Board 8 > Board 8 National Football League League (B8NFLL) Season 11: Offseason Part II

(+) Yeah! (+)

Hub Spreadsheet
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10gIP0JkVqOaoUc4aQX_NyDM8dB31FOPm_dUx6DVTWPk/edit?usp=sharing

Word Doc
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RVeEIyjqIiEkS0VYvbsI02dWMDXyOgdVQAgThNJyIfc/edit?usp=sharing

Wiki Page
http://board8.wikia.com/wiki/Board_8_National_Football_League_League

Previous Topic (alive as of this moment)
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/77158785
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As for the previous poll, I will try and keep the topic alive at least partially through January. As of this moment, I am leaning toward doing a trial run of having game summaries in B8 Discord chat, if only because that opens us up to more people coming via mobile capabilities. In this trial run, I would probably do odd-numbered weeks in Discord and even-numbered weeks in spreasheet because it is only after even-numbered weeks (Week 17 exception) that I update the spreadsheet. I hope that this won't be confusing for anyone.

As for the award ballot, I am leaning toward using stevr's suggestion where we revert back to 5 options for each award (GM usually an exception) but allow users to make a write-in vote for Offensive Player, Defensive Player, and MVP if they wish. All write-ins must still be players that were up for other positional/unit awards (HB, DL, etc..).
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Round 1 Recap
1. Chiefs - Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo
2. Wildcats - Colorado St. OLB Shaquil Barrett
3. Bengals - Iowa DT Mike Daniels
4. Pioneers - UCF CB A.J. Bouye
5. Pumpkins - Montana CB Trumaine Johnson
6. Browns - Clemson WR DeAndre Hopkins
7. Vikings - Auburn OT Greg Robinson
8. Bills - Syracuse DE Chandler Jones
9. Buccaneers - Georgia MLB Alex Ogletree
10. Dolphins - Virginia OT Morgan Moses
11. Panthers - California WR Marvin Jones
12. Hawks - Michigan OT Taylor Lewan
13. Panthers - Washington OLB Hau'oli Kikaha
14. Lions - Mississippi St. CB Darius Slay
15. Ravens - Iowa CB Robert Alford
16. Redskins - Washington OLB Shaq Thompson
17. Bears - South Carolina DE Melvin Ingram
18. 49ers - North Carolina HB Giovanni Bernard
19. Dolphins - Purdue DT Kawann Short
20. Titans - Mississippi St. DT Fletcher Cox
21. Falcons - Harvard TE Cameron Brate
22. Seahawks - UConn FS Byron Jones
23. 49ers - Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus
24. 49ers - Notre Dame G Zach Martin
25. Packers - California WR Keenan Allen
26. Giants - Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller
27. 49ers - Rutgers CB Logan Ryan
28. Jets - Auburn DT Nick Fairley
29. Jaguars - Florida St. HB Devonta Freeman
30. Broncos - Alabama QB A.J. McCarron
31. Raiders - San Jose St. CB Bene Benwikere
32. Cowboys - Clemson WR Sammy Watkins
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Round 2 Recap
1. Chiefs - Oregon G Kyle Long
2. Dolphins - Pittsburgh DE Jabaal Sheard
3. Bengals - Florida HB Mike Gillislee
4. Pioneers - Stanford DE Henry Anderson
5. Pumpkins - Stanford DE Trent Murphy
6. Browns - Baylor DT Phil Taylor
7. Vikings - Florida St. QB Jameis Winston
8. Dolphins - Saginaw Valley St. FS Jeff Heath
9. Buccaneers - Mississippi St. CB Johnathan Banks
10. Steelers - Clemson CB Bashaud Breeland
11. Patriots - William Penn DT Damon Harrison
12. Hawks - Pittsburgh QB Tom Savage
13. Dolphins - South Carolina G A.J. Cann
14. Lions - Texas A&M OT Jake Matthews
15. Ravens - Wisconsin DT Beau Allen
16. Raiders - Texas A&M OT Luke Joeckel
17. Chiefs - Kentucky OLB Bud Dupree
18. Lightning - Boise St. OT Charles Leno Jr.
19. Colts - Boise St. DE Tyrone Crawford
20. Raiders - Missouri C Mitch Morse
21. Falcons - Miami OLB Anthony Chickillo
22. Seahawks - Florida DT Sharrif Floyd
23. Titans - California HB C.J. Anderson
24. Steelers - Valdosta St. OT Ryan Schraeder
25. Bills - Alabama SS Landon Collins
26. Giants - Nevada OT Joel Bitonio
27. Packers - Michigan St. CB Darqueze Dennard
28. Jets - Fresno St. WR Davante Adams
29. Jaguars - Arizona CB Vinnie Reid
30. Rams - Clemson OLB Daniel Bush
31. Broncos - Marshall DE Vinny Curry
32. Cowboys - Florida DT Dominique Easley
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Round 3 Recap
1. Chiefs - Michigan MLB Jake Ryan
2. Dolphins - Missouri C Justin Britt
3. Bengals - Louisville OLB Marcus Smith
4. Pioneers - Texas A&M OLB Jim Jones
5. Pumpkins - UCF SS Clayton Geathers
6. Browns - Idaho CB Lamont Foley
7. Vikings - Cincinnati TE Travis Kelce
8. Dolphins - Duke G Laken Tomlinson
9. Buccaneers - Penn St. SS Adrian Amos
10. Dolphins - Samford SS Jaquiski Tartt
11. Patriots - USC OLB Luther O'Neal
12. Hawks - LSU HB Jeremy Hill
13. Bears - Florida TE Trey Burton
14. Steelers - Ohio St. HB Carlos Hyde
15. Ravens - Northwestern QB Trevor Siemian
16. Redskins - Louisville MLB Jerry Smith
17. Bears - Miami of Ohio OLB Luther Lewis
18. Lightning - Virginia Tech HB David Wilson
19. Colts - Utah CB Jamal Muhammad
20. Titans - Penn St. DE Jack Crawford
21. Falcons - Syracuse G Justin Pugh
22. Seahawks - Towson HB Terrance West
23. Titans - Kent St. G Brian Winters
24. Steelers - Wisconsin OLB Ricardo Haley
25. Packers - Texas A&M HB Christine Michael
26. Giants - Alabama G Barrett Jones
27. Bills - Michigan OT Michael Schofield
28. Jets - Florida DE Jaye Howard
29. Jaguars - SMU WR Cole Beasley
30. Broncos - Montana St. SS Derek Linde
31. Titans - California CB Brandon Ferris
