1) QB - Monterey Jack
Grade: A
An obvious choice for the birddogs, Monty Jack will become the first member of a new expansion team. Monty has been highly regarded around the league as a natural born leader, with good decision making skills and a knack for big plays. The twenty-one year old quarterback from the University of Louisiana brings a lot to the table. An impressive arm, and good accuracy should be the cornerstone of the Dallas offense for the foreseeable future.
2) QB - Colby Jack
Grade A
Another expansion team, the London Royals also take a quarterback at number two, in the form of Monty Jack's brother Colby Jack. Colby has slightly weaker arm strength and accuracy than his brother. Though he is also getting lots of buzz around the league for many of the same reasons. He played a very active role in the locker room at Oregon and was well liked by the coaches and staff.
3) CB - Tyler Oles Jr
Grade: B+
The Pythons took an interesting approach to the draft, starting with the number three pick. While corner was a need for Portland, it was widely believed they'd be focused on bolstering their offense with this pick. Tyler Oles Jr, is not a bad prospect by any means, possessing impressive speed and hands, though his endurance leaves a lot to be desired. Of course, he should improve in the DSFL, and he did have an impressive college career, some are wondering why he was drafted over the likes of Thubba Bumper or Zamir Khela
4) QB - Ben Slothlisberger
Grade: A-
While I do think this was the best pick for the Luchadores, I can't help but feel some value was wasted in not trading down. The four teams below Tijuana were not in dire need of a quarterback, and seeing has they didn't have many picks in the first three rounds, they could have easily found someone willing to give them some picks in the second and third to move up. That being said, Ben Slothlisberger has all kinds of potential, some even projected him going first overall to Dallas. The young star is loved universally by many in the league offices and with the accuracy and natural eye for opposing defenses, he is sure to be the player to watch when he makes his way to the NSFL
5) DT - Phat Boi
Grade A+
In all honesty, it's a bit of a shock to some that Phat Boi fell to number five. Many analysts including myself had him as the number one player in this draft. At six foot one, three hundred pounds flat, this defensive tackle from Notre Dame is sure to be the cornerstone of any defense. Despite his massive size, Phat Boi possess supernatural speed, and will be using that to his advantage and give opposing quarterbacks hell.
6) CB - Thubba Bumper
Grade: A-
The Seawolves are another team that in some ways tried to control the pace of the draft by going for a corner early on. Seeing as how in the first fifty picks, nearly half of which were defensive backs, it causes some to ask the question why would they take a corner at six when they have so many picks in the top fifty? Nevertheless this clearly set a precedent for other war rooms, and it's clear Norfolk got their guy. Thubba Bumper is one of the top corner prospects this season, and with Phat Boi off the board, Norfolk more than likely looked to draft value over need. The big body corner should certainly be a fine addition to a rebuilding Seawolves defense, and with his impressive speed, it will be interesting to see how his career plays out over the coming weeks.
7) S - Johnny Hellzapoppin
Grade A
It's not a surprize to anyone that Myrtle Beach went safety with their first pick. After their two major stars Prince Vageta and Hehateme Picksix moved up to the NSFL, they look to rebuild their no fly zone secondary with Johnny Hellzapoppin. While some of his abilities may leave some to question such a high draft pick, what's drawn the teams' attention to the Notre Dame standout is his speed. Not only is he one of the fastest safeties in the class, he's also one of the fastest players overall. The thing to watch for Johnny is whether or not his raw speed makes up for his lack of strength and endurance.
8) S - Buck Thornton
Grade: A
The world was really in their hands for Minnesota, having the eighth pick in the first round can sometimes be a blessing in disguise. It's hard to argue that not being the case here, after watching Myrtle Beach take Hellzapopin, the Grey Duck's front office must have felt all kinds of relief. It's no secret Minnesota had their eyes on Thornton for weeks before the draft, some were even speculating they'd trade up to get him. The star of Central Washington University's secondary was regarded by many as the top safety in the draft. The athletic run stuffing safety will surely make quite the impact in the near future.
