05-09-2020, 08:21 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-09-2020, 08:27 AM by yonggarius.)
Several days ago, there was a conversation in the Birddogs discord about how little NSFL roster spots the S23 rookies in most positions are likely to have becasue of the vast number of S22 senddowns. And then somebody (maybe Big Edd, but I'm not sure) said that we can make a somewhat competant team only out of S22 players currently down in the DSFL. That statement had me wondering what kind of team will be made out of S22 senddown players, and actually put the team list together. While I was researching for the list, I was intrigued that there were so much active and high TPE players, so much that majority of them won't make my list. So I wish to state that I mean no slight to all the S22 senddown players who are active, but aren't in my list. You guys are all great players, but there were just too much players to fit in a single team format.
Qualifications for selection
1. The player must be S22, obviously.
2. The player must have more than 200 TPE at the layest update(2nd may) if no player in the position group is above 200 TPE, than the player with the highest TPE will be in the list.
Quarterbacks
Colby Jack (371 TPE) &
Monteray 'Monty' Jack (346 TPE) &
Honorable mentions
Ben Slothlisberger (326 TPE) &
Jim Waters (314 TPE) &
The quarterback position has a lot of senddowns. This is mostly due to the special development cycle of the position, which basically requires a player to spend a season or two in the DSFL to gain TPE levels that is considered competent in the NSFL levels. And that, along with the fact that the S22 class had far more quarterback than average, is the reason that there are so many high TPE senddown quarterbacks in the DSFL right now. Apart from the four that I mentioned, there are three more quarterbacks (Luke Skywalker, Suleiman Ramza and Tom Sofa) who are over 200 TPE threshold and I'm quite sure that Sim SnowBow will cross it in very near future. And many of those quarterbacks are heir apparents to the helms of their respective teams. The Jack brothers are both GM players, and I know that at least 1 of them will be going up next season. And Slothlisberger will succeed Fransisco in New Orleans, and Waters is in for a competition with Luke Skywalker for the heir apparent spot for Corvo Havran. It seems like we'll find many S22 guys as QB1 in several seasons.
Wide receivers
Nick Kaepercolin (312 TPE) &
Mike Lee (299 TPE) &
Susan Cash Jr.(293 TPE) &
Honorable mentions
Leeroy Jenkins (268 TPE) &
Garfield Despacito Jr. (262 TPE) &
This is a lot of talent. Especially if you consider that five other wide receivers (Eddie Jeeta, William Lim, Michael Witheblock, Thomas Passman and William Alexander) are called up to the NSFL. Most of the currently available wide receiver spots in the NSFL had been filled by aforementioned five players who were called up, and most of the spots opening up in next season will be taken up by players currently in this list, as they will most likely go up to the NSFL next season. As a matter of fact, the only team that I think will need a wide receiver next season is the New Orleans Second Line, as other teams got a rookie or two in S22 draft or already has a young receiving corps. So most of S23 wide receivers might be spending a season or two in the DSFL until a spot opens up.
Runningbacks
Jamar Lackson (335 TPE) &
Kichwa Jones (302 TPE) &
Honorable mentions
Richard Gilbert (286 TPE) &
This all S22 senddwon team has stacked runningbacks. Two 300+ TPE guys and a 286 TPE as a honorable mention. And this is even after three runningbacks- White Goodman, Tatsu Nakamura and Acura Skyline- had been called up to the NSFL. All of the guys in this list will be solid contributors for their NSFL teams in a few seasons, as they are all earning and active. That, along with players who are already called up, will fill up the majority of existing spots available for runningbacks. Howeverx the situation for S23 runningbacks seem a lot more better than that of wide receivers of the same class as there will be several RB2/ future RB spots available next season as several teams got aging, retiring or inactive runningbacks in their roster.
