Post by MGB01 on Feb 5, 2006 3:41:32 GMT -5
1. Kansas City: Michael Huff, DB, Texas
Huff, who played corner but can play safety as well, would do exactly that for the Monarchs and join another former Longhorn, Nathan Vasher, in a revamped secondary that would be all but improved from last season, as the Monarchs tabbed both Leo Barnes and Bobby Sippio in the offseason. Barnes would probably move over to strong safety in this event. A Huff-Barnes tandem would be an upgrade on last year's starters, Tyrone Carter (SS) and Kevin Eiben (FS).
2. Carolina: Manny Lawson, DE, North Carolina State
The Colonels had great success last year going with a defensive end (George Gause), and as part of their youth movement Lawson, the popular local pick, would also be the logical choice here. The Colonels did recently sign Paul Toviessi, but Toviessi is expected to be a third-down pass rusher as Lawson eventually moves into the starting lineup.
3. Pittsburgh: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
What a difference a year makes, last year at this time Williams would probably be where Eric Shelton is now had he come out for the draft. Instead he stayed in school and had a tremendous year and.............may drop two spots. Yet with neither the Monarchs nor Colonels that sore at running back Williams would fall to the Ironmen, and with Maurice Clarett's future up in the air (he was in doubt even before his arrest-related league suspension), Williams falls into place and, for an Ironmen team in need of an offensive spark, can definitely provide one.
4. Memphis: Andrew Whitworth, OT, LSU
With offensive line holes after the loss of Melvin Paige in free agency and the team decided not to re-sign John Feugill, the 'Ax will once again draft an offensive lineman from the SEC but this time will be around for a while. Whitworth can play left tackle but is probably a better fit on the right side in the pros and definitely what the Maniax have in mind with all-XFLer Artis Hicks at left tackle.
5. Dallas: Jonathan Scott, OT, Texas
With both Kareem Marshall and Dave Volk heading into camp as the team's bookends, starting right off the bat may not be in Scott's immediate future but with Volk a free agent after the season Scott, who definitely can be a top left tackle in the XFL, could be his replacement in 2007. The Vipers, who were briefly interested in moving Volk last year, may be
interested in the same this year especially if they get Scott on board.
6. Chicago (from Seattle): Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State
It should be noted that the Washington Glory, who are without a first round pick surrendered in the deal for Jarrett Payton and Adrian McPherson, are interested in acquiring this pick, which the Enforcers got for sending Bryce Fisher to Seattle. But the Enforcers, who have had problems finding a DT to complement all-XFLer Jovon Bush ever since Larry Fitzpatrick left three years ago, are all but officially ready to try this again as Sione Pouha is an unknown quantity and Donnell Washington can't seem to stay healthy. Bunkley has been compared to former Seminoles DT Roland Seymour in that they both had knee problems, but Bunkley has also been mentioned as possibly becoming among the best DTs ever to come out of FSU, a class that includes Corey Simon among others.
7. Detroit: Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan
The Mustangs have gone with a defensive lineman from a Big Ten school their first two drafts (Darrion Scott, Matt Roth), why stop here? The defensive front is sure to be improved with the addition of Tim Beauchamp. Inside, the Mustangs haven't really been scaring anyone with throwaway vets like Chris Snyder and Matt Keneley along with a banged-up Larry Fitzpatrick. So the natural pick is at DT and the Mustangs go regional with UM product Watson, who doesn't have the greatest rep in the world of being a hard worker but head coach Al Lugenbill has a knack for getting a lot out of his personnel.
8. Dallas (from Washington): Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
With the second of two first rounders the Vipers go with a WR for the second straight year. With the loss of Damon Thompson in free agency the Vipers have an againg Shannon Culver and Wilson Thomas--who has all of three career receptions--next on the depth chart, going here seems highly appropriate. It may also serve to push last year's first round pick Jerome Mathis, who had just 22 catches although with Thompson gone he should get more passes thrown his way. Holmes should also offset losing Thompson at the very least, and likely more, knowing that Culver won't repeat his 55-catch performance of two seasons ago anytime soon.
