by Anthony Fernandez, February 5th, 2018
[1.17] 
FS Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama 
========> 21 years old | 6’1” | 204 lbs | 64 AWR | 89 SPD | 88 AGI | 88 ACC | 65 CTH | 84 TAK | 72 STR
Doesn't have measurables that jump off the page, but ultimately he's a super young (21) prospect with excellent tackling, awareness, and hands. He's got "playmaker" written all over him, and if the private workout is ok, he should be very, very good for a long, long time. That would be bad news for the NFC East. Vontae Davis finally hit 30, but I still think he has two years left playing at a very high level, so CB is not an immediate need. They could use an OLB, and eventually they'll need some youth injected into the Defensive Line. But for now, I think SS is the most glaring need on their roster.
[1.18] 
MLB Roquan Smith, Georgia 
========> 21 years old | 6’1” | 225 lbs | 65 AWR | 87 SPD | 88 AGI | 84 ACC | 68 CTH | 87 TAK | 88 STR | 95 TGH
The Steelers just traded stud SS Richards to New York, so SS was where I was going, but I've heard whispers they may be bringing in an amazing veteran SS (for a pretty cheap price), so I'll go another direction here. This team does need some WRs, but that position has been the most picked apart position in this mock, so maybe now isn't the time for a WR. They need help on the DL, and there is a gigantic NT I love there (go Bucs). Would they pull the trigger on Vita Vea? I definitely think he's on their radar, but they may wait and hope he falls to 30. As a lifelong Bucs fan though, if Vita slides close enough to [1.31], we'll be looking to trade up. For THIS pick though? Let's end the slide of MLB Roquan Smith! It's a little concerning that Smith is only 225 lbs, but EVERYTHING else about him is epic. MLBs are a bit devalued in this league, so maybe this is the position they try to wait on (there are a few really good ones), but this is easily the most rare prospect I see at the LB position.
[1.19] 
TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State 
========> 22 years old | 6’5” | 256 lbs | 58 AWR | 90 SPD | 74 AGI | 94 ACC | 77 CTH | 47 PBK | 44 RBK
Another WR playing TE. Can't block to save his life, but he has the potential to be a really explosive TE in SFL. The Patriots have an aging TE on the roster who would certainly be just fine for another year or two, if they deem to have a bigger need here, but Goedert is going to be very good and isn't bad value at 19. With 6'4" Brian Quick already on the roster, you could begin to see how this offense could become a matchup nightmare with Goedert rotating between TE and WR3.
[1.20] 
OLB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech 
========> 21 years old | 6’2” | 253 lbs | 57 AWR | 91 SPD | 82 AGI | 90 ACC | 93 TAK | 72 STR
Titans have assured me they are NOT after a QB, following the Josh Allen mocked pick... but I don't buy it. They certainly don't NEED to develop the next QB with Bradford on the roster, and if Apolo was serious about potentially pursuing a new challenge in another city soon, then it wouldn't make sense to draft a young QB to develop. Either way, I still think Allen is a target, as they just don't have ANY needs. I see why they are the SFL All Stars. At this point, I don't think they can pass up the sliding OLBs. Edmunds has been mocked all over the place, but I think if he's got a good private workout, he could be gone much sooner than this.
[1.21] 
CB Jaire Alexander, Louisville 
========> 21 years old | 5'11” | 192 lbs | 66 AWR | 95 SPD | 88 AGI | 97 ACC | 63 TAK | 65 CTH
A little undersized, but very smart. The Bengals are a team that is close, and GM Brady Tinnin has done a good job in recent years extending his window to finally win a Super Bowl. Two straight conference championship losses doesn't say "develop a CB" to me, so I think the appeal of Jaire already being 66 AWR will be nice. Brady could pair him with a mentor and be 80+ AWR by year 3, right as Goff is hitting his stride, too.
[1.22] 
DE Josh Sweat, Florida State 
========> 21 years old | 6’5” | 259 lbs | 60 AWR | 80 SPD | 82 AGI | 88 ACC | 73 TAK | 71 STR
Sweat is a little bit of a project for my taste, but the fact he's been mocked so high makes me wonder if the private workout was really nice. To be so young, with such size and potentially be in the low 90s ACC would be sick. But if that SPD skews down, he may never pop as a real sack artist. Ultimately though, I do think the Chiefs need to add a pass rusher... but they may be better served trading for a veteran, as the DE class is shallow and is surely gonna dry up quick.
[1.23] 
WR D.J. Moore, Maryland 
========> 21 years old | 5'11” | 215 lbs | 64 AWR | 94 SPD | 90 AGI | 95 ACC | 75 CTH
The Ravens struck gold last year with SS Mike Tyson, really knocking that pick out of the park. They just (accidently?) traded a 3rd round pick for WR Jared Abbrederis, which may rule out drafting a WR this early... but ultimately I'm not a fan of much they have at the position beyond Alshon Jeffery. And even Jeffery is very expensive and regressing in two seasons. It would be smart to restock the position, but the unfortunate part is that WRs have been ravaged in this mock. I think D.J. Moore has a lot of potential with his high AWR and solid hands. He may slide a little because he's 5'11", but we've seen guys that look like this be very productive in this league.
