02-17-2022, 06:52 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-21-2022, 07:54 PM by Crunk. Edited 1 time in total.)
About ten seasons have passed since I made one of these, so I figured it was time for another one. It’s probably because I’ve just recreated and have a renewed interest in the drafts, but I have asked @TheCC to eject me from the Chicago War Room so I can make a mock this season. I’m likely not going to get any more picks correct than your typically informed mock creator, but I do have a goal in mind. As we all know, most new respondents will just copy the first PT response, so hopefully I can post quickly enough to claim the first reply and get all of you fine War Room members at least 7 TPE. This means I’ll be satisfied with getting 4/14 picks correct (or maybe even 3/14 if we are using the weird rounding rules from that one season where 6.37 rounded up to 7).
So what can go wrong? I could not be the first response to the thread. If I see the thread appear in my RSS feed, I’ll rush to my PC to fill out the form as quickly as possible. However, there isn’t much I can do to guarantee my spot at the front of the line if @siddhus posts the PT at 5:31 AM again. I could get 3 or fewer picks correct. I’m not going to go the lengths of asking draftees what positions they’ll play, teams could trade their picks and throw the entire first round into disarray, etc. I’m mostly going to be looking at a player’s current position, known team affiliations, and team drafting preferences in putting this mock draft together, but I can’t account for everything. What I’m really saying is that I’m putting this mock draft out before the actual draft starts, so if I get any pick wrong it’s because the GMs chose the wrong player and don’t value our collective TPE. Anyway, without further ado, let's see what I can come up with...
With the 1st pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the New Orleans Second Line select … RB MICHAELANGELO MCTURTLE (@slothfacekilla) .
Team Needs: QB, WR, CB
Let's talk a little bit about New Orleans' positioning in this draft. They own picks 1, 15, and 19 (the latter coming via trade with New York) but are required to use pick 15 on Elessar Jones (mithrandir). As I look at the list of prospective draftees, three names immediately jump out with connections to the Second Line--RB Michaelangelo McTurtle (slothfacekilla, previous player Ben Slothlisberger was NOLA QB from S24 - S30 prior to playing offensive line for a couple of seasons), DT Solace Avenger (MobiausGrander, previous player Azarius Ranger was NOLA DE from S25 - S32), and QB Boone McCoy (Nokazoa, previous player Austin McCormick was NOLA TE from S19 - S28). Ideally, New Orleans works out a deal where they can return all three of these players, but it won't be so simple. In all likelihood they would be content with trading down into the first round with this pick, but moving up to the first overall pick is typically a very expensive acquisition. It's hard to imagine them parting with the pick for anything less than two first rounders, and I don't see any team paying that kind of premium in this draft. Of the three players, I feel the most confident in the Second Line taking McTurtle at this spot. Plus, we get back to back drafts with 1OA McTurtles, which is reason enough for this pick. Although they roster four running backs currently, I wouldn't be surprised if The Stig is the only one suiting up and purple and gold next season as Alexander-Arnold retires, Rotchburns continues to regress, and Johns continues to stagnate. Besides, slothfacekilla has already shown a willingness to swap at the end of his last career, so perhaps they have other plans in mind for him anyway.
With the 2nd pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Yellowknife Wraiths select … K THEO LARIAT (@ctots) .
Team Needs: TE, CB, S
Originally, I had penciled Simon the Frog in at this pick. After all, CB is a big need for the Wraiths. Daniel Foster only has a couple of seasons left before he's not viable to play, and Owen Reed is missing in action and due to be replaced by Dragazor Blaze at any moment. With only one safety rostered, they need to figure out a solution. Plus, I assume ZootTX and yonggarius get along all right given their history in Dallas. Then I started looking at Yellowknife's draft picks over the past few seasons and I talked myself out of it. Whether by chance or intent, Yellowknife's core group is largely composed of new users over recreates. Currently, the only active recreates on their roster after their season are 3lewsers and teddyoojo, both users who are relatively active on Discord. I say all of this to really say that the Wraiths will continue their trend of drafting new users, and they will be rewarded by taking Theo Lariat, who I personally believe is the best prospect in the draft. ctots is constantly asking questions in management chat, and he is already an HO intern before his first season has even concluded. He says he's willing to sim test, and he will play any position. He is likely the frontrunner for the DSFL Most Dedicated Member award. A minor difference in TPE is irrelevant when stacked up against this resume. Any team that passes on this player is going to regret it for seasons to come. (Did I convince the Yellowknife GMs to make this selection?)
