Post by MGB01 on Aug 3, 2022 15:05:36 GMT -5
1. Columbus: Kenneth Walker, RB, Michigan State
Usually the first pick of an expansion team would be either a quarterback or pass protector, but with no real bigtime prosepects here the Capitols make their first-ever rookie draft pick the Doak Walker award winner. Plus, what he did to Michigan last year makes him an honorary citizen of Columbus for life
UPDATE: No change
2. San Diego: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
So the Mission follow with the other of the top two backs available. Eric Bieniemy just came from a team with a do-it-all Iowa State RB helping lead the way to their fourth straight (and seventh overall) X-Bowl, so he'll get one of his own here
UPDATE: No change
3. Seattle: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
When the Reign kick off, it'll be just short of a year since Ojabo tore his Achilles. Ojabo would probably better suited as a 3-4 edge rusher but he can play on the line in a 4-3. When he's ready, Mike Zimmer will use him where needed
UPDATE: No change
4. Birmingham: Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
Although Ken Dorsey returning 20 years after being the first drafted player in Bolts history would seem to indicate heavy offensive firepower, he addressed it with Brandon Silvers in the expansion draft. Even if the Bolts go DT in free agency this is will be the way to go, as Mathis will up with whomever they grab to form a solid interior
UPDATE: Pick changed from John Metchie, WR, Alabama
5. Los Angeles: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
The Xtreme let Casey Toohill go in the expansion draft and did not re-sign Josh Sweat, meaning they're going to have a new pair of edge rushers in 2022. So they stay home for the second time in three years and take one, who should start from day one
UPDATE: No change
6. Kansas City (from Tampa Bay): Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
The Monarchs will do what they often do when a rival thinks they pulled one over on them by signing away one of theirs, they just go back to the draft board. This time, Brisker, a potential game-changer on the back end, to replace Armani Watts
UPDATE: Pick changed from George Pickens, WR, Georgia (to TB)
7. St. Louis: Luke Goedeke, G-T, Central Michigan
With the Jarrett Stidham era officially underway the Stallions need to go hard on their biggest hindrance of the last few years, their offensive line, and while David Bakhtiari wasn't right in his first year in St. Louis post-ACL, they're banking that he will be sooner than later. In the meantime Goedeke could be an option at either tackle or guard on the right side, with Colby Gossett still unsigned.
UPDATE: Pick changed from Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
8. Dallas: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
The Lonestars gave up too many big plays in 2022 so it was no surprise they decided to overhaul their secondary. Gordon's athleticism and fluidity will greatly help a unit that needs it
UPDATE: Pick changed from James Cook, RB, Georgia
9. San Antonio: Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
The Stampede as expected got cleaned out on the edge, as Cameron Wake retired and both Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Genard Avery left, leaving a vacancy at one edge rusher spot-with second-rounder Joseph Ossai manning the other
UPDATE: No change
10. Carolina: Cam Jurgens, C, Nebraska
The Colonels tried to ride with B.J. Finney but his back issues led him to retire. So Jurgens is the pick here and should start from day one with Trey Hill resuming his backup role
UPDATE: No change
11. New York: Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
Robinson is the surprise pick, as while the Hitmen are set with similar players (Jamison Crowder, Joe Horn), Robinson could see action in the backfield as well, where the Hitmen were totally ambushed in 2022, losing their top three backs to knee injuries
UPDATE: No change
12. San Francisco: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
The Demons were the latest team to learn that 30s A.J. Green is hardly the early 20s version. Watson will replace Allen Lazard in the Demons' three-wide and add explosiveness
UPDATE: No change
13. Orlando: Joshua Paschal, DE, Kentucky
Had the Rage been able to retain Da'Shawn Hand Paschal would have been likely fixed to a reserve role for his rookie year. With Hand gone it will now be a competition between him and Jonathon Cooper to see who stars opposite Anthony Nelson
UPDATE: No change
14. Washington: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
While offensive upgrades could be had after Irv Smith and Willie Snead missed a combined 20 games in 2022, the Glory could go here with a corner to pair up with Trevon Diggs and keep the defense strong on the back end
UPDATE: No change
15. Chicago: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
The Enforcers had to deal with the tragic loss of Jaylon Ferguson right as they were gearing up for an X-Bowl run, but did discover a solid backup plan in Tashawn Bower. So Mafe will play the speed rushing side, a natural fit for his talents
UPDATE: No change
16. Kansas City: Logan Hall, DE-DT, Houston
The Monarchs didn't have to give up their own first in the swap with Tampa Bay, that'll come in 2023 instead, so they'll add another luxury item. Hall, an outside-inside pass rusher who compares more to prospective teammate Dre'Mont Jones than a prime Geno Atkins, will have no problem fitting in somewhere on Kansas City's annually ridiculous defensive line.
