With a draft the size of this NSFL S15 class, I know the NSFL GMs have been scouting and preparing for this draft for weeks. Yeah... We DSFL GMs got a week maybe. Because of this, there was a surplus of players drafted way ahead of where they should have been, and plenty of incredible steals. But, which teams had the best draft? Who struggled? I will attempt to look into every teams draft class, and grade them. Obviously as a GM myself, I have a bias. Keep that in mind.
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Kansas City Coyotes
Highlighted picks:
Hank Farley 5OA,
Cameron Olsen 11OA,
Ryan Leaf Jr 17OA,
Frasier Crane 23OA,
Terry Taffy 29OA.
Steal of the Draft: Terry Taffy
Snagging Terry Taffy at pick 29 was great for Kansas City. He would give them a great back to pair with 5th overall selection Hank Farley. Pairing these two with Rose Jenkins gave them a recipe for a potent offense. In this draft however, rounds 5 and 6 were stacked with talent. Perhaps Taffy should have been drafted earlier, but he is only a minor steal at 29th.
Oopsie of the Draft: Y'all already know
Drafting DT Ryan Leaf Jr in the 3rd round wouldn't have been a bad idea. You would get a guy whose extremely active, but also is seen as likely to be sent down this next seasons Defensive tackles weren't exactly plentiful. Having a good one is a luxury. But ... Leaf Jr was, at this point, a quarterback. On a squad already featuring Rose Jenkins, I'm still confused as to why KCC grabbed a QB here. With the drama he created and the eventual trade, oopsie.
Overview:
Overall, the Coyotes were unable to get enough from this draft. KCC traded away their 6th, 8th, 9th, and 12th round picks for a 2nd and 3rd round pick this season. They also had to trade away Their 4th round pick Crane and an S16 first Lightsout Lewis. for Their first round pick, while criticized early on, was actually perfect. Hank Farley is developing, but KCC is almost certain to get him back for another season. They got a star in Cameron Olson, and another in Terry Taffy. The lack of mid round picks, and the inability to find any diamonds in the later rounds hurt the Coyotes. For their sakes, I hope this next draft has enough talent to make their extra 2nd and 3rd rounders worth something.
Grade C-
Norfolk SeaWolves
*with the Coyotes, I was easily able to highlight every important player picked. Much harder for Norfolk.*
Highlighted Picks:
Allen Josh 1OA
Dorfus Jimbo 7OA
Ricardo Morris 13OA
Jay Longshaw 25OA
Logan Uchiha 61OA
Apollo Reed 71OA
Brock Landers 85OA
Steal of the Draft: Brock Landers
Quite possibly the overall steal of the draft was Brock Landers. With his position switch to receiver, and his incredible activity level, he will be hearing his name much earlier in the NSFL draft. Even if he had stay a QB, he would be highly sought after due to the work he's put in. If only I had asked him if he was willing to position switch.
Oopsie of the Draft: Allen Josh?
Picking a future inactive at 1OA is hard to ignore. I can't shake the feeling that the Norfolk management anticipated his inactivity and drafted Josh because of it. LBs of his speed and ability aren't usually hanging out in the DSFL for 3-4 seasons. Unless Allen Josh is called up despite his inactivity, this pick is no oopsie at all. It would be just another piece of Norfolk's GMoty winning draft.
Overview:
Norfolk knew going in that they would need as many pieces as possible. The 12th round pick they received from KCC turned into Apollo Reed. (The 8th and 9th rounders Snider and Mudley didn't pan) Overall they drafted an abundance of quality pieces. Twelve SeaWolves are listed at 150+ TPE. I can't say much more, Norfolk drafted really well.
Grade A
Palm Beach Solar Bears
Highlighted Picks:
Rock Hardshaft 2OA
Chase Jensen 8OA
Apollo Lange 14OA
Ben Bortboy 20OA
Guy Nicko 26OA
Faith Terim 32OA
Tony Gabagool 39OA
Nacho Varga 44OA
Ludicolo Bigby 74OA
Dan Wright 86OA
Steal of the Draft: Dan Wright
While getting Ludicolo Bigby at #73 was outstanding, (A great user, but not a guy who's going to get called up right away) Palm Beach's biggest steal has to be Dan Wright. If you are getting a 200 TPE guy this late in the draft, your scouting department must be doing something right. As the 3rd tight end the Solar Bears drafted (and 2nd in TPE) Wright didn't have the most impactful season. That doesn't lessen how great of a pick this was.
Oopsie of the Draft: Apollo Lange
Being an expansion team, it was obvious that Palm Beach would have to take a QB. With their 14th overall pick, they drafted the mobile QB Apollo Lange. He had a rough start to his career, throwing 6 picks in one game versus San Antonio. Perhaps this is why he lost motivation and stopped coming to practice. Unlike in the case of Allen Josh, Apollo Lange going inactive is in no way advantageous for the Solar Bears. Apollo was very not good this season at this TPE level. Also, you'll generally have a few seasons of DSFL play even from a max active quarterback. Seeing the on field and TPE production from guys like Armstrong and Longshaw (and also Landers), just ouch.