With the 3rd pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the San Jose Sabercats select … CB SIMON THE FROG (@yonggarius) .
Team Needs: DT, DE, S
Take everything I said about Simon the Frog in my last pick, and put it here. Even if Russet Buster (RussDrivesTheBus) stays at CB and goes up immediately after getting drafted in the second round, the Sabercats only roster four defensive backs once Rickie Vaughne retires and Philip Stein becomes a free agent. From a roster construction perspective I think this picks allows San Jose the flexibility for Russ to swap to a position on the defensive line, which the team needs desperately. yonggarius has been a Rookie Mentor for as long as I can remember, so I'm sure he and Russ have developed a good working relationship over the seasons. yonggarius has already put out media indicating that he plans to stick with his drafted team indefinitely, so that should assuage any concerns that the Sabercats have about him heading to Colorado after a short-term deal.
With the 4th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Philadelphia Liberty select … LB GANYU (@GlimsTC) .
Team Needs: WR, DT, LB
Philadelphia has built up quite a respectable stock of players still in the DSFL while most other teams have very few reserves to draw upon. Pat's player is currently the QB for Dallas, but with Shinomiya also rostered, he has the freedom to shore up any of the team's needs. Linebacker is probably the biggest need on the roster, which is odd considering that they four on the roster and an additional one being added next season in Claflin. Still, after Jimi DeSoto and Gary Goodman both regress again this offseason, Philadelphia's average TPE at the position will be around 600. The Liberty will be happy to add Ganyu to help shore up the front seven. Glims' first player was a part of the legendary S25 class, and he was one of the most Discord active users of his time. Philadelphia prides themselves on a strong locker room culture, so when you couple that with a strong earner at a position of need, I think the Liberty will make this pick rather quickly as he maintains a good relationship with many of the users on the Liberty. No doubt Austin will be unhappy to see Glims be taken here--alas, if only they had a way to guarantee that they could draft him in the second round.
With the 5th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the New York Silverbacks select … RB RUMBLE RONSON (@MrStennett) .
Team Needs: RB, DT, CB
This was the most difficult pick for me to predict so far as I believe New York have several nearly equal options on the board. With Colt Mendoza potentially not on the roster next season, the Silverbacks could enter the offseason with no defensive tackles in sight. That could make Solace Avenger an attractive option, but I think they go with a very proven commodity at the running back position instead. I guess they can always draft Big Edd at DT next season. MrStennett has had two very successful players in the league, so New York will feel that he is a reliable player to steadily earn and eventually take over the lead back position. It may not happen for a couple of seasons with Brandon Prince still another season away from regression, but the handoff should be fairly seamless if Ronson continues to earn at the same pace as he's been earning so far. Both players mentioned were drafted to play for Dallas in the DSFL, so zaynzk should have a good understanding of both of them heading into the draft.
With the 6th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Honolulu Hahalua select … WR LUCIUS SALEM (@ImSatanJunior) .