9. Jacksonville: Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
The Predators have stayed in-state with their first pick the last three drafts, and with the Predators, however they downplay it because of Jeremaine Copeland's perceived me-first attitude, still reeling from his loss to in-state rival Orlando nonetheless, it not only will not change it also only makes sense.
Troy Edwards is also a free agent after the 2006 season so the Predators would like to continue to prepare.
10. San Francisco: Gerald Riggs Jr., RB, Tennessee
The Demons primary problem last season? Anyone not named Jamal Robertson who could run the ball, as both Rondell Mealey and Adimchinobe Echemandu managed a measly 2.6 yards per carry, leading to the Demons' league-worst rushing total. Riggs never really lived up to his father's hype--as evidence by never being the Vols' featured back for a long period, but the Demons are only looking for someone who can actually pick up yards when Robertson is out of the game in the interim. Riggs has good size, and forming a 1-2 RB punch similar to Cedric Washington and ex-UT star Cedric Houston in Detroit is the goal of Demons offensive coordinator Kelly Skipper, RB coach at Washington State prior to his current job.
11. Birmingham: Stanley McClover, DE, Auburn
With the Bolts having lost T.J. Frier and Paul Toviessi in free agency a need for a pass rusher arises. What the Bolts would like is someone who can get upfield and get to the quarterback like Toviessi did in 2004 when he had 11 sacks while the Bolts went to the X-Bowl. The homestate pick (which seems to be an ongoing theme here) of McClover, who had 15.5 sacks at Auburn in 2005, indicates the Bolts are going for exactly that, especially with no one returning on the defensive line having registered a sack last season.
12. Los Angeles: Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami (FL)
The Xtreme added veteran Darnay Scott, who might be getting on in years but still co-led the Bolts with 46 grabs, in the offseason to go with all-world Kareem Kelly at wideout, but their WRs beyond that scare nobody. Fred Coleman caught just 22 passes, and last year's second round pick Tab Perry caught just an embarrassing eight. Moss has the explosiveness that none of the other wideouts have.
13. Chicago: A.J. Nicholson, OLB, Florida State
With both OLBs Kiah Johnson and Jimmy McClain set for free agency after the '06 season the Enforcers will probably look here with their second pick in the first round. Nicholson's speed between the sidelines and playmaking ability will impress the Enforcers here, and if last year's selection of Channing Crowder is any indication, Nicholson will be a starter no later than 2007.
14. Orlando: Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida State
Given that the Rage have had pretty good success recently with a former Seminole DE in Kevin Emanuel, the Rage go for Wimbley, who like Emanuel is a bit undersized but also like Emanuel makes plays. Wimbley may only be a situational pass rusher in the short-term, but for the Rage that's okay since they need depth with the loss of Tim Cheatwood.
15. New York: Eric Winston, OT, Miami (FL)
With the Hitmen already having all-XFLer Brett Williams to boast of, Winston, who has similar potential, can play at right tackle and replace Corey Mitchell. Winston would ordinarily go much higher but because he suffered a knee injury in '04 and hasn't fully recovered yet, he almost becomes an afterthought when discussing the elite tackles. However the kind of injury Winston had generally takes two years to recover from. By the time Winston lines up for the Hitmen they could have a great player on their hands, and with the Hitmen fanbase once again in Yankee spring training mode after the free agent losses of Tim Beauchamp and Caspor Stiles, the Hitmen need some good news.
16. Las Vegas: Daryn Colledge, OT, Boise State
Not often do you see a championship team with such a critical need who has a player that has everything they're looking for right there. The Outlaws, who had everything other than a strong left tackle, did in 2005. Head coach Jim Criner knows his team can't repeat in 2006 with such a mess on the offensive line. They may move Kevin Barry over from left guard, but the early betting is to leave Barry where he is and address the left tackle spot in the draft. Colledge, who has a great upside, is a hard worker and a feisty player, and will be the XFL's lone product of North Pole, Alaska, should fit that bill quite nicely.
