Welcome to my Expansion Mock Draft
This follow up from my expansion analysis and since then: Both expansion brandings have been announced, Honolulu Hahalua and Sarasota Sailfish; several players have retired; I have actually researched the GM players; and Chicago is undergoing a rollercoaster leadership change. A lot of the concepts behind that are the same, just with less errors hopefully. In this article, I’ll quickly go over who I think will be in the protection lists for each team. This is similar to my previous article but only shows my final lists. If you want to see some of the other potential candidates or more reasoning behind it, check out my previous article HERE, but I’m going to keep this section short as to not repeat myself. Then we can get onto the real deal.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Protection
[/div]
Baltimore
Walt Green (GM)
Errol Maddox
Logan Uchiha
Apollo Reed
Fabricio Baldari
Darrel Williams
Asher Quinn
Juan Marston
After several retirements, Baltimore get their top earners in as well as upcoming prospects Asher Quinn, Darrel Williams and Juan Marston due to their 8th protection spot for losing Corvo Havran.
Chicago
Rose Jenkins (interim GM)
Farley Hank
Thorian Skarsgard
Sean O’leary
Mike Hockhertz
Jack Rambo
Ryan Leaf Jr
The Chicago 7 could look very different depending on who is GM by the time the lists are submitted. Either GM players may be needing spots, or a complete overhaul of the roster are both valid options. Ryan Leaf Jr won’t be in Chicago next season, but off-season trade value makes him probably worth a spot without a great deal of other players to protect.
Colorado Yeti
Mo Berry (GM)
Wolfie McDummy
Laszlo Forty-Two
Bubba Thumper (GM)
Ashley Owens
Louisiana Purchase
Pete Parker
A tough spot for Colorado, talent is going to be leaving the building.
Philadelphia Liberty
Nacho Varga
Richard D’Attoria V
Sam Torenson
Emondov Emoji
Lamon McKinnie
Brock Phoenix
ILove Gimmy (GM)
Julian McMorris’ retirement means only 1 GM protection is needed for Philly. As I'm about to publish this I see Philly have extended TE Avon Blocksdale Jr which suggests they may protect him, but it's difficult to tell who they would leave out (and even more difficult to redo the majority of mock picks with knock on effect)
Yellowknife Wraiths
Nero Alexander (GM)
Cooter Bigsby
Jonny Snuggles
Nate Swift
Giannis Kroustis
Mervin Leonard
Maurice Virtanen
Mathias Hanyadi
Bender B Rodriguez
Yellowknife are losing 2 players to automatic GM picks in the expansion draft so have 9 protection spots which they will use well.
Arizona Outlaws
Lucas Knight
Jay Cue
Saba Donut
Galf Wilf
Ruff Ruff
Desmond Scarlett (GM)
Jamie Nkiah (GM)
Arizona suffer slightly from having GM players as recreates that are forced to be protected, leave top TPE TE but inactive Jammerson Irving off the list.
Austin Copperheads
Dermot Lavelle Jr
Easton Cole (GM)
Mako Mendonca (GM)
Rod Tidwell
Honda Edmond
Net Gaines
Awkward Sexjoke
Austin leave IA Chase Jensen off their list in order to protect promising WR Net Gaines. TE Peter Larson is left open for locker room favourite and promising S20 draftee Awkward Sexjoke in what Austin hope will be a stacked TE expansion draft.
New Orleans Second Line
Forrest Gump (GM)
Quenton Bode
Stan Francisco (GM)
David Rector
Bjørn Ironside
Marcella T?riki
Austin McCormick
NOLA risk Deon Taylor as an older CB in favour of keeping Austin McCormick.
Orange County Otters
Franklin Armstrong
Lanzer Grievous
Hugh Mongo
AJ Lattimer
Tyrone Biggums (GM)
Dexter Banks II
Korrin Abernathy (GM)
Kacey Dream doesn’t make the cut and sent to “sleep with the fishes”.
San Jose Sabercats
Dan Wright
Tyron Brackenridge
Brayden Ennis
Action Jackson
Trey Staley (GM)
Deondre Thomas-Fox
Inspectah Deck
Business as expected for San Jose, only real change is S20 Inspectah Deck as a player for the future over Freezer Riposte as he enter heavy regression.
