04-04-2023, 09:50 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-22-2023, 10:07 PM by wizard_literal. Edited 2 times in total.)
Okay we're back with round 2 for mock drafts, and we've got a new theme It's a true football showdown, Offense vs. Defense! The first round of the mock will be ONLY Defensive players, and in the second half of this article I'll highlight 14 Offensive players and team fits for any round in the draft. I highlighted recreates last go around, but I'd expect with the sheer number of newcreates in the class, we'll see them dominate the first round as reflected in the mock below. Additionally I've included a few top players from my first mock again here, but I've projected them to different teams to give alternative scenarios for the first round. Finally I've tried my best to include everyone, but ultimately limiting myself to 24 players and a theme has resultantly left a number of potential top prospects out. If I had to guess my hit rate for this mock is going to be something like 2/24, really I'm just here to have a good time don't take me too seriously.
First Round Defense:
1.1 NYS - Linebacker - Craig Brand - @ElMerchanto
I'll start it off with a shoutout to ElMerchanto! I've heard he's been in the Dallas war room all season and thus would slot in perfectly here to New York. He's easily a top 5 prospect in this class in my opinion, and the only reason I left him out of my previous mock was because I had him at 1OA. Zayn's ties to Dallas only add to my speculations here.
1.2 COL (from BAL ) - Linebacker - John Stark VIII - @UptownCord
If Jenni goes first overall UptownCord could reasonably be the next best pick at the top of Colorado's draft board. If nothing else UptownCord's Blood Bowl expertise is a boon the Yeti discord won't want to miss out on.
1.3 HON - Safety - Rico Savage - @TheRake
TheRake paid me to put him here ahead of Bruce White, but in all reality a T-wording safety to Honolulu makes all the sense in the world.
1.4 OCO (from SJS ) - Cornerback - Ezra Azazel - @"baz1757"
Slate took notice of baz's playoff prediction to take the Otters over Austin, and is quick to pickup a replacement for aging GM Beck.
1.5 NOLA (from BER ) - Defensive Tackle - Dub Redd - @wizard_literal
With Jason coming out of retirement to GM for NOLA, there's no doubt he'd pick me if possible, if only to say he's still my GM.
UPDATE: After Jason publicly outed himself as an Egg hater I guarantee I'll be holding out on contract negotiations if he drafts me.
1.6 NOLA - Defensive Tackle - Jumbo Edward - @furiousPanda
In light of recent events NOLA may have to reach even further on picking their former General Manager in the first round.
1.7 COL
1.8 SAR - Wide Receiver - Benji Aguilera - @CROney3
Wait a minute I thought this was the round of Defense? Well April fools ya fool, I got you fool. I couldn't make another mock without shouting out my teammate Benji, and while in reality positional value probably drops most Wide Receivers out of the first round, I think CROney3's quality character could see him in the first.
1.9 AUS - Linebacker - Terry Johnson - @Gumbaman
The newly appointed Norfolk GM has been flying under most people's mock radar this offseason and could be a good fit at Linebacker for Austin. The TPE tracker is misleading here as Gumbaman refuses to update with their TPE claims. Putting two and two together, LCC probably retried because he was probably fed up with Gumbas non-updating nonsense.
1.10 CTC - Defensive End - Rolund Onyxgut - @crash1005
I'm going to reuse this pick from my last mock, but move it up an entire round. Rolund Onyxgut is certainly worth of a first round grade by any standard, and I get to make the connection I missed last time. Crash1005 suits up for the Cape Town Crash.
1.11 COL (from OCO ) - Defensive Tackle - Billy Jor-El - @LtHudz
From what I've picked up on LtHudz seems like a great fit for the Yeti Locker Room. Interior Defensive Line is a need for the Yeti, and if their top targets are gone by this point, this is a very sensible pick.
1.12 CHI - Defensive End - Bruce White - @toofpete
Probably goes earlier than this but TheRake paid me to put Bruce White anywhere in the draft after Rico Savage and Chicago is my the last first round pick I haven't figured out yet. Personally I think it's more likely we see one of Minnesota's top players drafted here.
1.13 YKW - Defensive Tackle - Jason Steele - @FireworkFuse
Shoutout to my Defensive Tackle brethren. As with Rolund Onyxgut, I had Jason Steele mocked to YKW in the second round last go around, but it would be an injustice not to mention this prospect has shown they're well worthy of a first round pick.
