Pablo ain’t got the time for the cheap bells and whistles this year so here’s your shit raw. Hope you enjoy!
1.1 Carolina Panthers - QB Gardner Minshew
The Panthers made a flurry of moves and gave up significant draft capital(1.4 + 1.7) to acquire the 1st overall pick. Another trade involved dealing former 1st round pick QB Dak Prescott to the 49ers for the mentor-eligible QB Kyle Orton. Aside from all that, Panthers GM Barber hasn’t exactly been quiet about who the pick will be, and it doesn’t appear to be smoke. The 21-year old Minshew has an elite tier arm with plus awareness for a rookie(72). The only drawback would be his injury rating at 67, so Carolina had better ensure the young signal caller doesn’t take too many hits and missed time will hinder his development.
1.2 Tampa Bay Bucs - WR DK Metcalf
At 6’4” and 235lbs with 99/99/99 athleticism, the 22 year old will be hard to pass up. Star vet WR AJ Green is now 31 and losing another step to regression, leaving the unit looking thin outside of Cody Core. Metcalf is a freak that should be a perennial 1k-yard target that is a plus blocker for the vaunted Tampa run game.
1.3. Baltimore Ravens - WR Jalen Hurd
The last time the Ravens drafted this high, they took another giant WR in Dwayne Jarrett, who has had a successful career. Ashlon Jeffrey is now 29 and the position needs some investment. Hurd is only 21, is 6’5”, and has great hands(87) especially for this stage of his career. His speed is 93, ACC is 94, so there’s a possibility of pushing him into an elite tier physically with some AP.
1.4 Denver Broncos - WR AJ Brown
Brown is a freak athlete with 99SPD/ACC potential at 225lbs with 81 STR. The Ole Miss product has advanced hands (86) and should help make up much of the loss former top 5 pick, WR Darren Waller, who was lost in free agency this offseason.
1.5 Indianapolis Colts - CB Rock Ya Sin
CB Bentley has hit 30 and can mentor, while the 23-year old Ya-Sin is a 99/99/99 potential athlete at 6”2. He might be an older prospect than you’d like, but with some playing time and a mentor his AWR will be somewhere in the 80s(currently 60) at some point in his age 25 season. I’ll take that as a Colts fan.
1.6 Oakland Raiders - WR Terry McLaurin
BPA would dictate this pick more than anything, especially necessity. Oakland’s former GM Brad Barber, who was run out of town and all the away across the country in Carolina, dealt former top pick WR Mike Williams for 3 1st round selections. McLaurin isn’t quite that talented, but he does have rare 99/99/99 potential at 6 ft. He’s slide into the slot role immediately and help form one of the deadlier WR corps in the SFL.
1.7 Dallas Cowboys - MLB Devin White
The Cowboys signed a mentor MLB in McClain this offseason. Devin White is a real-life Tampa Bay Buc with 73 AWR and 93 TAK plus 87 SPD. White may be 24, but he’s already starter quality with pro-bowl potential.
1.8 New Orleans Saints - CB JoeJuan Williams
An exceptionally tall cornerback in the 6’3” Williams goes early-perhaps earlier than most would feel comfortable. He’s not a speedster(91 SPD/ACC) but has exceptional awareness(69) for being just 21. He’s also got elite stength(73). As long as he’s not worse post workout, and also mentored by vet Cortez Allen, the young corner will be a worthy top ten pick in this draft.
1.9 Kansas City Chiefs - SS Marquis Blair
The 23-year old safety fits the KC mold for the position with length 6’2” and 96 SPD/ACC. He’d require a mentor to maximize his value and would hit 80 AWR in a short time. Paired alongside FS Deiondre Hall, the team would have among the fastest duos in the league.
1.10 Cincinnati Bengals - SS Sheldrick Redwine
Longtime safety Robert Sands is well into regression, and Redwine would be a fine selection albeit with a different skill set. He isn’t 6’4” like Sands but he moves much better (96SPD, 95 AGI, 94 ACC). Redwine has terrible hands and poor tackling form currently, but he should still develop into an upper tier SS in the SFL.
1.11 Miami Dolphins - TE TJ Hockenson
At this point, Hock is among the best available at a position the Dolphins could use him as an upgrade. Hock is potentially 90+ SPD, solid starting awareness at 61 and good hands(80). He could step right into the starting role and has the talent to contend for ROY honors.
1.12 Denver Broncos - WR Deebo Samuel
When I saw Tim suggest they may take two wideouts recently, I thought he was kidding. But I looked at the current roster and felt bad for Lamar Jackson. Where did all those wideouts go? Now he’ll get some husky receivers to throw to, albeit shorter and not as talented as the last bunch. Or maybe they’ll come close with a good post draft skew.
1.13 Oakland Raiders - OT Andre Dillard
The Raiders seemed to have clean up their most glaring hole, GM, replacing current Panthers show-runner Brad Barber, who was run out of town by the Chiefs. New head honcho Phil Mellon has been known to have a thing for offensive lineman, so why not give him the best of the class? Dillard, 21, needs a bit of time to work on his craft but he’s got much to work off of with his high 69 AWR. In 3-4 seasons, with some playing time, Dillard conservatively could end up in the top quarter of offensive tackles.
