04-06-2022, 07:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-11-2022, 09:35 AM by Crunk. Edited 2 times in total.)
Introduction
Week 15 just kicked off so this order is going to have changed slightly by the time people read this. Most of this is pure conjecture - I haven't heard anything and I'm basing it entirely off of the tracker, budget sheet, and a bit of team history/vibe. Oh, and I only did round 1.
Round 1
1. - Colorado Yeti
How they have the pick: The Yeti currently sit at 2-12 in the standings and have locked in the number one overall pick. There is no mathematical way they do not pick first overall.
Team Needs: Linebacker / Cornerback / Running back
The Yeti desperately need help on the defensive side of the ball. Their linebacker group consists of franchise legend Melvin Murder-Moose (S24), LaCarpetron Dookmarriot (S30), and Sconnie McHits (S31). McHits has retired and Murder-Moose is beginning to regress too heavily (710 TPE currently). The cornerback group isn’t much better. Albert Ruschmann (S25), NationalSimulation FootballLeague (S25), and Redbeard McFredbeard (S26) have all either retired or are regressing heavily.
This draft is thin at linebacker, to the detriment of the Yeti. The top linebacker currently is Johnny Delusional (195 TPE). Delusional is good, but taking him one overall feels like a stretch because he might be available midway through the round based off of TPE. The top cornerback is Ace McAlister (242 TPE), a much higher TPE player and user who has a track record of being one of the highest earning in the league.
The Pick: Draft Steal - Defensive End - 245 TPE
Draft Steal still might be a draft steal at first overall. Troen is a quiet user but methodically cranks out updates. Defensive end can play at linebacker in a pinch and I suspect Troen might be the type of user willing to switch if he gets the ability to blitz off of the edge.
2. - Baltimore Hawks
How they have the pick: The Hawks are currently 5-9 on the season, tied with the Otters. The Otters beat the Hawks 56-21 in Week 9, giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Hawks.
Team Needs: Safety / Linebacker / Cornerback
The Hawks don’t have a glaring need but have a handful of defensive positions that might be problematic in a season or two. Pasta The Turtle (S32) is a great piece in the secondary and is still progressing, however Derek Wildstar (S26) is beginning to head into the final phases of his career. At 459 TPE currently, he might only have one more season left. At cornerback Lip Gallagher (S29) is still a strong piece for the future, however Pepelegs Johnson’s (S30) earning isn’t enough to elongate his career past the first season or two of regression.
The Pick: Ace McAlister - Cornerback - 242 TPE
McAlister immediately fills a need in the secondary for the Hawks. BenDover is a safe user who can be counted on to consistently earn and be a building block of the next great Hawks defense. There’s definitely reason to be consider Regina Ferraro (Safety / 244 TPE / Baron 1898) here. Baron’s last player went inactive but he’s been very active on the newest player and has cranked out some of the most impressive media I’ve read in a while which might mitigate that risk.
3. - Orange County Otters
How they have the pick: The Otters are currently 5-9 on the season, tied with the Hawks. The Otters beat the Hawks 56-21 in Week 9, giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Hawks.
Team Needs: Cornerback
The Otters are a very young team still and have a bright future ahead of them. Their weakest position is cornerback, where Richard Leaking (S25) and Anton Bruckner (S28) are beginning to near the end of their careers. The Otters missed out on the best cornerback on the board by one pick but I like their chances to find someone willing to swap to corner, a position that puts up stats and is fun to play on the defensive side of the ball.
The Pick: Regina Ferraro - Safety - 244 TPE
Ferraro did not have to wait long to hear her name called after the Hawks passed on her. You can play a safety at corner in a pinch or I can see this as a situation where Baron swaps and becomes the CB1 of the Otters’ future.
4. - Yellowknife Wraiths
How they have the pick: The Wraiths are currently 6-8 on the year, tied with the Silverbacks. The Silverbacks beat the Wraiths 56-28 in Week 8, giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Wraiths.