1.14 ARI - Cornerback - Synystyr Gates - @Dustillation
Another Tijuana teammate of mine that has gone under the radar this season. Dusty isn't quite active in discord, but they're an affiliate league member and have been steadily earning all season. If there's a run on Cornerbacks they might just sneak into the top 18 if not even the first round. With Arizona's connection to Tijuana, we could see Synystyr Gates ending up as an Outlaw next season.
The X-Files:
Mocking these players at pick X.1-14 where the first X could indicate any round beyond the first.
X.1 NYS - Quarterback - Jake Jefferson - @thecanadiancanuck
Let's start off the round of Offense with the positional leader of the offense, Quarterback! To be honest teams tend to be more communicative about Quarterback recreates for the pipeline, but thecanadiancanuck is a former Silverback, so I could see them taking a flyer on this scrambling QB.
X.2 BAL - Wide Receiver - LeAnthony LeDavis - @subby500
I mentioned in the prospect series that I did with Jenni that LeDavis is someone to keep an eye out for. They're already up to 172 TPE as a late joiner, and if anybody is digging through the depths of draft prospects, it's dude_man.
X.3 HON - Kicker - Bob Kickerson - @Tiktaalik
I'm going to mock a Kicker to Honolulu here again because it make too much sense. If Ray Baker is off the board before the Hahalua want to draft a Kicker, then Bob Kickerson is a great choice.
X.4 SJS - Wide Receiver - Legs McMillion - @jollyjiggs
So I had this mocked up when San Jose still had the 18th overall pick before trading it to Cape Town. I'll stand by this pick however as jollyjiggs is worthy of a first round grade if they position swap, and I I'd be at fault if I didn't mention Legs McMillion somewhere in this article. Regardless Wide Receiver is a need for San Jose, so expect them to target the position early on.
X.5 BER - Offensive Lineman - Justin Willis @Cycro
Welp I'm doubling down mocking an offensive lineman to Berlin here again! Justin Willis is the top Offensive Lineman in a prospect class that is severely lacking depth in the position, and is well worthy of an early pick.
X.6 NOLA - Runningback - Kyle Crane - @Ultimatedestroye
The Tijuana Crane, my man Kyle Crane. Via pipeline and a strong positional need for Runingback, I could absolutely see the Secondline picking up Kyle Crane at any point from the 2nd round onwards.
X.7 COL - Wide Receiver - The Riddler - @MattBake12
Gadget may have been fired from Dallas, but there's a good chance he's still in the ear of the Colorado War Room. If they miss out on Wolfie McDummy Jr., Dallas Birddog The Riddler might be a reasonable alternative.
X.8 SAR - Wide Receiver - Forozka Duanei- @BWIII
I'm starting to think this class might be a bit heavy at Wide Receiver. A recreate that I missed in my original mock Forzka Duanei deserves a lot more praise than they've been receiving this mock season. As a previous GM for the Crash Liberty I would wager we could see them go relatively early in the draft. If Sarasota doesn't target a newcreate for WR, then Duanei could be a good fit.
X.9 AUS - Wide Receiver - Garrett Cheetahman - @Porkypig78
I admit there is some Luchadore bias in this article.
X.10 CTC - Runningback - Sticky Hands - @Quasi : Alternative Pick : Wide Receiver - Sean Robinson - @18situaseans
Cape Town made a last minute trade to acquire more picks in the 2nd round, my guess is with LordCoolCats going to CTC as a General Manager, they might try to load up on some of the Norfolk prospects this draft. I'm highlighting a dangerous duo of Norfolk rookies, and while this makes nearly no sense from a positional needs standpoint, nobody can predict the dangerous GM duo of Negs and LordCoolCats.
X.11 OCO - Quarterback - Lloyd Bannings - @bowl0
X.12 CHI - Offensive Lineman - Beeg Beeg Yoshi Jr. - @"Beegbeegyoshi"
:wewew:
X.13 YKW - Runningback - Elliot Berry - @titanfan34
I'm buying in on the Kansas City to Yellowknife connection. Elliot Berry was a workhorse in the DSFL last season leading all rookie Runningbacks in rush attempts. I haven't seen much activity from them through discord, so I assume they're more a locker room player. Yellowknife is perfectly setup to have insight on Berry via two of their players who are KCC GMs.
