size, Edmond may also be an option to take snaps at the wide receiver position, especially in the red zone, so this is a player who lends himself well to versatility. There's also countless reports that Edmond is an excellent locker room presence, with a hidden talent for graphic design, so GMs will undoubtedly be giving him additional looks headed into draft day.
Albert Garrett, DE, Virginia Technical College: As a (slightly ashamed) fan of Michael Vick and Tyrod Taylor, I have to admit I'm fond of the Hokie offense (also, again, the color scheme), but the defense I'm more neutral on, and especially running a defensive lineman myself, selling Garrett is something I chose to do as a challenge. Garrett in particular offers a level of challenge on top of that, as he is far from your traditional defensive end. Garrett's lackluster strength will likely be a cause for concern among GMs looking for an edge player, but the fact of the matter is, that isn't how Garrett intends to get results. Garrett isn't going to be the guy who pushes his way through offensive linemen, a strategy the most defensive linemen intend to employ; instead, he relies on mobility to work his way around the wall of meat separating him from the quarterback. This might unique play style has a real chance to pay off for Garrett, if offensive linemen struggle to adjust to his speed and agility. Garrett also boasts the best tackling of the defensive end prospects of season seventeen, meaning that once he finds his way to the backfield, he has the best chance of bring the ballcarrier down. Garrett has been quiet since declaring for the draft, and his radio silence doesn't bode well for his locker room talk; however, all the defensive ends in the class have been silent since their respective declarations, so Garrett isn't going to lose ground among them based on that alone.
Action Jackson, WR, University of Georgia: Jackson is one of two former Bulldog wide receivers in this draft class; specifically, he's the one I had ranked lower in my wide receiver prospect rankings, so we're going to give him the spotlight here. Jackson isn't exceptionally fast, which may drive GMs who aren't paying attention to the realities of the game away. Speed is a valuable asset to a wide receiver for two reasons: one, it allows him to get to the deep ball, and too, it allows him to create separation from a defensive back. The first is not as crucial in the DSFL, where quarterbacks aren't going to be as capable of throwing the deep ball. The second is less of a problem for Jackson; despite a less-than-appealing speed rating, he has the strength to outmuscle defensive backs, so he has a different means of creating the separation necessary to make plays on the ball, one that will come in handy especially in the red zone. Speaking of handy, Jackson does have solid hands, so if you can send a ball his general direction, there's a good chance he'll be able to snag it. There's also an argument to be made that Jackson belongs on the field for designed running plays, and maybe that he could take snaps at the tight end position, given his above average ability to provide a nice chip block. Jackson also figures to be a great character to have in the locker room; sure, he's a bit loud, and not afraid to pick a fight, but his teammates are his brothers, and that means the guys who share a sideline with him will find themselves liking Action Jackson.
Mervin Leonard, CB, n/a: I mentioned in my defensive back rankings that I'm rooting for Leonard, and that hasn't changed a bit; what has changed is that Leonard is delivering results that I'd like to share with y'all. Leonard recently made noteworthy improvements to his speed, leaving him as the new fastest corner back prospect in this draft, a trait that GMs of the DSFL will almost certainly have to take notice of. Leonard also ranks among the most agile corners of the crop, which bodes well for his mobility at the position, meaning we may very well see some spectacular interceptions from him, and, with his newfound speed, there's a very real possibility anything he manages to snag is going to the house. Of course, Leonard doesn't have particularly great hands, so it's more likely he'll just be knocking the ball out of the air, but when a receiver does manage to get his hands on the ball, you can still count on Leonard, as he's one of the better tacklers in the class. At the very least, consider Leonard on the grounds of his recent work and locker room presence; he figures to be a gritty player to have on the team, and anybody can appreciate that.
Jim McMahon, QB, Brigham Young University: An important disclaimer for what I'm about to say is that I am not personally Mormon (no word about whether McMahon is a practicing Mormon): I have, bare minimum, four cousins who attended Brigham Young University, three in Utah, one in Idaho. Yes, they all went on missions, and yes, I believe they are all still practicing members of the church (again, no word on McMahon). Anyway, to the numbers: arm strength, accuracy, and intelligence all lean slightly in favor of LaFleur. Once again, let me emphasize the word slightly. I don't believe the differences between the two are enough to be statistically significant, at least in those categories. I do believe that McMahon has a significant advantage over LaFleur in one key respect: durability. The fact of the matter is that injuries happen in football, even to quarterbacks, but if you draft McMahon, you can be a bit more relaxed about that than you would be if you took LaFleur. At the end of the day, neither of these players is going to look polished from day one, so you have to go with the safer bet, and McMahon seems to be exactly that. It's worth noting that neither of these two has been particularly vocal since declaring, so that shouldn't weigh into the decision making process for a QB needy program.
Julian McMorris, WR, University of Manitoba: Yes, we're discussing another wide receiver, and yes, this one is Canadian. I honestly didn't know Canadian colleges has football, so this is a pleasant surprise to me. McMorris, like the previously-mentioned Jackson, likes to think of himself as a red zone receiver, and he does boast similar, although not identical, numbers in terms of his strength and his hands. However, McMorris doesn't lean quite so hard into being a red zone threat; instead, he leaves a bit of room for balance, and boasts better speed and agility than Jackson, so not only is it likely that he'll be able to outmuscle most defenders, he may actually still be able to outmaneuver defenders as well. McMorris is also massive for a wide receiver; his size is more on par with the tight end prospects of the class, so if all else fails, a quarterback can just lob the ball high, and McMorris will almost definitely have the first chance at it. McMorris has been a bit reserved since declaring for the draft, but he's a pleasant character to have in the locker room, so teammates will probably be comfortable having this guy as a teammate.
Nate Oliver, LB, University of California - Los Angeles: Insane to think that of all the former Bruins we could be profiling in this article (I believe there are four in this draft class), Oliver is the one making an appearance. Realistically, Oliver isn't the best linebacker to have on a team looking for a guy to play in coverage; luckily for Oliver, as we previously mentioned, the DSFL is a league that leans on the running game, and that is the area of the game in which he excels. No linebacker in this class is even remotely as strong as Oliver, who actually begins to compete with defensive linemen on the strength spectrum, nor are any quite as good of tacklers as him, which means that Oliver, even if he struggles in coverage, will be able to bring ballcarriers down, something other linebacker prospects might struggle with. Also worth noting: only one linebacker prospect (Tyrone Baker) is considerably faster than Oliver, and only one linebacker prospect (Daniel Glisack) is considerably more agile. If my math is correct, that means Oliver should have mobility that is roughly on par with the rest of his class, and that makes him probably the most well-rounded of the bunch. Linebacker is also yet another position where nobody is clearly in a position to be the best locker room guy, so go with the numbers, and take Oliver.
Bubba Thumper, DT, University of Tennessee: I promise I did not intentionally leave my former Volunteer for last; this is just how the alphabet works, people. I'm in a weird bind with Thumper; obviously, I'd like to present myself as humble, but also, I'll be damned if my boy doesn't find a good home in this draft. So, the challenge here is finding the proper balance between humility and promotion. We'll set that conversation aside for a rainy day, though: I'm here today to sell you Thumper. This guy is the definition of a run stuffer, with a strength rating just shy of leading the class (and consistently improving), and a tackling ability that is by far the best among defensive linemen (seriously, it's not even particularly close, people). Thumper also has a better football mind than his class of defensive tackle prospects, so he'll be able to read and react to the offense better than the others, which is just another boost for a run stuffer to have success in this league. Obviously, mobility isn't a major part of Thumper's game, so his ratings in speed and agility fall behind the rest of the class, but that doesn't mean Thumper can't move enough to make plays in the backfield once he gets there, which should be early and often. Thumper is definitely the type of player you want in your locker room; not only are the numbers impressive, he's a guy with solid work ethic and an inviting nature, making friends with teammates and opponents alike. So give him a chance, damn it.