32. Cowboys - Connecticut SS David Suggs
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Round 4 Recap
1. Dolphins - Miami P Pat O'Donnell
2. Steelers - Saginaw Valley St. WR Jeff Janis
3. Bengals - Louisville G Jamon Brown
4. Pioneers - Minnesota FS Brock Vereen
5. Pumpkins - LSU HB Alfred Blue
6. Browns - N.C. St. G J.R. Sweezy
7. Vikings - Texas WR Marquise Goodwin
8. Wildcats - USC OT Seantreal Henderson
9. Buccaneers - Georgia C David Andrews
10. 49ers - Notre Dame DT Devin Wesley
11. Patriots - Florida A&M C Isaac Claybrooks
12. Hawks - Liberty FS Walt Aikens
13. Bears - Vanderbilt WR Jordan Matthews
14. Lions - Louisville G John Miller
15. Ravens - Stanford G Andrus Peat
16. Raiders - Texas A&M OLB Tee Ilko
17. Chiefs - Northern Iowa DT Jeff Tucker
18. Lightning - New Mexico OLB Chad Rice
19. Colts - Tennessee WR Cordarrelle Patterson
20. Redskins - Missouri CB Sam Strauser
21. Falcons - Ohio St. CB Donald Immelman
22. Seahawks - Cal-Northridge OLB Mark Ogden
23. Titans - Washington TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins
24. Steelers - Nicholls St. HB Al Johnson
25. Packers - Washington St. FB Mac Kennedy
26. Giants - Oregon HB De'Anthony Thomas
27. Packers - Arizona St. MLB Rob Harrison
28. Jets - Arizona St. OLB K.C. Oldham
29. Jaguars - Colorado St. OT Ty Sambrailo
30. Rams - Arkansas C Travis Swanson
31. Broncos - Iowa FS Micah Hyde
32. Cowboys - SMU CB Jon Mike Reed
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Round 5 Recap
1. Chiefs - Purdue OLB Adam Moss
2. Wildcats - Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas
3. Bengals - N.C. St. MLB Barry Jones
4. Pioneers - Mississippi St. C J.R. Brooks
5. Pumpkins - Miami TE Clive Walford
6. Browns - Arizona St. DE Derrick Dishman
7. Vikings - Oregon OT Jake Rivers
8. Chiefs - Texas A&M DE Willie Jones
9. Buccaneers - USC WR Marqise Lee
10. 49ers - Colorado WR Paul Richardson
11. Patriots - Florida St. OT Bobby Hart
12. Hawks - Boston College HB Andre Williams
13. Bears - Washington OT Lomas Dunn
14. Lions - Stanford TE Levine Toilolo
15. Ravens - Virginia SS Anthony Harris
16. Redskins - Baylor QB Bryce Petty
17. Panthers - Auburn K Cody Parkey
18. Lightning - California MLB Joey Kaufman
19. Colts - Weber State CB Karl Williams
20. Raiders - Nevada OLB Edgar Jones
21. Falcons - Baylor SS Jim Stephens
22. Seahawks - Southern Illinois OT Travis Rojas
23. Titans - Arkansas OLB Terrell Westbrook
24. Steelers - Ohio St. QB C.J. Trapp
25. Packers - Grand Valley State WR Charles Johnson
26. Giants - Alcorn St. WR Dan Robinson
27. 49ers - Michigan G Carlos King
28. Jets - San Jose St. QB David Fales
29. Jaguars - Miami OLB Corey Morrison
30. Rams - Maryland MLB Erik Hayes
31. Broncos - UTEP HB Darnay Lopez
32. Cowboys - Alabama G Arie Kouandijo
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Round 6 Recap
1. Bills - Nebraska OLB Darren Webb
2. Wildcats - Baylor HB Akeem Dixon
3. Bengals - West Virginia G Mark Glowinski
4. Pioneers - Valdosta St. DT Darrell Johnson
5. Pumpkins - Purdue C Skip Herman
6. Browns - Missouri SS Zachary Wright
7. Vikings - Miami G Jon Feliciano
8. Bills - Penn St. OLB Doug Benson
9. Buccaneers - North Carolina CB Hank Edwards
10. Dolphins - Morris Brown SS Carl Johnson
11. Bills - Colorado CB Joey Carter
12. Hawks - USC WR Robert Woods
13. Bears - Pittsburgh St. MLB Bruce Atwater
14. Lions - James Madison WR Clay Siegel
15. Ravens - USC DE Courtney Hanks
16. Redskins - East Carolina FS Herman Harrison
17. Panthers - Simon Fraser P Ivan Dockett
18. Lightning - Princeton QB L.J. Nixon
19. Colts - Penn St. CB Lawrence Bird
20. Raiders - Clemson WR Dennis Robinson
21. Falcons - Alabama DE John Booker
22. Seahawks - Tulane SS James Page
23. Titans - Michigan St. WR Ian Shelton
24. Bills - Colorado C Anthony Stone
25. Packers - Army OT Jorge Walls
26. Giants - Illinois FB Clyde Johnson
27. Wildcats - Texas A&M FS Darren Floyd
28. Jets - LSU CB Marcus Eubanks
29. Jaguars - Georgia State K Wil Lutz
30. Rams - BYU QB Jeff Fernandez
31. Broncos - West Virginia MLB Rob Maguire
32. Cowboys - Louisville WR Chauncey Sharper
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Round 7 Recap
1. Patriots - NW Oklahoma St. DE Aaron Burton
2. Wildcats - N.C. St. OT Bob Devine
3. Bengals - Iowa WR Tremain Kerry
4. Pioneers - Idaho State TE Josh Hill
5. Pumpkins - Mississippi St. DT Tim Shephard
6. Browns - North Dakota St. G Billy Turner
7. Vikings - Appalachian St. MLB Alvin Williams
8. Bills - Colorado DE Bill Walton
9. Buccaneers - UCF FS Jacquez Olsen
10. Bills - Alabama St. DT Tim Valentine
11. Patriots - Georgia DT Brad Allen
12. Hawks - Washington C Cris Stratton
13. Bears - Grambling St. FS Charlie Johnson
14. Lions - Florida C Brent Anderson
15. Ravens - Miami OT Drew Harris
16. Redskins - Baylor WR Ronyell Fisk
17. Patriots - Miami DE Mark Holmes
18. Lightning - Ole Miss G Mitch Abbott
19. Colts - Rutgers FB Toby Hubbard
20. Raiders - Morehouse MLB Eric Jenkins
21. Falcons - Colorado MLB Darrin Shery
22. Seahawks - California QB Matt Cobb
23. Titans - UNLV FB Lamont Sears
24. Steelers - Minnesota TE Brent Johnson
25. Packers - Texas Tech DE Gary Thompson
26. Giants - Clemson QB Ronnie Harris
27. Titans - Penn St. OT Kendrick Jeffries
28. Jets - Mississippi St. G LeRoy Cox
29. Jaguars - Boston College G Al Cleveland
30. Rams - Penn St. DE Rich Jones
31. Broncos - Miami G Trevor Kozlowski
32. Cowboys - LSU P Brad Wing
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Madden Draft Grades