Team Needs: QB, WR, DE
If this were the NFL draft, I'd probably slot Bageshwari Singh here. However, there are three teams who will definitely be considering replacement QBs in this draft, and there are three qualified candidates. Without the pressure of needing to choose one immediately, the quarterbacks might slide a bit further than expected. Aside from Singh, several of the top players on the board by TPE are all wide receivers, so I think it's time for us to start trying to deal some of them out. Honolulu will be happy to take any of them, and personally I'd look at some of the brand new users. There is a bit of unnecessary risk involved with drafting a recreate who could have ties to their former team, so without knowing the user's opinions, I'll say that the Hahalua will add Lucius Salem. Though Salem lags just a bit behind the top of the class in earning, I am relying on the fact that he was recently named as the co-GM of Norfolk. His fellow GM in Norfolk, Gbeck765, is also in the Honolulu war room, and Honolulu GM MMFLEX is a Norfolk product as well. ImSatanJunior has a couple of league jobs now and looks to have serious staying potential, so I think these ties will be sufficient to give them an edge over Blondin or Dangle.
With the 7th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Colorado Yeti select … DE NATHAN EXPLOSION (@micool132) .
Team Needs: DE, CB, S
Colorado is a team with two glaring needs. It's time to begin replacing its aging secondary (every member of which is in regression), but there are no elite DB prospects left on the board. Fair enough, I suppose they ought to address their defensive line instead which will return zero starters after Blackstone and Jaxon-Waxon enter retirement. If I knew Zayne Dangle or Louis Blondin would swap to one of the positions that the Yeti need, I'd slot them here immediately. Without that knowledge, I have the Yeti snagging the top DE prospect in Nathan Explosion, an active user who is behind in TPE by virtue of being a waiver create. Defensive line is very scarce in the league in general and in this draft in particular, with only three viable defensive end prospects to consider. This could trigger a run on DEs if it does pan out, but I think it's also likely that the Yeti could instead engage in some creative position swapping to hold the roster together for another season.
With the 8th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Berlin Fire Salamanders select … DT SOLACE AVENGER (@MobiausGrander) .
Team Needs: DT, LB, CB
Hear me out. I know I said earlier that New Orleans would look to scoop up this player, so why do I have him mocked to Berlin? Two reasons. Avenger is literally surrounded on the remaining TPE board by QBs and WRs. Berlin can afford to wait another season or so before looking for Zaylren's replacement, and even though Skiuuup is leaving in free agency, the Fire Salamanders have his replacement Marvin Toledo waiting in the wings. The best Defensive Tackle prospect in the draft is an easy choice here, and Berlin can feel comfortable making the pick given their alternatives. The other reason? Berlin have been involved in 9 of the last 14 trades in the ISFL. If anyone is going to trade with New Orleans so they can pick up Avenger, Berlin is a very good bet which allows us to cover our bases if New Orleans does pick him here. In fact, I'd say that's even more likely that that the trade happens than the pick, so I'll call my shot and say Berlin trades this pick to New Orleans for their S35 1st rounder to send Mobiaus back to the Big Easy.
With the 9th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Austin Copperheads select … QB OZAMATAZ BUCKSHANK (@ConnorM123) .
Team Needs: DT, CB, S
There it is, our first QB pick. But why would a team with two quarterbacks add a third? To be honest, I didn't come up with this myself. I am pretty sure I heard it as a rumor several weeks ago, so here's hoping it wasn't a fever dream. It starts to make a bit more sense when you try to map out the timeline for the Austin QB transition. Daytona is right on the edge of being passed by Tight End Eighty-Two in the offseason, and then TE82 will serve as a bridge QB for a few seasons while Buckshank grows in the DSFL. This pick reunites ConnorM123 with his good friend and GM frazzle14, so even if the pick doesn't check any of the team need boxes in the next season or two, we can at least feel warm and fuzzy about it.
With the 10th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Chicago Butchers select … DE JOEY DIN (@"Mattyoce971") .