X.14 ARI - Tight End - Nick Williams - @nickWilliams
Since my last mock Arizona acquired Colorado's 2nd & 3rd round picks which has given the Ultimus XL champs a severe boost in draft capital. As As a luxury pick I think a this top earning Royal Tight End in the second could make a lot of sense for a roster that has few true needs.
First Round Defense:
1.1 NYS - Linebacker - Craig Brand - @ElMerchanto
I'll start it off with a shoutout to ElMerchanto! I've heard he's been in the Dallas war room all season and thus would slot in perfectly here to New York. He's easily a top 5 prospect in this class in my opinion, and the only reason I left him out of my previous mock was because I had him at 1OA. Zayn's ties to Dallas only add to my speculations here.
1.2 COL (from BAL ) - Linebacker - John Stark VIII - @UptownCord
If Jenni goes first overall UptownCord could reasonably be the next best pick at the top of Colorado's draft board. If nothing else UptownCord's Blood Bowl expertise is a boon the Yeti discord won't want to miss out on.
1.3 HON - Safety - Rico Savage - @TheRake
TheRake paid me to put him here ahead of Bruce White, but in all reality a T-wording safety to Honolulu makes all the sense in the world.
1.4 OCO (from SJS ) - Cornerback - Ezra Azazel - @"baz1757"
Slate took notice of baz's playoff prediction to take the Otters over Austin, and is quick to pickup a replacement for aging GM Beck.
1.5 NOLA (from BER ) - Defensive Tackle - Dub Redd - @wizard_literal
With Jason coming out of retirement to GM for NOLA, there's no doubt he'd pick me if possible, if only to say he's still my GM.
UPDATE: After Jason publicly outed himself as an Egg hater I guarantee I'll be holding out on contract negotiations if he drafts me.
1.6 NOLA - Defensive Tackle - Jumbo Edward - @furiousPanda
In light of recent events NOLA may have to reach even further on picking their former General Manager in the first round.
1.7 COL
1.8 SAR - Wide Receiver - Benji Aguilera - @CROney3
Wait a minute I thought this was the round of Defense? Well April fools ya fool, I got you fool. I couldn't make another mock without shouting out my teammate Benji, and while in reality positional value probably drops most Wide Receivers out of the first round, I think CROney3's quality character could see him in the first.
1.9 AUS - Linebacker - Terry Johnson - @Gumbaman
The newly appointed Norfolk GM has been flying under most people's mock radar this offseason and could be a good fit at Linebacker for Austin. The TPE tracker is misleading here as Gumbaman refuses to update with their TPE claims. Putting two and two together, LCC probably retried because he was probably fed up with Gumbas non-updating nonsense.
1.10 CTC - Defensive End - Rolund Onyxgut - @crash1005
I'm going to reuse this pick from my last mock, but move it up an entire round. Rolund Onyxgut is certainly worth of a first round grade by any standard, and I get to make the connection I missed last time. Crash1005 suits up for the Cape Town Crash.
1.11 COL (from OCO ) - Defensive Tackle - Billy Jor-El - @LtHudz
From what I've picked up on LtHudz seems like a great fit for the Yeti Locker Room. Interior Defensive Line is a need for the Yeti, and if their top targets are gone by this point, this is a very sensible pick.
1.12 CHI - Defensive End - Bruce White - @toofpete
Probably goes earlier than this but TheRake paid me to put Bruce White anywhere in the draft after Rico Savage and Chicago is my the last first round pick I haven't figured out yet. Personally I think it's more likely we see one of Minnesota's top players drafted here.
1.13 YKW - Defensive Tackle - Jason Steele - @FireworkFuse
Shoutout to my Defensive Tackle brethren. As with Rolund Onyxgut, I had Jason Steele mocked to YKW in the second round last go around, but it would be an injustice not to mention this prospect has shown they're well worthy of a first round pick.
1.14 ARI - Cornerback - Synystyr Gates - @Dustillation
Another Tijuana teammate of mine that has gone under the radar this season. Dusty isn't quite active in discord, but they're an affiliate league member and have been steadily earning all season. If there's a run on Cornerbacks they might just sneak into the top 18 if not even the first round. With Arizona's connection to Tijuana, we could see Synystyr Gates ending up as an Outlaw next season.