The following is a list of all user teams ordered by the letter grade given to them and then alphabetically. Take little stock in how you are graded. These are not at all an indicator of the ratings to expect from your rookies nor future performance. All AI teams are given A grades. They are essentially arbitrary.

A
Chiefs

A-
Bears
Bengals
Browns
Giants
Wildcats

B+
Bills
Jaguars

B
Dolphins
Lions
Pumpkins
Steelers

B-
Buccaneers
49ers
Packers

C
Cowboys
Patriots

D
Panthers

D-
Seahawks
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In addition, Madden also mentions when they deem a team's first pick was not their best pick. Again, this is an arbitrary distinction and not based on anything of importance. Still, useless information can be interesting!

Bengals
First Pick: DT Mike Daniels
Best Pick: HB Mike Gillislee

Browns
First Pick: WR DeAndre Hopkins
Best Pick: DT Phil Taylor

Falcons
First Pick: TE Cameron Brate
Best Pick: OLB Anthony Chickillo

Lions
First Pick: CB Darius Slay
Best Pick: OT Jake Matthews

Patriots
First Pick: DT Damon Harrison
Best Pick: OT Bobby Hart

Raiders
First Pick: CB Bene Benwikere
Best Pick: OT Luke Joeckel

Seahawks
First Pick: FS Byron Jones
Best Pick: HB Terrance West

Steelers
First Pick: CB Bashaud Breeland
Best Pick: HB Carlos Hyde
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Tag
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Signing Draft Picks

Quite a few teams have done it already, but now's the time to get those draftees' signatures and have them suit up for your squad. It is essentially just like signing your own free agents, but you don't have to worry about holdouts/franchise tags, and you typically have far fewer players to sign.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind as you read your PM. One, you will not know the overall ratings until they are signed. That is an in-game mechanic and not something by my design. Two, the desired deals for each player, in terms of length, is based on where they were taken. It is as follows:

Top 5 - Six years
6-10 - Five years
11-32 - Four years
2nd-4th rounds - Three years (will be eligible for RFA)
5th-7th rounds - One year

Once again, you do not have to offer them their exact deals and can change their length, but I advise you to sign them to the length that they ask for because if you change the length, they might ask for considerably more money.

The deadline to sign your rookies will be January 1st at 3:01 AM ET (so it will be New Year's Day on west coast). Should you idle, I will sign all your rookies to the deals that they are asking for (such a severe punishment I know). If you have roster space issues, then I will prioritize players who will fill roster holes and then in descending order of when they were selected until your roster is filled.
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I had my eye on a few free agents, but after signing more draftees than i planned, and Garoppolo's contract demands being on par with the national debt, i will have to scale back.

Still need to get on discord and see how it works before i can give any real opinion.
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Tag
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Jaguars release RE Stanley McClover and CB Will Blackmon
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Less than 24 hours since rookie signings have officially begun (many previously did so just after the draft ended), and we just have eight users who have yet to sign any rookies.
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Let's go through some peoples draft classes! I have no idea if ages make a difference in regards to rating entering the league/development (I suspect not) but I've included them anyway

Buffalo Bills

1st (Pick 8) - DE Chandler Jones (81 - 21yo)
2nd (Pick 25) - SS Landon Collins (80 - 21yo)
3rd (Pick 27) - OT Michael Schofield (74 - 21yo)
6th (Pick 1) - OLB Darren Webb (Unsigned)
6th (Pick 8) - OLB Doug Benson (67 - 21yo)
6th (Pick 11) - CB Joey Carter (Unsigned)
6th (Pick 24) - C Anthony Stone (62 - 21yo)
7th (Pick 8) - DE Bill Walton (Unsigned)
7th (Pick 10) - DT Tim Valentine (65 - 23yo)

Carolina Panthers

1st (Pick 11) - WR Marvin Jones (81 - 22yo)
1st (Pick 13) - OLB Hau'oli Kikaha (78 - 21yo)
5th (Pick 17) - K Cody Parker (Unsigned)
6th (Pick 17) - P Ivan Dockett (Unsigned)

Green Bay Packers

1st (Pick 25) - WR Keenan Allen (80 - 21yo)
2nd (Pick 27) - CB Darqueze Denard (76 - 21yo)
3rd (Pick 25) - HB Christine Michael (76 - 24yo)
4th (Pick 25) - FB Mac Kennedy (70 - 23yo)
4th (Pick 27) - MLB Rob Harrison (72 - 22yo)
5th (Pick 25) - WR Charles Johnson (Unsigned)
6th (Pick 25) - OT Jorge Walls (71 - 23yo)
7th (Pick 25) - DE Gary Thompson (Unsigned)

Jacksonville Jaguars

1st (Pick 29) - HB Devonta Freeman (83 - 21yo)
2nd (Pick 29) - CB Vinnie Reid (76 - 21yo)
3rd (Pick 29) - WR Cole Beasley (77 - 22yo)
4th (Pick 29) - OT Ty Sambrailo (75 - 23yo)
5th (Pick 29) - OLB Corey Morrison (72 - 21yo)
6th (Pick 29) - K Will Lutz (Unsigned)
7th (Pick 29) - G Al Cleveland (Unsigned)

Kansas City Chiefs

1st (Pick 1) - QB Jimmy Garoppolo (86 - 21yo)
2nd (Pick 1) - G Kyle Long (80 - 24yo)
2nd (Pick 17) - OLB Bud Dupree (76 - 21yo)
3rd (Pick 1) - MLB Jake Ryan (74 - 23yo)
4th (Pick 17) - DT Jeff Tucker (73 - 21yo)
5th (Pick 1) - OLB Adam Ross (73 - 24yo)
5th (Pick 8) - DE Willie Jones (72 -21yo)

Las Vegas Pumpkins

1st (Pick 5) - CB Trumaine Johnson (85 - 21yo)
2nd (Pick 5) - DE Trent Murphy (79 - 21yo)
3rd (Pick 5) - SS Clayton Geathhers (79 - 23yo)
4th (Pick 5) - HB Alfred Blue (76 - 22yo)
5th (Pick 5) - TE Clive Walford (74 - 21yo)
6th (Pick 5) - C Skip Herman (72 - 24yo)
7th (Pick 5) - DT Tim Shephard (67 - 21yo)
7th (Pick 23) - FB Lamont Sears (Unsigned)

Los Angeles Bears

1st (Pick 17) - DE Melvin Ingram (81 - 21yo)
3rd (Pick 13) - TE Trey Burton (78 - 21yo)
3rd (Pick 17) - OLB Luther Lewis (74 - 21yo)
4th (Pick 13) - WR Jordan Matthews (76 - 23yo)
5th (Pick 13) - OT Lomas Dunn (74 - 21yo)
6th (Pick 13) - MLB Bruce Atwater (70 - 21yo)
7th (Pick 13) - FS Charlie Johnson (71 - 23yo)

Miami Dolphins

1st (Pick 10) - OT Morgan Moses (83 - 22yo)
1st (Pick 20) - DT Kawann Short (81 - 22yo)
2nd (Pick 2) - DE Jabaal Sheard (78 - 21yo)
2nd (Pick 8) - FS Jeff Heath (80 - 23yo)
2nd (Pick 13) - G A.J. Cann (78 - 21yo)
3rd (Pick 2) - C Justin Britt (78 - 21yo)
3rd (Pick 8) - G Laken Tomlinson (78 - 22yo)
3rd (Pick 10) - SS Jaquiski Tartt (79 - 22yo)
4th (Pick 1) - P Pat O'Donnell (82 - 21yo)
6th (Pick 10) - SS Carl Johnson (70 - not on sheet)

New York Giants

1st (Pick 26) - CB Kyle Fuller (79 - 23yo)
2nd (Pick 26) - OT Joel Bitonio (78 - 21yo)
3rd (Pick 26) - G Barret Jones (76 - 21yo)
4th (Pick 26) - HB De'Anthony Thomas (75 - 21yo)
5th (Pick 26) - WR Dan or Dennis Robinson (73 - 21yo)
6th (Pick 26) - FB Clyde Johnson (Unsigned)
7th (Pick 26) - QB Ronnie Harris (Unsigned)

Pittsburgh Steelers

2nd (Pick 10) - CB Bashaud Breeland (77 - 21yo)
2nd (Pick 24) - OT Ryan Schraeder (79 - 22yo)
3rd (Pick 14) - HB Carlos Hyde (77 - 23yo)
3rd (Pick 24) - OLB Ricardo Haley (74 - 23yo)
4th (Pick 2) - WR Jeff Janis (75 - 22yo)
4th (Pick 24) - HB Al Johnson (71 - 22yo)
5th (Pick 24) - QB C.J. Trapp (72 - 21yo)
7th (Pick 24) - TE Brent Johnson (69 - 21yo)

Toronto Wildcats

1st (Pick 2) - OLB Shaquil Barrett (83 - 23yo)
4th (Pick 8) - OT Seantreal Henderson (75 - 21yo)
5th (Pick 2) - QB Logan Thomas (76 - 22yo)
6th (Pick 2) - HB Akeem Dixon (72 - 21yo)
6th (Pick 26) - FS Darren Floyd (73 - 21yo)
7th (Pick 2) - OT Bob Devine (71 - 22yo)

KCF's Favorite Picks

I'm going to go through each round of the NFL Draft and highlight my three favorite picks and explain why. For the most part, I look in the early rounds for perfect team fits based on historical production, a visible succession plan to starting job (or immediate starter), players who might be the missing piece to the puzzle, and selections that just make me think, "That guy's going to have a long, productive career somewhere." For the later rounds, I look for players who most likely have a chance of sticking around for a long-ish career for a myriad of reasons. While I do know some of the rookie ratings due to user signings, ratings were not a factor in my analysis.

