As a new member of the SeaWolves I wanted to do a somewhat deep dive into this years draft class and see how things are looking for this upcoming season.
Pick #1: Bjorn Ironside - DT
Most would say the obvious top choice in this draft. Bjorn is a bruiser in the middle of the defensive line. A hard worker, you couldn't ask for a more dedicated player to his craft. You know from day 1 what you have in Bjorn. He could be as dominant for Norfolk as Aaron Donald is for the Rams. He is the type of staple piece of a defense that makes everyone else on that side of the ball look better. A big man in the middle of the defensive line that is versatile. On running plays, he can penetrate quickly and stop the running back in the back field for a loss. On passing downs, he demands a double team and even then he still will get to the quarter back. If the SeaWolves want to compete for an Ultimini this season it will be on the back of a defense lead by Bjorn Ironside.
There were rumors swirling around that Bjorn Ironside might decide to hold out due to some controversial sandwich opinions from the general manager of the Norfolk SeaWolves. Hopefully, all of that will get resolved as the SeaWolves need Bjorn Ironside's presence on the defense to make an impact in the DSFL this season.
Pick #2: Marcella Toriki - RB
A somewhat surprising selection here as Norfolk takes the first running back off the board. Maybe not surprising to some of you, but I expected the SeaWolves to continue building the defense at this point in the draft. With that being said, Marcella Toriki is an incredible running back, and will help mask any deficiencies from the quarter back spot as she carves her way through opposing defenses and chews up the clock and gains first downs. As a defensive player, a good running game is a defenses best friend. It keeps the opposing offense off the field and lets us rest and recoup our strength between series. The last thing you want is a 3 and out drive that puts the defense right back out there. Even the best defense will give up points if the offense can't stay on the field to give the defense rest. I look forward to watching Marcella run and hopefully earn Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration.
Pick #3: Marlo Smart - LB
With the 13th overall pick in the draft the Norfolk SeaWolves bolstered the front 7 with the fourth line backer off the board in Marlo Smart out of Delaware. This guy can do it all from the line backer position. He can cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game. He can slip into the backfield and take down the running back behind the line of scrimmage. Smart definitely has the skills to impact the game on a level of a Luke Kuechly or Bobby Wagner type player. Do not be surprised if he racks up multiple interceptions and forced fumbles. Especially since he will be playing behind a guy who can open up those rush lanes like Bjorn Ironside. Smart could easily lead the league in tackles this season.
Pick #4: David Rector - CB
Here is where I got picked with the 20th overall selection and the fourth corner back off the board. As you can see the SeaWolves at this point have picked one player from each level of the defense. As a member of the secondary I try and do two things. Cover my receiver so well that the opposing quarterback has no where to throw the ball and it causes a coverage sack. Or I hope the defensive front 7 is getting to the quarterback so quickly that the pass will come out too quickly and I can make a play on it to pick it off. At this point in my career I have not had the time to focus on working on stopping the run from the corner back position, but I hope that with some training time I will be able to add that to my repertoire as not many corner backs are known for helping in the run stopping game.
Pick #5: Maximus Chungus - OL
With easily one of the best names in the draft the Norfolk SeaWolves grabbed only the second offensive lineman off the board in Maximum Chungus from Naropa University (I have no idea where that is). This pick goes right along with the 2nd pick for Norfolk in this draft. Maximus will definitely be able to help lead the way in the run game for Marcella Toriki. I big bruiser of an offensive lineman I could see him being an excellent run blocker similar to a Quenton Nelson or Zack Martin. Many times the offensive linemen are the unsung heroes of a good team. You only hear about the player actually carrying the ball, but without an amazing offensive line Emmitt Smith would not be the all time leader in rushing yards in the NFL.
Pick #6: Jimjam Flimflam - S
I love this pick right here. Another one for the all name team, Jimjam was taken with the 32nd overall selection and only the second safety off the board. Safeties are my best friend. If we are working in harmony we won't be letting any complete passes deep down the field. A good safety lets me play a bit off on my receiver and gives me a chance at making a pick that I might not be able to make if I need to be tight on the receiver. Interestingly, this is the SeaWolves second pick in the secondary. Definitely showing early in the draft a focus on passing defense.
Pick #7: Tyler Genis - CB
Woo Boy, the SeaWolves are gonna be impossible to pass on. This secondary is gonna be lit. Genis is the SeaWolves second corner back pick, and third secondary player picked. I am not sure what more can be said about the corner position or the secondary, but at this point in the draft it was fairly obvious the SeaWolves wanted to make sure the secondary was one of the major strengths of the team.
Pick #8: Clelin Ferrell - DE
Another defensive player is the next pick in this draft for Norfolk. At #44 overall out of Clemson the SeaWolves select Defensive End Clelin Ferrell. Only the third defensive end off the board. This dude is a freak athlete. He has the speed and bend to quickly get around the offensive tackles and get the quarterback, but he also has the discipline to stop the run. Unfortunately, Clelin has been known to slack off and not take practice seriously. Hopefully he can improve his game in the DSFL, but many around the league don't think he is going to do much at the next level. Hopefully he turns it around and makes this pick a steal.
Pick #9: Charlie Day - K
Here is a pretty big surprise pick right here. I would expect a kicker to be taken with the last pick, but the Norfolk SeaWolves decided at the halfway point in the draft that they needed a kicker and they got the funniest one available. Charlie Day is perhaps one of the funniest human beings on the planet, and that might be part of the reason the SeaWolves picked him. Hopefully he can make those long field goals that really put a team ahead when they only need to get to the 35 yard line to put points on the board.
Pick #10: Scott Brewer - TE
Norfolk decided to dip back into the offensive side again here with a tight end from Florida State University. Tight ends are great help in the run game, and can also make an impact in the passing game. Diversity is skill set is always important and I am sure Brewer will excel at both pass catching and run blocking.
Pick #11: Samuel Bakhitiari - OL
Another offensive lineman to help bolster that run game. From Colorado State University Bakhitiari will help Marcella rack up yards all season long. At this point it is pretty clear that the SeaWolves goal on offense is to run the ball. With two offensive linemen and a tight end selected they are making sure they can run block for their highly drafted running back.
Pick #12: Jah Harris - LB
Another linebacker for the second level of the defense. Unfortunately, similar to Ferrell, Harris has not been seen recently. If he does show back up and work on getting better he will definitely help out that front 7, especially in the run game.
Pick #13: Sean Frost - RB
Another running back for the SeaWolves. My only thought here is that the general manager wanted to grab another running back late to spell Marcella Toriki.
Pick #14: Garfield Despacito - OL
Another pick to help the run game for the offense. Garfield went to Nug University, which sounds made up, but as long as he can run block I do not really care where he went to school.
Pick #15: Nicholas Grimmer - S
With the 85th pick in the draft the SeaWolves have now taken their fourth secondary player and second safety in Nicholas Grimmer. We now have a fully stocked starting secondary from this draft. Good luck passing on the SeaWolves this season.
Pick #16: Noah Grimmer - CB
The SeaWolves have now taken Nicholas Grimmer's brother Noah. He will most likely fit in as the nickel back on passing downs.
Pick #17: Joseph Tom - OL
The fourth offensive lineman selected by the Norfolk SeaWolves. This team plans on having Gimmy hand the ball off almost every down. Norfolk will lead the league in rushing yards by the end of the season.
That concludes my look into the Norfolk SeaWolves Season 17 Prospect Draft Class. A clear focus to stop the pass on defense and run the ball on offense. I am excited to see how good this defense can be. Bjorn Ironside in the middle of the defensive line with all the other pieces around him, this can definitely be an excellent defense. I am also excited to see the offense run the ball and lead the league in time of possession.
Keep an eye out for future articles from me looking into opposing team receivers and possibly a look into how things are going in training camp.
