My experience throughout the draft period was kind of a weird one. I think I had the chance to talk with all of the gm but none of them were really expressing their interest so I had no idea who would draft me. I don’t know if that’s how GM did their scouting or I was just low on their draft board. I knew I wasn’t going to be a high pick because I created late so I didn’t have much TPE. Honestly I’m shocked that I was picked in the mid round because of my low TPE player. Teams probably needed a defensive lineman over really running backs. I was really happy to be drafted by Myrtle Beach. The team was on the top of my team preference. I had a good talk with GM Thor and I know some users who play for the team. They also drafted some of my friends like Lime, Nemo and Grummy. I have great interaction with Hall, Mouse and MisObvious. The LR is really fun compared to other dsfl teams. The team is really stacked and we are probably the favorite to win this year. I was really lucky to be drafted to a great organization for a low TPE player.
The season twenty-three National Simulation Football League draft was a complete shock for me. I came into the league with high hopes and a lot of motivation, and while I hoped to be drafted as high as I possibly could, I was expecting to go sometime around the late second round or early third round. Being selected by the San Jose Sabercats at sixth overall in the first round completely shattered my expectations, and is still unbelievable. The moment I heard them say my name I was so excited and grateful to the San Jose general managers for the trust and belief they showed in taking me, an offensive skill positional player, that early in the draft. I was ecstatic when I was drafted twenty-second overall by the Minnesota Grey Ducks in the season twenty-two DSFL draft, so going at such an earlier pick in the big leagues was a blessing. With so many options out there that early, being taken means I'll have to prove that I wasn't a reach, and I plan on doing so on and off the field by doing whatever is needed to bring my team an ultimus trophy. San Jose made a gamble on me, and I won't let them down.
Oh I love telling my NSFL draft story. I joined the league with a lot of excitement, because it seemed like something I would love. However, the league was harder to understand than I expected, and I fell mostly inactive soon after joining. I still watched some games, but the only TPE activities I did were activity checks, and I had never talked in the locker room. NSFL Draft Day comes around. Since I was mostly inactive, I didn’t know how the draft worked. Not realizing it wasn’t possible, I was honestly hoping to go undrafted, because I didn’t want to waste some team’s draft pick. I remember I had it on my 2nd monitor while gaming, and my girlfriend was in the room with me. We were getting further and further into the draft, and I was starting to get hopeful that I wouldn’t be drafted. Then I see it, Chicago Butchers, 11th round, pick 126. My exact words were, “well, shit.” From then on, I wanted to make sure that the Butchers extremely valuable 11th round pick didn’t go to waste. I’ve been called one of the S22 draft’s biggest steals by multiple people. I’m now a max earner. I buy equipment. I help the younger players. I run a club in CHI that makes sure that other players who joined the club maintain max earning status as well. I love this league, and the people that I’ve met here!
Leeroy Jenkins didn't have a publicist, or an agent, or really anyone but himself but he worked hard at his craft. He didn't have flashy stats during his first season in the DSFL but he showed up to practice and gave his all day in and day out. I think being on a team that didn't throw particularly much also hurt his NSFL draft stock but he hoped that even if he wasn't the most talented wide receiver in the draft, that GM's would recognize his work ethic and his continuous desire to improve. Draft week came around and most teams had sent feelers out to gauge Leeroy's interest in joining their team. He didn't have a particular team he wanted to go to, but hoped he would end up somewhere he was able to be used. There was really only one team however that seemed to have the most interest and that was the Colorado Yeti. I knew that I would most likely end up in the middle rounds, just like where I was picked up in the DSFL draft mostly because of my position. This draft was absolutely stacked with great wide receivers and I was probably looked at as a small gamble with a lot of upside. Draft day comes around and Leeroy gets picked with the 7th pick in the 7th round by the Colorado Yeti. Not only was that slightly higher than I thought I would go, but they Yeti also traded a 3rd round pick in the following draft to move to that spot to get me. To me, that showed that not only did they recognize that I would work hard but that they really wanted me and and was worth a roll of the dice. So even though I'm still in the DSFL, I know I'm going to be a valued teammate when I get there.
Being drafted in to the NSFL is perhaps the best feeling I’ve ever had, but they days leading up to it can be daunting. All unproven NSFL rookies deal with the nagging feeling of self-doubt. Even if they dominated in the DSFL, they still have to worry about the bigger, faster, stronger players in the NSFL. Confidence is difficult to maintain.
Seeing my name and image on draft day was a wonderful moment. Getting that invite to the team discord is indescribable and unforgettable. But it’s only the beginning. From moving across the country to playing in your first game, it’s stressful. At least I didn’t have to deal with too much culture shock. Imagine the kid from Eastern Europe who gets drafted by Orange County; that would be a rough transition. At least Lexington, Norfolk, and Phoenix all are in the United States.
It doesn’t get much easier from there. Sure, you bond with your teammates and explore the city, but the NSFL veterans are no joke. Congrats on your DSFL award! You’re now the worst player on the team.
But don’t worry. You’ll get better. Do your tasks, and you’ll improve. In a few seasons, you’ll look back on the draft and first few weeks with a smile.
Looking back on previous drafts, the one freshest in my mind is the S22 NSFL Draft. The lead up to the draft was an exhausting one for Slinky Claxton. Having heard from nearly every NSFL Franchise during the scouting phase, it seemed that he was a highly sought after prospect. Looking through the media prior, many had Slinky going within the top 50 picks or so as well. However, once the day would finally come, it was agonizing waiting for Claxton’s name to be called. Sure, he was a bit of a letdown in his Rookie DSFL Season, but it was still a stunner for many. Eventually, he would be taken with the 64th Overall pick to Arizona. Although surprised that it took so long, Claxton was still thrilled to be a part of a great deal of young talent. With that said, it seemed like a bizarre destination as they were already pretty loaded on the Defensive Line. Prior to season 23, to no surprise, the Outlaws would trade Claxton to the Austin Copperheads. Thus ending his time at the Franchise that decided to take a chance on him in the sixth round of the draft. Time will tell how Claxton will develop in the NSFL but it seems that the new fit would work out well. For many, this should be a lesson in patience. Even if you’re drafted to a team that might not work, you never know who will have their eye out for a solid prospect on and off the field. Claxton is now a part of a dominant defensive line in Austin and is pretty happy with how everything worked out.