Tight ends
James Angler(290 TPE) &
Daniel George(256 TPE) &
Honorable mention
Donatello Arrabiata(234 TPE) &
Tight ends are the first position group in this list to not have a player over 300 TPE. But that will be resolved in the very near future as James Angler is on pace of breaking the 300 TPE threshold as early as the next update. And of course, top TPE earning tight ends of the class- Jeffery Phillips and Heath Evans- had been called up to the NSFL. There will be a lot of spots for tight ends, both for S22 and S23 players. Many teams are playing inactive players as their tight ends, and I heard that several teams who already got an active tight end are considering to have another one in roster to have some more variety in offense. So I think all three tight ends in this list will be up in no time. Angler will be going up next season as replacement to retiring Johnny Blaze, George will eventually replace Jammerson Irving and form a duo with Jeffrey Phillips, and Arrabiata will likely go up as TE2 to Avon Blocksdale Jr.
Offensive Line
Tommy Sacamano (224 TPE) &
Offensive linemen had been hot commoditiy in weeks leading up to the S22 NSFL draft. They are more cost- effective than the bots as they usually take up far less money than those bots, and they are better than bots of equivalent TPE level at least in tackle position because they can set their weight- a key factor in both pass and run blocking- above the bot limit of 310 pounds. However, human offensive linemen, especially active human offensive linemen, traditionally had been in a short supply. And S22 class was no exception, as this list shows well. Top linemen Byron Dolls and Clavin Golladay are both in Arizona, and Sacamano is only staying down because the Copperheads already got and active linemen. So he'll go up next season after he gains some more TPE, too. S23 offensive linemen also got a bright future ahead of them, as many teams still have a need in that position. They'll certainly find a NSFL roster dpot in most cases as long as they're active and max earning.
Defensive tackle
Cuco Clemente (337 TPE) &
Hank Steel (245 TPE) &
Defense was valued far more than offense in the S22 draft, and defensive tackle was a highly sought after position even within defense. Three defensive tackles went off the board in the first round alone, and many followed during the second and third round. And almost all of those high round defensive tackles were called straight up to the NSFL, with the exception of Sailfish's second round pick Cuco Clemente. Clemente, of course, has more than enough TPE to play and be competitive in the NSFL level, but the Sailfish must've decided to go with the defensive line they assembled through expansion draft and free agency, and give Clemente a season to develop more before he hits the big leagues. So Clemente will be most likely going up to NSFL mext season. And Hank Steel, while not havingthe highest TPE level, will be able to find a spot in the Second line defense in a few seasons. And as defensive line is always needed, I'd say S23 defensive tackles, at least the top few in the position, will have no trouble finding a roster spot.
Defensive ends
Slinky Claxton (298 TPE) &
Mario Vonpebbles (276 TPE) &
Defensive end depth of S22 draft class was deemed to be relatively shallow, but that certainly doesn't mean that there's no good players in there. Thisblist is a good evidence to that fact. Claxton and Vonpebbles are good players in their own right, but there were five players of the same position selected and called up to the NSFL before them. Claxton and Vonpebbles will be going up next season as their respective teams both have need for a defensive end with the Outlaws only having one, and the Liberty having only one active defensive end. And there will be plenty of spots to accommodate S23 rookies as many teams still need a defensive end.
Linebackers
Jack Banks (238 TPE) &
Dex Kennedy (228 TPE) &
Linebacker position of this list show a relayively low TPE level compared to other positions listed so far. And that's mostly because highest earning players in the position had been all called up to the NSFL, as they were mostly picked to a team that needed a linebacker. Kennedy will most likely be called up next season as the Hawks will need a replacement to inactive and regressing Guy Nikko, and Banks will most likely enjoy the same result as Jaylen Storm is retiring after this season. However, S23 rookies might have some hard time finding a NSFL roster spot as most of the linebacker spot available had been filled or will be filled by a S22 player.
Cornerbacks
Colt Mendoza (315 TPE) &
Thubba Bumper (275 TPE) &
Branden Brosley (234 TPE) &
Honorable mention
Matt Krause (216 TPE) &
The S22 class was basically a defensive back factory. Unprecedented numbers of active and max earning cornerbacks and safeties were supplied to all NSFL teams. Most of them were called up, but several max earners still remain at the DSFL level, as their NSFL team got plenty players on their position for the current season. Colt Mendoza and Thubba Bumper are definately falls upon that case, and they will almost certainly be called up next season as both teams- the Yeti and the Copperheads- will have a roster spot to accommodate them as both teams have regressing or inactive player in their secondary. Brosley, while not quite veing a max earner, is still a solid player to his own right and will be also called up as the Hahalua doesn't have many defensive backs. Krause will also find his place in Sabercats secondary as some players there are regressing or have low TPE levels despite the majority of the secondary being rookies or second season players. And while a lot of spots had been taken by S22 players, there will be plenty of room for max earning S23 cornerbacks as cornerback need is always high because a lot of them are needed.
