Board 8 > Board 8 National Football League League (B8NFLL) Season 12: The Offseason

(+) Yeah! (+)

I am sadly not drafting 3rd, Emerald.
---

While i wish you three the best of luck, just like real life i want to see a crazy pick or two early on that shakes up the whole round
---

Huh, never noticed that GFaqs censors Elysium's username when quoted...
---

MysteriousStan posted...

I am sadly not drafting 3rd, Emerald.

I am not sure why I did that exactly, but whatever, not gonna change it. It was pointed out to me another error I made so I'm just updating the shared mock but not gonna bother with the personal one.
---

I have gotten one offer for QB Aaron Rodgers so far, just want to make sure I can field any others before tonights draft
---

I have 0 QBs on my roster, but I have no need for an interception machine.
---

That was before he went on game of thrones
---

Can't throw picks if your dead points to head
---

And draft plans sent to KCF, now to hope I'm actually home from work in time for the entire time anyways.
---

Time for a fun and moderately depressing stat

The Steelers have made 38 draft picks since I have been in charge.

First 19 Picks as Steelers GM - 13 players reached an 80+ rating (5 of which got to 85+ and 3 of those 5 were 90+)

Last 19 Picks as Steelers GM - 1 player reached 80+ (and he did it on a different team, was 77 when traded away)

This was aided by a change in GM Philosophy (I.e. trade picks for established players) and very few rookies getting a starting role but even so that's pretty startling

Rounds 1-2 begin tonight at 8 PM ET
---

Round 1 Recap:
1. Patriots - Mississippi St. OLB Preston Smith
2. Falcons - Florida St. CB Xavier Rhodes
3. Giants - Buffalo DE Khalil Mack
4. Bills - Georgia HB Todd Gurley
5. Redskins - South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney
6. Jaguars - South Florida OLB Aaron Lynch
7. Dolphins - Tennessee OT Ju'Wuan James
8. Dolphins - LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr.
9. Browns - Miami DE Olivier Vernon
10. Steelers - Missouri DT Sheldon Richardson
11. Dolphins - McGill G Laurent Duvernay-T (his last name is not a derogatory term GFAQs!)
12. Pumpkins - Washington CB Marcus Peters
13. Hawks - Kentucky OLB Za'Darius Smith
14. Packers - Boise St. DE Demarcus Lawrence
15. Lions - Ohio St. DE Joey Bosa
16. Bengals - Washington QB Jake Locker
17. Broncos - Wake Forest C Joe Looney
18. Titans - Memphis QB Paxton Lynch
19. Wildcats - Florida St. CB Ronald Darby
20. Jets - Tennessee DE Malik Jackson
21. Buccaneers - LSU WR Jarvis Landry
22. Rams - Stanford TE Austin Hooper
23. Ravens - Alabama C Ryan Kelly
24. Pioneers - North Dakota St. MLB Kyle Emanuel
25. Panthers - Michigan St. OT Jack Conklin
26. Bears - Ball St. WR Willie Snead
27. Pioneers - Utah St. OLB Kyler Fackrell
28. Vikings - Oklahoma CB Aaron Colvin
29. Raiders - Arizona St. MLB Vontaze Burfict
30. Seahawks - Ohio St. OT Taylor Decker
31. Cowboys - Ohio St. CB Bradley Roby
32. Chiefs - Memphis DT Dontari Poe
---

Round 2 Recap:
1. Patriots - Missouri Southern DT Brandon Williams
2. Dolphins - Akron OLB Jatavis Brown
3. Titans - Wisconsin HB Melvin Gordon
4. Wildcats - Georgia QB Aaron Murray
5. Redskins - Wisconsin OT Rob Havenstein
6. Titans - LSU DT Bennie Logan
7. Chiefs - Rice CB Phillip Gaines
8. Dolphins - Duke CB Ross Cockrell
9. Browns - LSU OLB Kwon Alexander
10. Wildcats - North Carolina DE Quinton Coples
11. Lightning - Florida OT Trent Brown
12. Pumpkins - Stanford DT David Parry
13. Hawks - Florida SS Keanu Neal
14. Packers - Alabama St. HB Isaiah Crowell
15. Bills - LSU OT La'el Collins
16. Bengals - BYU DE Ezekiel Ansah
17. Broncos - Utah St. CB Nevin Lawson
18. Jaguars - Hobart G Ali Marpet
19. Bears - LSU QB Zach Mettenberger
20. Jets - Oregon QB Marcus Mariota
21. Buccaneers - Houston OLB Elandon Roberts
22. Rams - TCU CB Jason Verrett
23. Ravens - Illinois G Jeff Allen
24. Pioneers - Alabama OT Cyrus Kouandjio
25. Steelers - Ohio St. G Andrew Norwell
26. Bears - Buffalo HB Brandon Oliver
27. Colts - Purdue G Kevin Pamphile
28. Vikings - Georgia Tech G Shaq Mason
29. Raiders - UCLA DE Datone Jones
30. Seahawks - Texas SS Quandre Diggs
31. Cowboys - Miami OT Ereck Flowers
32. Dolphins - Florida St. HB Chris Thompson
---

Rounds 3 and 4 are tentatively set to begin tomorrow at 3 PM ET

Please note that I could start it a little earlier or later.
---

Pending Trade:

Bills Receive:

WR Selwyn Lymon

R-Words Receive:

CB Justin King
---

Hope i didn't hold you guys up too long with the Poe selection. I missed Burfict being picked so i was in panic mode for a sec
---

Wizardsfan1000 posted...

Pending Trade:

Bills Receive:

WR Selwyn Lymon

R-Words Receive:

CB Justin King

Not sure if this has been run by KCF yet, and I'm also forgetting what the rules are now with trades during the draft phase, but I can confirm the Bills did/will agree to this deal if this trade is approved.

It has to go through trade reform rules:

KCF0107 posted...

The new way we will handle trades is this:

1. Begin trade discussions like you normally do, and do not be afraid to ask me for my opinion or for additional info. I'm the expert and historian here. It's what I'm here for.

2. Ensure that all trade discussions include the positions, player ages, financial impact, player performance, and what each user involved is expecting to get out of the trade. If no player is involved, the last talking point still stands.

3. I want all parties to contact me via PM or Discord DM with the full trade details and demonstrate that they understand what they are getting into (the positions, player ages, financial impact, player performance history, and also what they and their trading partner(s) are looking to get out of it).

4. I will use my discretion in regards follow-up questions/responses.

5. If I feel everything checks out, I will post the trade and its details (along with some explanation), and it becomes official.

---

Ranlom posted...

just like real life i want to see a crazy pick or two early on that shakes up the whole round

ask and you shall receive
---

Sorry I missed yesterday guys, work went longer than I expected, and yeah. Sorry Eddv, I was gonna talk to you about things, and I just didn't. Sorry again all.
---

KCF0107 posted...

ask and you shall receive

Hmm...

I'll take one stud MLB, please

*closes eyes in anticipation*
---

Jukkie posted...

Sorry I missed yesterday guys, work went longer than I expected, and yeah. Sorry Eddv, I was gonna talk to you about things, and I just didn't. Sorry again all.

It all worked out I got my guy
---

Really happy with my 1st round pick.

2nd round pick was a bit of a whatever pick. If cap space wasn't tight I'd have taken HB Oliver. And with hindsight I should have traded up as a large cluster of guys went not that far ahead of me that I would have taken instead (I count 7 in the 11-24 range, most very close to my pick)

I also didn't take Flowers as he was listed as a Michigan player by mistake which was corrected after my pick lol. Wasn't certain to take him though so not a big deal

I am displeased that I drafted a player at 18 that I could have gotten at 35

This is all because SOMEONE drafted Xavier Rhodes, whom I wanted, 1 pick before me, prompting to me trade back, see the QB "value", draft Lynch, then watch as everyone else decided "QB? Nah, I'm good"

Still fun though
---

SockoressKnight posted...

I am displeased that I drafted a player at 18 that I could have gotten at 35

This is all because SOMEONE drafted Xavier Rhodes, whom I wanted, 1 pick before me, prompting to me trade back, see the QB "value", draft Lynch, then watch as everyone else decided "QB? Nah, I'm good"

Still fun though

Yeah he was my #1 target the whole time. Madden oline stuff is kinda lol
---

Rounds 3 and 4 will begin in approximately one hour
---

Round 3 Recap:
1. Patriots - Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib
2. Falcons - Western Michigan OT Tim Martin
3. Giants - Sam Houston St. P Lachlan Edwards
4. Wildcats - Oklahoma St. HB Joseph Randle
5. Redskins - Utah DT Star Lotuelelei
6. Bears - Minnesota St. WR Adam Thielen
7. Chiefs - Arizona St. FS Damarious Randall
8. Dolphins - Iowa OT Andrew Donnal
9. Browns - Oklahoma St. CB Justin Gilbert
10. Dolphins - Kansas St. C Cody Whitehair
11. Dolphins - Fresno St. G Cody Wichmann
12. Pumpkins - Oklahoma St. WR Justin Blackmon
13. Hawks - Ohio St. DT Jonathan Hankins
14. Broncos - Georgia OLB Jordan Jenkins
15. Lions - West Virginia SS Karl Joseph
16. Bengals - Miami C Brandon Linder
17. Cowboys - Oregon DE Dion Jordan
18. Jaguars - Missouri CB E.J. Gaines
19. Panthers - Bethune-Cookman OLB Matt Douglas
20. Jets - Ohio CB T.J. Carrie
21. Dolphins - Virginia MLB Kwame Castorani
22. Rams - Arizona St. DT Will Sutton
23. Ravens - Louisville OLB Lorenzo Mauldin
24. Pioneers - Washington CB Ike Foley
25. Bills - Colorado CB Alfred Williams
26. Dolphins - Coastal Carolina HB Lorenzo Taliaferro
27. Colts - UCF HB Storm Johnson
28. Vikings - Tulane K Cairo Santos
29. Raiders - Tennessee DT Sylvester Williams
30. Seahawks - Ohio St. G Jack Mewhort
31. Cowboys - Florida St. G Tre Jackson
32. Falcons - Mars Hill OT Denzelle Good
---

That punter pick
---

Round 4 Recap:
1. Patriots - LSU OT Jack Palmer
2. Falcons - N.C. St DE Lamar Williams
3. Chiefs - Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour
4. Bears - Florida G Chaz Green
5. Redskins - Florida G Max Garcia
6. Giants - West Virginia HB Charles Sims
7. Steelers - Auburn TE C.J. Uzomah
8. Steelers - Minnesota SS Eric Murray
9. Bears - L.A. Tech DT Justin Ellis
10. 49ers - Georgia Southern HB Jerick McKinnon
11. Lightning - Kansas St. OLB Todd du Plessis
12. Pumpkins - USC G Marcus Martin
13. Hawks - Tennessee OLB Elvis Massey
14. Packers - Miami OLB Reggie Hartley
15. Dolphins - Minnesota TE Marqueis Gray
16. Pioneers - Wisconsin HB James White
17. Broncos - Baylor MLB Lionel Walker
18. Jaguars - North Carolina FS Tre Boston
19. Bears - Memphis CB Mike Hayes
20. Jets - Kentucky MLB Bill Abbott
21. Buccaneers - Miami DE Roderick Baker
22. Rams - Boston College FS Justin Simmons
23. Ravens - Florida St. DE Lewis Wynn
24. Pioneers - Arizona St. G Jamil Douglas
25. Bills - Clemson OLB Chris Phillips
26. Steelers - Colorado OLB Angelo McDowell
27. Colts - Clemson WR Adam Humphries
28. Vikings - USC SS Su'a Cravens
29. Raiders - Auburn HB Tre Mason
30. Seahawks - BYU OLB Clay Shields
31. Cowboys - Mississippi St. CB David Martinez
32. Bears - Stanford C Bobby Crosby
---

Rounds 5-7 are tentatively set to begin at 2 PM ET tomorrow
---

I think I'm happy with my day. Here's what I'm hoping for from my picks so far whilst trying to be realistic (using previous years / same position picks at that range a gauge). They are a little optimistic probably

1st DT Richardson - 83 (80-84 for 1st round DTs in previous years)
2nd G Norwell - 78 (76-80 previous years)
4th TE Uzomah - 78 (76-80 previous years)
4th SS Murray - 77 (75-80 previous years)
4th OLB McDowell - 75 (73-76 previous years)

Completely unrelated sidenote. Does anybody else have favorite players on their teams? I think my favorite 3 on my team are:

Jamario Thomas - Has carried my offense for years. 31% of my total yards over the last 5 seasons which is more impressive when than it sounds because he has missed 20+ of the 80 games in those 5 years. If you adjust it for missed games it's ~45% of all my yards.