Team Needs: Wide Receiver / Running back
Wide Receiver has to be the name of the game for the Wraiths. Franchise icon Kai Sakura (S23) is on his last legs. Mark Walker (S25) and Killian Chambers (S25) are not far behind them. Running back is a quandary for the Wraiths as well, with Bradley Welch (S30) still being active but not earning at a considerable clip.
The Pick: Adebayo Akinfenwa - Running back - 235 TPE
Akinfenwa is currently a fullback and I’m unsure if he’d be willing to archetype swap to a more versatile type. I speculate he might be willing to for Yellowknife, the team PMoney used to GM. If he does he immediately becomes the RB1 of the future for Yellowknife as he would pass Welch’s earning in about a season. I think the Wraiths might consider Rab Thecrab (240 TPE) here too to solve their running back problem. Thecrab is already a speed back and fills the same need.
5. - New York Silverbacks
How they have the pick: The Silverbacks are currently 6-8 on the year, tied with the Wraiths. The Silverbacks beat the Wraiths 56-28 in Week 8, giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Wraiths.
Team Needs: Safety / Cornerback / Linebacker
The Silverbacks are in the same position as most of the teams picking ahead of them in the draft - they desperately need help on the defensive side of the ball. They roster four cornerbacks, however Dukburg QuakStak (S25) is nearing the twilight of his career and Chunt The Badger (S28) is inactive and heading towards regression. At safety Dogwood Maple (S26) probably has a couple of good seasons left, however Lawrence Miller (S27) will not be able to fight regression off long.
The Pick: Anthony Stark - Cornerback - 218 TPE
Stark’s user, TeyonSchavari, is the former running back for the Silverbacks. He was a valuable member of their locker room who I’m sure they’d love to have back. He fills a need for the team and hopefully will be flexible enough to move be played where they need in the secondary early on in his career.
6. - San Jose Sabercats
How they have the pick: The Sabercats are currently 6-7-1 on the year, tied with the Philadelphia Liberty. The Sabercats tied the Liberty 14-14 in Week 11. The next tiebreaker is conference record. The Sabercats are 4-6 in their conference, while the Liberty are 5-5.
Team Needs: Quarterback / Running Back / Wide Receiver / Safety
The Sabercats have a handful of needs. The Laz (S30) is retired, creating quite the predicament in their secondary since Caven McRae (S26) is the only other safety on the roster. They don’t have a running back stashed int he DSFL and Tatsu Nakamura (S22) will retire at the end of the year, leaving Mason Malone (S30) as the lone back on the roster. Although Louis Blondin (S34) is waiting in the wings to take over at wide receiver he replaces Zach Crossley (S25) in a 1 for 1 transaction and doesn’t give the Sabercats the third receiver they desperately need.
The Pick: Owen Farrell - Quarterback - 247 TPE
Farrell’s user, AskedMadden, was a valuable member of the Sabercats on his previous player. Although Panda McKyle (S29) can still play for another season or two if San Jose takes Farrell here they can ensure a seamless transition at the most important position on the field when its time to make a change.
7. - Philadelphia Liberty
How they have the pick: The Liberty are currently 6-7-1 on the year, tied with the San Jose Sabercats. The Liberty tied the Sabercats 14-14 in Week 11. The next tiebreaker is conference record. The Sabercats are 4-6 in their conference, while the Liberty are 5-5.
Team Needs: Defensive Line / Cornerback / Safety
The backside of Philadelphia’s defense is about to get smacked with regression. Tex Wrecks (S25) and Honky-Tonk Haywood (S25) are franchise icons, however they’re nearing the end of their illustrious careers. C.J. Sonjack (S28), Romulus Roman (S28) and Remus Roman (S28( have been valuable pieces in the Philadelphia secondary, however they’re also beginning to near the twilight of their careers.