The X-Files:
Mocking these players at pick X.1-14 where the first X could indicate any round beyond the first.
X.1 NYS - Quarterback - Jake Jefferson - @thecanadiancanuck
Let's start off the round of Offense with the positional leader of the offense, Quarterback! To be honest teams tend to be more communicative about Quarterback recreates for the pipeline, but thecanadiancanuck is a former Silverback, so I could see them taking a flyer on this scrambling QB.
X.2 BAL - Wide Receiver - LeAnthony LeDavis - @subby500
I mentioned in the prospect series that I did with Jenni that LeDavis is someone to keep an eye out for. They're already up to 172 TPE as a late joiner, and if anybody is digging through the depths of draft prospects, it's dude_man.
X.3 HON - Kicker - Bob Kickerson - @Tiktaalik
I'm going to mock a Kicker to Honolulu here again because it make too much sense. If Ray Baker is off the board before the Hahalua want to draft a Kicker, then Bob Kickerson is a great choice.
X.4 SJS - Wide Receiver - Legs McMillion - @jollyjiggs
So I had this mocked up when San Jose still had the 18th overall pick before trading it to Cape Town. I'll stand by this pick however as jollyjiggs is worthy of a first round grade if they position swap, and I I'd be at fault if I didn't mention Legs McMillion somewhere in this article. Regardless Wide Receiver is a need for San Jose, so expect them to target the position early on.
X.5 BER - Offensive Lineman - Justin Willis @Cycro
Welp I'm doubling down mocking an offensive lineman to Berlin here again! Justin Willis is the top Offensive Lineman in a prospect class that is severely lacking depth in the position, and is well worthy of an early pick.
X.6 NOLA - Runningback - Kyle Crane - @Ultimatedestroye
The Tijuana Crane, my man Kyle Crane. Via pipeline and a strong positional need for Runingback, I could absolutely see the Secondline picking up Kyle Crane at any point from the 2nd round onwards.
X.7 COL - Wide Receiver - The Riddler - @MattBake12
Gadget may have been fired from Dallas, but there's a good chance he's still in the ear of the Colorado War Room. If they miss out on Wolfie McDummy Jr., Dallas Birddog The Riddler might be a reasonable alternative.
X.8 SAR - Wide Receiver - Forozka Duanei- @BWIII
I'm starting to think this class might be a bit heavy at Wide Receiver. A recreate that I missed in my original mock Forzka Duanei deserves a lot more praise than they've been receiving this mock season. As a previous GM for the Crash Liberty I would wager we could see them go relatively early in the draft. If Sarasota doesn't target a newcreate for WR, then Duanei could be a good fit.
X.9 AUS - Wide Receiver - Garrett Cheetahman - @Porkypig78
I admit there is some Luchadore bias in this article.
X.10 CTC - Runningback - Sticky Hands - @Quasi : Alternative Pick : Wide Receiver - Sean Robinson - @18situaseans
Cape Town made a last minute trade to acquire more picks in the 2nd round, my guess is with LordCoolCats going to CTC as a General Manager, they might try to load up on some of the Norfolk prospects this draft. I'm highlighting a dangerous duo of Norfolk rookies, and while this makes nearly no sense from a positional needs standpoint, nobody can predict the dangerous GM duo of Negs and LordCoolCats.
X.11 OCO - Quarterback - Lloyd Bannings - @bowl0
X.12 CHI - Offensive Lineman - Beeg Beeg Yoshi Jr. - @"Beegbeegyoshi"
:wewew:
X.13 YKW - Runningback - Elliot Berry - @titanfan34
I'm buying in on the Kansas City to Yellowknife connection. Elliot Berry was a workhorse in the DSFL last season leading all rookie Runningbacks in rush attempts. I haven't seen much activity from them through discord, so I assume they're more a locker room player. Yellowknife is perfectly setup to have insight on Berry via two of their players who are KCC GMs.
X.14 ARI - Tight End - Nick Williams - @nickWilliams
Since my last mock Arizona acquired Colorado's 2nd & 3rd round picks which has given the Ultimus XL champs a severe boost in draft capital. As As a luxury pick I think a this top earning Royal Tight End in the second could make a lot of sense for a roster that has few true needs.