In addition, I will probably list an honorable mention or two and most importantly, a regret pick. What I mean by a regret pick is someone that I believe may have just made a big mistake and went in the wrong direction. I will limit myself to just one per round and only for the first three rounds because honestly how much can you really regret in the sixth round?

I will try and limit picks that I made myself, but there will be a few. I will refrain from choosing any Dolphins picks though, not that I'm sure I would even include one. At the end of all this, I will also mention my three favorite team draft classes.
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First Round

Bucs MLB Alec Ogletree (9th overall) - I'm curious as to what all the mock drafts predicted I would do here (not that anybody knew 100% that I was going to be drafting for the Bucs). I suspect that at least one person thought CB since the Bucs had just one on the roster and on the verge of retirement. I was not considering that. If Ogletree had been selected, I would have not gone with Darius Slay but probably a DE or one of players that went to the Panthers (WR Jones and OLB Kikaha). It wouldn't be for the reason that Shattered brought up (deep CB class, weak MLB class) but because of my personal philosophy of making CB the last position on defense to go after when trying to build a defense up.

Anyway, MLB has among the highest "hit rates" for 1st round picks, and with the Bucs D having a resurgent season, Ogletree has likely landed in a great spot to reach his full potential. The Bucs might need that as more starters on that side of the ball are expected to hang it up over the next offseason or two, but that's a separate issue.

Hawks OT Taylor Lewan (12th overall) - The Hawks have a great history of drafting and developing OL to become great or even elite starters (see G Rodney Hudson, C Max Unger, and RT Justin Blalock). I have little doubt that 37-year-old LT Jonas Jennings' heir will become another in that line. Several teams might regret passing on this projected Top 5 pick (more on that later) with two teams outright picking other OTs instead of him (Vikings and Dolphins).

49ers DE Whitney Mercilus (23rd overall) - I could honestly make my favorite three all come from the 49ers, but I will settle for just the one. Before Scare went all, "I don't give a shit, I do what I want!" last season, the defense had been steadily improving for about four seasons straight all the way up to 4th overall in S9. If there was one weak link through these years, it might have been DE Jonathan Fanene.

He appears to be more of a run-stuffer with high tackle totals (40+ tackles in all but one season as a full-time starter), low sack totals (career high is 6), and generally not disruptive (12 career FFs+FRs in 10 seasons), but they need more pass rush help with six games against the Wildcats shifted offensive philosophies (scrambling to pocket passer) and the young slingers in Ryan Tannehill (Rams) and Kirk Cousins (Seahawks). Mercilus is a pass-rushing DE and already possesses a higher rating than Fanene, so if the 49ers get back into the playoffs this season, his impact will likely be one the main reasons why.

Honorable Mentions
*Insert any of the other three 49ers picks*
Pumpkins CB Trumaine Johnson (5th overall)
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Regret Pick: Panthers selecting WR Marvin Jones over OT Taylor Lewan

I suppose that I can see why the Panthers drafted a WR, but if they really wanted to go after a WR, they had two mid-1sts to go after an established player. Instead, they took what is now the 85th ranked WR (4th on the Panthers and several rookies have still yet to sign) that may take several seasons just to see if he is worthy of simply being a starter. I think that the far better choice was to snag the projected Top 5 pick in OT Taylor Lewan.

I have made it no secret that the Panthers field an overpaid (take up almost 20% of the cap), underachieving starting OL. Even if that wasn't an issue, they have no depth (all are under 80). With the Panthers expected to have the same starting OL group that has "helped" the offense finish 21st or worse in each season together and no cap space to sign a replacement should one suffer a non-season-ending injury, Lewan to me had the superior short and long-term value to this team as the potential primary backup to every OL position and Marvel Smith's eventual successor.
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Second Round

Patriots DT Damon Harrison (43rd overall) - How fortunate can a rookie be getting a starting job day one on one of the league's best defensive lines? He will have his hands full trying to penetrate the AFC East OLs and stuff Romance Taylor, Jacquizz Rodgers, and Cedric Benson, but he has a lot help beside him. If the Pats D has a moderate amount of success, Harrison could be a fast riser.

Raiders C Mitch Morse (52nd overall) - So from all the data that I can collect, Raiders Cs over the years have put up an astonishing line of 468 blocks against 45 sacks. 10 of those sacks have come from free agent C Scott Mruczkowski, so for Cs currently on the Raiders roster, they have a career line of 418 blocks against 35 sacks. I don't know what's in the Oakland water, but I'm sure that Morse is glad to be drinking it. With incumbent Chukky Okobi missing multiple games in five of the past seven seasons, Morse might see some significant snaps early on in his career as he prepares to succeed Okobi as early as S12.

Falcons OLB Anthony Chickillo (53rd overall) - When a team loses perennial Pro Bowl OLBs in the same offseason, everyone in the front office is usually on suicide alert. Not the Falcons front office though. They snapped up one replacement last season in Pernell McPhee and despite multiple teams already reaching for OLBs before them, Anthony Chickillo fell right on their lap toward the end of the 2nd round. The #5 D from a season ago might not see that much of a dropoff and both Chickillo and McPhee have an excellent development opportunity having the underrated Gary Brackett between them.

Honorable Mentions
Lions OT Jake Matthews (46th overall)
Jets WR Davante Adams (60th overall)
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Regret Pick - Colts selecting DE Tyrone Crawford over HB C.J. Anderson

This is not so much an indictment on Crawford than it is the nature of DEs in the league. The list of bench DEs ascending to become long-term, quality starters is quite small. Even taking bench player very loosely and including those who only sat their rookie season, the group might just include Broncos DE Chris Johnson, the Falcons duo of Doug Worthington and Josh Julmiste, and Bucs DE Adrian Awasom (several more DEs need more starting experience to evaluate). I guess the point is that while every other position has multiple paths to success, you are severely limited at DE.

Crawford will likely not be the next great DE, and while he was the fourth DE taken in that round, the Colts had much bigger needs to address that would have been worth the 51st pick, such as a new HB that could become Steven Jackson's successor (it won't be McCoy). They would have been better off using that 2nd round pick in RFA and use it to hopefully sign someone like Packers CB Larry Stanley or Lions WR Torrey Smith.
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Third Round

Vikings TE Travis Kelce (71st overall) - If anyone was perplexed why I didn't rename the top TE prospect after Kelce, it was because of Kelce's combine stats. Calvin Webb, Kelce's identity prior to the rename, had an absurd combine report that made him the most offensive-oriented TE prospect that we have ever had. This dude put up a 4.41 40 yard dash and even went to Cincinnati (Kelce's alma mater). I felt obligated to rename him Travis Kelce.

Back to the matter at hand though, QB Josh Portis has passed for more yards each season in the NFL, and with the HB and WR corps a little weaker as of this moment (HB Courtney Lewis also had an obscene catch rate that is bound to regress), I think that Kelce is the ideal place to hit the ground running.

Hawks HB Jeremy Hill (76th overall) - The Hawks entered the draft with just one HB on the roster. While DeMarco Murray is on his way to being a great HB, he has missed three games due to injury in each of his two years in the league. With the Hawks filling their other HB hole later in the draft, Hill might have the backup job locked up and history on his side in getting plenty of carries. Behind that aforementioned excellent Hawks OL, he can be a stealth Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

Broncos SS Derek Linde (94th overall) - No team is as great at developing SSs than the Broncos. Correct me if I'm wrong, but two of their past three draft picks at the position have gone on to be 90+ by the end of their third season, and they ended up netting two firsts and two thirds from RFA. The third is currently on their roster at 86. With a defense that has finished in the Top 5 the past two seasons and knowing that backup SSs get a lot of work around the league, he's going to be just fine.

Honorable Mentions
Bucs SS Adrian Amos (73rd overall)
Ravens QB Trevor Siemian (79th overall)
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Regret Pick: Jaguars selecting WR Cole Beasley over FS Brock Vereen/Walt Aikens

Sultan, you need to seek help my friend with your obsession of WRs (and HBs too) In the past three drafts, you insisted on Terrelle Pryor, Danny Amendola, and Cole Beasley despite looming cap issues and limited balls to go around. Tim Tebow hasn't even thrown for 3000 yards in a season! Maybe Beasley will end up being fine, but it would be hard for him to be worth the money and all the time and energy spent to find a way to fit him on your team. Okay, so maybe that last one was just for me, but I think we all benefit when I am able to hold onto my sanity.

I think the better move would have been to draft and groom Bob Sanders' successor. FSs are notoriously hard to develop, but the Jags developed several young defensive players last season and even FSs in the past (which is saying much since Sanders has yet to miss a game!). While we don't have all the data of how this FS class turned out, I'd say that this has turned out to be another solid one ratings-wise.
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Sorry, I deleted my post cause I thought I screwed up the sheet, but I just had to move everything down one row. Here is the combined 1st rd mock this year.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dMYwnlf6qpfbc7IOKh2VXjycCJ_DIRL2Zwvb8Mco_TU/edit#gid=1067277535
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I like how it is practically a sea of white from #12 down
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AI picks will do that to a mock analyst! Also it's natural since we can see the order of the top 10, but beyond that it's a mystery, so naturally it's easier to predict the ones that we know the order of.

I'm just glad I did better than last year's abomination.
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I would like to sort of justify my picks here, if I may. Perhaps I am misguided, but I don't think it's as easy as just going to get the person you want if you have the picks. Looking around the league, I am even more set in what I said in the discord that it seems like a lot of WR talent has left/is leaving soon, and 2 mid firsts is not worth giving up for a guy in his 30s, or a guy who's 85 or under. The person with the established player always has the leverage advantage over the person with the picks, and looking at the league right now, WR looks like it's getting ready to have some huge turnover. I didn't really pursue a trade because if I happened to land a team's #1 WR (which I feel 2 1sts is worth) then their WR corps is left in shambles. I try to ask myself if I would do the trade I'm offering. There's no way I'd go for it because most of those guys are old now, and there's no way they'd go for it because the ones that aren't old would carry a huge cap penalty, 5 mil or more.

Part of this as well is because we can all see the WR FA pool is not ideal for such trades. It's a lot of low 80s guys, which is great for filling in a corps, but not if you traded your #1 guy away, which is what I would want if I traded two mid-1st rd picks. That makes people even more hesitant to trade away a star WR, because now they can't just go and even take a gamble that they replace them with someone close to what they lost.

I have no problem with you disliking the O-line setup, I'm well aware of your feelings on it. I do pay them quite a lot, but I do want to at least point out that, while they are definitely overpaid, I believe you told me before they gave up the 9th fewest sacks as a unit last year. That may not be living up to the standard money-wise, but it's also pretty darn good in a vacuum. Furthermore, I felt that with how thin LBs are getting, that getting one for the future took precedence over getting an OT for the future to replace Marvel Smith, especially after looking at the past 2 draft classes and this upcoming FA class. There's simply so much more talent at that position that I think I can afford to wait. I also had no idea that Kikaha would show up on the big board so soon after my first pick, and I admit there was a bit of panic in me when he showed up, which is why I traded up to get him. I do however, have no qualm with you bringing up my lack of depth. That's just the way I choose to build my roster, and I understand the risks that come with it.

I'm also not worried about money because I always make a list going into each offseason of guys I know I can afford to cut to make extra room if I need to. I always just hold onto them because I did stuff way too early my first couple seasons, and I'm trying to learn from that by not creating extra cap space (and taking hits) unless it's necessary.

All of this is to say, I feel like there weren't any moves available to help me win now and also secure some much needed future pieces.
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I was happy to snag trai Turner last year at 10. I believe he was projected top 5 iirc? Either way he was a good find

And I'm pretty happy with my draft this year. I may be open to making some moves too
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I'm fairly happy with my draft class considering how I had no 2nd or 3rd round picks. Might still try to make some moves in FA tho since I've got a bunch of cap space.
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Well I was feeling good about my draft but that info about backup DE's is concerning.
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Fourth Round

Bengals G Jamon Brown (99th overall) - Assuming that Brown is rated higher than sixth round pick Glowinski, Brown might end up being the top backup to all interior OL spots if Smitty stands pat there in FA. With 2nd-year pro Travis Frederick at C and RG Rex Hadnot an injury risk, Brown could and should see extra playing time his rookie season. With both starting Gs 35, it is possible that Brown is going to be a future starter along this line.

Pioneers HB Alfred Blue (101st overall) - With #2 HB and main returner Alley Broussard's time in Las Vegas nearing an end, the torch might be passed onto Blue for those same roles. While it may be hard to replicate the returning success of Broussard, it isn't an insurmountable task by any means. It should however be easy to surpass him as a runner and his 3.6 YPC as a Pioneer. The lack of a quality play at the #2 spot is partially why the Pumpkins were one of the worst rushing teams and offense as a whole last season. It can only go up from here right?

Buccaneers C David Andrews (105th overall) - Chris could always elect to go after one of the top FA Cs, but if not, there's a chance that Andrews starts Week 1. Depending on how things shake out depth chart-wise, the starting OL could include 28, 25, 25, 24, and 22 year olds. While that would normally raise a red flag, the line has been steadily improving both in rating and performance, so they have started to hit their stride, which is good for a 22-year-old QB and 26-year-old HB. I also specifically targeted Andrews over the other Cs taken in this round because I felt his skillset and designation was better suited for this offense. Time will tell if I made the correct call.

Honorable Mentions
Hawks FS Walt Aikens (108th overall)
Redskins CB Sam Strauser (116th overall)
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Fifth Round

Wildcats QB Logan Thomas (130th overall) - Unless the Jameis Winston turns out to have a garbage rating, only the Panthers are projected to have a lower-rated backup QB. While that is not ideal, it is also the very reason why Thomas landed here. If Clauson gets hurt, and he did miss two games last season, it is Thomas who is in line to start. Sure, prof could go and sign one of the numerous QBs who have higher ratings in Thomas, but until that actually happens, I have to work with what's in front of me, and what I see is that Logan Thomas is the backup in Toronto. With Clauson only on a one year deal and just a single season of starting experience under his belt, I'd say that Thomas landed found himself in a low-risk, high-reward QB lottery.

Falcons SS Jim Stephens (149th overall) - While not normally in line to see playing time as a #3 SS, the two players in front of him are in their 30s and the #1 guy, Thomas Davis, has missed 13 games to injury the past two seasons. If you want someone who is likely to see a second contract, it might be this guy. That second contract could be the key to seeing him as the future starter for this Falcons D.

Jaguars OLB Corey Morrison (157th overall) - The starting OLBs for the Jags are 32 and 33 and the backups are 32 and 29. Sultan also often rewards players with second contracts. If he can sneak in some playing time somehow, Morrison could find himself as the top backup down the line or even a potential starter.

Honorable Mentions
Vikings OT Jake Fisher (Rivers was pre-rename surname) (135th overall)
Lightning MLB Joey Kaufman (146th overall)
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Sixth Round

Browns SS Zachary Wright (166th overall) - Much like the Falcons, Wright is not expected to see much playing time assuming VI signs him. However, Matt Elam has only played in 11 games through his two-season career due to injuries, and Nick Baldwin had one dud of a season after recording 10 INTs in the two seasons prior. This is the sixth round, so you can't reasonably expect much out of your picks unless you draft a FB/K/P to start for you. Wright, by virtue of who is in front of him, has a chance to stick with the Browns.

Vikings G Jon Feliciano (167th overall) - The five Gs on this roster are between the ages of 32 and 35. Three are sub-77 and another is the import from the Jags trade and thus an unknown overall and in this system. The AI are unpredictable in who they choose to re-sign or not (see Pioneers CB Victor Alejo), but I mean Feliciano has to like his chances no?

Buccaneers CB Hank Edwards (169th overall) - Right now, Edwards is at worst the slot corner for the Bucs team. The FA market won't provide anyone that much better unless Edwards has a really poor rating, so whomever becomes the fourth CB on the Bucs may not even prevent this 6th rounder from seeing significant snaps as a rookie.

Honorable Mention
Rams QB Jeff Fernandez (190th overall)
Broncos MLB Rob Maguire (191st overall)
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Seventh Round

Browns G Billy Turner (198th overall) - Back in S2, as the temporary GM of the then Cardinals, I decided to do something crazy and have an undrafted rookie free agent (UDFA) start at RG. That turned out fine, but other than MMX's decision to have QB Ryan Fitzpatrick be his starter S2 (he passed on QBs such as Brady Quinn and Reggie McNeal and drafted DE Eric Henderson instead for that reason), I feel like crazy long-shot starters are all but dead now. With the young Browns OL still working on its kinks, it is not absurd to think that Turner could have a great preseason that would have him in line to start Week 1 for the Browns. He has a shot, so he makes my list.

Redskins WR Ronyell Fisk (208th overall) - While #4 WRs don't get a ton of playing time, they still see a decent amount of production. As of right now, he can't be any worse than 4th on the depth chart, and in an offense that is certainly capable of airing it out if it wants, he could make for a nice story this season.