The Pick: Patty Pumpernickel - Defensive Tackle - 234 TPE
Defensive Line is pretty thin in this draft class, and although Philadelphia still has Able Arch (S32 / 302 TPE) stashed in the DSFL, adding another defensive lineman that might pass him in earning soon to replace one of their aging pieces should be a priority. The drop from Pumpernickel to the next defensive lineman is steep, so Philadelphia solves their need early in the draft.
8. - Austin Copperheads
How they have the pick: The Copperheads are currently 7-7 on the year, tied with the New Orleans Second Line. The Second Line beat the Copperheads 37-14 in Week 3. The two teams play again in week 16.
Team Needs: Defensive Line / Cornerback / Safety
Something is about to have to change on the Austin defense. They currently have three defensive linemen on their roster - Candice D. Fitinyomouf (S27), Owen Isaac (S25), and Ioe Torrent (S30). They have four linebackers on their roster, however Tyler Montain (S23) has one more season left. They have Joey Din (S34) in the DFSL to fill a spot on the defensive line, however its only a stopgap for a season until they’ll need another linebacker or defensive lineman. At cornerback Annie May (S25) and Maverick Bowie (S24) are near the ends of their careers, while Siege Cameron (S28) probably only has a season or so left. Chathack’rius Smith (S28) is inactive and probably only has another season or so holding down the starting safety spot for the Copperheads while Evan Jones (S26) might be phased out even sooner.
The Pick: Swantavius Payne - Offensive Line - 247 TPE
Payne doesn’t fill an immediate position of need for the Copperheads - they absolutely need help on the defensive side of the ball - however he can step in for the regressing Connor Quigley (S25) and Gluteus Maximus (S26). Austin has shown themselves to be adept at attracting free agents in the past and continuing to maintain cap flexibility by avoiding the upcharge on bot offensive linemen will be huge for them maintaining that trend.
9. - New Orleans Second Line
How they have the pick: The Second Line are currently 7-7 on the year, tied with the Austin Copperheads. The Second Line beat the Copperheads 37-14 in Week 3. The two teams play again in week 16.
Team Needs: Defensive Line / Linebacker
For the most part the Second Line are set up to have a bright future. On the defensive line they already have two strong choices to fill holes in the future stashed away with Solace Avenger (S34) and Chim Rickles (S34). At linebacker they have Ganyu (S34) ready to make an impact soon. I think this is absolutely a spot where they take whoever they like the most.
The Pick: Donatello McTurtle - Cornerback - 173 TPE
McTurtle is the lowest TPE player to come off the board thus far and isn’t in the next highest three TPE corners. That doesn’t matter to the Second Line, however. McTurtle’s user, Ben, is a longtime staple of the franchise and shares Tijuana lineage with the GMs. They have the flexibility to allow him to stay in the DSFL for a few more seasons and enjoy his time with Tijuana before coming up to play in the big leagues.
10. - Arizona Outlaws
How they have the pick: The Outlaws are 8-5-1 on the year, tied with the Sarasota Sailfish. The Sailfish beat the Outlaws 35-30 in Week 9, giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Outlaws.
Team Needs: Wide Receiver / Defensive Tackle / Linebacker / Cornerback / Safety
Are you a defensive player interested in playing for the Outlaws? Then you might be this pick. Their wide receiver room sees Taro Raimon (S24) and Darren Pama (S25) near retirement, however they do have “Captain” Billy Stinkwater (S34) and potentially Toucan Sam (S32) in the DSFL to fill those holes. Chuck Roth (S25) is headed towards the Hall of Fame soon while Fergus Callaghan Jr. (S27) is nearing the point of no return with regression. L’Gazzy Burfict (S25) has been a franchise icon for the Outlaws but probably only has a season or so left. Rich Triplet (S25) and Tayshawn Crunk (S25) probably have two seasons left in them but regression will hit the Outlaws cornerbacks before they know it.
The Pick: Cob Corning - Cornerback - 238 TPE
Corning’s value is too good to pass up here for the Outlaws. Cuttino Mobley (S34) waits in the DSFL as a potential replacement for one of their aging cornerbacks, however Corning is only 22 TPE away from passing him and can be a fix much sooner.