Pick #1: Bjorn Ironside - DT
Most would say the obvious top choice in this draft. Bjorn is a bruiser in the middle of the defensive line. A hard worker, you couldn't ask for a more dedicated player to his craft. You know from day 1 what you have in Bjorn. He could be as dominant for Norfolk as Aaron Donald is for the Rams. He is the type of staple piece of a defense that makes everyone else on that side of the ball look better. A big man in the middle of the defensive line that is versatile. On running plays, he can penetrate quickly and stop the running back in the back field for a loss. On passing downs, he demands a double team and even then he still will get to the quarter back. If the SeaWolves want to compete for an Ultimini this season it will be on the back of a defense lead by Bjorn Ironside.
There were rumors swirling around that Bjorn Ironside might decide to hold out due to some controversial sandwich opinions from the general manager of the Norfolk SeaWolves. Hopefully, all of that will get resolved as the SeaWolves need Bjorn Ironside's presence on the defense to make an impact in the DSFL this season.
Pick #2: Marcella Toriki - RB
A somewhat surprising selection here as Norfolk takes the first running back off the board. Maybe not surprising to some of you, but I expected the SeaWolves to continue building the defense at this point in the draft. With that being said, Marcella Toriki is an incredible running back, and will help mask any deficiencies from the quarter back spot as she carves her way through opposing defenses and chews up the clock and gains first downs. As a defensive player, a good running game is a defenses best friend. It keeps the opposing offense off the field and lets us rest and recoup our strength between series. The last thing you want is a 3 and out drive that puts the defense right back out there. Even the best defense will give up points if the offense can't stay on the field to give the defense rest. I look forward to watching Marcella run and hopefully earn Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration.
Pick #3: Marlo Smart - LB
With the 13th overall pick in the draft the Norfolk SeaWolves bolstered the front 7 with the fourth line backer off the board in Marlo Smart out of Delaware. This guy can do it all from the line backer position. He can cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game. He can slip into the backfield and take down the running back behind the line of scrimmage. Smart definitely has the skills to impact the game on a level of a Luke Kuechly or Bobby Wagner type player. Do not be surprised if he racks up multiple interceptions and forced fumbles. Especially since he will be playing behind a guy who can open up those rush lanes like Bjorn Ironside. Smart could easily lead the league in tackles this season.
Pick #4: David Rector - CB
Here is where I got picked with the 20th overall selection and the fourth corner back off the board. As you can see the SeaWolves at this point have picked one player from each level of the defense. As a member of the secondary I try and do two things. Cover my receiver so well that the opposing quarterback has no where to throw the ball and it causes a coverage sack. Or I hope the defensive front 7 is getting to the quarterback so quickly that the pass will come out too quickly and I can make a play on it to pick it off. At this point in my career I have not had the time to focus on working on stopping the run from the corner back position, but I hope that with some training time I will be able to add that to my repertoire as not many corner backs are known for helping in the run stopping game.
Pick #5: Maximus Chungus - OL
With easily one of the best names in the draft the Norfolk SeaWolves grabbed only the second offensive lineman off the board in Maximum Chungus from Naropa University (I have no idea where that is). This pick goes right along with the 2nd pick for Norfolk in this draft. Maximus will definitely be able to help lead the way in the run game for Marcella Toriki. I big bruiser of an offensive lineman I could see him being an excellent run blocker similar to a Quenton Nelson or Zack Martin. Many times the offensive linemen are the unsung heroes of a good team. You only hear about the player actually carrying the ball, but without an amazing offensive line Emmitt Smith would not be the all time leader in rushing yards in the NFL.
Pick #6: Jimjam Flimflam - S
I love this pick right here. Another one for the all name team, Jimjam was taken with the 32nd overall selection and only the second safety off the board. Safeties are my best friend. If we are working in harmony we won't be letting any complete passes deep down the field. A good safety lets me play a bit off on my receiver and gives me a chance at making a pick that I might not be able to make if I need to be tight on the receiver. Interestingly, this is the SeaWolves second pick in the secondary. Definitely showing early in the draft a focus on passing defense.
Pick #7: Tyler Genis - CB
Woo Boy, the SeaWolves are gonna be impossible to pass on. This secondary is gonna be lit. Genis is the SeaWolves second corner back pick, and third secondary player picked. I am not sure what more can be said about the corner position or the secondary, but at this point in the draft it was fairly obvious the SeaWolves wanted to make sure the secondary was one of the major strengths of the team.