1.14 Cleveland Browns - DT Dexter Lawrence
The Browns are getting gray in many places, one of them being a starting DT spot. Lawrence is head and shoulders above the rest in this draft class at DT. He’s only 21 years old, is 350lbs, and has elite athleticism (71 SPD, 81 ACC) for an animal his size. Lawrence can play in any scheme and would be a good pair with pass-rushing DT Adam Gotsis.
1.15 Oakland Raiders - CB Isaiah Johnson
Johnson literally stands out in this class and any other as a 6’4” cornerback—one not seen since CB Brandon Browner. He’s got borderline long speed and tight hips, but if his speed remains the same or improves, the Raiders may have landed a steal at 15th overall.
1.16 New England Patriots - OT Yodny Cajuste
The Pats have both their starting tackles on the wrong side of 30. Cajuste could be among most athletic tackles in the entire SFL from day one. With a positive skew, he could have 80+ SPD and ACC. His AWR is lagging a bit, but being 21, he’s got enough time to improve.
1.17 San Diego Chargers - CB Sean MurphyBunting
The 6’ corner starts with 62 AWR, great burst(99 ACC), and plenty of time to ‘get good’ at just 22. The Chargers have a stacked roster but could use some developmental talent as their best corners are around the 30 year old mark. A dime package player who would progress as a CB2 —if his speed doesnt take a hit.
1.18 New York Giants - WR JJ Arcega Whiteside
Whiteside’s high awareness makes him a safer bet to be a regular contributor, which the Giants need as the hot seat begins to burn once again in the upcoming season. The biggest question remains is his top speed—improvement their makes it a great pick while anything less than the current 91 would be sorely disappointing for a 1st round selection.
1.19 Chicago Bears - OLB Josh Allen
Allen has a great first step(93 ACC) and good size for a rushing linebacker at 6’4” 250lbs. His awareness (66) is solid as well. If his private workout skews his speed up, he’d be worthy of the 19th overall selection.
1.20 Oakland Raiders - DE Max Crosby
Raiders get Crosby in the SFL too. He’s a 43 end with a very good first step, plus strength, and is just 21 years old. He could start immediately for Oakland at the RE spot over former 7th round pick Shaq Lawson.
1.21 Atlanta Falcons - CB Iman Marshall
Chris Culliver’s lost a step so it’s time to prepare for the inevitable. Marshall has good speed though not great, decent size though not exceptional, but his high AWR (6
at just 22 makes him a high floor type of prospect who should contribute earlier than most rookie CBs.
1.22 Baltimore Ravens - MLB Ben Banogu
Banogu is built like a Ray Lewis at 6’3” 250lbs, and has similar athleticism, though not quite at the former Ravens level. He does possess great instincts at just 21 years old with his 73 in awareness. He could help man the middle of this 34 defense for a long time.
1.23 Philadelphia Eagles - WR Paris Campbell
The Eagles GM Fenger seems to like this speed type of wideout, and Campbell should not disappoint. He’s similar to current Eagles WR Stefon Diggs and should claim a starting spot next to him considering who’s currently in the WR room.
1.24 Chicago Bears - DE Brian Burns
Current RE JJ Watt is 31 and wasn’t never that good to begin with anyway. Burns is good at most things but needs a little seasoning to lift his tackling ability and awareness. He should have some success pressuring the passer early in his career.
1.25 Jacksonville Jaguars - DT Quinnen Williams
Jags have been linked to multiple defensive tackles in the draft as it’s a position of need, but Williams, if selected here, wouldn’t end up a DT. He’d get moved to DE to help anchor the expected new 34 defense. Williams has great speed especially for his size and should be an effective pass rusher as well as hold his own in the run game.
1.26 Philadelphia Eagles - CB Justin Layne
Eagles have 3 30 year olds in the cramped secondary room. Layne’s excellent size(6’2”) and speed make him an intriguing prospect. He’d need to be mentored early by one of the vets as his awareness is lagging behind at 23.
1.27 Panthers - FS Will Harris
Panthers GM Barber would probably be happy if Harris fell to this spot given his age(21), size (6’2”) and elite tackling (8
. He would likely be moved to SS to replace JTart who was lost in free agency after he had a rough time with the team negotiating a new deal.
1.28 Cards - SS Saquon Hampton
Hampton checks every box but lacks experience. The 21 year old could learn for a season or two behind veteran SS Proctor before he takes over the starting role in Arizona.
1.29 Browns - DE Nick Bosa
Bosa was once a top 5 pick until his shitty pro day. He may still prove to be better than what that was so a lot hinges on his private workout. Bosa would start immediately for Cleveland and combined with Dexter Lawrence should provide significant help for the defensive front.
1.30 Texans - WR Miles Boykin
Boykin is plus sized at 6’4” with solid speed and hands. If he gets a positive skew in speed, he could be a steal for this depleted Texans WR unit.
1.31 Steelers - TE Noah Fant
TE Herndon ain’t it. Fant gives vet QB Quinn a true weapon out of the tight end position with his plus speed and size.
1.32 Vikings - OT Kaleb McGary
Vikings lost their starting LT in free agency and McGary can be plugged in a provide similar results even as a rookie. He’s got very good size and movement skills. He’s not lacking in any area so just a little time to refine the technique should make him at the very least a solid starting OT in the SFL.
