Post by MGB01 on Aug 15, 2022 21:04:55 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 prospects 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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: 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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: 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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: No change
4. Birmingham: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
While Phidarian Mathis was the pick in the second iteration of this mock, his advanced age (25 at midseason) and barren cupboard at wide receiver (the Bolts impressively snagged Ray Ray McCloud, but as of now he'd be the only one classified as solid starter material) lead the Bolts to take a potential #1 in Pickens
UPDATE 1.0: Pick changed from John Metchie, WR, Alabama
UPDATE 2.0: Pick changed from Phidarian Mathis, DT, 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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: No change
6. Kansas City (from Tampa Bay): Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
The Monarchs' offseason losses will merely merit a 'meh' as they draft Brisker, giving them two of the top college safeties (Brisker and Xavier McKinney) in recent memory as their new starting duo with ten-year NFL vet Tashaun Gipson backing them up
UPDATE 1.0: Pick changed from George Pickens, WR, Georgia (to TB)
UPDATE 2.0: No change
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 right tackle after the Stallions' injury-caused revolving door there in 2022
UPDATE 1.0: Pick changed from Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
UPDATE 2.0: No change
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 1.0: Pick changed from James Cook, RB, Georgia
UPDATE 2.0: No change
9. San Antonio: Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
The Stampede took heavy losses with the retirement of Cameron Wake and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Genard Avery leaving in free agency. They did get Justin Lawler, a decent veteran pickup who leaves St. Louis' 4-3 but hardly anyone that will deter them from going edge rusher here
UPDATE 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: 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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: No change
11. New York: James Cook, RB, Georgia
The Hitmen were totally ambushed in 2022 by losing their top three backs, and you can say the offseason hasn't treated them much better as Gus Edwards and Darrel Williams are both in Birmingham and Le'Veon Bell is exploring a career change to professional boxing, leaving them prone to a repeat in 2023 if J.K. Dobbins or Kylin Hill suffer a setback in their returns. So they take Cook here, who has a lot of the same playmaking abilities as Dobbins
UPDATE 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: Pick changed from Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: 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 starts opposite Anthony Nelson
UPDATE 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: No change
14. Washington: Sam Williams, DE, Mississippi
Anthony Averett struggled, along with the rest of the Dallas secondary, in giving up big plays. But his man press skills will be better utilized in Washington as he replaces Mike Ford so the Glory turn their attention elsewhere on 2022's record-setting defense. Williams, an edge rusher with elite first-step quickness, would at first glance fit into the situational rotation with Kerry Hyder and Jalyn Holmes with potential for breaking into the starting lineup sooner than later
UPDATE 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: Pick changed from Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: No change
16. Columbus (from Kansas City): Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
The Monarchs didn't have to give up their own first in the swap with Tampa Bay, but they did here and essentially got their haul back with the first-year Capitols supplying it. Plus we're projecting the Caps not to have this one either ultimately as they trade back. But for now they take Mathis, who was mocked to Birmingham 12 spots earlier in our mock2.0. Mathis was used both outside and inside on Alabama's three-man front and he'll fit here as well
UPDATE 1.0: Pick changed from Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
UPDATE 2.0: Pick changed from Logan Hall, DL, Houston (to KC)
Usually the first pick of an expansion team would be either a quarterback or pass protector, but with no real bigtime prospects 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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: 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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: 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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: No change
4. Birmingham: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
While Phidarian Mathis was the pick in the second iteration of this mock, his advanced age (25 at midseason) and barren cupboard at wide receiver (the Bolts impressively snagged Ray Ray McCloud, but as of now he'd be the only one classified as solid starter material) lead the Bolts to take a potential #1 in Pickens
UPDATE 1.0: Pick changed from John Metchie, WR, Alabama
UPDATE 2.0: Pick changed from Phidarian Mathis, DT, 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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: No change
6. Kansas City (from Tampa Bay): Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
The Monarchs' offseason losses will merely merit a 'meh' as they draft Brisker, giving them two of the top college safeties (Brisker and Xavier McKinney) in recent memory as their new starting duo with ten-year NFL vet Tashaun Gipson backing them up
UPDATE 1.0: Pick changed from George Pickens, WR, Georgia (to TB)
UPDATE 2.0: No change
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 right tackle after the Stallions' injury-caused revolving door there in 2022
UPDATE 1.0: Pick changed from Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
UPDATE 2.0: No change
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 1.0: Pick changed from James Cook, RB, Georgia
UPDATE 2.0: No change
9. San Antonio: Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
The Stampede took heavy losses with the retirement of Cameron Wake and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Genard Avery leaving in free agency. They did get Justin Lawler, a decent veteran pickup who leaves St. Louis' 4-3 but hardly anyone that will deter them from going edge rusher here
UPDATE 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: 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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: No change
11. New York: James Cook, RB, Georgia
The Hitmen were totally ambushed in 2022 by losing their top three backs, and you can say the offseason hasn't treated them much better as Gus Edwards and Darrel Williams are both in Birmingham and Le'Veon Bell is exploring a career change to professional boxing, leaving them prone to a repeat in 2023 if J.K. Dobbins or Kylin Hill suffer a setback in their returns. So they take Cook here, who has a lot of the same playmaking abilities as Dobbins
UPDATE 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: Pick changed from Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: 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 starts opposite Anthony Nelson
UPDATE 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: No change
14. Washington: Sam Williams, DE, Mississippi
Anthony Averett struggled, along with the rest of the Dallas secondary, in giving up big plays. But his man press skills will be better utilized in Washington as he replaces Mike Ford so the Glory turn their attention elsewhere on 2022's record-setting defense. Williams, an edge rusher with elite first-step quickness, would at first glance fit into the situational rotation with Kerry Hyder and Jalyn Holmes with potential for breaking into the starting lineup sooner than later
UPDATE 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: Pick changed from Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
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 1.0: No change
UPDATE 2.0: No change
16. Columbus (from Kansas City): Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
The Monarchs didn't have to give up their own first in the swap with Tampa Bay, but they did here and essentially got their haul back with the first-year Capitols supplying it. Plus we're projecting the Caps not to have this one either ultimately as they trade back. But for now they take Mathis, who was mocked to Birmingham 12 spots earlier in our mock2.0. Mathis was used both outside and inside on Alabama's three-man front and he'll fit here as well
UPDATE 1.0: Pick changed from Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
UPDATE 2.0: Pick changed from Logan Hall, DL, Houston (to KC)