Pick #8: Clelin Ferrell - DE
Another defensive player is the next pick in this draft for Norfolk. At #44 overall out of Clemson the SeaWolves select Defensive End Clelin Ferrell. Only the third defensive end off the board. This dude is a freak athlete. He has the speed and bend to quickly get around the offensive tackles and get the quarterback, but he also has the discipline to stop the run. Unfortunately, Clelin has been known to slack off and not take practice seriously. Hopefully he can improve his game in the DSFL, but many around the league don't think he is going to do much at the next level. Hopefully he turns it around and makes this pick a steal.
Pick #9: Charlie Day - K
Here is a pretty big surprise pick right here. I would expect a kicker to be taken with the last pick, but the Norfolk SeaWolves decided at the halfway point in the draft that they needed a kicker and they got the funniest one available. Charlie Day is perhaps one of the funniest human beings on the planet, and that might be part of the reason the SeaWolves picked him. Hopefully he can make those long field goals that really put a team ahead when they only need to get to the 35 yard line to put points on the board.
Pick #10: Scott Brewer - TE
Norfolk decided to dip back into the offensive side again here with a tight end from Florida State University. Tight ends are great help in the run game, and can also make an impact in the passing game. Diversity is skill set is always important and I am sure Brewer will excel at both pass catching and run blocking.
Pick #11: Samuel Bakhitiari - OL
Another offensive lineman to help bolster that run game. From Colorado State University Bakhitiari will help Marcella rack up yards all season long. At this point it is pretty clear that the SeaWolves goal on offense is to run the ball. With two offensive linemen and a tight end selected they are making sure they can run block for their highly drafted running back.
Pick #12: Jah Harris - LB
Another linebacker for the second level of the defense. Unfortunately, similar to Ferrell, Harris has not been seen recently. If he does show back up and work on getting better he will definitely help out that front 7, especially in the run game.
Pick #13: Sean Frost - RB
Another running back for the SeaWolves. My only thought here is that the general manager wanted to grab another running back late to spell Marcella Toriki.
Pick #14: Garfield Despacito - OL
Another pick to help the run game for the offense. Garfield went to Nug University, which sounds made up, but as long as he can run block I do not really care where he went to school.
Pick #15: Nicholas Grimmer - S
With the 85th pick in the draft the SeaWolves have now taken their fourth secondary player and second safety in Nicholas Grimmer. We now have a fully stocked starting secondary from this draft. Good luck passing on the SeaWolves this season.
Pick #16: Noah Grimmer - CB
The SeaWolves have now taken Nicholas Grimmer's brother Noah. He will most likely fit in as the nickel back on passing downs.
Pick #17: Joseph Tom - OL
The fourth offensive lineman selected by the Norfolk SeaWolves. This team plans on having Gimmy hand the ball off almost every down. Norfolk will lead the league in rushing yards by the end of the season.
That concludes my look into the Norfolk SeaWolves Season 17 Prospect Draft Class. A clear focus to stop the pass on defense and run the ball on offense. I am excited to see how good this defense can be. Bjorn Ironside in the middle of the defensive line with all the other pieces around him, this can definitely be an excellent defense. I am also excited to see the offense run the ball and lead the league in time of possession.
Keep an eye out for future articles from me looking into opposing team receivers and possibly a look into how things are going in training camp.
[OPTION]Height: 6'1"
[OPTION]Weight: 195 lbs.
[OPTION]Birthplace: Raleigh, NC
[OPTION]Number: 22
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Career Stats
[OPTION]G || Tck || TFL || FF/FR || Sck || Int || PD || TD
[OPTION]141 || 597 || 1 || 5/1 || 6 || 30 || 163 || 3
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Awards
[OPTION]S26 Defensive Player of the Year, S26 CB of the Year,
[OPTION]S23 Defensive Breakout Player, S23 Defensive Performance
[OPTION]Pro Bowls: S22, S26
[OPTION]===========================================