10-26-2021, 04:37 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-10-2021, 05:17 PM by Crunk. Edited 1 time in total.)
It’s that time of the season!! You know what I mean – Mock Draft Time!! I haven’t done one of these in a hot minute, so bear with me! If you’re not sure who I am, and my qualifications to do something like this – first off, it’s a Simulated Football League, relax. Secondly, I am a former DSFL and ISFL GM, and have about 10 seasons total of War Room experience.
This article is going to assume no trades, but I will talk about trade potentials. Being a smaller draft, this one has some potentials to throw some surprises.
#1 – Baltimore Hawks – Pasta the Turtle – LB(?) - @visceralpotamus
The Hawks are coming off a disappointing season in an uber-competitive conference. Pasta is currently a Linebacker, and while that is not an immediate need, its worth noting that Pasta used their rookie swap to move from OL to Linebacker. Having already shown a willingness to switch, and being the TPE leader of this draft class, Pasta should be a pretty safe pick for the Hawks. Whether he stays at LB, or shifts to CB to help cover their need in the secondary will remain to be seen.
#2 – Baltimore Hawks – Escanor Sama – WR - @LordEscanor
Gosh darn does Frick and Hall love picking 1-2OA. They’re going to pick up another weapon for Gimmy here by taking Escanor at 2OA. I have had the pleasure of interacting with Escanor’s user, LordEscanor in a few different LRs, and have nothing but great things to say about him. The only question here would be Escanor over Troy Barnes? Barnes user, Jay_Doctor, has very strong ties to NOLA. More on that later.
#3 - New Orleans Second Line – Troy Barnes – WR - @Jay_Doctor
Or more on that now. Troy Barnes user is Jay_Doctor – former New Orleans GM and well-known former NOLA legend. If Jay is here, New Orleans takes him. In that respect, Baltimore will leave him and take Escanor, because doing otherwise would likely create some bad blood. One of the many complications when it comes to drafting people over players. I’ve always thought there was an unspoken courtesy rule to allow a former team to take a former player early… But all bets come off pretty much past the 1st (and 2nd in deeper drafts) round.
#4 – San Jose Sabrecats – Lalu Muhammad Zohri – RB - @kentakira
Jamar Lackson is aging – there I said it. The Sabrecats have a total of 4 RBs on their budget, 3 of whom are IA. This one is a no brainer. Zohri’s user, Kentakira, is amazing. They are literally everywhere, and wherever they go, bomb-ass graphics follow. I had the pleasure of drafting Kentakira during my time in Colorado, and then the unfortune of trading him to San Jose. One of the trades few trade I wish I could take back, but the pick did let us take Rusfan – and you can’t say that one was a bust! Zohri represents a safe pick for San Jose, and a pretty much guaranteed successor to Jamar Lackson.
#5 – New York Silverbacks – Deshawn Penne – Tight End - @Pvtpenne
I’ll be honest, I completely expect the Silverbacks to trade back if possible, though who to would be interesting. I consider Orange County the favourites to trade into the first, with Colorado and Yellowknife as underdogs to make a move happen.
The Silverbacks have the luxury of depth in this league. They have an incredibly deep team, with a serviceable tight end. However, Treant (New York’s current TE) is inactive. Penne would be someone who could grow into the starting role, and still play an important part to the franchise. A bit of a reach at 5OA in my opinion – given the impact of the Tight End position – but when you put yourself in luxury positions like New York did, you get to pick whoever you want.
#6 – Philadelphia Liberty – Arnie Rufus – DT - @mcgriddleluver
The field seems to be convinced that Philly will be taking linebacker Spicy Ron here. While I definitely can see a world where that happens, especially is he swaps back to DL, the Liberty have an issue at DT - and nearly 3 Linebackers with over 1000 TPE, a fourth on roster, and a fifth in the DSFL on budget. Arnie’s user is also MacGriddleLover – a sim league vet who has had some good runs on players. Rufus provides to them an instant plug to stop the gap down the middle – an immediate impact for a team really looking to make a big splash next season.
And if you want to argue for Garfield Despacito III – does anyone think user @Gwdjohnson is going anywhere BUT Orange County?