Expansion Strategy
Here goes nothing
It was recently announced that 1OA in the expansion draft will be the Sarasota Sailfish, lead by Frost and Rain. Both Sarasota and Honolulu look to be building towards the future. Both teams have made trades with NOLA and AUS respectively for their first picks at the top of regulation draft, for both teams to amass more picks in the S22 draft.
The trade-off of missing out on a top ranked prospect for more depth and activity in the locker room is one that has divided opinion. The Sailfish no longer have a first-round pick in the current draft as the 1st they receive back from New Orleans is in the S23 draft. However, these moves by both teams are clearly ones looking to the future of the team, rather than trying to win now. This is what I will be building the expansion mock draft philosophy around. If the goal is to make a push in a couple of seasons, talent that will already have retired will be a waste of an expansion pick, as would inactive players that won’t make any gains for the foreseeable future. All activity is taken from the TPE tracker and an attempt has been made to corroborate this with forum activity, but some may slip through the net.
With the S21 class being protected, I expect both expansion teams to focus on the recent draft classes available to them, S20,19,18 and maybe 17. Obviously, high TPE players from almost any draft class would have be considered but building for the future is (in my opinion) the route both teams want to go down. This will also be affected by what other teams want to protect. While I have predicted the majority of high TPE players to be protected, some teams may be going with an approach for the future as well and may leave the players on the table for one of these teams to make an earlier run than expected.
There will also be considerations made towards the depth of each position in the S22 class. While a stacked class with 11 full rounds of active players, some positions have more depth than others. This article from @FurFurFurson on the Positional TPE breakdown of the S22 class was useful for me as I’m sure it will be to all NSFL GM’s currently. In addition, this article by @mithrandir (and his referenced article from @benstackinpaper) provide a list of needs and how the draft class may fall.
With each pick there will also be a protection for the team, and as this heavily affects the draft, I will also be trying to predict these. As possible picks change with every player selected, they also change with every player protected so these are as important for the draft, even if less flashy as players aren’t changing teams. Expansion GM’s will also have to adapt strategies on the fly as 2 players are taken in a snake draft, with 4 effectively taken away each time, in addition to the ticking clock of 3 players taken per team. The initial 7 spots are not enough to protect all the talent a team wants to keep but additional protection means they won’t lose everything else.
So without further ado, here is:
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]
THE MOCK[/div]
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]1) select: Kacey Dream – CB – [/div]
Sarasota benefit from drawing the top pick in the expansion draft and from Orange county having too many high TPE players to protect. Although CB depth in the S22 draft is excellent, Sarasota pick up the second highest TPE player from the S19 draft and top prospect available in expansion. Furthermore, Scorycory already has great links to the Sarasota front office as he is currently CoGM with Frostbite at Myrtle beach in the DSFL. The combination of extreme earning and close ties makes this a match made in heaven as Sarasota get a defensive cornerstone to start the franchise.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] OCO Protect: Bobby Boucher[/div]
Defensive end is a lacking position for Orange County and with expansion teams looking to the future, OCO lock up their future at DE in Boucher. While at the time of writing, Jaylen Storm hasn’t updated for several seasons, he has been seen on the site and if he has returned, could be protected as a valuable linebacker.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]2) select: Mason Blaylock – S – [/div]
Aside from Rubbe on the OL, Blaylock is the next highest TPE player available from S20-17 classes and both expansion teams start with a player for the defensive backfield. As another DSFL GM, this time for Tijuana, an experienced head to add to the locker room early may prove a solid pick for Honolulu.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protects: Deon Taylor – CB [/div]
NOLA get away with not protecting their CB1 as Honolulu look more to the S22 draft. Taylor is currently sitting at 916 TPE and the 6th highest CB in the league. While he has a few more seasons until regression, he would still be a very valued piece to an expansion team starting out.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]3) select: Jed Podolak – WR – [/div]
Honolulu continue to gut the NOLA S19 class by selecting their WR1 Jed Podolak. Outside of regressing S12 James Bishop, Podolak is one of the highest TPE receivers available and 3rd in the outstanding S19 WR class. Honolulu get a WR1 to start the franchise that isn’t regressing anytime soon, which will be good news for QB Corvo Havran.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Mack Arianlacher – LB [/div]
