by Anthony Fernandez, March 15th, 2015
[1.17] 
MLB DJ Alexander, Oregon State 
This might be a surprise pick as we turn into the 2nd half of the 1st round, but that's based solely on the fact that I haven't seen Alexander mocked anywhere, and he was FIFTH in the MLB rankings by my man Rod. Now Rod is no dummy, as I agree with most of his other rankings in that same column... so I wonder if he's just targeting him. If Alexander somehow is the 5th linebacker taken... and say lasts to [2.3], he will 100% be a Dallas Cowboy. Now the warning on him is size - 6'2" 233lbs is not your typical MLB build. But the Chiefs have a very successful MLB that is ONE pound heavier and the same size. So where does Alexander stand out to ME? 91 Strength?! That would put him in pretty rare space, because there are ZERO MLBs in SFL with over 90. If you do a quick fit the system, there is only ONE with better than 86 STR. And if you go down another point, the guys there (Minter, White, Angerer, DROTY Kirksey, Cole, and Mauti) are all pretty elite. Tkae that and throw on 92 agility and 92 acceleration? Wow. Not to mention at 72 AWR he's already the smartest MLB in the entire class. Hands? 51 CTH is fine, middle of the pack, and can be passively brought up over the years with progression. Tackling? 83 TAK puts him in the top 5 in the class. The only concern you'd have for him would be the 80 speed... but considering how rare and special the other areas are, I think you go in knowing that if he skews down (I have no idea, wasted all my free private workouts on the shitty HB and FS/SS class), then you just pump +2 SPD into him through AP. 75k worth it. And if for some reason his speed goes UP? Watch out SFL. Honestly at this point, I'll be surprised if he makes it to 17 (despite folks hiding him in the pre-draft ratings), but if he does it will be a total steal for a GM that appears stuck in Green Bay for life.
[1.18] 
WR Stefon Diggs, Maryland 
Sneaky spot for DT Carl Davis here (71 SPD, 73 AGI, 80 ACC, 92 STR) - for a team who just traded a vet DT for a nice return. But ultimately, can Brad resist the "eff you" to Tom? I don't believe so. WR is already a need, the talented player has dropped, and it's an investment... as a divisional rival will probably overpay you for this guy later if you don't love him. Diggs has been mocked in the top 10, and some have him as the 2nd best WR in the class. He's certainly polished, ready to go, and could help a team who refuses to trade veteran Chad Henne for below what he's worth. Diggs clocks in at 95 speed, 97 agility, 95 acceleration, and 85 catch. He's not much of a jumper, but he IS strong and can run block (if you're a team that values that, like the potent Raiders run game usually does). Ultimately just basing the stats off of how talented I perceive this guy to be in "real life", coupled with the almost constant high opinions I hear about this guy leading up to the SFL Draft... I have to believe this guy skews up. I'd be very surprised if he gets WORSE. And his floor is already a future Pro Bowler. So not a bad get late in the 1st.
[1.19] 
WR Chris Conley, Georgia 
I love QB Derek Carr, and think he's going to win a LOT of games in New England. It's almost unfair that GM Redford was able to just seamlessly go from Tom Brady to Carr and be in the playoffs year one. That said, if we're playing the long game - he's going to need some weapons - especially without his mentor this year. I like WR Brian Quick and have tried to trade for him in the past with Will Cook. The REST of the WRs in New England? Throw them in the ocean. Austin and Edwards are applying for their AARP cards. Edwards and Brazill I -think- Redford likes... or he must, since they have been on the trade block for like two years for a 1st round pick asking price. If it's me though? I'm drafting. Conley is 6'3", 94 speed, 96 agility, 98 acceleration, 80 catch, and already 57 awareness. Only 22 years old, so you're going to get a decade of production out of him. If he isn't hurt by the skew, and you put a little AP love into him, he will quickly become one of Carr's favorite targets. They've already got a big, quick TE... so I think if you pair 6'3" Conley with him, and 6'4" Quick, and you've got some mismatches that no amount of $$ GM Kevin Mullendore throws at Free Agent DBs will be able to fix.
[1.20] 
OT Daryl Williams, Oklahoma 
**Hypothetical Trade**
If you read part one of this mock, then you know I sent the 5th pick to Detroit so they could land HB Todd Gurley. To flesh that out, the Chargers acquire the 20th overall pick, and a bevy of other considerations. With the 20th pick, the Chargers still get the best offensive lineman in the draft (in my opinion), as the crazy OL slide ends FINALLY. Only 4 reads of part one, but one (justifiable) concern was the complete lack of OL. I think it's been kinda constant across all mocks, and that's simply because it's not sexy to draft OL (like Breck says). But the reality is, 3-4 will go in the 1st round, and some WILL go in this mock. It just took a while. But I'm sure Will, given his OL situation, wouldn't be upset adding a 22 year old 6'6" 335lb monster with 99 strength, 73 speed, 75 agility, 85 acceleration, 75 pass block, and 86 run block. Williams is an absolute stud and a day one starter.