Safties
Buck Thornton (331 TPE) &
Shawn Dawkins (289 TPE) &
Literally Just A. Hexagon (262 TPE) &
Honorable mention
Magnus Valdyr (240 TPE) &
Safties were in a very similar situation with the cornerbacks. There were a lot of high quality players in the class, and many of them are called up to the NSFL by needy teams. The fact that four max earning or semi max earning players are remaining even after all the players are called up is a good evidence to the sheer depth of this position class. Two Hahalua senddowns, Thornton and Dawkins, will be most likely be called up next season as the team only got 3 defensive backs in the roster for the current season. Hexagon and Valdyr will eventually find their spots in the defense as while both of their teams have plenty defensive backs, they will need a replacement as older players regress. And for S23 rookies, there will also be plenty of spots for them to take as there are a lot of need for defensive backs as I said in the cornerback section.
Kicker
Jacob Small (198 TPE) &
Kicker is the position with the lowest TPE level among all positions in this list. This is mostly because active and high earning kickers are very rare, and those players are usually snatched up by NSFL teams after a season as high earning kickers are rare even in NSFL level. Small's tenure in DSFL might also be numbered as he recently exceeded the TPE level of current Sailfish Kicker Espinosa. As Espinosa is inactive, it is almost certain that Small will be called up to the big leagues next season to replace Espinosa. For S23 kickers, there will be some roster spots for them as several teams still need a kicker due to their current one being inactive, or regressing.
Overall thoughts
While I was writing this article, it had occurred to me that the NSFL might need another expansion if decently sized to large recruiting classes keep coming through. With this large number of senddowns in DSFL and quite a few NSFL roster spots taken up by S22 players, I think we might be facing a potential DSFL clogging situation, as many S23 players will stay down next season and eventually block the rookies from getting much playing time. This might dishearten the rookies- especially the first timers- and lead to an increase in IA rates. As our recruiting personnel are doing great jobs and consistently bringing decent to big classes to the NSFL, I think it's time to think about another potential NSFL expansion.
Qualifications for selection
1. The player must be S22, obviously.
2. The player must have more than 200 TPE at the layest update(2nd may) if no player in the position group is above 200 TPE, than the player with the highest TPE will be in the list.
Quarterbacks
Colby Jack (371 TPE) &
Monteray 'Monty' Jack (346 TPE) &
Honorable mentions
Ben Slothlisberger (326 TPE) &
Jim Waters (314 TPE) &
The quarterback position has a lot of senddowns. This is mostly due to the special development cycle of the position, which basically requires a player to spend a season or two in the DSFL to gain TPE levels that is considered competent in the NSFL levels. And that, along with the fact that the S22 class had far more quarterback than average, is the reason that there are so many high TPE senddown quarterbacks in the DSFL right now. Apart from the four that I mentioned, there are three more quarterbacks (Luke Skywalker, Suleiman Ramza and Tom Sofa) who are over 200 TPE threshold and I'm quite sure that Sim SnowBow will cross it in very near future. And many of those quarterbacks are heir apparents to the helms of their respective teams. The Jack brothers are both GM players, and I know that at least 1 of them will be going up next season. And Slothlisberger will succeed Fransisco in New Orleans, and Waters is in for a competition with Luke Skywalker for the heir apparent spot for Corvo Havran. It seems like we'll find many S22 guys as QB1 in several seasons.