With the retiring Johnny Slothface leaving a hole in the NOLA LB corps, NOLA decide to ensure rising star Mack Arianlacher stays in the organisation. Although the future of Arianlacher was uncertain due to rumours of his hatred for chocolate with peanut butter, the front office decides to overlook this to keep a star in a position of need.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]4) select: Kyle Idlewyld – DE – [/div]
The #1 pick of the S20 draft drops to #4 in the expansion draft to be picked up by Sarasota. With DE being relatively thin in the S22 draft and a lot of teams having a need at DE, Sarasota add to the defence immediately with Idlewyld. Idlewyld has racked up the most tackles and TFL out of all NSFL DE’s so far this season and had 5 sacks in addition to this.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Peter Larson – TE[/div]
While the loss of Idlewyld stings, Austin retains its TE.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]5) select: Steco Ocewilder – DE – [/div]
Another Defensive End pick for Sarasota. They pick up both at one go with Ocewilder an S18 draftee and strong DE for Colorado.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Earl Sauce – TE [/div]
With Peter Larson protected, Tight end becomes a more valuable commodity and Colorado elect to keep theirs.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]6) select: Avon Blocksdale Jr – TE – [/div]
The run on Tight ends continues. While Blocksdale is still a rawer option in comparison to Irving who is still on the board, already at 90 speed and the potential for growth in other areas, makes Blocksdale the candidate for Honolulu as they add weapons for Havran.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Ricardo Morris – DT [/div]
The top available Defensive tackle is protected by Philadelphia.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]7) select: Shane Masters – DT – [/div]
With Defensive End locked down by Sarasota elect to pick up a DT and S17’s Shane Masters will provide strength in the heart of the DL, already with maxed strength speed and agility.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Jammerson Irving – TE [/div]
Arizona gets to keep their Top rated TE as Expansion teams focus on activity and defence to start the draft.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]8) select: Tony Gabagool – LB - [/div]
While not in the targeted draft classes, Tony Gabagool will marshal the Sarasota defence for the first few years as a top 10 LB in the NSFL. A tackling machine as he currently has joint lead for the NSFL on 118 tackles.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Quentin Sinclair – CB [/div]
CB is a position of need for Colorado, so they make sure they don’t lose anymore with Quentin Sinclair locked up.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]9) select: Thor Kirby – S – [/div]
Defence.
Sarasota continue the trend by picking up their first safety, Thor Kirby. They take another promising young player from Colorado as they build up their elite defence of the future. 57 Tackles, 5 sacks 2 PD and 1 Int is a promising stat line for a young safety.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
Colorado are the first team to have 3 players picked, all within the top 10, and so the rest of the players become immune. Sad yeti noises ensue.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]10) select: Xavien Adams – CB – [/div]
With Quentin Sinclair off the board, Honolulu look to ensure they have a CB1 and Xavien Adams fits the bill. 7 PD’s rivals even some of the top CBs and Honolulu select another NOLA player.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
NOLA are the second team off the board in 2 picks.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]11) select: Randy Vuxta – WR – [/div]
Solidifying their WR’s, Honolulu have a stronger corps than some current NSFL teams and that will only grow. Vuxta is currently sitting at 620 yards for the season as WR2 in Philly.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Venus Powers – K/P [/div]
Philly elect to make sure the best K/P in the league stays. Powers is the second highest earning S20 draftee and active member in the community.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]12) select: Jah Bur’Berry – WR – [/div]
Sarasota remember there are 2 sides of the ball and select their first offensive player, Bur’berry. An excellent S20 WR, Bur’Berry will become their WR2 behind Rayne Gordon where he should flourish.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Willie B. Hardagain – WR[/div]
Arizona keep a high-quality name in the team.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]13) select: Zack Vega – WR - [/div]
As they enter the second half of the draft, Sarasota roll the dice on Zack Vega. Waldo has been vocal about wanting to leave Chicago and has said he will switch to WR, so Sarasota round out the WR trio. While currently the QB for Minnesota in the DSFL, a fresh start may be what Vega needs to push on to become a top tier WR.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Beat – S [/div]
Without a lot of active players to protect, Chicago could opt for Xerxes Ridley for a higher TPE protection option, but Chicago looks like it could be entering full rebuild mode and with the way the draft has been going, opts to protect a possible future starter.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]14) HON select: Warren Stephens – LB – [/div]
Honolulu pick up a Linebacker before Philadelphia is off the board. Stephens 104 Tackles to go with a sack, int and 5 PD’s is excellent production from an S20 LB.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
Liberty are the third team off the board before Baltimore, San Jose or Yellowknife have a player drafted (Not counting GM’s).
