As a product of the Season 26 International Simulation Football League, I've been curious as to how this draft has panned out now that we are almost 3 full seasons into things. I honestly haven't had too much of an idea on how things have been going for all of our first round picks but I am excited to see what I learn. I will be doing a review of the entire first round and doing some honorable mentions since obviously there are going to be good players outside of the first round. Since the index is kind of wonky I’m only including the last two season (I’m sorry I’m lazy). So without further ado, let's get this "Where Are They Now" segment started:
Pick #1: LB BamBam McMullet (258 TPE) - Berlin Fire Salamanders
Currently: 786 TPE and still with Berlin
Synopsis: The Salamanders here pick up who they think is the best linebacker in an absolutely stacked class. Three seasons since being drafted and BamBam is still on the Berlin Fire Salamanders and signed another 3 year deal with the team at the beginning of the season. This has been a solid choice for Berlin and will help maintain a veteran leadership on a team that is going through a big rebuild with plenty of draft capital.
TPE Rank for Class: 5
BamBam has played three full seasons for the Fire Salamanders and has produced for the young team. He has truly been a jack of all trades:
Pick #2: S Dogwood Maple (249 TPE) - New York Silverbacks
Currently: 783 TPE and still with New York
Synopsis: With the second pick, the New York Silverbacks chose Dogwood Maple. Arguably the best safety to come out of this draft that had plenty of depth at the position. Dogwood has been a productive member of the team and a valuable asset in the secondary. Early this season, Dogwood signed a three year extension with the team.
TPE Rank for Class: 6
Dogwood has played three full seasons for the New York Silverback but here are his last two in green:
Pick #3: DE Ernest Lover (261 TPE) - Baltimore Hawks
Currently: 828 TPE and traded to Sarasota
Synopsis: Ernest Lover has been one of the most touted players to come out of this draft (and I also played with Ernest in London for a season). Great teammate and great person, incredible player! Ernest is one of the rare-ones, as far as I know, who immediately got called up to play following the draft. Ernest started with Baltimore and reasons unknown to me - was traded away. I honestly had no idea Ernest had been traded until the following season. In regards to the trade, Ernest went to Sarasota and in return Baltimore had received Sarasota’s 1st in season 27, a 4th in season 28, and Mike Karpaasi. Ernest Lover has signed an extension to stay with Sarasota for one more season.
TPE Rank for Class: 2
Ernest has been another productive player atop of this draft and has made the successful switch to to linebacker since getting to the International Simulation Football League
Pick #4: WR Arthur Naught (234 TPE) - Yellowknife Wraiths
Retired
Synopsis: Arthur Naught is the first player to be considered a “bust” in this draft, maybe this isn’t the correct wording. Multi-accounts aside, I personally was shocked, at the time, that this was the first receiver chosen. Naught wasn’t the highest earner but I wasn't familiar with them and what they add to a locker room/team. Naught had an excellent rookie season which unfortunately did not extend past that season. Naught played just one more season.
Pick #5: LB Vincent Jones (251 TPE) - New Orleans Second Line
Currently: 786 TPE and still with New Orleans
Synopsis: Vincent Jones is the 4th defensive player selected in the 1st round. Jones has been a productive member of the front 7 for New Orleans. Jones is another jack of all trades and can pad the stat sheet as an all-around menace on the defensive side of the ball. Jones has recently signed a 5 year extension with New Orleans. Yeah, that’s right - FIVE years.
TPE Rank for Class: 3
Jones has played two full seasons for the Second Line and as I mentioned before, has produced really nicely:
Pick #6: QB Ryan Negs (236 TPE) - Philadelphia Liberty
Currently: 764 TPE and still with Philadelphia
Synopsis: Next up is Ryan Negs, our first QB taken and only second offensive player thus far. Negs just played out his rookie season and overall had a great rookie campaign for the Liberty. Negs has already signed a 3-year extension with Philly and their future is looking bright with the young QB at the helm.