[1.24] 
RT Brian O'Neill, Pittsburgh 
========> 21 years old | 6'7” | 297 lbs | 70 AWR | 97 STR | 63 SPD | 77 AGI | 77 ACC | 93 PBK | 82 RBK
Absolute mountain of a man, who has been mocked by others going much earlier. Ultimately, I wish his speed was a little more special, but there is nothing else not to like about him. His ACC is right on the border of what I look for in my OTs, so if he skews DOWN, that could be a problem, but we're not in the market for OL so haven't ran any private workouts. Ultimately with his high AWR, great blocking skills, and wonderful strength, this would be a worthwhile pick and replacement for Ulrick John, who just got a boatload of cash to relocate to San Fran.
[1.25] 
LG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame 
========> 21 years old | 6'5” | 330 lbs | 55 AWR | 93 STR | 69 SPD | 63 AGI | 77 ACC | 80 PBK | 92 RBK
The Rams OL has quite a few holes, and they have a mentor. Nelson is, in my opinion, the 2nd most polished offensive lineman in the class. Does that mean he's the 2nd best? Nah. I actually think his skew HAS to be absolutely sick, because on paper he looks like he got nerfed compared to his NFL counterpart. He's a mauler that I figured would be smarter, but at only 21 years old, if paired with a mentor he should have a long career. The irony is that the Rams have been publicly trashing their star QB for years... and now here they are, with a little contract security and a chance to draft someone to have Booty mentor him... but do they have the balls to pull the trigger? We'll see, but Mike Evans would surely love to have Josh Rosen or Mason Rudolph in a Rams uniform. Ultimately, I think they're too committed to Paxton Lynch, who will never be a star in this league.
[1.26] 
NT Vita Vea, Washington 
========> 21 years old | 6'5” | 340 lbs | 73 AWR | 93 STR | 64 SPD | 71 AGI | 67 ACC | 72 TAK | 71 CAR
The Buccos are pretty solid at DT, with stud NT Daniel McCullers. But he's 27 years old, and his backup Dontari Poe makes $4 million per year and is a journeyman at best. This is
about the range where the Bucs took McCullers, and while Vita is a bit smaller (yes, even at 340lbs), he compares nicely. I personally think the ratings discredit just HOW fast Vita is, the former high school running back. Big boy can FLY. But that's where the skew comes in.. you never know if these ratings are actually +2-3 each rating. I think Vita, especially with his size and age, is going to be a very, very good DT in this league for a very long time. Combining the two would put a LOT of man in the middle of that Defensive Line (over 700 lbs). That basically a show on TLC. Plus, pictures of Vita in a Bucs uniform for the Press Conferences will be very easy, as he's a lifelong Buc in the NFL. I personally am hoping Vita falls to 31, but if he's gotta go somewhere, I'd be happy it was Tampa.
[1.27] 
HB Phillip Lindsay, Colorado 
========> 22 years old | 5'8” | 190 lbs | 97 SPD | 94 AGI | 97 ACC | 72 STR | 84 CAR | 89 BTK | 73 CTH
Saints are back on the clock after trading a young OLB to get back into the 1st, and it's tempting to mock them a FB or Punter here, as my good buddy Nate told me directly he wanted to draft one at #1 overall. We're Pokebuddies, so he'd never lie to me. I imagine he succumbs to pressure and takes the WR at 1, but he traded back up for his Fullback. Only there's only 1 in the class, and that one is garbage. So we're finishing off the offense. Mitch and Mack last year, this year they get a stud WR and new HB. People seem to love Phillip Lindsey. Personally, he's a little small for my taste, but you can't argue with his attributes. I'd love to see the private workout. If he at least doesn't nerf, he'll be a very good back in this league. He reminds me of a slightly smaller version of MY guy, David Johnson, just with the AP and progression already applied.
[1.28] 
RT Orlando Brown Jr., Oklahoma 
========> 22 years old | 6'8” | 345 lbs | 70 SPD | 59 AGI | 81 ACC | 80 STR | 95 PBK | 90 RBK
No, those stats aren't typos. This pick is almost sacrilege, and I tried to fit it somewhere else, but so many teams have REALLY good, REALLY young OLs that I think a lot of these lineman are gonna fall into the 2nd. But I have internal issues projecting Kevin, one of the best Madden league drafters EVER, to take an OL in the 1st round with 80 STR. Crazy. I'm so tempted to see that private workout, and full disclosure... even though I don't need an OL in this class, if he's there when I'm picking I'll probably HAVE to buy it just to see. Because if he goes up even to like 83 STR, he could be one of the best 1st round picks of all time. I mean he's HUGE, he's got crazy quickness, and he's already a PRO BOWL level blocker. He's just weak. But man... if that stat goes DOWN? Yikes. I mean maybe a few Training Camps and eventually +2 from AP... plus you'll get the natural 2. But if he skews down, that route gets so much harder. Plus delaying to keep him below 80 OVR might be impossible with those blocking stats. Such a fun prospect. Maybe a 2nd rounder though, unless that STR workout really pops.
