Well hello there my delicate flowers. Welcome to the NSFL if I haven't had a chance to say hi, or more likely..say weird shit. You get used to it. I think. And hello to the vets who clicked on this article labelled as being for rookies for.....reasons. Probably to see me say weird shit, actually. What I'm gonna do is break down each team a little bit and tell you what they're gonna need in the draft. Also I've just been informed by our dear league Commissioner that the answer to whether you get used to my weird shit is "sorta". I'm doing this to help out all of the new folks who just recently joined and are trying to make sense of what's gonna happen and fill out mock drafts (over in the point task section if you're not sure...go get that easy TPE kids). In no way is this article being written because draft based media is double right now (Narrator: That's exactly why he was doing it). With that in mind, let's get into the teams and where they stand. I'll go in order of 1st round draft pick.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] YELLOWKNIFE WRAITHS [/div]
First of all HI! I'm the CoGM of the Yellowknife Wraiths. So I'll be talking to a lot of you very soon. Probably late at night. My clothing level and/or sobriety will be questionable. As such, I should point out that I cannot actually TELL YOU who is being draft where. That's what we call a "big ass no no". If you don't believe me, look in the rulebook. What I can do is tell you what the team's needs are. And that we're a good team on the rise.
Big Needs: QB, LB
Lesser Needs: Future Secondary, K
YKW is coming off a league worst 4-10 season but is a very young team, with players of 3 seasons or less at most starting positions. YKW also owns the #1, #6, and #8 picks in the first round. Thus far in the offseason the team has lost no one but picked up Alex Selich (LB 600+ TPE) in a trade with Arizona.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] BALTIMORE HAWKS [/div]
The Hawks' history is filled with a ton of Ultimus Championship appearances (and one win). Right now they're in a soft rebuild with a GM changeover from Iamslm to Nunceoppi. More on that later. For now, just consider this a team that took a year off to reload more than anything. As a member of the Wraith team I can only extend my deepest respect towards the Hawks. A turd in their pool.
Big Needs: QB
Lesser Needs: Future TE, Future Defensive everything
The Hawks are a well constructed team, with players all over nearing the primes. On top of that they had a tremendously successful offseason thus far. The new GM brought in his old CoGM iseedoug, who bought his player Ben Horne (LB, 950+ TPE). See? Told you there'd be more on the GM thing. They also added Arbin Asipi (CB, 450+ TPE) and Marquis Brown (RB, 900+ TPE). I'm not telling you anything that you can't spot for yourself. Or saying cryptic things like "it's a name everyone knows" which is just a way to narrow it down to 2-3 people. The Hawks own the #2 and #7 picks.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] ARIZONA OUTLAWS [/div]
The Outlaws are also coming off of a regime change as runcmc has stepped aside and tapped swagsloth to take over. I've drafted both of them in the first round before. The Outlaws had a rough season, losing their QB to hissy fit, and their young WR to other issues. Megalomania possibly.
Big Needs: QB, Secondary, WR, D-Line
Lesser Needs: Future K
A solid core on defense, a solid top TE/WR combo, and a great run game are a starting point. The team needs kinda everything else, especially after Asipi left them (again). This is a BPA team. If you're the best player, they've got a spot for you. But I can guarantee you it will be a name you know....after they get announced during the draft stream. Unless you knew them previously. The Outlaws own the #3 pick (and also the 9, 10, and 11 picks for what it's worth).
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] NEW ORLEANS SECOND LINE [/div]
The Second Line are in a culture change as well. Their previous championship core is traded, retired, or about to be retired. Even DiMirio is retiring, and it kinda started to look like he never would. But this team is a 2 time champion with a strong LR presence with a big meme history.
Big Needs: QB, Secondary, LB, TE
Lesser Needs: WR, D-Line
Well, they have a lot of options. The team is in full rebuild mode and will draft accordingly. They own the #4 pick. They lost Dan Schnieder (S, 600+ TPE) tro free agency and Alex Selich to trade (covered in YKW section). That's pretty much it really.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] PHILADELPHIA LIBERTY [/div]
A team getting close to reaching it's peak, the Liberty also took a big blow this offseason by losing their RB, Marquise Brown, who is a consensus top 15 starting RB in the league. Everyone sent their congratulations to the Liberty for this success.