TPE Rank for Class: 8
Here are Negs stats from this past season, which appear to be good for a rookie season:
Pick #7: RB Cobra Kai (266 TPE) - Honolulu Hahalua
Currently: 836 TPE and still with Honolulu
Synopsis: The highest earner from our draft, a literal max earner - Cobra Kai has been extremely productive since joining Honolulu. A true pass catching running back, Cobra Kai has racked up over 800 yards each season he has been on the Hahalua. Earlier this season Cobra Kai signed a one year extension with Honolulu. The impressive part of the usage of him is the fact that he splits time in the backfield and can put up the numbers he has.
TPE Rank for Class: 1
Two seasons of production looks like this for Cobra Kai:
Pick #8: OL Alexander Franklin (215 TPE) - Chicago Butchers
Currently: 641 TPE and signed as a free agent with Philadelphia
Synopsis: Alexander Franklin was the first offensive lineman taken and has earned pretty well to this point. Franklin was traded from Chicago to Philadelphia (and now protecting earlier pick Ryan Negs). Franklin has done a great job protecting the QB and will be an important part of the offense as he keeps Negs safe in the pocket. Going through the forums it appears Franklin rejected his player option with Chicago and signed with Philly in free agency with his first season of a three year deal completed.
TPE Rank for Class: 18
As you can see, Alexander Franklin is quite the pancake machine:
Pick #9: S Moe Skeeter (261 TPE) - Arizona Outlaws
Currently: 391 TPE and still in the DSFL (Portland Pythons)
Synopsis: This appears to be our first true bust of the draft. I’m not sure if there were extenuating circumstances or not with Moe Skeeter going IA but unfortunately for the Outlaws this pick did not go their way. An unfortunate part of being a General Manager is not hitting on first round picks. Skeeter is still playing with the Pythons and has been relegated to a career journeyman at best.
TPE Rank for Class: 31
Pick #10: DE Demon Jaxson (198 TPE) - Sarasota Sailfish
Currently: 760 TPE and still with Sarasota
Synopsis: Back on track, with active players - Sarasota made an excellent pick here to acquire Demon Jaxson. After having somewhat of an underwhelming rookie season, Jaxson has really bounced back and has had a solid sophomore season. Hey I can relate, and we’ll get to that in a few picks. Jaxson signed a 3 season extension earlier this season and will be a part of a very impressive Sailfish core that has signed extensions.
TPE Rank for Class: 9
Jaxson has only gotten better and the future is looking bright for the defensive end:
Pick #11: S Derek Wildstar (250 TPE) - Berlin Fire Salamanders
Currently: 628 TPE and still with Berlin
Synopsis: This is another good pick for Berlin from this draft. Wildstar may not be max earning but he is extremely productive on the defensive side of the ball. Not gonna lie, I forgot this is Legally Blind Gamer - who is truly an awesome dude. Bonus points for that! Recently, Wildstar and Berlin agreed on a 3 year contract extension which will be important for them to maintain a solid presence in the secondary.
TPE Rank for Class: 20
Here is what Wildstar has accomplished through two full seasons:
Pick #12: LB Leonard Taylor (260 TPE) - Yellowknife Wraiths
Currently: 748 TPE and still with Yellowknife
Synopsis: I’ll just say it - this guy sucks… because he’s my brother and I haven’t made fun of him in a media post yet… I think? Leonard Taylor had a pretty underwhelming rookie season, especially since he’s Leonard Taylor JUNIOR. Nevertheless, he’s having a much better second season and things are only going to get better for the LT. The defensive end signed a 1 year extension with Yellowknife early this season.
TPE Rank for Class: 12
Here’s what LT has done in two season with the Wraiths:
Pick #13: DT Redbeard McFredbeard (165 TPE) - Colorado Yeti
Currently: 583 TPE and still with Colorado
Synopsis: Okay so this is a pretty wild turn of events… Redbeard transitioned from a defensive tackle to a cornerback, maybe the first in the history of football… that I know of. Redbeard has had an okay career thus far for the Yeti. With the amount of TPE they have earned to this point, this seems like an appropriate two seasons of production. At the time of this media piece, Redbeard McFredbeard has a player option and has not decided to remain with the Colorado yeti or test free agency.
TPE Rank for Class: 22
Here is what Redbeard has gotten done in two seasons with Colorado:
Pick #14: WR Tugg Speedman (255 TPE) - San Jose Sabercats
Currently: 786 TPE and traded to New York
Synopsis: THIS GUY SUCKS!!! Okay but honestly, he kind of did his rookie season. It was pretty underwhelming but thankfully Tugg bounced back in his second season. With improvements pretty much across the board for Tugg, it was a season to remember. Will he win most improved player (is that an award in the ISFL, I honestly don’t remember), time will tell but Speedman was a very productive player for San Jose and New York this season. Barely missing the 1000 yard mark… sad. Tugg was traded just before the deadline this season to New York for draft pick compensation where he proceeded to immediately sign a three year extension.
TPE Rank for Class: 4
Please ignore my first season’s stats, thank you:
Honorable Mentions:
I’m going to list some players who got drafted after the 1st round and use that to compare to their TPE rank for our class. I’m sure I’ll miss someone, so if I do please don’t yell at me. The list is pretty solid and I think you’ll get a pretty good idea of the value that the season 26 draft consisted of. It definitely seems to me, at least, that it is a top heavy draft with some solid users! I honestly haven’t done any research on other drafts to see how this one stacks up but I do believe this was a very good draft, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Pick #14: WR Raphael Delacour - Colorado Yeti
TPE Rank for Class: 10
Pick #19: RB Mr. Forty-Two/Botty - New Orleans Second Line
TPE Rank for Class: 7
Pick #20: TE Mario Messi - Sarasota Sailfish
TPE Rank for Class: 15
Pick #29: LB Big Slammu - Yellowknife Wraith
TPE Rank for Class: 11
Pick #31: LB Chet Larson - Baltimore Hawks
TPE Rank for Class: 16
Pick #1: LB BamBam McMullet (258 TPE) - Berlin Fire Salamanders
Currently: 786 TPE and still with Berlin
Synopsis: The Salamanders here pick up who they think is the best linebacker in an absolutely stacked class. Three seasons since being drafted and BamBam is still on the Berlin Fire Salamanders and signed another 3 year deal with the team at the beginning of the season. This has been a solid choice for Berlin and will help maintain a veteran leadership on a team that is going through a big rebuild with plenty of draft capital.
TPE Rank for Class: 5
BamBam has played three full seasons for the Fire Salamanders and has produced for the young team. He has truly been a jack of all trades:
Pick #2: S Dogwood Maple (249 TPE) - New York Silverbacks
Currently: 783 TPE and still with New York
Synopsis: With the second pick, the New York Silverbacks chose Dogwood Maple. Arguably the best safety to come out of this draft that had plenty of depth at the position. Dogwood has been a productive member of the team and a valuable asset in the secondary. Early this season, Dogwood signed a three year extension with the team.
TPE Rank for Class: 6
Dogwood has played three full seasons for the New York Silverback but here are his last two in green:
Pick #3: DE Ernest Lover (261 TPE) - Baltimore Hawks
Currently: 828 TPE and traded to Sarasota
Synopsis: Ernest Lover has been one of the most touted players to come out of this draft (and I also played with Ernest in London for a season). Great teammate and great person, incredible player! Ernest is one of the rare-ones, as far as I know, who immediately got called up to play following the draft. Ernest started with Baltimore and reasons unknown to me - was traded away. I honestly had no idea Ernest had been traded until the following season. In regards to the trade, Ernest went to Sarasota and in return Baltimore had received Sarasota’s 1st in season 27, a 4th in season 28, and Mike Karpaasi. Ernest Lover has signed an extension to stay with Sarasota for one more season.
TPE Rank for Class: 2
Ernest has been another productive player atop of this draft and has made the successful switch to to linebacker since getting to the International Simulation Football League
Pick #4: WR Arthur Naught (234 TPE) - Yellowknife Wraiths
Retired
Synopsis: Arthur Naught is the first player to be considered a “bust” in this draft, maybe this isn’t the correct wording. Multi-accounts aside, I personally was shocked, at the time, that this was the first receiver chosen. Naught wasn’t the highest earner but I wasn't familiar with them and what they add to a locker room/team. Naught had an excellent rookie season which unfortunately did not extend past that season. Naught played just one more season.
Pick #5: LB Vincent Jones (251 TPE) - New Orleans Second Line
Currently: 786 TPE and still with New Orleans
Synopsis: Vincent Jones is the 4th defensive player selected in the 1st round. Jones has been a productive member of the front 7 for New Orleans. Jones is another jack of all trades and can pad the stat sheet as an all-around menace on the defensive side of the ball. Jones has recently signed a 5 year extension with New Orleans. Yeah, that’s right - FIVE years.
TPE Rank for Class: 3
Jones has played two full seasons for the Second Line and as I mentioned before, has produced really nicely:
Pick #6: QB Ryan Negs (236 TPE) - Philadelphia Liberty
Currently: 764 TPE and still with Philadelphia
Synopsis: Next up is Ryan Negs, our first QB taken and only second offensive player thus far. Negs just played out his rookie season and overall had a great rookie campaign for the Liberty. Negs has already signed a 3-year extension with Philly and their future is looking bright with the young QB at the helm.
TPE Rank for Class: 8
Here are Negs stats from this past season, which appear to be good for a rookie season:
Pick #7: RB Cobra Kai (266 TPE) - Honolulu Hahalua
Currently: 836 TPE and still with Honolulu
Synopsis: The highest earner from our draft, a literal max earner - Cobra Kai has been extremely productive since joining Honolulu. A true pass catching running back, Cobra Kai has racked up over 800 yards each season he has been on the Hahalua. Earlier this season Cobra Kai signed a one year extension with Honolulu. The impressive part of the usage of him is the fact that he splits time in the backfield and can put up the numbers he has.
TPE Rank for Class: 1
Two seasons of production looks like this for Cobra Kai:
Pick #8: OL Alexander Franklin (215 TPE) - Chicago Butchers
Currently: 641 TPE and signed as a free agent with Philadelphia
Synopsis: Alexander Franklin was the first offensive lineman taken and has earned pretty well to this point. Franklin was traded from Chicago to Philadelphia (and now protecting earlier pick Ryan Negs). Franklin has done a great job protecting the QB and will be an important part of the offense as he keeps Negs safe in the pocket. Going through the forums it appears Franklin rejected his player option with Chicago and signed with Philly in free agency with his first season of a three year deal completed.
TPE Rank for Class: 18
As you can see, Alexander Franklin is quite the pancake machine:
Pick #9: S Moe Skeeter (261 TPE) - Arizona Outlaws
Currently: 391 TPE and still in the DSFL (Portland Pythons)
Synopsis: This appears to be our first true bust of the draft. I’m not sure if there were extenuating circumstances or not with Moe Skeeter going IA but unfortunately for the Outlaws this pick did not go their way. An unfortunate part of being a General Manager is not hitting on first round picks. Skeeter is still playing with the Pythons and has been relegated to a career journeyman at best.
TPE Rank for Class: 31
Pick #10: DE Demon Jaxson (198 TPE) - Sarasota Sailfish
Currently: 760 TPE and still with Sarasota
Synopsis: Back on track, with active players - Sarasota made an excellent pick here to acquire Demon Jaxson. After having somewhat of an underwhelming rookie season, Jaxson has really bounced back and has had a solid sophomore season. Hey I can relate, and we’ll get to that in a few picks. Jaxson signed a 3 season extension earlier this season and will be a part of a very impressive Sailfish core that has signed extensions.
TPE Rank for Class: 9
Jaxson has only gotten better and the future is looking bright for the defensive end:
Pick #11: S Derek Wildstar (250 TPE) - Berlin Fire Salamanders
Currently: 628 TPE and still with Berlin
Synopsis: This is another good pick for Berlin from this draft. Wildstar may not be max earning but he is extremely productive on the defensive side of the ball. Not gonna lie, I forgot this is Legally Blind Gamer - who is truly an awesome dude. Bonus points for that! Recently, Wildstar and Berlin agreed on a 3 year contract extension which will be important for them to maintain a solid presence in the secondary.
TPE Rank for Class: 20
Here is what Wildstar has accomplished through two full seasons:
Pick #12: LB Leonard Taylor (260 TPE) - Yellowknife Wraiths
Currently: 748 TPE and still with Yellowknife
Synopsis: I’ll just say it - this guy sucks… because he’s my brother and I haven’t made fun of him in a media post yet… I think? Leonard Taylor had a pretty underwhelming rookie season, especially since he’s Leonard Taylor JUNIOR. Nevertheless, he’s having a much better second season and things are only going to get better for the LT. The defensive end signed a 1 year extension with Yellowknife early this season.
TPE Rank for Class: 12
Here’s what LT has done in two season with the Wraiths:
Pick #13: DT Redbeard McFredbeard (165 TPE) - Colorado Yeti
Currently: 583 TPE and still with Colorado
Synopsis: Okay so this is a pretty wild turn of events… Redbeard transitioned from a defensive tackle to a cornerback, maybe the first in the history of football… that I know of. Redbeard has had an okay career thus far for the Yeti. With the amount of TPE they have earned to this point, this seems like an appropriate two seasons of production. At the time of this media piece, Redbeard McFredbeard has a player option and has not decided to remain with the Colorado yeti or test free agency.
TPE Rank for Class: 22
Here is what Redbeard has gotten done in two seasons with Colorado:
Pick #14: WR Tugg Speedman (255 TPE) - San Jose Sabercats
Currently: 786 TPE and traded to New York
Synopsis: THIS GUY SUCKS!!! Okay but honestly, he kind of did his rookie season. It was pretty underwhelming but thankfully Tugg bounced back in his second season. With improvements pretty much across the board for Tugg, it was a season to remember. Will he win most improved player (is that an award in the ISFL, I honestly don’t remember), time will tell but Speedman was a very productive player for San Jose and New York this season. Barely missing the 1000 yard mark… sad. Tugg was traded just before the deadline this season to New York for draft pick compensation where he proceeded to immediately sign a three year extension.
TPE Rank for Class: 4
Please ignore my first season’s stats, thank you:
Honorable Mentions:
I’m going to list some players who got drafted after the 1st round and use that to compare to their TPE rank for our class. I’m sure I’ll miss someone, so if I do please don’t yell at me. The list is pretty solid and I think you’ll get a pretty good idea of the value that the season 26 draft consisted of. It definitely seems to me, at least, that it is a top heavy draft with some solid users! I honestly haven’t done any research on other drafts to see how this one stacks up but I do believe this was a very good draft, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Pick #14: WR Raphael Delacour - Colorado Yeti
TPE Rank for Class: 10
Pick #19: RB Mr. Forty-Two/Botty - New Orleans Second Line
TPE Rank for Class: 7
Pick #20: TE Mario Messi - Sarasota Sailfish
TPE Rank for Class: 15
Pick #29: LB Big Slammu - Yellowknife Wraith
TPE Rank for Class: 11
Pick #31: LB Chet Larson - Baltimore Hawks
TPE Rank for Class: 16
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