11. - Sarasota Sailfish
How they have the pick: The Sailfish are 8-5-1 on the year, tied with the Arizona Outlaws. The Sailfish beat the Outlaws 35-30 in Week 9, giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Outlaws.
Team Needs: Linebacker / Safety / Defensive Line / Kicker/Punter
Sarasota suffers from the same problem most of the teams in this draft suffer from: they need defensive help. Heinrich Kackpoo (S23) is headed towards retirement, potentially at the end of this season. Mike Boss Jr. (S24) made an admirable transition to linebacker after his career at quarterback but probably has one year left. There are not obvious replacements to either player in the DSFL for the Sailfish.
The Pick: Swantavius King - Kicker/Punter - 245 TPE
Any time you can get a former first overall pick at the eleventh overall pick you call it a win. Sarasota is rostering Rainbow Dash (S28) at kicker currently, however he’s inactive. Moustache Santoso (S34) is in the DSFL, however he also appears inactive. King immediately solves a problem for the Sailfish and brings a valuable users into their locker room.
12. - Berlin Fire Salamanders
How they have the pick: The Fire Salamanders are 9-4-1 on the year.
Team Needs: Linebacker / Cornerback
Adam Schell (S24) has been an incredible piece in the middle of the defense for the Fire Salamanders, however he probably has one season left before they’ll need to replace him at linebacker. Jeeeeroy Lenkins (S25) puts Berlin in the same predicament at cornerback. They have no solution to either position - and no real depth whatsoever - in the DSFL at the moment.
The Pick: Johnny Delusional - Linebacker - 195 TPE
The best corner is a bit down the board - Outlaw Mode Sick (175 TPE) - and the next Linebacker - Ttollem Mada (165 TPE) is even farther and can’t be picked by any team other than the Second Line. There doesn’t appear to be a great solution with a player who might be willing to switch on the board currently, so the Fire Salamanders lock up the best player they can find at a position of need.
13. - Philadelphia Liberty via - Honolulu Hahalua
How they have the pick: The Hahalua are 10-4 on the year but traded their pick to the Philadelphia Liberty to acquire Xavier Wells.
Team Needs: Defensive Line / Cornerback / Safety
Previous Pick: Patty Pumpernickel - Defensive Tackle - 234 TPE
Never underestimate how valuable two first rounders are. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Liberty deal this pick to move back in the draft or get more picks in next season’s potentially loaded draft. I also wouldn’t be shocked to see them package their two first round picks together in this draft and try to jump towards the top of the board. I’m not projecting trades in this mock, however, and so I’ll have the Liberty make another pick.
The Pick: Rab Thecrab - Running Back - 240 TPE
This is a luxury pick for the Liberty. Starting running back Lonnie Jackson (S28) has several good years left in the tank and DeAndre King (S33) is ready to take over for him when the time is right. LancedJack is too good of a user to fall out of the first round, however, and so the Liberty stop his fall, pick up a great user for the locker room, and decide to figure out how to fit all the pieces together later.
14. - Chicago Butchers
How they have the pick: The Butchers are 10-3-1 on the year, the best record in the league.
Team Needs: Tight End / Cornerback
Cornerback has to priority for the Butchers in this draft. Tim Soulja (S28) has a couple of good seasons ahead of him, but Harrison Andrews (S24) is headed towards retirement at the end of the year while HeHateMe PickSix II (S27) is headed for the heavy hand of regression. Their starting tight end, Nick L. Back (S30) is inactive, however Virginia Emmet (S34) waits in the wings to replace him soon.
The Pick: American Boot - Tight End - 236 TPE
Yes, Virginia Emmet is ready to replace Back soon, however having two tight ends is never an issue. Chicago’s GM pick is going towards cornerback Art Deco (212 TPE) so they can stray a bit from their needs and take the best player available who also happens to be a great user who consistently earned on his last player and fills a potential need - even if its not their biggest.1.