Huff, who played corner but can play safety as well, would do exactly that for the Monarchs and join another former Longhorn, Nathan Vasher, in a revamped secondary that would be all but improved from last season, as the Monarchs tabbed both Leo Barnes and Bobby Sippio in the offseason. Barnes would probably move over to strong safety in this event. A Huff-Barnes tandem would be an upgrade on last year's starters, Tyrone Carter (SS) and Kevin Eiben (FS).
2. Carolina: Manny Lawson, DE, North Carolina State
The Colonels had great success last year going with a defensive end (George Gause), and as part of their youth movement Lawson, the popular local pick, would also be the logical choice here. The Colonels did recently sign Paul Toviessi, but Toviessi is expected to be a third-down pass rusher as Lawson eventually moves into the starting lineup.
3. Pittsburgh: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
What a difference a year makes, last year at this time Williams would probably be where Eric Shelton is now had he come out for the draft. Instead he stayed in school and had a tremendous year and.............may drop two spots. Yet with neither the Monarchs nor Colonels that sore at running back Williams would fall to the Ironmen, and with Maurice Clarett's future up in the air (he was in doubt even before his arrest-related league suspension), Williams falls into place and, for an Ironmen team in need of an offensive spark, can definitely provide one.
4. Memphis: Andrew Whitworth, OT, LSU
With offensive line holes after the loss of Melvin Paige in free agency and the team decided not to re-sign John Feugill, the 'Ax will once again draft an offensive lineman from the SEC but this time will be around for a while. Whitworth can play left tackle but is probably a better fit on the right side in the pros and definitely what the Maniax have in mind with all-XFLer Artis Hicks at left tackle.
5. Dallas: Jonathan Scott, OT, Texas
With both Kareem Marshall and Dave Volk heading into camp as the team's bookends, starting right off the bat may not be in Scott's immediate future but with Volk a free agent after the season Scott, who definitely can be a top left tackle in the XFL, could be his replacement in 2007. The Vipers, who were briefly interested in moving Volk last year, may be
interested in the same this year especially if they get Scott on board.
6. Chicago (from Seattle): Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State
It should be noted that the Washington Glory, who are without a first round pick surrendered in the deal for Jarrett Payton and Adrian McPherson, are interested in acquiring this pick, which the Enforcers got for sending Bryce Fisher to Seattle. But the Enforcers, who have had problems finding a DT to complement all-XFLer Jovon Bush ever since Larry Fitzpatrick left three years ago, are all but officially ready to try this again as Sione Pouha is an unknown quantity and Donnell Washington can't seem to stay healthy. Bunkley has been compared to former Seminoles DT Roland Seymour in that they both had knee problems, but Bunkley has also been mentioned as possibly becoming among the best DTs ever to come out of FSU, a class that includes Corey Simon among others.
7. Detroit: Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan
The Mustangs have gone with a defensive lineman from a Big Ten school their first two drafts (Darrion Scott, Matt Roth), why stop here? The defensive front is sure to be improved with the addition of Tim Beauchamp. Inside, the Mustangs haven't really been scaring anyone with throwaway vets like Chris Snyder and Matt Keneley along with a banged-up Larry Fitzpatrick. So the natural pick is at DT and the Mustangs go regional with UM product Watson, who doesn't have the greatest rep in the world of being a hard worker but head coach Al Lugenbill has a knack for getting a lot out of his personnel.
8. Dallas (from Washington): Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
With the second of two first rounders the Vipers go with a WR for the second straight year. With the loss of Damon Thompson in free agency the Vipers have an againg Shannon Culver and Wilson Thomas--who has all of three career receptions--next on the depth chart, going here seems highly appropriate. It may also serve to push last year's first round pick Jerome Mathis, who had just 22 catches although with Thompson gone he should get more passes thrown his way. Holmes should also offset losing Thompson at the very least, and likely more, knowing that Culver won't repeat his 55-catch performance of two seasons ago anytime soon.