[1.21] 
RE Dante Fowler, Georgia 
Would it kill a Georgia Dawgs fan to take a GATOR... two picks after a sexy Georgia WR gets drafted? Probably not. Fowler is the real deal, and the Bengals barely have DLineman on the roster. There is some debate over who the 3rd best DE is in this class... I tend to think that Danielle Hunter and Vic Beasly are 1st round talents as well... and you wish that Fowler was stronger... but he fits the bill of what you want in a LE. He's got size, 85 speed, 87 acceleration, 72 strength isn't THAT bad, and his 67 tackling will go up. He is dumb as a box of rocks, but what do you expect with a Florida Gator education? Could also see the Bengals draft a CB or LB here.
[1.22] 
OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa 
The Eagles have been under fire recently on Discord for some of their management decisions (notably trading up to 1.1 and not matching a 3rd round pick for their starting QB). BUT - is arguably 1A or 1B for best OL in the class, so if they somehow land him at the 22nd pick, after already having added the best DE in the class... that's a great start. Scherff is 71 speed, 78 agility, 82 acceleration, 99 strength, 79 pass block, and 89 run block. That's pretty damn elite. Currently on the roster the Eagles don't have anyone worthy of starting at RT, so it's a natural fit. Some combination of Scherff, Fisher, Fluker, and Kugbila would be a pretty good building block to eventually lift this team (that beat me to end my playoff hopes like a month ago) out of this downward media spiral.
[1.23] 
OLB Za'Darius Smith, Kentucky 
So in part one, I definitely said that the two top TEs would be gone by this spot... and it looks like Bell would have made it. That said, I don't think he lasts much longer, and I stand by the fact that Kroft WILL be gone by 23 overall. The linebacker class is pretty deep, and I think Romeo will be happy to land the 3rd or 4th best guy at that spot. Smith is only 22 years old, has 87 speed, 89 agility, 82 acceleration, 73 strength, and 82 tackle. He's also got freakish size at 6'4" 275lb, and wonder if he's got a little LDE in his future. The Giants have Ansah at that spot, so it probably wouldn't be in New York... but they currently have a grocery bagger suiting up at LOLB, so Romeo would find plenty of reps for Smith.
[1.24] CB Ronald Darby, Florida State 
Brady is back on the clock with a few more holes to fill. He's out here collecting players from Big 6 Florida Colleges like infinity stones. The knock on Darby will be he's only 5'11" - but the tradeoff is he's 94 speed, 98 agility, 98 acceleration, and a crazy 71 strength and 65 awareness. Pretty elite "readiness" for a 21 year old CB. Think Darby slots in nicely this year as the nickel, and he's elevated to CB2 in a year or two. If they want a more immediate starter, there are some LBs here that would be pretty sexy in the tiger uniforms, as well.
[1.25] 
WR Kenny Bell, Nebraska 
In this mock, the Falcons got the CB early and took a chance on WRs dropping. Will 8 different WRs go in the first 25 picks? I could see it for sure, this is a wonderful class. Kenny Bell is 6'1", 96 speed, 93 agility, 93 acceleration, 61 strength, and 78 catch... with an amazing 63 run block. This guy is rock solid, as long as he doesn't skew down, and I think would be a wonderful compliment to last year's STUD rookie Kevin Norwood. If the Falcons see another defensive back they like here, they might double down and go TWO CBs here... and maybe they hope a guy like Tyler Lockett drops to them later (but they don't pick again until 4.5, so...)
[1.26] DT Carl Davis, Iowa
There it is... the first (and best) DT off the board. I nearly slotted Davis here at 18... but was sensing a run on WRs so waited for DT to stop Diggs' slide. Davis is all you could ask for... 6'5" 320lbs, 71 speed, 73 agility, 80 acceleration, 92 strength, and 81 tackle. As good as he is, and great value at the spot, it MIGHT be tough for the Raiders to pass on some of the OTs on the board. But he's been mocked DTs in most of the other publications, so what fun is that. Davis will slot in as a day one starter and provide push from the middle in a division that boasts some amazing QBs.
[1.27] 
TE Blake Bell, Oklahoma
22 year old (but very pedestrian) Cameron Brate is the only TE on the Bears roster (did you know he went to HARVARD?!?) - and Bell is a slight surprise to still be around this late. At 6'6", 90 speed, 81 agility, 87 acceleration, 70 strength, 65 pass block, 69 run block.. he enters the league as one of the better blockers from the TE position. Couple that with his rare athletic ability, and you've got a great prospect. The knocks on him are that he's already 24 years old, he's pretty dumb (33 awareness), and he MAY have an injury or two in his career. But I think he'd look great in Chicago.
[1.28] 
OLB Denzel Perryman, Miami 
The Texans traded an aging CB for this spot, but Linebacker is probably the biggest team need. Perryman, despite just being 5'11", would be a steal this late in the draft. Only 21 years old, so you get much bang for the buck, plus 87 speed, 86 strength, 89 agility, 89 acceleration, 64 awareness, and 83 tackle. Homie is ready to hit the field TODAY. Would be a slam dunk pick for the Texans, if he's there. Honestly very impressed they got a 1st for Bennett.
[1.29] 
OL Ali Marpet, Hobart 
My man Breck makes it to the podium, and frankly, he's shocked that only two offensive lineman went in the entire first 28 picks. He's been vocal about taking an OL if they fell, and while his article says that he likes Laken Tomlinson is his 3rd favorite OL in the class, how could he pass on Marpet.. the wild child / free spirit from the rock band "Housewives on Prozac"?!? I don't believe that he can. Unless you doesn't go OL at all, which is possible since he specifically said he'd take Scherff if he fell, but didn't go as far as saying any of these other guys. But I think Marpet is great value here, and I won't be surprised if he's a Pro Bowl OG or OT in no time.
[1.30] 
OLB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State 
Rod mocked himself CB Darby here, but he's gone in this mock. I agree that a CB would be useful for them, but disagree that it's their biggest need. Really, I bet they'd like to take a WR here, but the best 8 or 9 or gone in this mock, which isn't great value. Still some really good OL left, but they are ok there. Linebacker is probably the best intersection of skill and need. McKinney fits the bill with 6'4", 246lb monster that has 89 speed, 85 agility, 86 acceleration, 78 strength, and 80 tackle. Would be a solid pick.
[1.31] 
OT D.J. Humphries, Florida
The Broncos are currently waiting to decide if they should match a HUGE offer on RT James Carpenter, or to get a 2nd round pick and let him walk to Tennessee. If the draft broke this way, it would almost be an even swap, for an upgrade at OT. Humphries is 21 years old, 96 strength, 65 speed, 76 agility, 76 acceleration, 94 pass block, and 81 run block. That would certainly keep Harnish alive and well (which has been an issue). It's also entirely possible Tom just matches and spends this premium pick elsewhere.
[1.32] 
WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State 
The CHAMPS are here!! That's right, final pick of round 1. I really think the Dolphins would love to take a WR here to help both Palmer extend his window, and to help develop Johnny Football. The problem is, in THIS mock, there are a TON of WRs gone. Lockett is the most talented left (98 speed, 98 agility, 99 acceleration, 82 catch, 64 awareness) at just 22 years old, and could be a day one starter. The problem? He's only 5'10". There's such a stigma around height in this league. I won't even be surprised to see Dorial Green-Beckham get drafted in front of Lockett just because he's 6'5", even though he's inferior in every other way. It will be interesting to see what Daren does fresh off a Super Bowl. He's got enough clout in the league after three straight AFC Championships that some GMs would see him take Lockett and be like, "Oh shit, maybe my WRs are too TALL!"
[2.1] 
OT Jake Fisher, Oregon 
Yes, AF has no draft picks (or his buddy Apolo), so we're going three extra picks outside of the 1st round! We want to feel included! Apolo has a very loaded roster and SO many assets to play with, so he's hard to forecast. Ultimately when I look at the roster, I think Phil Rivers might want more protection. Fisher is flying under the radar a bit, but he's 22 years old, 6'6", 68 speed, 79 agility, 74 acceleration, 99 strength, 86 pass block, and 75 run block. That is incredible for a 2nd round pick. This is one I feel pretty good about... but I bet Apolo would take him 2.2 just to mess up my mock %!
[2.2] HB David Johnson, Northern Iowa 
Apolo made a bold move trading Jonathan Stewart, and I think he was REALLY hoping the Dolphins wouldn't match on their stud HB in Match Eligible Free Agency... so they need a new HB. Wait. One sec... I'm getting a call. The Dolphins did NOT match? Daniel Thomas is a TITAN? Wowwww. Anyone drafting a HB in this class NOT named Gurley or Gordon should be ashamed!?! (If they had cap space to fit Thomas, that is). Frankly, I'm so surprised, and I don't think there are any RBs worth of this spot... but Apolo doesn't have many holes to fill. David Johnson, with his 71 strength, 93 speed, 93 agility, 96 acceleration, 76 catch, 77 carry, and 77 break tackle seems to be the consensus #3 runner in the class. It would be smart for Apolo to get the future RB on the roster, then to trade Ridley to the highest bidder. He'll probably be able to get multiple 1st round picks for him.
[2.3] 
CB Tye Smith, Towson State 
Full disclosure... this pick might be THREE straight picks for Apolo. The Cowboys are deep in talks to trade this pick, along with a pair of future 1sts, to the Tennessee Titans to acquire last years [1.6] pick Pierre Desir. Desir is a prefect prospect (6'1", 99 speed, 99 agility, 99 acceleration) and he's FREE for the next three years... something helpful to a cap strapped teams. Lined up next to CB Josh Norman, this could represent a FUTURE at the position that I've held together with free agent band aids. BUT - if I stay... and Tye Smith is on the clock... he's 6', 97 speed, 99 agility, 99 acceleration, 61 strength, 66 catch, and 42 awareness. Yea, the last part is scary, especially for a GM who is one year away from the hot seat. But he's kind of a poor man's Desir... right? I don't know, maybe this is just therapy for me, or an intervention. I'm really unsure what to do, but I'm tempted to go for the splashy trade. I guess we'll find out tomorrow night.
Thanks everyone for reading! Send me suggestions on what to do with my pick (or trade it) on Discord! Will take all the help I can get. Happy drafting tomorrow!