Cowboys P Brad Wing (224th overall) - If Wiz decides to participate in rookie signings this season, I fully expect him to decline to sign Brad Wing. However, in the off-chance that he does sign him, Wing could become the starter next season if both Stanley retires and Wing is re-signed, much like what happened for Jacob Schum of the Browns. Schum, with two punts to his name, is also technically the active career leader in gross punting average (48.5 yds). That's a large enough sample size to convince Wiz to do this right?

Honorable Mentions
Patriots DE Aaron Burton (193rd overall)
Hawks C Cris Stratton (204th overall)
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The Giants had a serviceable draft I feel. I didn't have the freedom capwise to do anything fancy or to invest in my MLB of the future which was my original plan before I realized how little room I had in cap space.

I feel I would have had to destroy my Wild Card playoff team in order to try to build for the future here.

I feel close to success which has made me risk averse but at the same time I also don't feel like this Giants Team has anything higher than like a 5% chance at a Super Bowl title.
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Favorite Three Draft Classes

Atlanta Falcons
TE Cameron Brate (21st)
OLB Anthony Chickillo (53rd)
G Justin Pugh (85th)
CB Donald Immelman (117th)
SS Jim Stephens (149th)
DE John Booker (181st)
MLB Darrin Sherry (213th)

Falcons had sneakily one of the best drafts. Brate and Chickillo might start Week 1 and could be Rookie of the Year contenders with the pieces around them. Pugh could be the starter next season. Stephens and Immelman are dark horse future starters, but should be contributors (if Stephens lands a second contract) and Sherry could stay as a backup when Brackett retires. Booker is the only one that I don't see a future with on this team. I know that I'm not exactly selling you all on this being a great draft class, but I just have a feeling it will.

San Francisco 49ers
HB Giovanni Bernard (18th)
DE Whitney Mercilus (23rd)
G Zach Martin (24th)
CB Logan Ryan (27th)
DT Devin Wesley (106th)
WR Paul Richardson (138th)
LG Carlos King (155th)

I don't care about Wesley, Richardson, or King. They do nothing for me. This is all about the first rounders. Sure, the 49ers gave up most of their draft picks for next season, but they should be in a much better cap situation next season and can grab some starters or more than likely just depth pieces on the FA market if needed. This 49ers team has wrung out 1000 yard rushers out of seemingly everyone. There was Domanick Davis, Reuben Droughns (people always forget about him), Melwelde Moore, and the record-setting Tatum Bell. Frank Gore was just 76 yards shy of being the fifth in S9. This was probably the most ideal landing spot for Bernard, and teams that could have used him such as the Bills and Lions might regret their decision to pass on him.

Mercilus might have a huge, positive impact on this defense as the polar opposite of what might have been its weakest link from before. Martin might be the next elite 49ers G before long, and Ryan is poised to be a starter already. So the 49ers might have come away with two Week 1 starters, the long-term answer at HB, and the long-term answer at RG. This draft could not have gone more perfect for them.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
MLB Alec Ogletree (9th)
CB Johnathan Banks (41st)
SS Adrian Amos (73rd)
C David Andrews (105th)
WR Marqise Lee (137th)
CB Hank Edwards (169th)
FS Jacquez Olsen (201st)

For as good as this team was last season (its 6-9-1 record was not indicative of the team's performance), there was a lot of work to do with its roster, and that will be the case again next offseason. One step at a time though. We might have three Week 1 starters with Ogletree probably the early favorite for Def. Rookie of the Year and another future starter in Amos. It also isn't out of the realm of possibility that Lee and Edwards start for this team at some point down the line (probably not as full-time starters though).

I guess the main reason why I like this draft class so much is that with how tough the retirements were for this team and how they exposed the lack of depth and failure to prepare for the future, I feel like this draft class instantly makes them a competitive team this season, and with the team still having holes that need to be filled during free agency, that should only make them stronger. They were only two and half games back in the division and one and half games back of a wild card spot last season. If the curse of being a HB for the Bucs (they haven't had a 1000 yard rusher since Julius Jones in S3) is finally lifted and the defense picks up where it left off despite the turnover, I think this team can be even better next season thanks to this draft class.

Honorable Mentions
Kansas City Chiefs
Minnesota Vikings
Washington Hawks
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tag
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Sorry if I disappointed everyone in favoring the AI once again when it came to the draft.
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sorry if I dissapoint everyone by winning the superbowl and being STUFF'd for years to come
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KCF0107 posted...

Sorry if I disappointed everyone in favoring the AI once again when it came to the draft.

No way, you're just giving us your honest opinion. The analysis is a great read regardless.
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Im curious what you think of my draft, since None of my players made it anywhere on any list, good or bad lol
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I was shocked that anyone would spend anything but a late round pick on a FB after last season's draft class indicated that Madden-generated FBs would be utter garbage coming out of the league. I outright didn't fill two user teams' (Cowboys and Seahawks) holes at that position for that very reason (also because some of the best FBs in the league are available). You can always rectify the situation in free agency and grovel at Quadtrine Hill's feet until he agrees to come back.

Other than that, it really only appears that your first two picks might amount to anything for your team. That seems to be par the course for most user teams. Dennard has the highest ceiling of the two given the rise of your defense and his potential role this upcoming season. For what it's also worth, your decision to gut your offensive identity has made me ever so slightly believe in your Cal rookie WR more than the other taken in the 1st, not necessarily for good reasons though.

If I were to rank how I felt about every team's draft classes as of this moment, you would probably be 20th or worse? I suppose it could be fun to do that as long as I didn't do any writeups.
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I dunno I feel I did well.

The CB I drafted is instantly my CB1, the OT I got R2 is close enough in rating to Solder that he could conceivably develop and replace him. G Jones is juuuust above the fodder line and could conceivably develop in a pinch.

That WR and HB pair fill out my roster while keeping me under my cap issues which is important and about the most that can be expected from late 4th and 5th rd picks.
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Still a long time until free agency
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whos comin second
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Bump
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stop me if you heard this one before

the 49ers are open to trades~
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