#7 – Yellowknife Wraiths – LaDamien Beck - S - @By-Tor
This one feels like a home run for Yellowknife. Getting the #2 OA TPE leader of this draft class at #7 OA should be illegal! The Wraiths have an absolute NEED at Safety, and Beck just fits perfectly here. While they did put out a media piece advising that they would be scaling back their sim league activity, I think the need and discrepancy is too large for Yellowknife to ignore. They go here anyways.
#8 – Berlin Fire Salamanders – Rocky Rhoads – RB - @platanocat
I know, I know – Rocky Rhoads ahead of Josh Riggins, have I lost my mind? No, not really. The difference between the two is 20 TPE – which means very little to the sim. The Fire Salamanders need a RB – one of their few issues on their depth chart. However, it’s Rocky Rhoads user that I would be interested in. An updater and London Royal’s legend (former player: Marlon Alexander), platanocat is a fantastic user, and a wonderful locker room presence. I think he goes here at 8OA.
#9 – Arizona Outlaws – Doc Fireball – DE - @2Lzy
This one might surprise a few folks. I think this is a disservice to the user in a massive way. In fact, I think Doc can go as high as 5OA or 6OA depending on what New York does with their pick. But I think that if they make it down to 9OA, the Outlaws will be all but forced to take them – not a bad decision to be forced into. Doc’s user, 2lzy, is a rookie mentor and fits a position of huge need for the Outlaws. This one might be a match made in heaven!
#10 – Sarasota Sailfish – Bernd D. Brot – QB - @teddyoojo
A QB in the 1st round? What is this, the SCFSL? Nah, but in all seriousness, I feel like this is a weak draft class in terms of depth. I expect 24 picks to the maximum value point, so it would make sense that Sarasota takes someone safe here. While they are NOT in need of a QB, with their former GM Frostbite playing the position, Bernd is a luxury pick the Sailfish can very much afford. Mike Boss Jr. isn’t quite slated for a timeline that would see Frost effortlessly transition into the Starting role. Actually, I think Bernd fits that timeline better. If Bernd’s user ‘teddyoojo’ earns like a monster year in and year out, we might actually see Frost be the first to switch.
However, I think it’s far more likely that Bernd will switch from QB to another position of need for the Sailfish, whenever their time come. teddyoojo is a former Sailfish alumni, so the team would likely be comfortable taking him this high in this draft. Either way, this feels like a solid pick for the team.
#11 – Chicago Butchers – Franklin Turtle – DT - @ Don't @ me /s
I can hear it now – REEEEEEEEEACH! I absolutely agree. I don’t deserve to be anywhere near the 1st round, but I think it’s going to happen. The Butchers and I as a player and user have history. They are easily one of my favourite team in the ISFL simply because of the userbase inside that locker room. Reno, Starboy, Painted, Muford – I could go on and on. I love the Butchers, and I think the feeling is mutual – at least between CC and I. Franklin would also fill an immediate need at defensive tackle for the aging Daymond Brooks (god that felt weird to say – Brooks’ user, FSF, was my S22 draft partner… Now I look at replacing him… Time goes by so quickly).
Yeah, there’s a billion and a half better picks here, but I do think this is the one that makes the most sense given the board.
#12 – Austin Copperheads – Lance Witt – S - @solas
This one is a bit of a reach but when you consider the position and user it makes sense. Austin is in need of a Safety. They have a single CB in the DSFL that will likely come up next year to play the Safety/nickel CB position, but they would likely prefer to find a permanent solution. Lance’s user Solas is a true rookie to our league, so no biases there. However, their DSFL team is the Dallas Birddogs, who have a habit of winding up on the Austin Copperheads. The need is there, and the user fits, let’s just see if this one pans out!
#13 – Colorado Yeti - Mrs. "Stacks" McHits – OL - @MamaB
There was likely a collective sigh in the Colorado War Room as Chicago takes me off the board at 11OA. While a homecoming would have been nice for both of us, there is just too much for Colorado to address this draft for them to consider reaching for me like that (even if they do aggressively move up to 5OA like I suspect they might do). This makes this pick easy.