Wide receivers
Nick Kaepercolin (312 TPE) &
Mike Lee (299 TPE) &
Susan Cash Jr.(293 TPE) &
Honorable mentions
Leeroy Jenkins (268 TPE) &
Garfield Despacito Jr. (262 TPE) &
This is a lot of talent. Especially if you consider that five other wide receivers (Eddie Jeeta, William Lim, Michael Witheblock, Thomas Passman and William Alexander) are called up to the NSFL. Most of the currently available wide receiver spots in the NSFL had been filled by aforementioned five players who were called up, and most of the spots opening up in next season will be taken up by players currently in this list, as they will most likely go up to the NSFL next season. As a matter of fact, the only team that I think will need a wide receiver next season is the New Orleans Second Line, as other teams got a rookie or two in S22 draft or already has a young receiving corps. So most of S23 wide receivers might be spending a season or two in the DSFL until a spot opens up.
Runningbacks
Jamar Lackson (335 TPE) &
Kichwa Jones (302 TPE) &
Honorable mentions
Richard Gilbert (286 TPE) &
This all S22 senddwon team has stacked runningbacks. Two 300+ TPE guys and a 286 TPE as a honorable mention. And this is even after three runningbacks- White Goodman, Tatsu Nakamura and Acura Skyline- had been called up to the NSFL. All of the guys in this list will be solid contributors for their NSFL teams in a few seasons, as they are all earning and active. That, along with players who are already called up, will fill up the majority of existing spots available for runningbacks. Howeverx the situation for S23 runningbacks seem a lot more better than that of wide receivers of the same class as there will be several RB2/ future RB spots available next season as several teams got aging, retiring or inactive runningbacks in their roster.
Tight ends
James Angler(290 TPE) &
Daniel George(256 TPE) &
Honorable mention
Donatello Arrabiata(234 TPE) &
Tight ends are the first position group in this list to not have a player over 300 TPE. But that will be resolved in the very near future as James Angler is on pace of breaking the 300 TPE threshold as early as the next update. And of course, top TPE earning tight ends of the class- Jeffery Phillips and Heath Evans- had been called up to the NSFL. There will be a lot of spots for tight ends, both for S22 and S23 players. Many teams are playing inactive players as their tight ends, and I heard that several teams who already got an active tight end are considering to have another one in roster to have some more variety in offense. So I think all three tight ends in this list will be up in no time. Angler will be going up next season as replacement to retiring Johnny Blaze, George will eventually replace Jammerson Irving and form a duo with Jeffrey Phillips, and Arrabiata will likely go up as TE2 to Avon Blocksdale Jr.
Offensive Line
Tommy Sacamano (224 TPE) &
Offensive linemen had been hot commoditiy in weeks leading up to the S22 NSFL draft. They are more cost- effective than the bots as they usually take up far less money than those bots, and they are better than bots of equivalent TPE level at least in tackle position because they can set their weight- a key factor in both pass and run blocking- above the bot limit of 310 pounds. However, human offensive linemen, especially active human offensive linemen, traditionally had been in a short supply. And S22 class was no exception, as this list shows well. Top linemen Byron Dolls and Clavin Golladay are both in Arizona, and Sacamano is only staying down because the Copperheads already got and active linemen. So he'll go up next season after he gains some more TPE, too. S23 offensive linemen also got a bright future ahead of them, as many teams still have a need in that position. They'll certainly find a NSFL roster dpot in most cases as long as they're active and max earning.
Defensive tackle
Cuco Clemente (337 TPE) &
Hank Steel (245 TPE) &
Defense was valued far more than offense in the S22 draft, and defensive tackle was a highly sought after position even within defense. Three defensive tackles went off the board in the first round alone, and many followed during the second and third round. And almost all of those high round defensive tackles were called straight up to the NSFL, with the exception of Sailfish's second round pick Cuco Clemente. Clemente, of course, has more than enough TPE to play and be competitive in the NSFL level, but the Sailfish must've decided to go with the defensive line they assembled through expansion draft and free agency, and give Clemente a season to develop more before he hits the big leagues. So Clemente will be most likely going up to NSFL mext season. And Hank Steel, while not havingthe highest TPE level, will be able to find a spot in the Second line defense in a few seasons. And as defensive line is always needed, I'd say S23 defensive tackles, at least the top few in the position, will have no trouble finding a roster spot.