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]15) select: Juan Marston – CB – [/div]
The first Baltimore player in the draft as young CB Juan Marston. An experienced player would be an ideal addition for Honolulu.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Guy Nikko – LB[/div]
With Raymond Vans retirement, Baltimore protect an IA Linebacker to ensure some depth at the position.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]16) select: Chase Jensen – S – [/div]
Inactivity and the plan for new GM’s to promote an active locker room have cause Chase Jensen to slip to the 8th round. The 4th highest TPE safety in the NSFL would certainly have been protected if active, but expansion times called for desperate measures for Austin. Sarasota get an experienced safety to pair with Kirby and a few of seasons before they need to find his replacement.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Jacoby Clay - WR[/div]
The WR3 for Austin has a bright future ahead so gets protection here.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]17) select: Freezer Riposte – DT – [/div]
Another pick that doesn’t quite fit the future plan, but needing a DT, they go with a high TPE player who can start in the middle of the D Line. Not a long-term option but may also be worth value in a trade to a contending team in S22.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Quindarius Tyerucker - RB[/div]
An inactive updater, but San Jose don’t have many more actives left and their RB2 isnt far behind Rando Cardrissian in TPE.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]18) select: Jayson Kearse – DE – [/div]
Honolulu know Sarasota have already taken their DE’s but select Kearse before protection is available to him. A positive step at DE for a young player.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
With 2 Expansion GM’s from the team, Yellowknife have lost their 3 players and become protected
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]19) select: Ludicolo Bigby – RB – [/div]
Honolulu also take this round to pick up their starting RB for the first few seasons. As Bigby has been inactive for a couple of months, he likely won’t need to be taken in a high round as Sarasota will have GM player Dax Frost as a starting RB.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Alex D. – K/P[/div]
OCO keep their kicker as expansion teams look elsewhere to start.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]20) select: Victor Moreno– CB – [/div]
Sarasota need another CB and get a fairly active player at 20. While he has missed a couple of weeks, potential of a young CB is a good choice this late in the draft.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
Austin off the board
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]21) select: Jaylen Storm – LB – [/div]
As the available actives begin to dwindle, Sarasota continues to fill out the defence with another higher TPE IA. Potential to return may give Storm trade value if he is not considered a necessity in the heart of Sarasota.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
Another team off the board with 3 picks remaining
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]22) select: Reggie Culbertson – DT – [/div]
Another DT for Honolulu. Doesn’t appear to be very active but will fill a gap until S23 when ADwyer enters the NSFL. Fills out the depth chart nicely.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
With 2 picks left, we only have San Jose, Baltimore and Chicago to pick from.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]23) select: Forthe Brand – K/P – [/div]
The first kicker to be selected, not a regular for Baltimore as Fulture gets most of the work, but a longer-term option with the leg.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
Just SJS and CHI left
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]24) select: Diego Espinosa – K/P - [/div]
And with the final pick of the expansion draft, the mad rush on kickers continues. The best of the 2 remaining teams’ kickers is taken as a better than bot option.
And that wraps up the mock draft!
Big points include:
If you want to leak anything in the replies to this, I’m sure @Frostbite, @Raven @ADwyer87 and @RainDelay will appreciate it.