[1.29] SS Terrell Edmunds, Virginia Tech
========> 21 years old | 6'1” | 217 lbs | 58 AWR | 57 STR | 94 SPD | 82 AGI | 91 ACC | 71 TAK | 64 CAR
Bengals continue to revitalize the secondary. Edmunds is not the best... or even 2nd best safety in this class, but there's an argument that he might be the 3rd best of all of them. I personally like Minkah better, but I could see how someone would fall in love with this size and frame, coupled with the fact he's 21, so you're restructuring him for 7 years cheaply after year 3, and he's locked up til the start of regression, when after a nice long career with you, you can renegotiate him finishing his career with the team. That's a nice outlook for a guy who hasn't taken a snap yet, but with the vacant SS position on the Bengals roster, I think he'd be a great guy to grow with Jaire Alexander.
[1.30] OLB Shaquille Leonard, S. C. State 
========> 22 years old | 6'2” | 230 lbs | 57 AWR | 82 STR | 87 SPD | 85 AGI | 88 ACC | 79 TAK | 56 CTH
Shaq is a stud. It's hard to project because LBs are so devalued in SFL here because there are SO many of them. Like team after team I was mocking I'd look OLB first to try and fit these guys... and the team is set. And sure, I've already got the Steelers taking a MLB in this class, but why not reset the entire LB corp? After all, it's a position where playing young guys generally does NOT hurt the stats, and AWR isn't as big of a deal. The more the better, but guys will regularly post crazy lines at LB even younger. Shaq may drop to the 2nd, but he deserves to be a 1st rounder, so I wanted him in this mock. Unless that private workout is bad, someone is going to get a real steal.
[1.31] 
CB J.C. Jackson, Maryland
========> 22 years old | 5'10” | 201 lbs | 65 AWR | 76 STR | 96 SPD | 93 AGI | 98 ACC | 86 TAK | 68 CTH
Was hoping for NT Vita Vea, but he's gone in this mock. CB is not really on my radar, but Jackson has fallen. And I get it, he's a midget. But he looks a LOT like a safety. He is a tackling machine, very strong, and if the private workout is nice, he has excellent quickness. Would be a total luxury pick for me, since I've got Milliner and Tye Smith locked in as my CB1 and CB2, and another year of Barnes playing at a VERY high level. Not to mention Craig Mager, Special Teams Ace, who has been playing dime CB for me, AND William Jackson III that I like a lot. So an embarrassment of riches for me at the position, plus a standing offer for Patriots CB Pierre Desir here that probably doesn't happen because nobody will trade me a future 1st for 1.31, even though that trade happens every year and I literally did that exact trade with Tennessee like 3 weeks ago. So I'll probably stay put, and if Jackson drops because he's tiny, I'll probably take him, and I'll probably have Barnes mentor him because nobody would even give me a 2nd round pick for a starting caliber MENTOR CB, and then in two years Jackson is going to be the best Nickel CB in the league that has 80+ AWR at age 24, and I'm going to lock him down for a 7 year restructure that carries him until regression in his early 30s, and he'll almost never have to cover a guy who is taller than 6'1" because he stays in the slot, and everyone in the league will be mad at me because I got a great player... but really all folks had to do to avoid it was to trade me a 2nd for Barnes and send me a future 1st for this pick to take Jackson so I can trade for Pierre Desir. Honestly, I'm fine with either scenario. Love you guys! <3
[1.32] OLB Dorian O'Daniel, LSU 
========> 22 years old | 6'2” | 223 lbs | 57 AWR | 84 STR | 92 SPD | 90 AGI | 93 ACC | 67 TAK | 51 CTH
This pick is unlikely for Apolo, but as I've said with Shaq, I think these OLBs are worthy of 1st round picks and deserve to be in the mock. I could for sure see Apolo trading this pick for a Future 1st and someone else grabbing D-O-D here. He's light AF, but those measurables are crazy. There was a guy in the class like that last year, and I'm pretty sure he got snatched up in the 1st. Matt Milano maybe? Jaguars! Undersized, also from LSU. Probably a safety playing LB, but he put up nearly 70 tackles (11 for loss), 5 sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR, and 9 DFL as a rookie. That's pretty good. And yes, Apolo typically likes his LBs fat AF like Dodd, but leave it to the Madden mastermind to already have some 46 playbook scheme that if he starts D-O-D at FS2 he will actually play LB5 or some shit and deliver terror to opposing offenses all around the league. Like I said, probably won't happen in Tennessee... but someone will take him in the top 45 picks, guaranteed.
Thanks for reading! No version 2 this year, with the draft on Thursday... but I may be able to get a 1st round draft grads article out Monday! Enjoy!