Defensive ends
Slinky Claxton (298 TPE) &
Mario Vonpebbles (276 TPE) &
Defensive end depth of S22 draft class was deemed to be relatively shallow, but that certainly doesn't mean that there's no good players in there. Thisblist is a good evidence to that fact. Claxton and Vonpebbles are good players in their own right, but there were five players of the same position selected and called up to the NSFL before them. Claxton and Vonpebbles will be going up next season as their respective teams both have need for a defensive end with the Outlaws only having one, and the Liberty having only one active defensive end. And there will be plenty of spots to accommodate S23 rookies as many teams still need a defensive end.
Linebackers
Jack Banks (238 TPE) &
Dex Kennedy (228 TPE) &
Linebacker position of this list show a relayively low TPE level compared to other positions listed so far. And that's mostly because highest earning players in the position had been all called up to the NSFL, as they were mostly picked to a team that needed a linebacker. Kennedy will most likely be called up next season as the Hawks will need a replacement to inactive and regressing Guy Nikko, and Banks will most likely enjoy the same result as Jaylen Storm is retiring after this season. However, S23 rookies might have some hard time finding a NSFL roster spot as most of the linebacker spot available had been filled or will be filled by a S22 player.
Cornerbacks
Colt Mendoza (315 TPE) &
Thubba Bumper (275 TPE) &
Branden Brosley (234 TPE) &
Honorable mention
Matt Krause (216 TPE) &
The S22 class was basically a defensive back factory. Unprecedented numbers of active and max earning cornerbacks and safeties were supplied to all NSFL teams. Most of them were called up, but several max earners still remain at the DSFL level, as their NSFL team got plenty players on their position for the current season. Colt Mendoza and Thubba Bumper are definately falls upon that case, and they will almost certainly be called up next season as both teams- the Yeti and the Copperheads- will have a roster spot to accommodate them as both teams have regressing or inactive player in their secondary. Brosley, while not quite veing a max earner, is still a solid player to his own right and will be also called up as the Hahalua doesn't have many defensive backs. Krause will also find his place in Sabercats secondary as some players there are regressing or have low TPE levels despite the majority of the secondary being rookies or second season players. And while a lot of spots had been taken by S22 players, there will be plenty of room for max earning S23 cornerbacks as cornerback need is always high because a lot of them are needed.
Safties
Buck Thornton (331 TPE) &
Shawn Dawkins (289 TPE) &
Literally Just A. Hexagon (262 TPE) &
Honorable mention
Magnus Valdyr (240 TPE) &
Safties were in a very similar situation with the cornerbacks. There were a lot of high quality players in the class, and many of them are called up to the NSFL by needy teams. The fact that four max earning or semi max earning players are remaining even after all the players are called up is a good evidence to the sheer depth of this position class. Two Hahalua senddowns, Thornton and Dawkins, will be most likely be called up next season as the team only got 3 defensive backs in the roster for the current season. Hexagon and Valdyr will eventually find their spots in the defense as while both of their teams have plenty defensive backs, they will need a replacement as older players regress. And for S23 rookies, there will also be plenty of spots for them to take as there are a lot of need for defensive backs as I said in the cornerback section.
Kicker
Jacob Small (198 TPE) &
Kicker is the position with the lowest TPE level among all positions in this list. This is mostly because active and high earning kickers are very rare, and those players are usually snatched up by NSFL teams after a season as high earning kickers are rare even in NSFL level. Small's tenure in DSFL might also be numbered as he recently exceeded the TPE level of current Sailfish Kicker Espinosa. As Espinosa is inactive, it is almost certain that Small will be called up to the big leagues next season to replace Espinosa. For S23 kickers, there will be some roster spots for them as several teams still need a kicker due to their current one being inactive, or regressing.
Overall thoughts
While I was writing this article, it had occurred to me that the NSFL might need another expansion if decently sized to large recruiting classes keep coming through. With this large number of senddowns in DSFL and quite a few NSFL roster spots taken up by S22 players, I think we might be facing a potential DSFL clogging situation, as many S23 players will stay down next season and eventually block the rookies from getting much playing time. This might dishearten the rookies- especially the first timers- and lead to an increase in IA rates. As our recruiting personnel are doing great jobs and consistently bringing decent to big classes to the NSFL, I think it's time to think about another potential NSFL expansion.