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1st round Winners and Sinners
The first round is in the book. For better or worse there is no going back.
Of course Training Camp is when we get a real look at the rookie talent, but for now here are some initial thoughts on which GM’s had done their homework – and those whose draft report cards have ‘must try harder’ scrawled across the bottom.
Wichita: Grade A+
The Outlaws GM made a bold trade move to grab the 1.1 and it seems to have paid rich dividends with Ouellette looking like a true franchise quarterback.
Difficult to miss in the top slot but ukpatfan gets an A+ for having the foresight and balls to get the deal done.
Lansing: Grade A+
Stayed with the value at 1.2 and picked up the top defensive stud in DE Lake.
That in itself merits an A grade, but then GWB excelled in swooping for the top OT at 1.15.
Trading the 2.1, 2.9 and 4.1 picks was sound value but using the pick to grab a player many regarded as the best OT in a thin draft class was a masterstroke.
QB Robby Dixon became the third Ogre drafted in the 1st round and whilst he looks to be a serviceable player, he may struggle to prove he’s better than incumbent Dewit.
For me this pick could’ve been better spent on a corner like Sorrell or a safety like Lundberg.
But Hey!! With Lake and Griffin suiting up in Shrek green next season – who cares!
St Louis: Grade A
The Cardinals roster had a lot of holes to fill and again it’s hard to mess up this early on.
Could have gone LB with Robbins but Suicane grabbed a real shutdown corner and that’s one less position to worry about next year – and it gave the rest of the league a chance to sign a cornerback during free agency!!
Any time you draft a top CB like Rocco, you’re getting an A.
Louisiana: Grade A
Likewise the Voodoo - Wolfman stuck with the talent and also picked up a great cornerback.
Collier couples up with King George to give the Voodoo the best corner pairing in the league and don’t forget the move to acquire SS Monty Woolmuth from Lawrence for next years 1st round pick.
This team’s secondary should be looked at by the competition committee!
Little Rock: Grade A
Cringer built the suspense as we waited for the pick, but he didn’t put a foot wrong here.
Perhaps the last of the top 5 talent, linebacker Robbins not only fills a need but combines with NT Rose to give the Toads D the two prime components needed for a successful 3-4 scheme.
Los Angeles: Grade A
The Matadors probably had the first difficult decision in the round and as predicted in the mock, LA tried trading down albeit briefly.
Any number of players could’ve gone here but Hoosier likes a smashmouth offense and RB ‘Ducky’ Mallard ‘flew’ off the board. He was the best RB in the class and immediately gives his team a feature back to carry the ‘egg’.
Hoosier deserves props for believing in his system, cue the ‘Ole’ headlines with photo of Mallard bursting through a red cape.
Georgia: Grade C
Georgia were busy in the trade market making a big move up to the 1.7 slot by sending their 1.17 pick and DE Dean Trap to Orlando.
With their new top 10 pick, Beeznik took the second best QB on the board, Mario Gurley.
This was probably the first contentious pick of the day as several hecklers expressed doubts over him in the sordid environment of the draft chat room.
Gurley has the size, good combines and a decent skill set but is he a top 10 guy and is he worth the trade deal struck?
Beeznik thinks so, hoping he will unmask and creep in the ratings from his initial look.
Beez’ may have spotted something others have missed but ‘Goldilocks’ Gurley is definitely a gamble that high in this commentators book.
Dakota: Grade A-
The Spirit made huge waves in this draft, ending up making three picks in the first 12 slots (1.8, 1.9 and 1.12).
Dakota already owned the 1.8 whilst George gave up the 2.15 to move up to the 1.9 from the 1.15. Dakota then mortgaged their immediate future by sending next years 1st and 2nd for Lawrence’s 1.12 pick.
The Commissioner needed a break after that little lot. Wow!!
The question is how did George spend his loot?
Well, the Spirit went for Beefcake as all three picks went on linemen.
OG Humphrey was seen by many as the best talent in the pool and is positively Hannah-esque. A hit even at 1.8 for a guard.
DE Drake was next off and is a solid 1st rounder who projects as a top run stuffing end, maybe a little high for a non pass rushing DE though?
That slight wobble was rectified with their 1.12 pick as no combine DE Waldron was snagged.
Waldron has tremendous upside and all being well will be the QB killing end in the Spirit’s new defensive front.
Arguably, the end’s were picked topsy-turvy but as a group the trio represents a very good return.
George was aggressive in his business but his business made sense.
Grade drops ever so slightly to a minus as I feel Drake could have gone lower.
Hartford: Grade A
The Whalers listened to their fans and drafted a star skill player after recently concentrating on the trenches.
KK has brought in a real speedster in RB Peckham who is a beautiful fit with the dominating Hartford O-line.
The Hartford running game looks set for years now as at least 4 of the 5 linemen have been in the league for less than six years.
A real nice pick that fits their roster hand in glove.
If you like your football to be trench warfare, you’ll love watching the Whalers this season.
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