Best Player Available [BPA] ~ Pre-Skew / No Workouts ~
DE: I want a player who can disrupt the QB, get in his face and hopefully sack him (KILL the drive)! I used the following parameters to find my current SFL standard [SPD = 75 / STR = 70 / AGI = 75 / ACC = 85]? pretty narrow list, 15 players (11 of those 15 players produced double digit sacks in a season ? of the 4 that didn?t, 2 were RE?s). I?ll typically be more forgiving on STR but want more AGI/ACC if it?s a LE and for some reason like more STR and more forgiving with AGI/ACC if it?s a RE.Rookies: Not WOW?d by anyone in-particular, there?s a couple of guys that deserve consideration? beyond that I think you have depth chart guys.
RE Dan Cody [SPD = 80 / STR = 79 / AGI = 80 / ACC = 84]: I have no doubt whichever team lands Cody will switch him over to the left side (and deservedly so). He?s a special player that should cause nightmares for opposing QB?s for the next decade.
LE Erasmus James [SPD = 73 / STR = 84 / AGI = 79 / ACC = 83]: What he lacks in speed he makes up for in strength ? I do think he fits the mold of a RE not a LE.
LE Jeb Huckeba [SPD = 80 / STR = 79 / AGI = 80 / ACC = 84]: LOVE his 1st step and speed but he tends to be a little tight in the hips and lacks game intelligence.
Flying under the radar? RE Marcus Spears might find the jump to the SFL difficult, unless he?s moved inside (I see him as a DT).
DT: Historically, I have undervalued this position and tended to focus on DE?s, LB?s & CB?s instead of DT/S positions? and this year?s draft class will not have me reconsidering that approach (with DT?s anyway) ? in my opinion, the class is average at best. To set the bar I typically use [SPD = 60 / STR = 90 / AGI = 60 / ACC = 70] with the ?Fit the System tool?, there?s currently 23 DT players in the SFL that rise to the top.Rookies: I see a couple of options for GM?s that draft for need, NO ONE should be reaching early to fill an empty roster spot at DT.
DT Shaun Cody [SPD = 65 / STR = 91 / AGI = 66 / ACC = 70]: Pretty much checks all the boxes (entry level anyway) which makes him serviceable not a super start.
DT Ronald Fields [SPD = 68 / STR = 85 / AGI = 67 / ACC = 76]: During Pro-Day, Fields was unimpressive on the bench and has most GM?s wondering whether he?ll hold up at the line of attack. If you can get past the lack of strength, Fields has some other attributes that might raise ones eye.
DT Anthony Bryant [SPD = 63 / STR = 87 / AGI = 66 / ACC = 72]: Lacking ideal strength and has failed to understand the importance of being a student of the game [AWR = 43]? other measurable are legit.
If you?re a gambling man? someone is going to REACH on DT Anttaj Hawthorne, a player who has as many off the field issues and on the field issues [AWR = 37]. I don?t think he?s worth the risk, he?ll cost you more games than he saves [SPD = 72 / STR = 89 / AGI = 73 / ACC = 81].
LB: Obviously, there?s a difference in identifying and playing a MLB compared to OLB?s? but in scouting, I use the same metrics with the ?Fit the System? tool: [SPD = 80 / STR = 70 / AGI = 80 / ACC = 80]. There?s currently 54 player?s that clear the bar set (so it?s common to give in some areas).Rookies: I see some elite talent and expect that we?ll see a couple of these guys go in the top half of the 1st round.
MLB Alfred Fincher [SPD = 87 / STR = 73 / AGI = 92 / ACC = 90]: WOW? just hand him the Defensive Rookie of the Year trophy now! There?s no missing the resemblance between Fincher and Teddy Lehman (Lions) who fell to pick 1.06 last year ? I?d be surprised if Fincher isn?t soaking up the DRY heat in Arizona for the next 10+ years!
LOLB Shawne Merriman [SPD = 82 / STR = 84 / AGI = 85 / ACC = 85]: Another absolute STUD? not as easy to place who?ll draft him but it should be in the top 10.
MLB Odell Thurman [SPD = 87 / STR = 73 / AGI = 92 / ACC = 90]: Compared to Fincher? a little shorter (but stronger) first step isn?t as quick (but he?s a more polished tackler) but mentally he brings the FULL package [AWR = 79].
Don?t overlook these guys? MLB Jordan Beck & LOLB Cameron Wake are solid adds for any team!
