*First impressions on my new teammates

[GoonerBear]

This first draft for me was a good experience to get to see the process play out in the NSFL, get to listen to the insights of more knowledgeable commentators on who's who and what they see and to get a bit more insight into what each club valued. You've heard enough about me out of me. For this, I want to know more about my fellow draftees also headed to Kansas City. This will go in draft order.

#2 - QB Gus T. T. Showbiz

Showbiz has made his name in the traditional pocket QB role out of Pomona College. He has already hit the ground running with training, as is expected, and invested time into his passing skills and in the film room. He has also been working more on sprints and cardio to offer some mobility and extend his staying power. This will especially become useful in games where the defense makes the pocket unusually hostile and he has to use his legs to scramble or extend the play.

The second of two QBs to go in this draft, Showbiz may also carry that grudge and convert it into even more drive to surpass rival draftee Kevin Fitzpatrick. Barring a breakout rushing performance, Showbiz will likely be a leading candidate for Offensive and overall Rookie of the Year honors.

#3 - WR Vinny Valentine

A speed receiver out of Stanford, Valentine has built his game on the philosophy to get open by burning his defender and getting all the time he can to get an easier catch. In the time since the draft, he has started to shore up on a few of his weaker aspects, also hitting the weights, the books and the film to round himself out a bit more while still getting plenty of time in on receiving practice, boosting his speed and catching ability. Valentine stood out early on, especially with his user holding a League job for consistent income paired with a contract.

Valentine was the first wide receiver selected in the draft and should pair very well with Showbiz for as long as they can remain together. Their growth so far could have the coaching staff giving longer routes more spots in their playbook. Valentine has plenty of competition among his peers at his position, though also two solid allies later in this analysis, so he will be that much more effective, either drawing the pass or opponents' best coverage men to give a teammate a favorable matchup.

#6 - TE Declan Harp

A possession tight end out of Twickenham Rugby College in London, Harp fits the strong flex receiver/blocker profile to a T. His background in football's ancestor sport and head-start on his peers in working toward the DSFL draft has put him on the fast-track to the top of the scouts' priority lists for the NSFL. His rugby experience and size has helped guide his training so far, choosing a method to help him shore up on all fronts. He's hit the weight room, the ladders, the sprint track, the passing cannons, the blocking dummies and pulled up a chair with his aforementioned teammates over game footage and playbooks.

Harp was the first of two tight ends selected. He looks to be a solid sixth blocker when he needs to be and a safe slot receiver for a quarterback pressed for time or who just needs a few yards - a player almost cast right out of Jason Witten's mold. With the offensive options this class is building for the Coyotes, they have dipped into a little of everything they need, and Harp will serve as their short-yard, surefire target to fit into almost any pass play or an extra blocker to create a strong side on the run.

#10 - LB Kolby Deringer

I went here. I talked about myself enough in my intro article and others offer better, less-biased insights.

#14 - WR Alsan Arshad

A route runner out of Memphis, Arshad brings a different philosophy from the two before him, focusing first on running his route correct - no surprising his teammates. A balanced receiver in speed, agility and catching, he's got potential to go as long or short as the situation calls for. So far, his limited time training has been spent in the weight room to shore up his viability to play bump-and-run against a more vulnerable opponent.

Arshad starts out a well-rounded target who could stand to improve other skills as well. Arshad was the third wide receiver selected in a class of nine, and the Coyotes will value him as a jack-of-all-trades option to fit any scheme they need.

#18 - RB LaMarcus Strike

A speed back by way of Northwestern, Strike has the skills coming in to be a great outside runner. Just open up a hole for him and he'll be on the second level quick. In training so far, he has added a touch more onto his speed, hit the ladders to sharpen his footwork and put in a couple of sessions with the receivers to flex effectively as a sixth eligible receiver for a flat or screen. Scouts and former coaches also noted he was one of the longest-winded backs they had seen, making him excellent to use to prolong drives and keep the opposing defense playing, then burn them in the open field in the endgame.

Strike was the last of four running backs selected, though he is no less dangerous or useful. With a rookie class this team is building, Strike opens up a strong run game for Kansas City and a good flat, screen or shovel option on the pass for a QB to lay off and let him rack up yards after the catch. Strike gives the Coyotes the option to work the body before they swing for an unrecoverable knockdown late.

#22 - CB Daquan Richardson

A man-to-man secondary defender out of Michigan State, Richardson thrives on getting in a receiver's face, even in a league where receivers have advantages and loads of entering players who want to play offense. Richardson offers the KC secondary a fighting chance to neutralize top targets from opposing offenses. He hasn't been seen much in training as of late around the camp so far, though with a bit of picking up, he should be good to go.

Richardson's playing style and strengths reveal him a better option to lock onto a receiver and, if he can't prevent the catch, prevent yards after by locking them down on the spot. A little more rounding in endurance, strength and hands and he will make passing a nightmare and limit quarterbacks by his presence, even just the shadow of a doubt on if he'll be there.

#26 - WR Deangelo Warren

A possession receiver from Clemson, Warren has decent pace to get open and hands to hold on as well as a little pep in his step to jump for it if he has to. Similar to Richardson, he hasn't been seen around much in training, though he can still, for the time being, serve as a depth and variety option for the Kansas City passing offense. As it stands, he may be relegated to inactive depth unless his user shows back up in time, though he will at least be good for rotating receivers out when they need a breather.

Warren's presence also flexes well wherever he's needed, especially in the short and medium zones. He and Harp would pair well to serve as two more certain targets for Showbiz if he isn't comfortable throwing to his first choice or if the play and situation serves better to aim for the first-down marker without requiring YAC.

Conclusion

Overall, this class will likely make the Coyotes a much better offense, especially as their skills mature and the coaching staff learns more about them from firsthand observation. If this class ends up taking the lead in the organization and they all cap out, defenses will shudder having to face them. Opposing teams may shore up defense where they can and/or try to join in an offensive arms race. Kansas City has everyone they need out of this class to play the offense they want in addition to the players they already have. Look for these guys to play key parts in a more-possible Ultimini run.

(1396 words)

[OwlStrike13]