This follow up from my expansion analysis and since then: Both expansion brandings have been announced, Honolulu Hahalua and Sarasota Sailfish; several players have retired; I have actually researched the GM players; and Chicago is undergoing a rollercoaster leadership change. A lot of the concepts behind that are the same, just with less errors hopefully. In this article, I’ll quickly go over who I think will be in the protection lists for each team. This is similar to my previous article but only shows my final lists. If you want to see some of the other potential candidates or more reasoning behind it, check out my previous article HERE, but I’m going to keep this section short as to not repeat myself. Then we can get onto the real deal.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Protection
[/div]
Baltimore
Walt Green (GM)
Errol Maddox
Logan Uchiha
Apollo Reed
Fabricio Baldari
Darrel Williams
Asher Quinn
Juan Marston
After several retirements, Baltimore get their top earners in as well as upcoming prospects Asher Quinn, Darrel Williams and Juan Marston due to their 8th protection spot for losing Corvo Havran.
Chicago
Rose Jenkins (interim GM)
Farley Hank
Thorian Skarsgard
Sean O’leary
Mike Hockhertz
Jack Rambo
Ryan Leaf Jr
The Chicago 7 could look very different depending on who is GM by the time the lists are submitted. Either GM players may be needing spots, or a complete overhaul of the roster are both valid options. Ryan Leaf Jr won’t be in Chicago next season, but off-season trade value makes him probably worth a spot without a great deal of other players to protect.
Colorado Yeti
Mo Berry (GM)
Wolfie McDummy
Laszlo Forty-Two
Bubba Thumper (GM)
Ashley Owens
Louisiana Purchase
Pete Parker
A tough spot for Colorado, talent is going to be leaving the building.
Philadelphia Liberty
Nacho Varga
Richard D’Attoria V
Sam Torenson
Emondov Emoji
Lamon McKinnie
Brock Phoenix
ILove Gimmy (GM)
Julian McMorris’ retirement means only 1 GM protection is needed for Philly. As I'm about to publish this I see Philly have extended TE Avon Blocksdale Jr which suggests they may protect him, but it's difficult to tell who they would leave out (and even more difficult to redo the majority of mock picks with knock on effect)
Yellowknife Wraiths
Nero Alexander (GM)
Cooter Bigsby
Jonny Snuggles
Nate Swift
Giannis Kroustis
Mervin Leonard
Maurice Virtanen
Mathias Hanyadi
Bender B Rodriguez
Yellowknife are losing 2 players to automatic GM picks in the expansion draft so have 9 protection spots which they will use well.
Arizona Outlaws
Lucas Knight
Jay Cue
Saba Donut
Galf Wilf
Ruff Ruff
Desmond Scarlett (GM)
Jamie Nkiah (GM)
Arizona suffer slightly from having GM players as recreates that are forced to be protected, leave top TPE TE but inactive Jammerson Irving off the list.
Austin Copperheads
Dermot Lavelle Jr
Easton Cole (GM)
Mako Mendonca (GM)
Rod Tidwell
Honda Edmond
Net Gaines
Awkward Sexjoke
Austin leave IA Chase Jensen off their list in order to protect promising WR Net Gaines. TE Peter Larson is left open for locker room favourite and promising S20 draftee Awkward Sexjoke in what Austin hope will be a stacked TE expansion draft.
New Orleans Second Line
Forrest Gump (GM)
Quenton Bode
Stan Francisco (GM)
David Rector
Bjørn Ironside
Marcella T?riki
Austin McCormick
NOLA risk Deon Taylor as an older CB in favour of keeping Austin McCormick.
Orange County Otters
Franklin Armstrong
Lanzer Grievous
Hugh Mongo
AJ Lattimer
Tyrone Biggums (GM)
Dexter Banks II
Korrin Abernathy (GM)
Kacey Dream doesn’t make the cut and sent to “sleep with the fishes”.
San Jose Sabercats
Dan Wright
Tyron Brackenridge
Brayden Ennis
Action Jackson
Trey Staley (GM)
Deondre Thomas-Fox
Inspectah Deck
Business as expected for San Jose, only real change is S20 Inspectah Deck as a player for the future over Freezer Riposte as he enter heavy regression.
Expansion Strategy
Here goes nothing
It was recently announced that 1OA in the expansion draft will be the Sarasota Sailfish, lead by Frost and Rain. Both Sarasota and Honolulu look to be building towards the future. Both teams have made trades with NOLA and AUS respectively for their first picks at the top of regulation draft, for both teams to amass more picks in the S22 draft.
The trade-off of missing out on a top ranked prospect for more depth and activity in the locker room is one that has divided opinion. The Sailfish no longer have a first-round pick in the current draft as the 1st they receive back from New Orleans is in the S23 draft. However, these moves by both teams are clearly ones looking to the future of the team, rather than trying to win now. This is what I will be building the expansion mock draft philosophy around. If the goal is to make a push in a couple of seasons, talent that will already have retired will be a waste of an expansion pick, as would inactive players that won’t make any gains for the foreseeable future. All activity is taken from the TPE tracker and an attempt has been made to corroborate this with forum activity, but some may slip through the net.
With the S21 class being protected, I expect both expansion teams to focus on the recent draft classes available to them, S20,19,18 and maybe 17. Obviously, high TPE players from almost any draft class would have be considered but building for the future is (in my opinion) the route both teams want to go down. This will also be affected by what other teams want to protect. While I have predicted the majority of high TPE players to be protected, some teams may be going with an approach for the future as well and may leave the players on the table for one of these teams to make an earlier run than expected.
There will also be considerations made towards the depth of each position in the S22 class. While a stacked class with 11 full rounds of active players, some positions have more depth than others. This article from @FurFurFurson on the Positional TPE breakdown of the S22 class was useful for me as I’m sure it will be to all NSFL GM’s currently. In addition, this article by @mithrandir (and his referenced article from @benstackinpaper) provide a list of needs and how the draft class may fall.
With each pick there will also be a protection for the team, and as this heavily affects the draft, I will also be trying to predict these. As possible picks change with every player selected, they also change with every player protected so these are as important for the draft, even if less flashy as players aren’t changing teams. Expansion GM’s will also have to adapt strategies on the fly as 2 players are taken in a snake draft, with 4 effectively taken away each time, in addition to the ticking clock of 3 players taken per team. The initial 7 spots are not enough to protect all the talent a team wants to keep but additional protection means they won’t lose everything else.
So without further ado, here is:
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]
THE MOCK[/div]
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]1) select: Kacey Dream – CB – [/div]
Sarasota benefit from drawing the top pick in the expansion draft and from Orange county having too many high TPE players to protect. Although CB depth in the S22 draft is excellent, Sarasota pick up the second highest TPE player from the S19 draft and top prospect available in expansion. Furthermore, Scorycory already has great links to the Sarasota front office as he is currently CoGM with Frostbite at Myrtle beach in the DSFL. The combination of extreme earning and close ties makes this a match made in heaven as Sarasota get a defensive cornerstone to start the franchise.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] OCO Protect: Bobby Boucher[/div]
Defensive end is a lacking position for Orange County and with expansion teams looking to the future, OCO lock up their future at DE in Boucher. While at the time of writing, Jaylen Storm hasn’t updated for several seasons, he has been seen on the site and if he has returned, could be protected as a valuable linebacker.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]2) select: Mason Blaylock – S – [/div]
Aside from Rubbe on the OL, Blaylock is the next highest TPE player available from S20-17 classes and both expansion teams start with a player for the defensive backfield. As another DSFL GM, this time for Tijuana, an experienced head to add to the locker room early may prove a solid pick for Honolulu.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protects: Deon Taylor – CB [/div]
NOLA get away with not protecting their CB1 as Honolulu look more to the S22 draft. Taylor is currently sitting at 916 TPE and the 6th highest CB in the league. While he has a few more seasons until regression, he would still be a very valued piece to an expansion team starting out.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]3) select: Jed Podolak – WR – [/div]
Honolulu continue to gut the NOLA S19 class by selecting their WR1 Jed Podolak. Outside of regressing S12 James Bishop, Podolak is one of the highest TPE receivers available and 3rd in the outstanding S19 WR class. Honolulu get a WR1 to start the franchise that isn’t regressing anytime soon, which will be good news for QB Corvo Havran.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Mack Arianlacher – LB [/div]