Grade: A
An obvious choice for the birddogs, Monty Jack will become the first member of a new expansion team. Monty has been highly regarded around the league as a natural born leader, with good decision making skills and a knack for big plays. The twenty-one year old quarterback from the University of Louisiana brings a lot to the table. An impressive arm, and good accuracy should be the cornerstone of the Dallas offense for the foreseeable future.
2) QB - Colby Jack
Grade A
Another expansion team, the London Royals also take a quarterback at number two, in the form of Monty Jack's brother Colby Jack. Colby has slightly weaker arm strength and accuracy than his brother. Though he is also getting lots of buzz around the league for many of the same reasons. He played a very active role in the locker room at Oregon and was well liked by the coaches and staff.
3) CB - Tyler Oles Jr
Grade: B+
The Pythons took an interesting approach to the draft, starting with the number three pick. While corner was a need for Portland, it was widely believed they'd be focused on bolstering their offense with this pick. Tyler Oles Jr, is not a bad prospect by any means, possessing impressive speed and hands, though his endurance leaves a lot to be desired. Of course, he should improve in the DSFL, and he did have an impressive college career, some are wondering why he was drafted over the likes of Thubba Bumper or Zamir Khela
4) QB - Ben Slothlisberger
Grade: A-
While I do think this was the best pick for the Luchadores, I can't help but feel some value was wasted in not trading down. The four teams below Tijuana were not in dire need of a quarterback, and seeing has they didn't have many picks in the first three rounds, they could have easily found someone willing to give them some picks in the second and third to move up. That being said, Ben Slothlisberger has all kinds of potential, some even projected him going first overall to Dallas. The young star is loved universally by many in the league offices and with the accuracy and natural eye for opposing defenses, he is sure to be the player to watch when he makes his way to the NSFL
5) DT - Phat Boi
Grade A+
In all honesty, it's a bit of a shock to some that Phat Boi fell to number five. Many analysts including myself had him as the number one player in this draft. At six foot one, three hundred pounds flat, this defensive tackle from Notre Dame is sure to be the cornerstone of any defense. Despite his massive size, Phat Boi possess supernatural speed, and will be using that to his advantage and give opposing quarterbacks hell.
6) CB - Thubba Bumper
Grade: A-
The Seawolves are another team that in some ways tried to control the pace of the draft by going for a corner early on. Seeing as how in the first fifty picks, nearly half of which were defensive backs, it causes some to ask the question why would they take a corner at six when they have so many picks in the top fifty? Nevertheless this clearly set a precedent for other war rooms, and it's clear Norfolk got their guy. Thubba Bumper is one of the top corner prospects this season, and with Phat Boi off the board, Norfolk more than likely looked to draft value over need. The big body corner should certainly be a fine addition to a rebuilding Seawolves defense, and with his impressive speed, it will be interesting to see how his career plays out over the coming weeks.
7) S - Johnny Hellzapoppin
Grade A
It's not a surprize to anyone that Myrtle Beach went safety with their first pick. After their two major stars Prince Vageta and Hehateme Picksix moved up to the NSFL, they look to rebuild their no fly zone secondary with Johnny Hellzapoppin. While some of his abilities may leave some to question such a high draft pick, what's drawn the teams' attention to the Notre Dame standout is his speed. Not only is he one of the fastest safeties in the class, he's also one of the fastest players overall. The thing to watch for Johnny is whether or not his raw speed makes up for his lack of strength and endurance.
8) S - Buck Thornton
Grade: A
The world was really in their hands for Minnesota, having the eighth pick in the first round can sometimes be a blessing in disguise. It's hard to argue that not being the case here, after watching Myrtle Beach take Hellzapopin, the Grey Duck's front office must have felt all kinds of relief. It's no secret Minnesota had their eyes on Thornton for weeks before the draft, some were even speculating they'd trade up to get him. The star of Central Washington University's secondary was regarded by many as the top safety in the draft. The athletic run stuffing safety will surely make quite the impact in the near future.