Mrs. McHits, or better known by their user, MamaB, is one of my favourite prospects in this draft. Colorado also have a need at Offensive Line, but lets be honest, who doesn’t? Having played their DSFL season in Norfolk, they likely would’ve caught the eye of Colorado’s GMs very early. With a couple of other QBs going early, Colorado should feel no pressure to take their QB of the future (SwankyPants - Live Laughlove), and will likely add to their insane pool of amazing users in that room with the acquisition of Mrs. McHits here. Though keep an eye on Colorado this draft – an aggressive trade up could very well be on the cards for them.
#14 – Yellowknife Wraiths - Zephyr "Tater" GreyWolf – LB @taterswc
I also think the Yellowknife have a chance to be aggressive to move up to 5OA, but with a pick at 7OA as well, I would colour them underdogs in the odds to trade up to 5OA. Instead, I could see them taking Tater here. Linebacker is a position of massive need for the Wraiths (not as much as Safety, but still pretty big) – and with 2 picks in the first round, they’ll hopefully shore that up here. They will also be taking their GM, whom is also a Linebacker, in the second round. I don’t think that changes this pick, as they need more than just 1 or 2 Linebackers.
GreyWolf’s user ‘taterswc’ has pumped out a ton of media this season. Though it may have gone under the radar as the majority of what they make is Podcasts. This one makes too much sense if it Tater is still there by the end of the 1st round. I think they will be.
Honourable Mentions:
Orange County Otters - Garfield Despacito III – DT - @Gwdjohnson
I referenced this one at 6OA - let’s just call this one what it is. Whenever Orange County pick, they’ll be taking Garfield Despacito III. Despacito’s user Gwdjohnson spent an entire career with the Otters previously (as a WR), and I suspect they will be more than happy to be back with the Otters again. If they Otters don’t take him with their first available pick, I’d expect the GM room to dissolve into theatrics.
Colorado Yeti - Live Laughlove – QB - @SwankyPants31
Hard as it is to believe, Matthias Caliban is getting old! Live Laughlove (I hate you Swanky) is the player of user ‘SwankyPants31’ – former Tijuana GM, and an amazing person. Swanky spent their entire career with Colorado, playing one of the first and most successful power-backs in the league. I'm sort of chuffed to see him playing a QB now - and I hope for the very best for him at the position. Also note: They are not to be confused with user ‘Swanty’ as I so often do. Unless…
This article is going to assume no trades, but I will talk about trade potentials. Being a smaller draft, this one has some potentials to throw some surprises.
#1 – Baltimore Hawks – Pasta the Turtle – LB(?) - @visceralpotamus
The Hawks are coming off a disappointing season in an uber-competitive conference. Pasta is currently a Linebacker, and while that is not an immediate need, its worth noting that Pasta used their rookie swap to move from OL to Linebacker. Having already shown a willingness to switch, and being the TPE leader of this draft class, Pasta should be a pretty safe pick for the Hawks. Whether he stays at LB, or shifts to CB to help cover their need in the secondary will remain to be seen.
#2 – Baltimore Hawks – Escanor Sama – WR - @LordEscanor
Gosh darn does Frick and Hall love picking 1-2OA. They’re going to pick up another weapon for Gimmy here by taking Escanor at 2OA. I have had the pleasure of interacting with Escanor’s user, LordEscanor in a few different LRs, and have nothing but great things to say about him. The only question here would be Escanor over Troy Barnes? Barnes user, Jay_Doctor, has very strong ties to NOLA. More on that later.
#3 - New Orleans Second Line – Troy Barnes – WR - @Jay_Doctor
Or more on that now. Troy Barnes user is Jay_Doctor – former New Orleans GM and well-known former NOLA legend. If Jay is here, New Orleans takes him. In that respect, Baltimore will leave him and take Escanor, because doing otherwise would likely create some bad blood. One of the many complications when it comes to drafting people over players. I’ve always thought there was an unspoken courtesy rule to allow a former team to take a former player early… But all bets come off pretty much past the 1st (and 2nd in deeper drafts) round.