With the retiring Johnny Slothface leaving a hole in the NOLA LB corps, NOLA decide to ensure rising star Mack Arianlacher stays in the organisation. Although the future of Arianlacher was uncertain due to rumours of his hatred for chocolate with peanut butter, the front office decides to overlook this to keep a star in a position of need.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]4) select: Kyle Idlewyld – DE – [/div]
The #1 pick of the S20 draft drops to #4 in the expansion draft to be picked up by Sarasota. With DE being relatively thin in the S22 draft and a lot of teams having a need at DE, Sarasota add to the defence immediately with Idlewyld. Idlewyld has racked up the most tackles and TFL out of all NSFL DE’s so far this season and had 5 sacks in addition to this.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Peter Larson – TE[/div]
While the loss of Idlewyld stings, Austin retains its TE.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]5) select: Steco Ocewilder – DE – [/div]
Another Defensive End pick for Sarasota. They pick up both at one go with Ocewilder an S18 draftee and strong DE for Colorado.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Earl Sauce – TE [/div]
With Peter Larson protected, Tight end becomes a more valuable commodity and Colorado elect to keep theirs.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]6) select: Avon Blocksdale Jr – TE – [/div]
The run on Tight ends continues. While Blocksdale is still a rawer option in comparison to Irving who is still on the board, already at 90 speed and the potential for growth in other areas, makes Blocksdale the candidate for Honolulu as they add weapons for Havran.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Ricardo Morris – DT [/div]
The top available Defensive tackle is protected by Philadelphia.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]7) select: Shane Masters – DT – [/div]
With Defensive End locked down by Sarasota elect to pick up a DT and S17’s Shane Masters will provide strength in the heart of the DL, already with maxed strength speed and agility.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Jammerson Irving – TE [/div]
Arizona gets to keep their Top rated TE as Expansion teams focus on activity and defence to start the draft.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]8) select: Tony Gabagool – LB - [/div]
While not in the targeted draft classes, Tony Gabagool will marshal the Sarasota defence for the first few years as a top 10 LB in the NSFL. A tackling machine as he currently has joint lead for the NSFL on 118 tackles.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Quentin Sinclair – CB [/div]
CB is a position of need for Colorado, so they make sure they don’t lose anymore with Quentin Sinclair locked up.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]9) select: Thor Kirby – S – [/div]
Defence.
Sarasota continue the trend by picking up their first safety, Thor Kirby. They take another promising young player from Colorado as they build up their elite defence of the future. 57 Tackles, 5 sacks 2 PD and 1 Int is a promising stat line for a young safety.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
Colorado are the first team to have 3 players picked, all within the top 10, and so the rest of the players become immune. Sad yeti noises ensue.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]10) select: Xavien Adams – CB – [/div]
With Quentin Sinclair off the board, Honolulu look to ensure they have a CB1 and Xavien Adams fits the bill. 7 PD’s rivals even some of the top CBs and Honolulu select another NOLA player.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
NOLA are the second team off the board in 2 picks.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]11) select: Randy Vuxta – WR – [/div]
Solidifying their WR’s, Honolulu have a stronger corps than some current NSFL teams and that will only grow. Vuxta is currently sitting at 620 yards for the season as WR2 in Philly.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Venus Powers – K/P [/div]
Philly elect to make sure the best K/P in the league stays. Powers is the second highest earning S20 draftee and active member in the community.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]12) select: Jah Bur’Berry – WR – [/div]
Sarasota remember there are 2 sides of the ball and select their first offensive player, Bur’berry. An excellent S20 WR, Bur’Berry will become their WR2 behind Rayne Gordon where he should flourish.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Willie B. Hardagain – WR[/div]
Arizona keep a high-quality name in the team.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]13) select: Zack Vega – WR - [/div]
As they enter the second half of the draft, Sarasota roll the dice on Zack Vega. Waldo has been vocal about wanting to leave Chicago and has said he will switch to WR, so Sarasota round out the WR trio. While currently the QB for Minnesota in the DSFL, a fresh start may be what Vega needs to push on to become a top tier WR.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Beat – S [/div]
Without a lot of active players to protect, Chicago could opt for Xerxes Ridley for a higher TPE protection option, but Chicago looks like it could be entering full rebuild mode and with the way the draft has been going, opts to protect a possible future starter.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]14) HON select: Warren Stephens – LB – [/div]
Honolulu pick up a Linebacker before Philadelphia is off the board. Stephens 104 Tackles to go with a sack, int and 5 PD’s is excellent production from an S20 LB.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
Liberty are the third team off the board before Baltimore, San Jose or Yellowknife have a player drafted (Not counting GM’s).