Overview:
Overall Palm Beach had a very solid draft. Linebackers like Hardshaft, Nikko, and Gabagool are a necessity to stop the run; while tight ends like Jensen, Rood, and Wright along with running backs Bigby and Bortboy can pound the ball on offense. Although the on field results were rough, I expect them to improve significantly. Guys like Michael Rood, Ben Bortboy, and Rahm Kota will make up a good core of those useful inactive send downs. That's not to down their actives. Eleven updating users is really good. With a good QB in this seasons draft, and a couple returning actives, Palm Beach can make some noise this upcoming season. (They do lack their 2nd and 3rd round picks unfortunately).
Grade A-
Portland Pythons
Highlighted Picks:
Emondov Emoji 3OA
Frog Stronglegs 9OA
Richard D'Attoria V 150A
Xerxes Ridley 21OA
Lanzer Grievous 27OA
Lightsout Lewis 33OA
AJ Lattimer 45OA
Franklin Armstrong 63OA
Alex Dasistwirklichseinnachname 75OA
Steal of the Draft: Franklin Armstrong
Another name in contention for overall steal of the draft, Armstrong developed rapidly into a DSFL star. Armstrong is the DSFL single season touchdown record holder, MVP, QBoty, ORoty, and OPoty. The fourth QB taken truly put together a season for the ages. Quarterback performance can swing wildly season to season, especially in the DSFL. Armstrong has the work ethic that will make him a future NSFL star.
Oopsie of the Draft: Running backs.
Marshal, Jimbo, Gump, Taffy, Bigby, Reed, so many outstanding running backs were drafted. Portland's management team went into the draft looking for a running back, only to come away with two sub 100 TPE backs. Portland's scouting department needs to fire the guy in charge of scouting running backs for sure. Looking on the bright side, Portland's three (four if you include veteran Smallwood-Chess) headed monster in the backfield is likely to stick around for a while.
Overview:
With their eleven picks in the first eleven rounds, Portland came away with six elite defensive prospects, two semi active running backs, a MVP quarterback, and a second round pick. A unfortunate WR pick was made as well. Portland traded away sixth round pick Lightsout Lewis for an inactive defensive end and a first rounder as well. Finding the best kicker in the draft in the thirteenth round is an added bonus. We know how the season ended, so it must have worked out. :shrug:
Grade: I'm not biased at all, this is obviously the best class of the draft. A++
San Antonio Marshals
Highlighted Picks
Morgan Marshal 4OA
Nero Alexander 10OA
Quentin Bode 16OA
Walt Green 28OA
Mo Berry 34OA
Steal of the Draft: Well....
This format has worked pretty good so far. Now we get to the Marshals, and I cannot find a steal. Actually, they did have one. TE Timmy Hoss was really good value for pick 52. He's almost 200 TPE and one of the many good TE prospects in this year's draft.
Oopsie of the Draft: The Rest of the Draft
For a second there, it appeared that San Antonio went home before the draft ended. The Marshals were a perfect 5 for their first 5 picks. Then, besides the Hoss pick, they missed (or at least didn't hit on an active) on all their picks from the 7th round on.
Overview:
My impression going into this article was that San Antonio killed it in the draft. Marshals were everywhere commenting on articles, pumping up their team in the general discord, and generally being active. Now, it appears the Marshals could have drafted even better. The "Fab Five" were truly fabulous. And to think, there could have been 6, 7 , maybe 8 of them. Obviously, the Marshals were able to put an impressive team together. I can't complain to much.
Grade: B+
Tijuana Luchadores
Highlighted Picks:
Edmond Beaver-Dantes 6OA
Brave Ulysses 12OA
Johnny Slothface 18OA
Forest Gump 22OA
Jamerson Irving 24OA
JoJo Burr-Kirven 102OA
Steal of the Draft: JoJo Burr-Kirven
Getting an active user at 102 overall is absolutely amazing. JoJo had a head start on the rest of the class. He used that time to prove to the general managers that he was inactive. When he arrived at team training camp, it was quite a surprise. He went on to have a solid rookie season. Inactivity may again tank his draft stock, but he now has what it takes to be an elite DSFL LB.
Oopsie of the Draft: Carlomango Rey
When Tijuana drafted now inactive wideout Carlomango Rey at 36 overall, Nacho Varga was still on the board. Really, is their more I need to say?
Overview:
Tijuana built their wall in this draft. The OLine they drafted blocked San Antonio out of the playoffs. The offensive pieces Tijuana was able to draft fit nicely around their quarterback Corvo Havran. Defensively, they just kinda figured Johnny Slothface would carry them... And he did. The Luchadores only big miss was easily outweighed by their incredible pick at 102. It was a solid draft and a impressive season from Lucha.
Grade: A
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Kansas City Coyotes
Highlighted picks:
Hank Farley 5OA,
Cameron Olsen 11OA,
Ryan Leaf Jr 17OA,
Frasier Crane 23OA,
Terry Taffy 29OA.
Steal of the Draft: Terry Taffy
Snagging Terry Taffy at pick 29 was great for Kansas City. He would give them a great back to pair with 5th overall selection Hank Farley. Pairing these two with Rose Jenkins gave them a recipe for a potent offense. In this draft however, rounds 5 and 6 were stacked with talent. Perhaps Taffy should have been drafted earlier, but he is only a minor steal at 29th.
Oopsie of the Draft: Y'all already know
Drafting DT Ryan Leaf Jr in the 3rd round wouldn't have been a bad idea. You would get a guy whose extremely active, but also is seen as likely to be sent down this next seasons Defensive tackles weren't exactly plentiful. Having a good one is a luxury. But ... Leaf Jr was, at this point, a quarterback. On a squad already featuring Rose Jenkins, I'm still confused as to why KCC grabbed a QB here. With the drama he created and the eventual trade, oopsie.
Overview:
Overall, the Coyotes were unable to get enough from this draft. KCC traded away their 6th, 8th, 9th, and 12th round picks for a 2nd and 3rd round pick this season. They also had to trade away Their 4th round pick Crane and an S16 first Lightsout Lewis. for Their first round pick, while criticized early on, was actually perfect. Hank Farley is developing, but KCC is almost certain to get him back for another season. They got a star in Cameron Olson, and another in Terry Taffy. The lack of mid round picks, and the inability to find any diamonds in the later rounds hurt the Coyotes. For their sakes, I hope this next draft has enough talent to make their extra 2nd and 3rd rounders worth something.
Grade C-
Norfolk SeaWolves
*with the Coyotes, I was easily able to highlight every important player picked. Much harder for Norfolk.*
Highlighted Picks:
Allen Josh 1OA
Dorfus Jimbo 7OA
Ricardo Morris 13OA
Jay Longshaw 25OA
Logan Uchiha 61OA
Apollo Reed 71OA
Brock Landers 85OA
Steal of the Draft: Brock Landers
Quite possibly the overall steal of the draft was Brock Landers. With his position switch to receiver, and his incredible activity level, he will be hearing his name much earlier in the NSFL draft. Even if he had stay a QB, he would be highly sought after due to the work he's put in. If only I had asked him if he was willing to position switch.
Oopsie of the Draft: Allen Josh?
Picking a future inactive at 1OA is hard to ignore. I can't shake the feeling that the Norfolk management anticipated his inactivity and drafted Josh because of it. LBs of his speed and ability aren't usually hanging out in the DSFL for 3-4 seasons. Unless Allen Josh is called up despite his inactivity, this pick is no oopsie at all. It would be just another piece of Norfolk's GMoty winning draft.
Overview:
Norfolk knew going in that they would need as many pieces as possible. The 12th round pick they received from KCC turned into Apollo Reed. (The 8th and 9th rounders Snider and Mudley didn't pan) Overall they drafted an abundance of quality pieces. Twelve SeaWolves are listed at 150+ TPE. I can't say much more, Norfolk drafted really well.
Grade A
Palm Beach Solar Bears
Highlighted Picks:
Rock Hardshaft 2OA
Chase Jensen 8OA
Apollo Lange 14OA
Ben Bortboy 20OA
Guy Nicko 26OA
Faith Terim 32OA
Tony Gabagool 39OA
Nacho Varga 44OA
Ludicolo Bigby 74OA
Dan Wright 86OA
Steal of the Draft: Dan Wright
While getting Ludicolo Bigby at #73 was outstanding, (A great user, but not a guy who's going to get called up right away) Palm Beach's biggest steal has to be Dan Wright. If you are getting a 200 TPE guy this late in the draft, your scouting department must be doing something right. As the 3rd tight end the Solar Bears drafted (and 2nd in TPE) Wright didn't have the most impactful season. That doesn't lessen how great of a pick this was.
Oopsie of the Draft: Apollo Lange
Being an expansion team, it was obvious that Palm Beach would have to take a QB. With their 14th overall pick, they drafted the mobile QB Apollo Lange. He had a rough start to his career, throwing 6 picks in one game versus San Antonio. Perhaps this is why he lost motivation and stopped coming to practice. Unlike in the case of Allen Josh, Apollo Lange going inactive is in no way advantageous for the Solar Bears. Apollo was very not good this season at this TPE level. Also, you'll generally have a few seasons of DSFL play even from a max active quarterback. Seeing the on field and TPE production from guys like Armstrong and Longshaw (and also Landers), just ouch.
Overview:
Overall Palm Beach had a very solid draft. Linebackers like Hardshaft, Nikko, and Gabagool are a necessity to stop the run; while tight ends like Jensen, Rood, and Wright along with running backs Bigby and Bortboy can pound the ball on offense. Although the on field results were rough, I expect them to improve significantly. Guys like Michael Rood, Ben Bortboy, and Rahm Kota will make up a good core of those useful inactive send downs. That's not to down their actives. Eleven updating users is really good. With a good QB in this seasons draft, and a couple returning actives, Palm Beach can make some noise this upcoming season. (They do lack their 2nd and 3rd round picks unfortunately).
Grade A-
Portland Pythons
Highlighted Picks:
Emondov Emoji 3OA
Frog Stronglegs 9OA
Richard D'Attoria V 150A
Xerxes Ridley 21OA
Lanzer Grievous 27OA
Lightsout Lewis 33OA
AJ Lattimer 45OA
Franklin Armstrong 63OA
Alex Dasistwirklichseinnachname 75OA
Steal of the Draft: Franklin Armstrong
Another name in contention for overall steal of the draft, Armstrong developed rapidly into a DSFL star. Armstrong is the DSFL single season touchdown record holder, MVP, QBoty, ORoty, and OPoty. The fourth QB taken truly put together a season for the ages. Quarterback performance can swing wildly season to season, especially in the DSFL. Armstrong has the work ethic that will make him a future NSFL star.
Oopsie of the Draft: Running backs.
Marshal, Jimbo, Gump, Taffy, Bigby, Reed, so many outstanding running backs were drafted. Portland's management team went into the draft looking for a running back, only to come away with two sub 100 TPE backs. Portland's scouting department needs to fire the guy in charge of scouting running backs for sure. Looking on the bright side, Portland's three (four if you include veteran Smallwood-Chess) headed monster in the backfield is likely to stick around for a while.
Overview:
With their eleven picks in the first eleven rounds, Portland came away with six elite defensive prospects, two semi active running backs, a MVP quarterback, and a second round pick. A unfortunate WR pick was made as well. Portland traded away sixth round pick Lightsout Lewis for an inactive defensive end and a first rounder as well. Finding the best kicker in the draft in the thirteenth round is an added bonus. We know how the season ended, so it must have worked out. :shrug:
Grade: I'm not biased at all, this is obviously the best class of the draft. A++
San Antonio Marshals
Highlighted Picks
Morgan Marshal 4OA
Nero Alexander 10OA
Quentin Bode 16OA
Walt Green 28OA
Mo Berry 34OA
Steal of the Draft: Well....
This format has worked pretty good so far. Now we get to the Marshals, and I cannot find a steal. Actually, they did have one. TE Timmy Hoss was really good value for pick 52. He's almost 200 TPE and one of the many good TE prospects in this year's draft.
Oopsie of the Draft: The Rest of the Draft
For a second there, it appeared that San Antonio went home before the draft ended. The Marshals were a perfect 5 for their first 5 picks. Then, besides the Hoss pick, they missed (or at least didn't hit on an active) on all their picks from the 7th round on.
Overview:
My impression going into this article was that San Antonio killed it in the draft. Marshals were everywhere commenting on articles, pumping up their team in the general discord, and generally being active. Now, it appears the Marshals could have drafted even better. The "Fab Five" were truly fabulous. And to think, there could have been 6, 7 , maybe 8 of them. Obviously, the Marshals were able to put an impressive team together. I can't complain to much.
Grade: B+
Tijuana Luchadores
Highlighted Picks:
Edmond Beaver-Dantes 6OA
Brave Ulysses 12OA
Johnny Slothface 18OA
Forest Gump 22OA
Jamerson Irving 24OA
JoJo Burr-Kirven 102OA
Steal of the Draft: JoJo Burr-Kirven
Getting an active user at 102 overall is absolutely amazing. JoJo had a head start on the rest of the class. He used that time to prove to the general managers that he was inactive. When he arrived at team training camp, it was quite a surprise. He went on to have a solid rookie season. Inactivity may again tank his draft stock, but he now has what it takes to be an elite DSFL LB.
Oopsie of the Draft: Carlomango Rey
When Tijuana drafted now inactive wideout Carlomango Rey at 36 overall, Nacho Varga was still on the board. Really, is their more I need to say?
Overview:
Tijuana built their wall in this draft. The OLine they drafted blocked San Antonio out of the playoffs. The offensive pieces Tijuana was able to draft fit nicely around their quarterback Corvo Havran. Defensively, they just kinda figured Johnny Slothface would carry them... And he did. The Luchadores only big miss was easily outweighed by their incredible pick at 102. It was a solid draft and a impressive season from Lucha.
Grade: A