UPDATE: Pick changed from Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
Usually the first pick of an expansion team would be either a quarterback or pass protector, but with no real bigtime prosepects here the Capitols make their first-ever rookie draft pick the Doak Walker award winner. Plus, what he did to Michigan last year makes him an honorary citizen of Columbus for life
UPDATE: No change
2. San Diego: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
So the Mission follow with the other of the top two backs available. Eric Bieniemy just came from a team with a do-it-all Iowa State RB helping lead the way to their fourth straight (and seventh overall) X-Bowl, so he'll get one of his own here
UPDATE: No change
3. Seattle: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
When the Reign kick off, it'll be just short of a year since Ojabo tore his Achilles. Ojabo would probably better suited as a 3-4 edge rusher but he can play on the line in a 4-3. When he's ready, Mike Zimmer will use him where needed
UPDATE: No change
4. Birmingham: Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
Although Ken Dorsey returning 20 years after being the first drafted player in Bolts history would seem to indicate heavy offensive firepower, he addressed it with Brandon Silvers in the expansion draft. Even if the Bolts go DT in free agency this is will be the way to go, as Mathis will up with whomever they grab to form a solid interior
UPDATE: Pick changed from John Metchie, WR, Alabama
5. Los Angeles: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
The Xtreme let Casey Toohill go in the expansion draft and did not re-sign Josh Sweat, meaning they're going to have a new pair of edge rushers in 2022. So they stay home for the second time in three years and take one, who should start from day one
UPDATE: No change
6. Kansas City (from Tampa Bay): Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
The Monarchs will do what they often do when a rival thinks they pulled one over on them by signing away one of theirs, they just go back to the draft board. This time, Brisker, a potential game-changer on the back end, to replace Armani Watts
UPDATE: Pick changed from George Pickens, WR, Georgia (to TB)
7. St. Louis: Luke Goedeke, G-T, Central Michigan
With the Jarrett Stidham era officially underway the Stallions need to go hard on their biggest hindrance of the last few years, their offensive line, and while David Bakhtiari wasn't right in his first year in St. Louis post-ACL, they're banking that he will be sooner than later. In the meantime Goedeke could be an option at either tackle or guard on the right side, with Colby Gossett still unsigned.
UPDATE: Pick changed from Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
8. Dallas: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
The Lonestars gave up too many big plays in 2022 so it was no surprise they decided to overhaul their secondary. Gordon's athleticism and fluidity will greatly help a unit that needs it
UPDATE: Pick changed from James Cook, RB, Georgia
9. San Antonio: Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
The Stampede as expected got cleaned out on the edge, as Cameron Wake retired and both Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Genard Avery left, leaving a vacancy at one edge rusher spot-with second-rounder Joseph Ossai manning the other
UPDATE: No change
10. Carolina: Cam Jurgens, C, Nebraska
The Colonels tried to ride with B.J. Finney but his back issues led him to retire. So Jurgens is the pick here and should start from day one with Trey Hill resuming his backup role
UPDATE: No change
11. New York: Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
Robinson is the surprise pick, as while the Hitmen are set with similar players (Jamison Crowder, Joe Horn), Robinson could see action in the backfield as well, where the Hitmen were totally ambushed in 2022, losing their top three backs to knee injuries
UPDATE: No change
12. San Francisco: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
The Demons were the latest team to learn that 30s A.J. Green is hardly the early 20s version. Watson will replace Allen Lazard in the Demons' three-wide and add explosiveness
UPDATE: No change
13. Orlando: Joshua Paschal, DE, Kentucky
Had the Rage been able to retain Da'Shawn Hand Paschal would have been likely fixed to a reserve role for his rookie year. With Hand gone it will now be a competition between him and Jonathon Cooper to see who stars opposite Anthony Nelson
UPDATE: No change
14. Washington: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
While offensive upgrades could be had after Irv Smith and Willie Snead missed a combined 20 games in 2022, the Glory could go here with a corner to pair up with Trevon Diggs and keep the defense strong on the back end
UPDATE: No change
15. Chicago: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
The Enforcers had to deal with the tragic loss of Jaylon Ferguson right as they were gearing up for an X-Bowl run, but did discover a solid backup plan in Tashawn Bower. So Mafe will play the speed rushing side, a natural fit for his talents
UPDATE: No change
16. Kansas City: Logan Hall, DE-DT, Houston
The Monarchs didn't have to give up their own first in the swap with Tampa Bay, that'll come in 2023 instead, so they'll add another luxury item. Hall, an outside-inside pass rusher who compares more to prospective teammate Dre'Mont Jones than a prime Geno Atkins, will have no problem fitting in somewhere on Kansas City's annually ridiculous defensive line.
UPDATE: Pick changed from Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington