The results for expansion draft had been announced recently. As selected players share farewells with their teammates, GMs will have to find a way to fillbthe gap caused by the drparture of those players. They'll be aiming to do that through the draft, especially as this draft class is loaded with talents in all positions. So, in this article, I will list each NSFL team's gain/ loss in the expansion draft, and analyze how their draft strategy will change based on that.
New Orleans Second Line
<Lost>
- LB Mack Arianlacher
- WR Jed Podolak
- CB Jordan Andrews
As expected, the second line was hit early in the expansion draft. They lost Mark Arialacher and Jed Podolak to Hahalua in back to back picks, and lost Jordan Andrews to Sailfish a few picks later. While the damage to secondary is not as extensive as some projected- some mock expansion drafts had Second Line losing two high TPE cornerbacks- some unexpected damage had came up in linebacker position as Hahalua took away Arianlacher. There is only 1 player remaining in the position as Johnny Slothface announced retirement before S21, and had officially retired with the Ultimus. Quenton Bode, the only linebacker remaining, has high TPE but begins regression this offseason. So reinforcements will be needed. Also, as Jed Podolak is gone like many predicted, only Bona'beri Jones remain among Second Line wide receivers. And as Jones is set to retire at the conclusion of this upcoming season, finding a wide receiver to fill Podolak's gap and replace Jones will be a big priority. In conclusion, the Second Line's draft strategy will see some change, as new, bigger needs in wide receiver and linebacker will put existing ones like safety aside.
Yellowknife Wraiths
<Lost>
- WR Rayne Gordon (GM)
- RB Dax Frost (GM, DSFL senddown)
- DE Jason Kearse
<Gained>
- WR Willie B. Hardagain (free agent signing)
The Wraiths weren't hit that hard by the expansion draft. They lost defensive end Jason Kearse along with GM players Rayne Gordon(WR), and Dax frost, a runningback currently in DSFL, but they have enough depth in those positions especially as they recently signed wide receiver Willie B. Hardagain, a former Arizona Outlaw, to supplement the loss in WR depth. So, the expansion draft will not affect the Wraiths' draft strategy as much as I thought. They are likely to focus on positions they originally needed, like secondary defence, and draft WR, RB and maybe DE in later rounds for depth reasons.
Orange County Otters
<Lost>
- WR Dexter Banks II
- LB Jaylen Storm
- TE Johnny Blaze
The Otters lost two key offensive players, Wide receiver Dexter Banks II and long tenured tight end Johnny Blaze to the Sailfish. This will increase the Otters' need of reinforcements in the offensive side of the ball, as they will need a wide receiver in addition of tight end and runningback they already needed. The Otters lost linebacker Jaylen Storm. This adds to the already existing need of the position, as all linebackers they now have are regressing. In conclusion, the Otters will have increased need at tight end and linebacker, while having a new need at wide receiver. They are likely to address those positions, at least tight ends and linebackers, with their top picks.
Austin Copperheads
<Lost>
- WR Jacoby Clay
- CB Victor Moreno
- S Chase Jansen
The Copperheads lost a wide receiver, cornerback, and a safety. For wide receivers, the copperheads will need a solid WR3 to take over the position Clay held with the team, so they might draft a receiver in a relatively high position. For cornerbacks, the loss of Moreno will put the Copperheads in need of a CB2 opposite Dermot Lavelle Jr. However, that might be already resolved as the Copperheads are rumored to take cornerback Colt Mendoza with the first overall pick they acquired. For safties, the situation might be a bit different as they have two active and young safeties other than Jansen, and therefore have no urgent need in that position. It is likely that the Copperheads will address the safety position with a mid to laye round selection in order to gain some positional depth.
Baltimore Hawks
<Lost>
- QB Corvo Havran (Hahalua GM)
- DE Fabricio Baldari
- LB Sandie 'Sandy' Bakshi
Apart from quarterback Havran, a GM player for the Honolulu Hahalua, the Hawks lost defensive end Fabricio Baldari and linebacker Sandie Bakshi. Among those two, the loss of Baldari hurts more as he had been active and earning well. His departure will only leave regressing (and inactive) Taffy Taffy in the defensive end position, so the Hawks will seek for some reinforcements in the draft. While Bakshi's departure doesn't hurt much as Baldari's as he is inactive and there are two other linebackers, the position will still be a one of need as only one among the linebackers- Raymond Vans- is active, and Vans is regressing. So, the Hawks are likely to seek for linebackers and defensive ends in addition to cornerbacks they already need.
Colorado Yeti
<Lost>
- DE Steco Ocewilder
- WR(?) Laszlo Forty- Two
- WR James Bishop*
* Bishop was drafted by Honolulu Hahalua, but was returned to Yeti via a trade involving a 9th round pick soonafter.
As Bishop was taken, but returned simultaneously, the Yeti ultimately lost two players, who are defensive end Steco Ocewilder and wide receiver Laszlo Forty- two. Both of those departures will trigger a need in their respective positions as there remains only one defensive end in Immanuel Blackstone and only two wide receivers, heavily regressing James Bishop and Red Arrow, remains. The Yeti are likely to address those positions with high picks as they don't have many other holes in their roster except for maybe cornerbacks.
Arizona Outlaws
<Lost>
- RB Ruff Ruff
- CB Lucas Knight
The Outlaws were relatively unharmed in the expansion draft, as they lost only two players, runningback Ruff Ruff and cornerback Lucas Knight. The gap caused by Ruff's departure is expected to be filled by current DSFL senddown Baby Yoda, although tere is a possibility that the Outlaws will draft a runningback with their numerous draft picks. Knight's departure will add a need for one more cornerback on top of the Outlaws' already extisting need in basically every defensive positions sans DT. In conclusion, the Outlaws' draft strategy won't ne affected much by the expansion draft, except for a need for runningback depth.
Philadelphia Liberty
<Lost>
- K/P Venus Powers
- CB Emodev Emoji
- DE Mike Franchet
Rhe Liberty lost three players, kicker Venus Powers, cornerback Emodev Emoji, and defensive end Mike Franchet. Each of their departures will trigger a need. Venus Powers was the only kicker in the Liberty roster, so they'll definitely need one. And after emoji is gone, Julian McMorris is the only active cornerback remaining on the roster, so a need for cornerbacks will be heightened. Also, as there is only one active defensive end after Franchet's departure, the Liberty will need one as well. In conclusion, I expect the Liberty to address cornerback and defensive end relatively early in the draft, and try to draft an active kicker in the mid rounds.
Chicago Butchers
<Lost>
- S Beat
- K/P Diego Espinosa
The Butchers lost two players to expansion draft. Safety Beat and kicker/ punter Diego Espinosa are those players. While the players themselves are not high TPE, the loss of Beat will be a blow to the Bitchers as he is an active user which is highly needed in the progress of Butchers rebuild. And while Espinosa might be inactive for a few months time, his departure made yet another hole in the butchers roster. However, the Butchers are unlikely to draft a kicker in first ten roundsx as they have so many other positions in need. So, I expect them to snag a kicker in the lower rounds of the draft.
San Jose Sabercats
<Lost>
- S Joseph Wozniak
- DT Freezer Ripostle
The Sabercats suffered minimal damage as all their actives were protected under the initial seven people protection list. Both Wozniak and Ripostle had been inactive for some time, so damage to locker room will also be minimal. However, while the Sabercats have plenty defensive tackles and will not need one because of Repostle's departure, Wozniak being taken away heightenes the need for a safety, which was already a high need. So, I expect the Sabercats to draft multiple safties with their high picks.
Honolulu Hahalua
<Gained>
- LB Mack Arianlacher
- WR Jed Podolak
- DE Jayson Kearse
- WR Jacoby Clay
- CB Victor Moreno
- RB Ruff Ruff
- K/P Venus Powers
- CB Emodev Emoji
- LB Jaylen Storm
- S Joseph Wozniak
- LB Sandip 'Sandy' Bakshi
- QB Corvo Havran (GM)
- LB Alex Selich (FA signing)
Hahalua built a good frame for their inaugural roster through the expansion draft. Focusing on selecting young and active players to help build locker room culture as well as wins, They picked players in all the positions except tight end, offensive line and defensive tackle. The lack of defensive tackles can be explained by the fact that they signed Reggie Culbertson, a player of that position, and that this draft class has a lot of good DTs. They seemed to have drafted minimal amount of secondary defenders, maybe because this draft's defensive back class is very, very deep. So counting their previous free agent signings, Hahalua now has statters for almost all crucial positions. Their focus in the draft will be defensive tackle, as they only have one currently, a safety, a third wide receiver and a tight end.
Sarasota Sailfish
- WR Dexter Banks II
- DE Fabricio Baldari
- DE Steco Ocewilder
- WR Laszlo Forty- two
- S Beat
- CB Lucas Knight
- DE Mike Franchet
- DT Freezer Ripostle
- TE Johnny Blaze
- K/P Diego Espinosa
- WR Rayne Gordon (GM)
- RB Dax Frost (GM)
The Sailfish employed a similar strategy to Hahalua as they too mainly selected younger actives primarily. They also selected even less defensive backs than Hahalua, selecting only one safety and one cornerback. Instead, they built a sturdy offense complete with two runnigbacks, three wide receivers and a tight end along with recently signed quarterback Zack Vega. They might even be getting an Offensive lineman if the rumor proves to be true. In defence, the Sailfish focused on defensive line as they selected three defensive ends and one defensive tackle. The Sailfish will mainly focus on drafting linebackers and defensive backs in the draft, while they will snag any offensive players or defensive tackles who fall to them as BPAs.
New Orleans Second Line <Lost>
- LB Mack Arianlacher
- WR Jed Podolak
- CB Jordan Andrews
As expected, the second line was hit early in the expansion draft. They lost Mark Arialacher and Jed Podolak to Hahalua in back to back picks, and lost Jordan Andrews to Sailfish a few picks later. While the damage to secondary is not as extensive as some projected- some mock expansion drafts had Second Line losing two high TPE cornerbacks- some unexpected damage had came up in linebacker position as Hahalua took away Arianlacher. There is only 1 player remaining in the position as Johnny Slothface announced retirement before S21, and had officially retired with the Ultimus. Quenton Bode, the only linebacker remaining, has high TPE but begins regression this offseason. So reinforcements will be needed. Also, as Jed Podolak is gone like many predicted, only Bona'beri Jones remain among Second Line wide receivers. And as Jones is set to retire at the conclusion of this upcoming season, finding a wide receiver to fill Podolak's gap and replace Jones will be a big priority. In conclusion, the Second Line's draft strategy will see some change, as new, bigger needs in wide receiver and linebacker will put existing ones like safety aside.
Yellowknife Wraiths <Lost>
- WR Rayne Gordon (GM)
- RB Dax Frost (GM, DSFL senddown)
- DE Jason Kearse
<Gained>
- WR Willie B. Hardagain (free agent signing)
The Wraiths weren't hit that hard by the expansion draft. They lost defensive end Jason Kearse along with GM players Rayne Gordon(WR), and Dax frost, a runningback currently in DSFL, but they have enough depth in those positions especially as they recently signed wide receiver Willie B. Hardagain, a former Arizona Outlaw, to supplement the loss in WR depth. So, the expansion draft will not affect the Wraiths' draft strategy as much as I thought. They are likely to focus on positions they originally needed, like secondary defence, and draft WR, RB and maybe DE in later rounds for depth reasons.
Orange County Otters <Lost>
- WR Dexter Banks II
- LB Jaylen Storm
- TE Johnny Blaze
The Otters lost two key offensive players, Wide receiver Dexter Banks II and long tenured tight end Johnny Blaze to the Sailfish. This will increase the Otters' need of reinforcements in the offensive side of the ball, as they will need a wide receiver in addition of tight end and runningback they already needed. The Otters lost linebacker Jaylen Storm. This adds to the already existing need of the position, as all linebackers they now have are regressing. In conclusion, the Otters will have increased need at tight end and linebacker, while having a new need at wide receiver. They are likely to address those positions, at least tight ends and linebackers, with their top picks.
Austin Copperheads <Lost>
- WR Jacoby Clay
- CB Victor Moreno
- S Chase Jansen
The Copperheads lost a wide receiver, cornerback, and a safety. For wide receivers, the copperheads will need a solid WR3 to take over the position Clay held with the team, so they might draft a receiver in a relatively high position. For cornerbacks, the loss of Moreno will put the Copperheads in need of a CB2 opposite Dermot Lavelle Jr. However, that might be already resolved as the Copperheads are rumored to take cornerback Colt Mendoza with the first overall pick they acquired. For safties, the situation might be a bit different as they have two active and young safeties other than Jansen, and therefore have no urgent need in that position. It is likely that the Copperheads will address the safety position with a mid to laye round selection in order to gain some positional depth.
Baltimore Hawks <Lost>
- QB Corvo Havran (Hahalua GM)
- DE Fabricio Baldari
- LB Sandie 'Sandy' Bakshi
Apart from quarterback Havran, a GM player for the Honolulu Hahalua, the Hawks lost defensive end Fabricio Baldari and linebacker Sandie Bakshi. Among those two, the loss of Baldari hurts more as he had been active and earning well. His departure will only leave regressing (and inactive) Taffy Taffy in the defensive end position, so the Hawks will seek for some reinforcements in the draft. While Bakshi's departure doesn't hurt much as Baldari's as he is inactive and there are two other linebackers, the position will still be a one of need as only one among the linebackers- Raymond Vans- is active, and Vans is regressing. So, the Hawks are likely to seek for linebackers and defensive ends in addition to cornerbacks they already need.
Colorado Yeti <Lost>
- DE Steco Ocewilder
- WR(?) Laszlo Forty- Two
- WR James Bishop*
* Bishop was drafted by Honolulu Hahalua, but was returned to Yeti via a trade involving a 9th round pick soonafter.
As Bishop was taken, but returned simultaneously, the Yeti ultimately lost two players, who are defensive end Steco Ocewilder and wide receiver Laszlo Forty- two. Both of those departures will trigger a need in their respective positions as there remains only one defensive end in Immanuel Blackstone and only two wide receivers, heavily regressing James Bishop and Red Arrow, remains. The Yeti are likely to address those positions with high picks as they don't have many other holes in their roster except for maybe cornerbacks.
Arizona Outlaws <Lost>
- RB Ruff Ruff
- CB Lucas Knight
The Outlaws were relatively unharmed in the expansion draft, as they lost only two players, runningback Ruff Ruff and cornerback Lucas Knight. The gap caused by Ruff's departure is expected to be filled by current DSFL senddown Baby Yoda, although tere is a possibility that the Outlaws will draft a runningback with their numerous draft picks. Knight's departure will add a need for one more cornerback on top of the Outlaws' already extisting need in basically every defensive positions sans DT. In conclusion, the Outlaws' draft strategy won't ne affected much by the expansion draft, except for a need for runningback depth.
Philadelphia Liberty <Lost>
- K/P Venus Powers
- CB Emodev Emoji
- DE Mike Franchet
Rhe Liberty lost three players, kicker Venus Powers, cornerback Emodev Emoji, and defensive end Mike Franchet. Each of their departures will trigger a need. Venus Powers was the only kicker in the Liberty roster, so they'll definitely need one. And after emoji is gone, Julian McMorris is the only active cornerback remaining on the roster, so a need for cornerbacks will be heightened. Also, as there is only one active defensive end after Franchet's departure, the Liberty will need one as well. In conclusion, I expect the Liberty to address cornerback and defensive end relatively early in the draft, and try to draft an active kicker in the mid rounds.
Chicago Butchers <Lost>
- S Beat
- K/P Diego Espinosa
The Butchers lost two players to expansion draft. Safety Beat and kicker/ punter Diego Espinosa are those players. While the players themselves are not high TPE, the loss of Beat will be a blow to the Bitchers as he is an active user which is highly needed in the progress of Butchers rebuild. And while Espinosa might be inactive for a few months time, his departure made yet another hole in the butchers roster. However, the Butchers are unlikely to draft a kicker in first ten roundsx as they have so many other positions in need. So, I expect them to snag a kicker in the lower rounds of the draft.
San Jose Sabercats <Lost>
- S Joseph Wozniak
- DT Freezer Ripostle
The Sabercats suffered minimal damage as all their actives were protected under the initial seven people protection list. Both Wozniak and Ripostle had been inactive for some time, so damage to locker room will also be minimal. However, while the Sabercats have plenty defensive tackles and will not need one because of Repostle's departure, Wozniak being taken away heightenes the need for a safety, which was already a high need. So, I expect the Sabercats to draft multiple safties with their high picks.
Honolulu Hahalua <Gained>
- LB Mack Arianlacher
- WR Jed Podolak
- DE Jayson Kearse
- WR Jacoby Clay
- CB Victor Moreno
- RB Ruff Ruff
- K/P Venus Powers
- CB Emodev Emoji
- LB Jaylen Storm
- S Joseph Wozniak
- LB Sandip 'Sandy' Bakshi
- QB Corvo Havran (GM)
- LB Alex Selich (FA signing)
Hahalua built a good frame for their inaugural roster through the expansion draft. Focusing on selecting young and active players to help build locker room culture as well as wins, They picked players in all the positions except tight end, offensive line and defensive tackle. The lack of defensive tackles can be explained by the fact that they signed Reggie Culbertson, a player of that position, and that this draft class has a lot of good DTs. They seemed to have drafted minimal amount of secondary defenders, maybe because this draft's defensive back class is very, very deep. So counting their previous free agent signings, Hahalua now has statters for almost all crucial positions. Their focus in the draft will be defensive tackle, as they only have one currently, a safety, a third wide receiver and a tight end.
Sarasota Sailfish - WR Dexter Banks II
- DE Fabricio Baldari
- DE Steco Ocewilder
- WR Laszlo Forty- two
- S Beat
- CB Lucas Knight
- DE Mike Franchet
- DT Freezer Ripostle
- TE Johnny Blaze
- K/P Diego Espinosa
- WR Rayne Gordon (GM)
- RB Dax Frost (GM)
The Sailfish employed a similar strategy to Hahalua as they too mainly selected younger actives primarily. They also selected even less defensive backs than Hahalua, selecting only one safety and one cornerback. Instead, they built a sturdy offense complete with two runnigbacks, three wide receivers and a tight end along with recently signed quarterback Zack Vega. They might even be getting an Offensive lineman if the rumor proves to be true. In defence, the Sailfish focused on defensive line as they selected three defensive ends and one defensive tackle. The Sailfish will mainly focus on drafting linebackers and defensive backs in the draft, while they will snag any offensive players or defensive tackles who fall to them as BPAs.
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