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by Spark Wonup
Lawrence Sun Times
A Segment of the 2020 IFL Media Swap Series.
Draft Picks and projected theoretical Selections.
Needs along with stars for importance.
10 years from now the phrase "Dogs to Diedrich" will be household. For now the surrounding pieces need be focused on and then Head Coach T.J. Palmateer might be on his way to Title Town.
With only 6 draft picks Free Agency and/or trading will have to be utilized this off-season if the Outlaws are gonna contend in the always competitive AC North.
The biggest need in this reporter's opinion is an All-Pro Left Tackle. The team's rushing game was solid overall but closer look shows a superior rush up the middle and to the right while suffering on runs to the left. The passing game - which should be league top 5 - would also be helped in all areas with someone to protect Ouellette from the IFL pass-rushers coming from the defense's right side. If there are any Day 1 Starters in the 2020 IFL Draft then Wichita has got to come away with one.
In fact the whole Offensive Line needs to get the majority of the attention now that the Outlaws have their franchise QB and WR. Wally Johnson is great at RG. One of the other RGs has to make the switch over to LG. If all goes well and they nab their LT then Gilbert Sawyer can move back to RT where he truly belongs - though he'd be replaceable in any upcoming off-season. Is Teddy Jackson the center of the future in Wichita? I'm not so sure and the cost of drafting a good center in the IFL hasn't been high as of late so I think a gamble might be in order.
Jumbo Cooper isn't ideal at SE but he'll be fine for another year which is more than can be said for the TE position. A playmaker to bail out "Dogs" during double teams is a must if this offense is to become top tier. The cost of drafting TE's in the IFL has risen recently to where one going in the top 10 isn't uncommon. Strangely the cost of trading for a top tier TE in his prime might have dropped with the recent Casey Lofton trade. Either way or most likely both methods, the Outlaws have no TEs on the roster going into the 2020 off-season and need to get busy. TE should be the focus with pick 2.13 where there should still be good talent left.
Though there's 3 RBs on the roster, "Dogs" could use a serious threat in the backfield to take the pressure off but a LT is more important in the draft and free agency isn't the upgrade they need. A trade is the only option I see here unless the LT position is barren and there's still a great RB on the board at #14 overall.
The Wichita defense just needs some supporting help for the stars it boasts at each level. These can be picked up in FA or the draft fairly easily. Linebacker must be addressed though and with quite a few signees so the organization can't fall behind there. One question though: Does Quentin "Spoon" Peterson drop some weight and move to DE? I think it's an intriguing move.
This is my original thoughts on the subject and will be adjusted as the off-season rolls on.
Lawrence Sun Times
A Segment of the 2020 IFL Media Swap Series.
Draft Picks and projected theoretical Selections.
Code:
1.14 LT1/SE1/RB 2.13 TE1/C1 4.11 LDE/OLB/CB 5.10 RB/CB 6.15 PR/KR 7.14 KR/PR
Needs along with stars for importance.
Code:
QB2 TE1 **** TE2 TE3 SE1 ***** C1 **** RG1->LG1 **** LT1 ***** LDE1 **** SLB1 **** SLB2 MLB2 WLB1 *** CB3 CB4 PR ***** KR *****
With only 6 draft picks Free Agency and/or trading will have to be utilized this off-season if the Outlaws are gonna contend in the always competitive AC North.
The biggest need in this reporter's opinion is an All-Pro Left Tackle. The team's rushing game was solid overall but closer look shows a superior rush up the middle and to the right while suffering on runs to the left. The passing game - which should be league top 5 - would also be helped in all areas with someone to protect Ouellette from the IFL pass-rushers coming from the defense's right side. If there are any Day 1 Starters in the 2020 IFL Draft then Wichita has got to come away with one.
In fact the whole Offensive Line needs to get the majority of the attention now that the Outlaws have their franchise QB and WR. Wally Johnson is great at RG. One of the other RGs has to make the switch over to LG. If all goes well and they nab their LT then Gilbert Sawyer can move back to RT where he truly belongs - though he'd be replaceable in any upcoming off-season. Is Teddy Jackson the center of the future in Wichita? I'm not so sure and the cost of drafting a good center in the IFL hasn't been high as of late so I think a gamble might be in order.
Jumbo Cooper isn't ideal at SE but he'll be fine for another year which is more than can be said for the TE position. A playmaker to bail out "Dogs" during double teams is a must if this offense is to become top tier. The cost of drafting TE's in the IFL has risen recently to where one going in the top 10 isn't uncommon. Strangely the cost of trading for a top tier TE in his prime might have dropped with the recent Casey Lofton trade. Either way or most likely both methods, the Outlaws have no TEs on the roster going into the 2020 off-season and need to get busy. TE should be the focus with pick 2.13 where there should still be good talent left.
Though there's 3 RBs on the roster, "Dogs" could use a serious threat in the backfield to take the pressure off but a LT is more important in the draft and free agency isn't the upgrade they need. A trade is the only option I see here unless the LT position is barren and there's still a great RB on the board at #14 overall.
The Wichita defense just needs some supporting help for the stars it boasts at each level. These can be picked up in FA or the draft fairly easily. Linebacker must be addressed though and with quite a few signees so the organization can't fall behind there. One question though: Does Quentin "Spoon" Peterson drop some weight and move to DE? I think it's an intriguing move.
This is my original thoughts on the subject and will be adjusted as the off-season rolls on.
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