Big Needs: RB
Lesser Needs: WR, Secondary, D-Line
They own the #5 pick and are a playoff threat despite losing Brown. They benefit form already having a young core basically everywhere, including a young QB which doesn't tie them as strongly to need as other teams.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] SAN JOSE SABERCATS [/div]
The team with the best record in the league looked like they could lose a fair few players this offseason. Thus far that has not happened but the Cats must be on the lookout for a sudden loss late in the game. A team specialty. I'll assume they actually keep everybody for this exercise.
Big Needs: None
Lesser Needs: Future LB
Yeah they're basically the most set team in the league. It's not wonder they're not concerned with not having any picks until round 2. If they lose any of the big pieces that are theoretically free agents, expect them to possibly make moves to compensate.
[div align=\\\"CENTER\\\"] ORANGE COUNTY OTTERS [/div]
The defending two time champions. The winningest franchise in league history. Their success speaks for itself. And if you can't hear it there are several Otters who will be sure to let you know in detail.
Big Needs: WR, D-Line
Lesser Needs: Secondary, LB
Some parts of the team are getting older and the Otters will no doubt reload those at the earliest convenience. The team drafts for long term success at all times and always has a Plan B (and C). They'll also be waiting until round 2 to draft, but were the lucky recipients of the aforementioned Dan Schneider in free agency.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] COLORADO YETI [/div]
The last team to mention made it to the Ultimus last season for the second time ever, and lost to the Otters. The team has been questioned for selling out the future for a shot at the title now, but the team retains another strong shot this coming season.
Big Needs: Everything but RB
Lesser Needs: See Above
The roster needs a a lot of work as previously great players get old and a lot of missed picks pile up. It's a mess. They don't even own a pick this season until the 4th round. I'm pretty sure we're not going 4 rounds this time. They'll need to hit big and fast in future drafts. By which I mean yours.
So there you have it. A basic primer of what each team needs heading into the draft and probably the closest thing anyone in the know can give you as far as advice when filling out mock drafts and trying to figure out what's coming. Now keep getting in there and doing your own sweet sweet double pay draft media and plugging away at getting your start in the league. I'll answer any rookie questions below (unless I'm not allowed to, so try not to get too specific on "will this team pick this person"). Ciao! And fuck the Hawks! But gently.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] YELLOWKNIFE WRAITHS [/div]
First of all HI! I'm the CoGM of the Yellowknife Wraiths. So I'll be talking to a lot of you very soon. Probably late at night. My clothing level and/or sobriety will be questionable. As such, I should point out that I cannot actually TELL YOU who is being draft where. That's what we call a "big ass no no". If you don't believe me, look in the rulebook. What I can do is tell you what the team's needs are. And that we're a good team on the rise.
Big Needs: QB, LB
Lesser Needs: Future Secondary, K
YKW is coming off a league worst 4-10 season but is a very young team, with players of 3 seasons or less at most starting positions. YKW also owns the #1, #6, and #8 picks in the first round. Thus far in the offseason the team has lost no one but picked up Alex Selich (LB 600+ TPE) in a trade with Arizona.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] BALTIMORE HAWKS [/div]
The Hawks' history is filled with a ton of Ultimus Championship appearances (and one win). Right now they're in a soft rebuild with a GM changeover from Iamslm to Nunceoppi. More on that later. For now, just consider this a team that took a year off to reload more than anything. As a member of the Wraith team I can only extend my deepest respect towards the Hawks. A turd in their pool.
Big Needs: QB
Lesser Needs: Future TE, Future Defensive everything
The Hawks are a well constructed team, with players all over nearing the primes. On top of that they had a tremendously successful offseason thus far. The new GM brought in his old CoGM iseedoug, who bought his player Ben Horne (LB, 950+ TPE). See? Told you there'd be more on the GM thing. They also added Arbin Asipi (CB, 450+ TPE) and Marquis Brown (RB, 900+ TPE). I'm not telling you anything that you can't spot for yourself. Or saying cryptic things like "it's a name everyone knows" which is just a way to narrow it down to 2-3 people. The Hawks own the #2 and #7 picks.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] ARIZONA OUTLAWS [/div]
The Outlaws are also coming off of a regime change as runcmc has stepped aside and tapped swagsloth to take over. I've drafted both of them in the first round before. The Outlaws had a rough season, losing their QB to hissy fit, and their young WR to other issues. Megalomania possibly.
Big Needs: QB, Secondary, WR, D-Line
Lesser Needs: Future K
A solid core on defense, a solid top TE/WR combo, and a great run game are a starting point. The team needs kinda everything else, especially after Asipi left them (again). This is a BPA team. If you're the best player, they've got a spot for you. But I can guarantee you it will be a name you know....after they get announced during the draft stream. Unless you knew them previously. The Outlaws own the #3 pick (and also the 9, 10, and 11 picks for what it's worth).
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] NEW ORLEANS SECOND LINE [/div]
The Second Line are in a culture change as well. Their previous championship core is traded, retired, or about to be retired. Even DiMirio is retiring, and it kinda started to look like he never would. But this team is a 2 time champion with a strong LR presence with a big meme history.
Big Needs: QB, Secondary, LB, TE
Lesser Needs: WR, D-Line
Well, they have a lot of options. The team is in full rebuild mode and will draft accordingly. They own the #4 pick. They lost Dan Schnieder (S, 600+ TPE) tro free agency and Alex Selich to trade (covered in YKW section). That's pretty much it really.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] PHILADELPHIA LIBERTY [/div]
A team getting close to reaching it's peak, the Liberty also took a big blow this offseason by losing their RB, Marquise Brown, who is a consensus top 15 starting RB in the league. Everyone sent their congratulations to the Liberty for this success.
Big Needs: RB
Lesser Needs: WR, Secondary, D-Line
They own the #5 pick and are a playoff threat despite losing Brown. They benefit form already having a young core basically everywhere, including a young QB which doesn't tie them as strongly to need as other teams.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] SAN JOSE SABERCATS [/div]
The team with the best record in the league looked like they could lose a fair few players this offseason. Thus far that has not happened but the Cats must be on the lookout for a sudden loss late in the game. A team specialty. I'll assume they actually keep everybody for this exercise.
Big Needs: None
Lesser Needs: Future LB
Yeah they're basically the most set team in the league. It's not wonder they're not concerned with not having any picks until round 2. If they lose any of the big pieces that are theoretically free agents, expect them to possibly make moves to compensate.
[div align=\\\"CENTER\\\"] ORANGE COUNTY OTTERS [/div]
The defending two time champions. The winningest franchise in league history. Their success speaks for itself. And if you can't hear it there are several Otters who will be sure to let you know in detail.
Big Needs: WR, D-Line
Lesser Needs: Secondary, LB
Some parts of the team are getting older and the Otters will no doubt reload those at the earliest convenience. The team drafts for long term success at all times and always has a Plan B (and C). They'll also be waiting until round 2 to draft, but were the lucky recipients of the aforementioned Dan Schneider in free agency.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] COLORADO YETI [/div]
The last team to mention made it to the Ultimus last season for the second time ever, and lost to the Otters. The team has been questioned for selling out the future for a shot at the title now, but the team retains another strong shot this coming season.
Big Needs: Everything but RB
Lesser Needs: See Above
The roster needs a a lot of work as previously great players get old and a lot of missed picks pile up. It's a mess. They don't even own a pick this season until the 4th round. I'm pretty sure we're not going 4 rounds this time. They'll need to hit big and fast in future drafts. By which I mean yours.
So there you have it. A basic primer of what each team needs heading into the draft and probably the closest thing anyone in the know can give you as far as advice when filling out mock drafts and trying to figure out what's coming. Now keep getting in there and doing your own sweet sweet double pay draft media and plugging away at getting your start in the league. I'll answer any rookie questions below (unless I'm not allowed to, so try not to get too specific on "will this team pick this person"). Ciao! And fuck the Hawks! But gently.