Team Needs: DT, LB, CB
While they'd obviously prefer a LB to replace toxic veteran Juan Domine or a CB to replace Hououin Kyouma, there simply isn't anyone on the board that you can justify at this spot for those positions. Instead, Chicago will continue its time-honored tradition of dipping into the Minnesota well for a defensive lineman. Big Wasrabi Gleel only has one more season left for the Butchers, so Din stays down for a season before joining the team to round out the defensive line of Garciaparra, Strongjaw, and Salami. Instead of reaching for an immediate position of need, Chicago will roll the dice and hope LB Sam Sung or CB Cuttino Mobley make it back to them in the second round. Another option for Chicago could be one of the many WRs still available, which would allow Vincent Sharpei Jr. to finally be sent to a team that will treat him well. If I hadn't mocked Avenger at 8 to Berlin, I would have put him here at 10 for the same reasons. Chicago will look to trade back if the previous nine players are taken, but it's impossible to tell if they'll find any suitors. Even if they don't they'll be happen to add Mattyoce971, who recently just found employment as a regression coordinator.
With the 11th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Sarasota Sailfish select … WR LOUIS BLONDIN (@Gordon Bombay) .
Team Needs: WR, DT, DE
Finally, a team that needs WR! Saleem Spence is an elite WR1 for the Sailfish, but they'll need to start making a plan for the future with Jackson Kingston headed to free agency and Troy Barnes as the only other rostered receiver. The top receivers on the big board are Louis Blondin and Zayne Dangle. In reality, there is very little that separates them--both are max earners who seem to have joined from the SHL and have very similar bank account balances, but the Sarasota brass will be more comfortable drafting the London product that they know than looking elsewhere. Perhaps sakrosankt will also chime in with support for his Atlanta Inferno teammate.
With the 12th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Arizona Outlaws select … "CAPTAIN" BILLY STINKWATER (@BRNXB0MBERS) .
Team Needs: WR, DE, S
After I saw in the previous mock draft claim post that BRNXB0MBERS is a war room member for the Outlaws, this pick became much easier to mock. Wide receiver is set to become a position of need with Darren Pama and Taro Raimon both regressing again as Kotoni Staggs takes the reins as WR1 in the desert, so the Outlaws will be looking to reload with Stinkwater in a couple of seasons. This will likely be the last opportunity for them to go with an offensive player in the first round, as their defensive core is starting to age quickly and will need to be revamped over the seasons to come. They will really want to bring BRNXB0MBERS back and won't have the opportunity to draft him in the second round as they'll be forced to draft Spottie O'Dopaliscious (Z-Whiz), so I have a bit more confidence in this selection.
With the 13th* pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Orange County Otters select … WR ZAYNE DANGLE (@Vaxlare) .
Team Needs: WR, LB, S
Another beneficiary of the glut of wide receiver prospects, Orange County will be glad to see Dangle still on the board at 13. I swear we just saw this happen a few seasons ago with the Otters getting tremendous value out of drafting Rodka Raskolnikov late, and they'll be beneficiaries once again of a top WR sliding down the draft board a bit further than they deserve. Dangle slots in immediately on the Otters roster (sorry Bondi Beach), but at least he'll still get to hang out with his DSFL GM. Dangle will get some help with Molki Koivu coming up as well to play TE, and I think he (or whatever wide receiver gets drafted here) has a great shot at a Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign. In short, the Otters will be the beneficiaries of position scarcity here and will likely have a plethora of wide receiver prospects from which to choose.
With the 14th* pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Baltimore Hawks select … QB BOONE MCCOY (@Nokazoa) .
Team Needs: DT, LB, K
This roster is very well-rounded as the long-awaited rebuild has finally come into full bloom. Baltimore is an envious position where they can likely pick the best player available, but I'm gonna say that another trade happens here instead. Picking immediately after Baltimore is New Orleans, who is required to pick Elessar Jones as mentioned earlier. However, by moving up just one spot, they can take whoever they like here and reserve their other 2nd round pick to take Jones. So, the trade is as follows--Baltimore trades picks 14 and 28 to New Orleans for picks 15 and 19. The Second Line get their guy for essentially free, and the Hawks moves up nine spots in the second round. And if Baltimore decides that they would just rather draft McCoy here instead? Well, we get credit for that as well.