#4 – San Jose Sabrecats – Lalu Muhammad Zohri – RB - @kentakira
Jamar Lackson is aging – there I said it. The Sabrecats have a total of 4 RBs on their budget, 3 of whom are IA. This one is a no brainer. Zohri’s user, Kentakira, is amazing. They are literally everywhere, and wherever they go, bomb-ass graphics follow. I had the pleasure of drafting Kentakira during my time in Colorado, and then the unfortune of trading him to San Jose. One of the trades few trade I wish I could take back, but the pick did let us take Rusfan – and you can’t say that one was a bust! Zohri represents a safe pick for San Jose, and a pretty much guaranteed successor to Jamar Lackson.
#5 – New York Silverbacks – Deshawn Penne – Tight End - @Pvtpenne
I’ll be honest, I completely expect the Silverbacks to trade back if possible, though who to would be interesting. I consider Orange County the favourites to trade into the first, with Colorado and Yellowknife as underdogs to make a move happen.
The Silverbacks have the luxury of depth in this league. They have an incredibly deep team, with a serviceable tight end. However, Treant (New York’s current TE) is inactive. Penne would be someone who could grow into the starting role, and still play an important part to the franchise. A bit of a reach at 5OA in my opinion – given the impact of the Tight End position – but when you put yourself in luxury positions like New York did, you get to pick whoever you want.
#6 – Philadelphia Liberty – Arnie Rufus – DT - @mcgriddleluver
The field seems to be convinced that Philly will be taking linebacker Spicy Ron here. While I definitely can see a world where that happens, especially is he swaps back to DL, the Liberty have an issue at DT - and nearly 3 Linebackers with over 1000 TPE, a fourth on roster, and a fifth in the DSFL on budget. Arnie’s user is also MacGriddleLover – a sim league vet who has had some good runs on players. Rufus provides to them an instant plug to stop the gap down the middle – an immediate impact for a team really looking to make a big splash next season.
And if you want to argue for Garfield Despacito III – does anyone think user @Gwdjohnson is going anywhere BUT Orange County?
#7 – Yellowknife Wraiths – LaDamien Beck - S - @By-Tor
This one feels like a home run for Yellowknife. Getting the #2 OA TPE leader of this draft class at #7 OA should be illegal! The Wraiths have an absolute NEED at Safety, and Beck just fits perfectly here. While they did put out a media piece advising that they would be scaling back their sim league activity, I think the need and discrepancy is too large for Yellowknife to ignore. They go here anyways.
#8 – Berlin Fire Salamanders – Rocky Rhoads – RB - @platanocat
I know, I know – Rocky Rhoads ahead of Josh Riggins, have I lost my mind? No, not really. The difference between the two is 20 TPE – which means very little to the sim. The Fire Salamanders need a RB – one of their few issues on their depth chart. However, it’s Rocky Rhoads user that I would be interested in. An updater and London Royal’s legend (former player: Marlon Alexander), platanocat is a fantastic user, and a wonderful locker room presence. I think he goes here at 8OA.
#9 – Arizona Outlaws – Doc Fireball – DE - @2Lzy
This one might surprise a few folks. I think this is a disservice to the user in a massive way. In fact, I think Doc can go as high as 5OA or 6OA depending on what New York does with their pick. But I think that if they make it down to 9OA, the Outlaws will be all but forced to take them – not a bad decision to be forced into. Doc’s user, 2lzy, is a rookie mentor and fits a position of huge need for the Outlaws. This one might be a match made in heaven!
#10 – Sarasota Sailfish – Bernd D. Brot – QB - @teddyoojo
A QB in the 1st round? What is this, the SCFSL? Nah, but in all seriousness, I feel like this is a weak draft class in terms of depth. I expect 24 picks to the maximum value point, so it would make sense that Sarasota takes someone safe here. While they are NOT in need of a QB, with their former GM Frostbite playing the position, Bernd is a luxury pick the Sailfish can very much afford. Mike Boss Jr. isn’t quite slated for a timeline that would see Frost effortlessly transition into the Starting role. Actually, I think Bernd fits that timeline better. If Bernd’s user ‘teddyoojo’ earns like a monster year in and year out, we might actually see Frost be the first to switch.
However, I think it’s far more likely that Bernd will switch from QB to another position of need for the Sailfish, whenever their time come. teddyoojo is a former Sailfish alumni, so the team would likely be comfortable taking him this high in this draft. Either way, this feels like a solid pick for the team.