9. Jacksonville: Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
The Predators have stayed in-state with their first pick the last three drafts, and with the Predators, however they downplay it because of Jeremaine Copeland's perceived me-first attitude, still reeling from his loss to in-state rival Orlando nonetheless, it not only will not change it also only makes sense.
Troy Edwards is also a free agent after the 2006 season so the Predators would like to continue to prepare.
10. San Francisco: Gerald Riggs Jr., RB, Tennessee
The Demons primary problem last season? Anyone not named Jamal Robertson who could run the ball, as both Rondell Mealey and Adimchinobe Echemandu managed a measly 2.6 yards per carry, leading to the Demons' league-worst rushing total. Riggs never really lived up to his father's hype--as evidence by never being the Vols' featured back for a long period, but the Demons are only looking for someone who can actually pick up yards when Robertson is out of the game in the interim. Riggs has good size, and forming a 1-2 RB punch similar to Cedric Washington and ex-UT star Cedric Houston in Detroit is the goal of Demons offensive coordinator Kelly Skipper, RB coach at Washington State prior to his current job.
11. Birmingham: Stanley McClover, DE, Auburn
With the Bolts having lost T.J. Frier and Paul Toviessi in free agency a need for a pass rusher arises. What the Bolts would like is someone who can get upfield and get to the quarterback like Toviessi did in 2004 when he had 11 sacks while the Bolts went to the X-Bowl. The homestate pick (which seems to be an ongoing theme here) of McClover, who had 15.5 sacks at Auburn in 2005, indicates the Bolts are going for exactly that, especially with no one returning on the defensive line having registered a sack last season.
12. Los Angeles: Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami (FL)
The Xtreme added veteran Darnay Scott, who might be getting on in years but still co-led the Bolts with 46 grabs, in the offseason to go with all-world Kareem Kelly at wideout, but their WRs beyond that scare nobody. Fred Coleman caught just 22 passes, and last year's second round pick Tab Perry caught just an embarrassing eight. Moss has the explosiveness that none of the other wideouts have.
13. Chicago: A.J. Nicholson, OLB, Florida State
With both OLBs Kiah Johnson and Jimmy McClain set for free agency after the '06 season the Enforcers will probably look here with their second pick in the first round. Nicholson's speed between the sidelines and playmaking ability will impress the Enforcers here, and if last year's selection of Channing Crowder is any indication, Nicholson will be a starter no later than 2007.
14. Orlando: Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida State
Given that the Rage have had pretty good success recently with a former Seminole DE in Kevin Emanuel, the Rage go for Wimbley, who like Emanuel is a bit undersized but also like Emanuel makes plays. Wimbley may only be a situational pass rusher in the short-term, but for the Rage that's okay since they need depth with the loss of Tim Cheatwood.
15. New York: Eric Winston, OT, Miami (FL)
With the Hitmen already having all-XFLer Brett Williams to boast of, Winston, who has similar potential, can play at right tackle and replace Corey Mitchell. Winston would ordinarily go much higher but because he suffered a knee injury in '04 and hasn't fully recovered yet, he almost becomes an afterthought when discussing the elite tackles. However the kind of injury Winston had generally takes two years to recover from. By the time Winston lines up for the Hitmen they could have a great player on their hands, and with the Hitmen fanbase once again in Yankee spring training mode after the free agent losses of Tim Beauchamp and Caspor Stiles, the Hitmen need some good news.
16. Las Vegas: Daryn Colledge, OT, Boise State
Not often do you see a championship team with such a critical need who has a player that has everything they're looking for right there. The Outlaws, who had everything other than a strong left tackle, did in 2005. Head coach Jim Criner knows his team can't repeat in 2006 with such a mess on the offensive line. They may move Kevin Barry over from left guard, but the early betting is to leave Barry where he is and address the left tackle spot in the draft. Colledge, who has a great upside, is a hard worker and a feisty player, and will be the XFL's lone product of North Pole, Alaska, should fit that bill quite nicely.