GMs, war room members, and all other readers? What did I get wrong? Did I miss a position swap somewhere? Tell me in a reply or on Discord at Maglubiyet#0479--remember, we are all in this together. My TPE is your TPE!
*At this time, the 13th and 14th picks are not decided, so I just ordered the teams by their records. If Orange County win the Ultimus, I'll just swap picks 13 and 14 in my mock draft.
So what can go wrong? I could not be the first response to the thread. If I see the thread appear in my RSS feed, I’ll rush to my PC to fill out the form as quickly as possible. However, there isn’t much I can do to guarantee my spot at the front of the line if @siddhus posts the PT at 5:31 AM again. I could get 3 or fewer picks correct. I’m not going to go the lengths of asking draftees what positions they’ll play, teams could trade their picks and throw the entire first round into disarray, etc. I’m mostly going to be looking at a player’s current position, known team affiliations, and team drafting preferences in putting this mock draft together, but I can’t account for everything. What I’m really saying is that I’m putting this mock draft out before the actual draft starts, so if I get any pick wrong it’s because the GMs chose the wrong player and don’t value our collective TPE. Anyway, without further ado, let's see what I can come up with...
With the 1st pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the New Orleans Second Line select … RB MICHAELANGELO MCTURTLE (@slothfacekilla) .
Team Needs: QB, WR, CB
Let's talk a little bit about New Orleans' positioning in this draft. They own picks 1, 15, and 19 (the latter coming via trade with New York) but are required to use pick 15 on Elessar Jones (mithrandir). As I look at the list of prospective draftees, three names immediately jump out with connections to the Second Line--RB Michaelangelo McTurtle (slothfacekilla, previous player Ben Slothlisberger was NOLA QB from S24 - S30 prior to playing offensive line for a couple of seasons), DT Solace Avenger (MobiausGrander, previous player Azarius Ranger was NOLA DE from S25 - S32), and QB Boone McCoy (Nokazoa, previous player Austin McCormick was NOLA TE from S19 - S28). Ideally, New Orleans works out a deal where they can return all three of these players, but it won't be so simple. In all likelihood they would be content with trading down into the first round with this pick, but moving up to the first overall pick is typically a very expensive acquisition. It's hard to imagine them parting with the pick for anything less than two first rounders, and I don't see any team paying that kind of premium in this draft. Of the three players, I feel the most confident in the Second Line taking McTurtle at this spot. Plus, we get back to back drafts with 1OA McTurtles, which is reason enough for this pick. Although they roster four running backs currently, I wouldn't be surprised if The Stig is the only one suiting up and purple and gold next season as Alexander-Arnold retires, Rotchburns continues to regress, and Johns continues to stagnate. Besides, slothfacekilla has already shown a willingness to swap at the end of his last career, so perhaps they have other plans in mind for him anyway.
With the 2nd pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Yellowknife Wraiths select … K THEO LARIAT (@ctots) .
Team Needs: TE, CB, S
Originally, I had penciled Simon the Frog in at this pick. After all, CB is a big need for the Wraiths. Daniel Foster only has a couple of seasons left before he's not viable to play, and Owen Reed is missing in action and due to be replaced by Dragazor Blaze at any moment. With only one safety rostered, they need to figure out a solution. Plus, I assume ZootTX and yonggarius get along all right given their history in Dallas. Then I started looking at Yellowknife's draft picks over the past few seasons and I talked myself out of it. Whether by chance or intent, Yellowknife's core group is largely composed of new users over recreates. Currently, the only active recreates on their roster after their season are 3lewsers and teddyoojo, both users who are relatively active on Discord. I say all of this to really say that the Wraiths will continue their trend of drafting new users, and they will be rewarded by taking Theo Lariat, who I personally believe is the best prospect in the draft. ctots is constantly asking questions in management chat, and he is already an HO intern before his first season has even concluded. He says he's willing to sim test, and he will play any position. He is likely the frontrunner for the DSFL Most Dedicated Member award. A minor difference in TPE is irrelevant when stacked up against this resume. Any team that passes on this player is going to regret it for seasons to come. (Did I convince the Yellowknife GMs to make this selection?)