#11 – Chicago Butchers – Franklin Turtle – DT - @ Don't @ me /s
I can hear it now – REEEEEEEEEACH! I absolutely agree. I don’t deserve to be anywhere near the 1st round, but I think it’s going to happen. The Butchers and I as a player and user have history. They are easily one of my favourite team in the ISFL simply because of the userbase inside that locker room. Reno, Starboy, Painted, Muford – I could go on and on. I love the Butchers, and I think the feeling is mutual – at least between CC and I. Franklin would also fill an immediate need at defensive tackle for the aging Daymond Brooks (god that felt weird to say – Brooks’ user, FSF, was my S22 draft partner… Now I look at replacing him… Time goes by so quickly).
Yeah, there’s a billion and a half better picks here, but I do think this is the one that makes the most sense given the board.
#12 – Austin Copperheads – Lance Witt – S - @solas
This one is a bit of a reach but when you consider the position and user it makes sense. Austin is in need of a Safety. They have a single CB in the DSFL that will likely come up next year to play the Safety/nickel CB position, but they would likely prefer to find a permanent solution. Lance’s user Solas is a true rookie to our league, so no biases there. However, their DSFL team is the Dallas Birddogs, who have a habit of winding up on the Austin Copperheads. The need is there, and the user fits, let’s just see if this one pans out!
#13 – Colorado Yeti - Mrs. "Stacks" McHits – OL - @MamaB
There was likely a collective sigh in the Colorado War Room as Chicago takes me off the board at 11OA. While a homecoming would have been nice for both of us, there is just too much for Colorado to address this draft for them to consider reaching for me like that (even if they do aggressively move up to 5OA like I suspect they might do). This makes this pick easy.
Mrs. McHits, or better known by their user, MamaB, is one of my favourite prospects in this draft. Colorado also have a need at Offensive Line, but lets be honest, who doesn’t? Having played their DSFL season in Norfolk, they likely would’ve caught the eye of Colorado’s GMs very early. With a couple of other QBs going early, Colorado should feel no pressure to take their QB of the future (SwankyPants - Live Laughlove), and will likely add to their insane pool of amazing users in that room with the acquisition of Mrs. McHits here. Though keep an eye on Colorado this draft – an aggressive trade up could very well be on the cards for them.
#14 – Yellowknife Wraiths - Zephyr "Tater" GreyWolf – LB @taterswc
I also think the Yellowknife have a chance to be aggressive to move up to 5OA, but with a pick at 7OA as well, I would colour them underdogs in the odds to trade up to 5OA. Instead, I could see them taking Tater here. Linebacker is a position of massive need for the Wraiths (not as much as Safety, but still pretty big) – and with 2 picks in the first round, they’ll hopefully shore that up here. They will also be taking their GM, whom is also a Linebacker, in the second round. I don’t think that changes this pick, as they need more than just 1 or 2 Linebackers.
GreyWolf’s user ‘taterswc’ has pumped out a ton of media this season. Though it may have gone under the radar as the majority of what they make is Podcasts. This one makes too much sense if it Tater is still there by the end of the 1st round. I think they will be.
Honourable Mentions:
Orange County Otters - Garfield Despacito III – DT - @Gwdjohnson
I referenced this one at 6OA - let’s just call this one what it is. Whenever Orange County pick, they’ll be taking Garfield Despacito III. Despacito’s user Gwdjohnson spent an entire career with the Otters previously (as a WR), and I suspect they will be more than happy to be back with the Otters again. If they Otters don’t take him with their first available pick, I’d expect the GM room to dissolve into theatrics.
Colorado Yeti - Live Laughlove – QB - @SwankyPants31
Hard as it is to believe, Matthias Caliban is getting old! Live Laughlove (I hate you Swanky) is the player of user ‘SwankyPants31’ – former Tijuana GM, and an amazing person. Swanky spent their entire career with Colorado, playing one of the first and most successful power-backs in the league. I'm sort of chuffed to see him playing a QB now - and I hope for the very best for him at the position. Also note: They are not to be confused with user ‘Swanty’ as I so often do. Unless…
Quote:2121 Words