CB: Opinions might vary a bit on the desirable attributes, but SPD & ACC rank high for all. Camps might be split on this somewhat, but HT is something many GM?s can easily get infatuated with (if you don?t believe me, review any past draft in any league). Fact, there?s 111 players that have SPD = 90 & ACC = 90 (27 of those players are 6?0? or taller and if you incorporate AWR = 70 there?s only 12 players). Needless to say, we can?t all have the tall defensive backfields we dream of ? so don?t discard those shorter players!Rookies: There?s enough talent in this year?s class to ensure 4 or 5 guys go in the 1st round.
CB Brandon Browner [HT = 6?4? / SPD = 95 / AWR = 55 / AGI = 91 / ACC = 95 / CTH = 59 / JMP = 97]: The worst kept secret? the Arizona Cardinals will select Browner with the 1st overall selection in this year?s draft! I get it? 6?4? and outperformed everyone in the 40 yard dash, vertical and shuttle drills at the combine ? an athletic FREAK! If I was begged to call out his short comings I?d point to his lack of strength [STR = 43] and lack of game discipline [AWR = 55].
CB Justin Miller [HT = 5?10? / SPD = 94 / AWR = 56 / AGI = 96 / ACC = 94 / CTH = 75 / JMP = 91]: Ball Hawk? is focused on making the BIG play (great hands). Declares he?s the fastest man on the planet (but refused to run at the combine). Lacks polish and will need to become a student of the game if he desires to be GREAT at the next level.
CB Pacman Jones [HT = 5?10? / SPD = 93 / AWR = 58 / AGI = 88 / ACC = 94 / CTH = 74 / JMP = 93]: Ideally, Jones comes in as a nickel back and quickly develops into one of the starting CB spots on a team. Lacks strength and can be a bit tight in the hips ? but Jones will be drafted in the 1st round.
CB Antrel Rolle [HT = 6?0? / SPD = 93 / AWR = 67 / AGI = 83 / ACC = 93 / CTH = 71 / JMP = 89]: Plays smart and physical [STR = 62] and has hands to create turnovers. Quick enough first step and overall speed, but isn?t always fluid in changing direction (that could be his downfall).
How far will they fall? CB?s Corey Webster, Carlos Rogers & Stanford Routt will catch the eyes of GM?s throughout the SFL ? hard to predict whether they?ll be selected in the 1st or 2nd round.
S: The key attributes are similar to the CB position? I tend to be a bit more forgiving with SPD & ACC but in return want higher STR & AWR. At a minimum I?d like to see a player?s SPD & ACC be at 85 while STR is 60 and AWR is 75 (I find 19 players at or above that bar).Rookies: Knowing the SFL lacks Safties with ideal SPD & ACC there?s a chance GM?s make a point to draft a player this year and start them out of the gate? if that is done it?ll be at the cost of game knowledge.
FS O.J. Atogwe [HT = 6?0? / SPD = 94 / AWR = 56 / AGI = 95 / ACC = 95 / CTH = 60 / JMP = 89]: He?s head and shoulders above anything the SFL has to offer today! Historically, safeties don?t go really early? history might be out the window this year! ~ I predict Atogwe goes in the top half of the 1st round. ~
FS Ben Emanuel [HT = 6?3? / SPD = 90 / AWR = 56 / AGI = 93 / ACC = 89 / CTH = 58 / JMP = 90]: Another influx of talent at safety that the SFL needs desperately? not as impressive as Atogwe, but should be off the board before the 1st round closes out.
Great options, who?ll be lucky enough to grab em? when they fall? SS Matt Giordano, FS Kurt Campbell & SS Hamza Abdullah will/should get a serious look early!
Special TeamsK / P: Pretty simple here? I look at AWR/KPW/KAC, and have always viewed rookie kickers as a liability (buyers beware)!K Paul Ernest [AWR = 72 / KPW = 94 / KAC = 74]: Not gonna find a stronger leg coming out of college ? accuracy is a concern!
P Dustin Colquitt [AWR = 60 / KPW = 91 / KAC = 86]: He?s ready to suit up and play right away ? not as much concern with AWR & KAC at this position in my opinion.
WR/KR Marcus Maxwell [SPD = 90 / AGI = 88 / ACC = 88 / KR = 95]: As a WR he might be seen a guy in a 4-WR set? the fact that he specializes at returning kicks MIGHT make him more attractive.