With the 3rd pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the San Jose Sabercats select … CB SIMON THE FROG (@yonggarius) .
Team Needs: DT, DE, S
Take everything I said about Simon the Frog in my last pick, and put it here. Even if Russet Buster (RussDrivesTheBus) stays at CB and goes up immediately after getting drafted in the second round, the Sabercats only roster four defensive backs once Rickie Vaughne retires and Philip Stein becomes a free agent. From a roster construction perspective I think this picks allows San Jose the flexibility for Russ to swap to a position on the defensive line, which the team needs desperately. yonggarius has been a Rookie Mentor for as long as I can remember, so I'm sure he and Russ have developed a good working relationship over the seasons. yonggarius has already put out media indicating that he plans to stick with his drafted team indefinitely, so that should assuage any concerns that the Sabercats have about him heading to Colorado after a short-term deal.
With the 4th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Philadelphia Liberty select … LB GANYU (@GlimsTC) .
Team Needs: WR, DT, LB
Philadelphia has built up quite a respectable stock of players still in the DSFL while most other teams have very few reserves to draw upon. Pat's player is currently the QB for Dallas, but with Shinomiya also rostered, he has the freedom to shore up any of the team's needs. Linebacker is probably the biggest need on the roster, which is odd considering that they four on the roster and an additional one being added next season in Claflin. Still, after Jimi DeSoto and Gary Goodman both regress again this offseason, Philadelphia's average TPE at the position will be around 600. The Liberty will be happy to add Ganyu to help shore up the front seven. Glims' first player was a part of the legendary S25 class, and he was one of the most Discord active users of his time. Philadelphia prides themselves on a strong locker room culture, so when you couple that with a strong earner at a position of need, I think the Liberty will make this pick rather quickly as he maintains a good relationship with many of the users on the Liberty. No doubt Austin will be unhappy to see Glims be taken here--alas, if only they had a way to guarantee that they could draft him in the second round.
With the 5th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the New York Silverbacks select … RB RUMBLE RONSON (@MrStennett) .
Team Needs: RB, DT, CB
This was the most difficult pick for me to predict so far as I believe New York have several nearly equal options on the board. With Colt Mendoza potentially not on the roster next season, the Silverbacks could enter the offseason with no defensive tackles in sight. That could make Solace Avenger an attractive option, but I think they go with a very proven commodity at the running back position instead. I guess they can always draft Big Edd at DT next season. MrStennett has had two very successful players in the league, so New York will feel that he is a reliable player to steadily earn and eventually take over the lead back position. It may not happen for a couple of seasons with Brandon Prince still another season away from regression, but the handoff should be fairly seamless if Ronson continues to earn at the same pace as he's been earning so far. Both players mentioned were drafted to play for Dallas in the DSFL, so zaynzk should have a good understanding of both of them heading into the draft.
With the 6th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Honolulu Hahalua select … WR LUCIUS SALEM (@ImSatanJunior) .
Team Needs: QB, WR, DE
If this were the NFL draft, I'd probably slot Bageshwari Singh here. However, there are three teams who will definitely be considering replacement QBs in this draft, and there are three qualified candidates. Without the pressure of needing to choose one immediately, the quarterbacks might slide a bit further than expected. Aside from Singh, several of the top players on the board by TPE are all wide receivers, so I think it's time for us to start trying to deal some of them out. Honolulu will be happy to take any of them, and personally I'd look at some of the brand new users. There is a bit of unnecessary risk involved with drafting a recreate who could have ties to their former team, so without knowing the user's opinions, I'll say that the Hahalua will add Lucius Salem. Though Salem lags just a bit behind the top of the class in earning, I am relying on the fact that he was recently named as the co-GM of Norfolk. His fellow GM in Norfolk, Gbeck765, is also in the Honolulu war room, and Honolulu GM MMFLEX is a Norfolk product as well. ImSatanJunior has a couple of league jobs now and looks to have serious staying potential, so I think these ties will be sufficient to give them an edge over Blondin or Dangle.
With the 7th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Colorado Yeti select … DE NATHAN EXPLOSION (@micool132) .
Team Needs: DE, CB, S
Colorado is a team with two glaring needs. It's time to begin replacing its aging secondary (every member of which is in regression), but there are no elite DB prospects left on the board. Fair enough, I suppose they ought to address their defensive line instead which will return zero starters after Blackstone and Jaxon-Waxon enter retirement. If I knew Zayne Dangle or Louis Blondin would swap to one of the positions that the Yeti need, I'd slot them here immediately. Without that knowledge, I have the Yeti snagging the top DE prospect in Nathan Explosion, an active user who is behind in TPE by virtue of being a waiver create. Defensive line is very scarce in the league in general and in this draft in particular, with only three viable defensive end prospects to consider. This could trigger a run on DEs if it does pan out, but I think it's also likely that the Yeti could instead engage in some creative position swapping to hold the roster together for another season.
With the 8th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Berlin Fire Salamanders select … DT SOLACE AVENGER (@MobiausGrander) .
Team Needs: DT, LB, CB
Hear me out. I know I said earlier that New Orleans would look to scoop up this player, so why do I have him mocked to Berlin? Two reasons. Avenger is literally surrounded on the remaining TPE board by QBs and WRs. Berlin can afford to wait another season or so before looking for Zaylren's replacement, and even though Skiuuup is leaving in free agency, the Fire Salamanders have his replacement Marvin Toledo waiting in the wings. The best Defensive Tackle prospect in the draft is an easy choice here, and Berlin can feel comfortable making the pick given their alternatives. The other reason? Berlin have been involved in 9 of the last 14 trades in the ISFL. If anyone is going to trade with New Orleans so they can pick up Avenger, Berlin is a very good bet which allows us to cover our bases if New Orleans does pick him here. In fact, I'd say that's even more likely that that the trade happens than the pick, so I'll call my shot and say Berlin trades this pick to New Orleans for their S35 1st rounder to send Mobiaus back to the Big Easy.
With the 9th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Austin Copperheads select … QB OZAMATAZ BUCKSHANK (@ConnorM123) .
Team Needs: DT, CB, S
There it is, our first QB pick. But why would a team with two quarterbacks add a third? To be honest, I didn't come up with this myself. I am pretty sure I heard it as a rumor several weeks ago, so here's hoping it wasn't a fever dream. It starts to make a bit more sense when you try to map out the timeline for the Austin QB transition. Daytona is right on the edge of being passed by Tight End Eighty-Two in the offseason, and then TE82 will serve as a bridge QB for a few seasons while Buckshank grows in the DSFL. This pick reunites ConnorM123 with his good friend and GM frazzle14, so even if the pick doesn't check any of the team need boxes in the next season or two, we can at least feel warm and fuzzy about it.
With the 10th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Chicago Butchers select … DE JOEY DIN (@"Mattyoce971") .
Team Needs: DT, LB, CB
While they'd obviously prefer a LB to replace toxic veteran Juan Domine or a CB to replace Hououin Kyouma, there simply isn't anyone on the board that you can justify at this spot for those positions. Instead, Chicago will continue its time-honored tradition of dipping into the Minnesota well for a defensive lineman. Big Wasrabi Gleel only has one more season left for the Butchers, so Din stays down for a season before joining the team to round out the defensive line of Garciaparra, Strongjaw, and Salami. Instead of reaching for an immediate position of need, Chicago will roll the dice and hope LB Sam Sung or CB Cuttino Mobley make it back to them in the second round. Another option for Chicago could be one of the many WRs still available, which would allow Vincent Sharpei Jr. to finally be sent to a team that will treat him well. If I hadn't mocked Avenger at 8 to Berlin, I would have put him here at 10 for the same reasons. Chicago will look to trade back if the previous nine players are taken, but it's impossible to tell if they'll find any suitors. Even if they don't they'll be happen to add Mattyoce971, who recently just found employment as a regression coordinator.
With the 11th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Sarasota Sailfish select … WR LOUIS BLONDIN (@Gordon Bombay) .
Team Needs: WR, DT, DE
Finally, a team that needs WR! Saleem Spence is an elite WR1 for the Sailfish, but they'll need to start making a plan for the future with Jackson Kingston headed to free agency and Troy Barnes as the only other rostered receiver. The top receivers on the big board are Louis Blondin and Zayne Dangle. In reality, there is very little that separates them--both are max earners who seem to have joined from the SHL and have very similar bank account balances, but the Sarasota brass will be more comfortable drafting the London product that they know than looking elsewhere. Perhaps sakrosankt will also chime in with support for his Atlanta Inferno teammate.
With the 12th pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Arizona Outlaws select … "CAPTAIN" BILLY STINKWATER (@BRNXB0MBERS) .
Team Needs: WR, DE, S
After I saw in the previous mock draft claim post that BRNXB0MBERS is a war room member for the Outlaws, this pick became much easier to mock. Wide receiver is set to become a position of need with Darren Pama and Taro Raimon both regressing again as Kotoni Staggs takes the reins as WR1 in the desert, so the Outlaws will be looking to reload with Stinkwater in a couple of seasons. This will likely be the last opportunity for them to go with an offensive player in the first round, as their defensive core is starting to age quickly and will need to be revamped over the seasons to come. They will really want to bring BRNXB0MBERS back and won't have the opportunity to draft him in the second round as they'll be forced to draft Spottie O'Dopaliscious (Z-Whiz), so I have a bit more confidence in this selection.
With the 13th* pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Orange County Otters select … WR ZAYNE DANGLE (@Vaxlare) .
Team Needs: WR, LB, S
Another beneficiary of the glut of wide receiver prospects, Orange County will be glad to see Dangle still on the board at 13. I swear we just saw this happen a few seasons ago with the Otters getting tremendous value out of drafting Rodka Raskolnikov late, and they'll be beneficiaries once again of a top WR sliding down the draft board a bit further than they deserve. Dangle slots in immediately on the Otters roster (sorry Bondi Beach), but at least he'll still get to hang out with his DSFL GM. Dangle will get some help with Molki Koivu coming up as well to play TE, and I think he (or whatever wide receiver gets drafted here) has a great shot at a Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign. In short, the Otters will be the beneficiaries of position scarcity here and will likely have a plethora of wide receiver prospects from which to choose.
With the 14th* pick in the 2048 ISFL draft, the Baltimore Hawks select … QB BOONE MCCOY (@Nokazoa) .
Team Needs: DT, LB, K
This roster is very well-rounded as the long-awaited rebuild has finally come into full bloom. Baltimore is an envious position where they can likely pick the best player available, but I'm gonna say that another trade happens here instead. Picking immediately after Baltimore is New Orleans, who is required to pick Elessar Jones as mentioned earlier. However, by moving up just one spot, they can take whoever they like here and reserve their other 2nd round pick to take Jones. So, the trade is as follows--Baltimore trades picks 14 and 28 to New Orleans for picks 15 and 19. The Second Line get their guy for essentially free, and the Hawks moves up nine spots in the second round. And if Baltimore decides that they would just rather draft McCoy here instead? Well, we get credit for that as well.
GMs, war room members, and all other readers? What did I get wrong? Did I miss a position swap somewhere? Tell me in a reply or on Discord at Maglubiyet#0479--remember, we are all in this together. My TPE is your TPE!
*At this time, the 13th and 14th picks are not decided, so I just ordered the teams by their records. If Orange County win the Ultimus, I'll just swap picks 13 and 14 in my mock draft.