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]15) select: Juan Marston – CB – [/div]
The first Baltimore player in the draft as young CB Juan Marston. An experienced player would be an ideal addition for Honolulu.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Guy Nikko – LB[/div]
With Raymond Vans retirement, Baltimore protect an IA Linebacker to ensure some depth at the position.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]16) select: Chase Jensen – S – [/div]
Inactivity and the plan for new GM’s to promote an active locker room have cause Chase Jensen to slip to the 8th round. The 4th highest TPE safety in the NSFL would certainly have been protected if active, but expansion times called for desperate measures for Austin. Sarasota get an experienced safety to pair with Kirby and a few of seasons before they need to find his replacement.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Jacoby Clay - WR[/div]
The WR3 for Austin has a bright future ahead so gets protection here.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]17) select: Freezer Riposte – DT – [/div]
Another pick that doesn’t quite fit the future plan, but needing a DT, they go with a high TPE player who can start in the middle of the D Line. Not a long-term option but may also be worth value in a trade to a contending team in S22.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Quindarius Tyerucker - RB[/div]
An inactive updater, but San Jose don’t have many more actives left and their RB2 isnt far behind Rando Cardrissian in TPE.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]18) select: Jayson Kearse – DE – [/div]
Honolulu know Sarasota have already taken their DE’s but select Kearse before protection is available to him. A positive step at DE for a young player.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
With 2 Expansion GM’s from the team, Yellowknife have lost their 3 players and become protected
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]19) select: Ludicolo Bigby – RB – [/div]
Honolulu also take this round to pick up their starting RB for the first few seasons. As Bigby has been inactive for a couple of months, he likely won’t need to be taken in a high round as Sarasota will have GM player Dax Frost as a starting RB.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Alex D. – K/P[/div]
OCO keep their kicker as expansion teams look elsewhere to start.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]20) select: Victor Moreno– CB – [/div]
Sarasota need another CB and get a fairly active player at 20. While he has missed a couple of weeks, potential of a young CB is a good choice this late in the draft.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
Austin off the board
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]21) select: Jaylen Storm – LB – [/div]
As the available actives begin to dwindle, Sarasota continues to fill out the defence with another higher TPE IA. Potential to return may give Storm trade value if he is not considered a necessity in the heart of Sarasota.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
Another team off the board with 3 picks remaining
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]22) select: Reggie Culbertson – DT – [/div]
Another DT for Honolulu. Doesn’t appear to be very active but will fill a gap until S23 when ADwyer enters the NSFL. Fills out the depth chart nicely.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
With 2 picks left, we only have San Jose, Baltimore and Chicago to pick from.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]23) select: Forthe Brand – K/P – [/div]
The first kicker to be selected, not a regular for Baltimore as Fulture gets most of the work, but a longer-term option with the leg.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] Protect: Everyone[/div]
Just SJS and CHI left
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]24) select: Diego Espinosa – K/P - [/div]
And with the final pick of the expansion draft, the mad rush on kickers continues. The best of the 2 remaining teams’ kickers is taken as a better than bot option.
And that wraps up the mock draft!
Big points include:
- The low overall TPE of the expansion teams in favour of having an active locker room and potential in the future.
- No QB in sight for Honolulu, expect both teams to be looking at QB in the draft.
- Kickers are people too, but even with the extensive O Line articles of late, no O Line were picked up
If you want to leak anything in the replies to this, I’m sure @Frostbite, @Raven @ADwyer87 and @RainDelay will appreciate it.