Outlaws 2021 Draft Review

[ukpatfan]

The Wichita Outlaws were in an unaccustomed position in the 2021 draft - selecting much later than usual.

Here's how their draft took shape:

Pick 1.24 - FL/PR/KR Lincoln Walters (Virginia Tech)

During the 2020 season, Wichita traded DE Antoine Nece to Newark in order to get back into the 2021 1st round and also with half an eye on future salary cap issues.
That trade gave them the rights to the 1.30 pick but the Outlaws did not select at that spot.
After narrowly missing out on a deal to move up to 1.4 with RB Rich Sparkman the target, Wichita focused on later round talent.
After the retirement of All-League KR/PR Kent Mulligan, a return talent was high on the shopping list and seemed good value at the end of the 1st.

Virginia Tech returner Lincoln Walters was quickly established as Wichita's top target late in the round and Wichita decided to ensure he became an Outlaw by moving up to 1.24 after a trade with Montreal.
After the draft, at least one of the established elite teams in the league disclosed Walters had also been their target at the end of the 1st and the trade move seems vindicated.



Walters had excellent KR and PR bars with an impressive broad jump score.
Throw in good speed (4.44 dash) and agility drills (7.06) and Walters has the required tools to be a top returner in the IFL.
At 6'01ft and 207lbs, Walters is difficult to bring down and it is hoped he can make the jump to the pros.
His receiving skills look average, and he is unlikely to break into the top three on the depth chart, but Walters was brought in to give Ouellette great field position and anything else is a bonus.

Pre TC: 26/47
Post TC: 27/41 - was hoping for a better camp but it's all about how he performs on return duties

[ukpatfan]

Pick 2.15 - SLB Max Linkletter (Duke)

As the 2021 draft got underway, Wichita held the 2.11 pick following the Stonebarger trade with Los Angeles.
In order to move up in the 1st to make sure of Walters, the 2.11 was traded to Montreal leaving Wichita picking at 2.30

As the draft developed, rookie TE Juan Dabbs looked likely to go in the first half of the 2nd rd.
He fell further than many pundits expected and Wichita decided to make a move to grab him.
Unfortunately, depsite manoeuvering up to 2.15, that wasn't enough to bring Dabbs to Wichita and the team settled on their no2 target in the 2nd rd - SLB Max Linkletter.



Linkletter fills a need as present SLB incumbent Lester Butler enters his 12 season in the pros and is expected to lose a step in TC.
Linkletter has pro-typical size for the role (6'02ft / 246lbs) is smart, strong and had very good position drill scores which should give him an edge in coverage.
There is a question mark over his ability to play every down and endurance issues contributed to his falling to mid 2nd rd.
However, he will have at least one season to learn behind Butler and the team hopes Max can fill the SLB position from 2022.

Pre TC: 16/49
Post TC: 21/48 - not bad. Not sure he's the long term solution but he should tide us over at SLB

[ukpatfan]

Pick 5.22 - FL Bryant Houston (Austin Peay)

With no selection in the 3rd or 4th rounds, the next pick made by the Outlaws saw UKPatfan add some speed to an already fleet footed receiving corps (three wideouts on the league's fastest player chart).



Bryant Houston played for a small college and did little during his college career to suggest he could step up into the pro game.
However, he really surprised in the combines and posted some impressive numbers in the dash (4.41) and agility drills (6.93).
He has nice size at 6'01ft and 210lbs and may develop into a deep threat at 4th or 5th on the depth chart.
At the tail end of the 5th round, the Wichita front office thought Houston worth a gamble to give Ouellette another quick target.

Pre TC: 15/22
Post TC: 16/22 - hoping he'll creep a little more. Either way, well worth a gamble in the 5th rd

[ukpatfan]

Pick 5.28 - CB Danny Rose (Pittsburgh)

As the class hit the lower reaches, Wichita looked to bring in a specialist or two.
With very good special teams skills, nice tackling ability and tremendous hitting power, CB Danny Rose looked like a good bet at gunner on special teams.



Rose has a good engine, and some coverage skills and may reach 4th on the corner depth chart but he will see most of his action on the kick and punt coverage units.
If Wichita get 3 or 4 forced fumbles from Rose, they'll be happy.

Pre TC: 12/44
Post TC: 14/40 - disappointing. May struggle to stay on the team for the length of his contract

[ukpatfan]

Pick 6.21 - OG Jerry Drain (Vanderbilt)

The Outlaws wanted to get some youth onto the O-line and in the later half of the 6th rd, guard Jerry Drain looked to be a diamond in the rough.



Drain impressed with a very good bench press (33 reps) and showed some solid all round skills during his college career.
He has a good engine and with a couple of years development, he should become a good backup/marginal starter at guard.

Pre TC: 16/62
Post TC: 27/62 - Looking good and may be the future starter after all. Perhaps my favourite pick in my draft

[ukpatfan]

Pick 7.20 - DE Adrian LaStarza (Notre Dame)

Wichita were all about depth in the 7th round and needed a body at DE.
LaStarza is a 3rd down pass rush specialist and will see limited playing time but it is hoped he may bring something to the roster this late in the draft.



Pre TC: 19/26
Post TC: 20/27 - held. As a cheap fourth DE he'll probably do

[Hoosier]

I liked Drain a lot... and you got him!

[JesterBlaze]

Pick 1.24 - FL/PR/KR Lincoln Walters (Virginia Tech)

After the draft, at least one of the established elite teams in the league disclosed Walters had also been their target at the end of the 1st and the trade move seems vindicated.

Walters would be a Phantom at 1.28 if he lasted that far.

[DDT]

I think you're underestimating Walter's ability as a receiver. He'll be one of the better 4th receivers in the league immediately.

[r00k]

I think Walters could be one of the great picks of the draft.