C Andy Levitre - Has come in and been a machine. 140 Blocks / 12 Sacks in 2 seasons at C. The dude he took over from (who was a 95) had 195 Blocks / 43 Sacks in 5 seasons. I had assumed ~5-6 block/sack ratio was good for a C before I got Levitre.

OLB Tulloch - Former 7th rounder who has worked his way up to being a high end OLB despite not getting a chance to start until he was 30. Has outperformed his OLB partner every year despite being way lower rated. Also on an absolute steal of a contract, he's getting 1.59m this season as an 84 OLB

I didnt send a thing in but just best available for position of need which Im sure you already knew kcf, my bad
---

Be interesting to see how the pieces work but the Bears have potentially completely revamped their offense

Late 1st - WR Snead (Projected 1st)
Mid 2nd - QB Mettenberger (Projected Top 15)
Late 2nd - HB Oliver (Projected high 2nd)
Early 3rd - WR Thielen (Projected 3rd)
Mid 4th - CB Hayes (Projected 4th)
Last of 4th - C Crosby (Projected 4th)

Given how quick WR's fly off the board in other years, he basically got value in 5 of his 6 picks so far.

Pending on how he feels about Oliver, conceivably all 4 of those first 4 could start. Hayes might also start if he's willing to bench a 32yo Claiborne for a slightly lesser rated rookie. Hayes is likely just a backup piece

I also like what the Browns have done so far

1st - DE Olivier Vernon
2nd - OLB Kwon Alexander
3rd - CB Justin Herbert
4th - DT Justin Ellis

As expected from a Top 10 pick, Vernon will slot straight in at a position in dire need of a quality starter. His 2nd/3rd/4th picks were all picks at positions of need that were projected higher than where he took them. Kwon will likely/hopefully take the starting job from his 30yo OLB if not this year then next. Herbert probably slots in at CB2/3 to replace an aging Avery Atkins (not technically a position of need but certainly an aging position). Ellis is probably DT3 for now but isn't a bad get for the hole.

This reminds me that I need to do my usual Madden Draft Grades, favorite picks in each round, and favorite draft classes overall after the draft's conclusion.

As for me, my three favorite players on my team are DE Travis Johnson, OLB D.J. Williams, and OLB Daryl Smith. I am, of course, all about that defense, and I am loyal to my longest-tenured members of my defense. Had Kelly Campbell, miraculously stayed for another season, I probably would have put him in over Smith as those three would have made of 3/4 of the remaining members of my inaugural season roster still on my team (G Kendall Simmons being the other).
---

theawesomestevr posted...

Wizardsfan1000 posted...

Pending Trade:

Bills Receive:

WR Selwyn Lymon

R-Words Receive:

CB Justin King

Not sure if this has been run by KCF yet, and I'm also forgetting what the rules are now with trades during the draft phase, but I can confirm the Bills did/will agree to this deal if this trade is approved.

I know this will get ironed out in the process since it's a mandatory step but I just want to point out for people who may not look into it. Wiz is taking on a 5m+ dead money hit in this trade.

I have additional concerns too, but given the unique situation, I am hoping that stevr informed Wiz of Lymon's receiving and return stats when he was a Bill.
---

Round 5 Recap:
1. Patriots - Florida DE Jamal Sawyer
2. Falcons - Illinois QB Sammy Gaffney
3. Titans - Marist K Jason Myers
4. Wildcats - Notre Dame C Nick Martin
5. Redskins - Boston College C Andy Gallik
6. Giants - UCLA QB Brett Hundley
7. Dolphins - Maryland FS Sean Davis
8. Bears - Tulane WR Ryan Grant
9. Browns - Nebraska DE Montae Minter
10. Packers - Colorado CB Spencer Howry
11. Lightning - Illinois MLB Corey Morton
12. Pumpkins - Miami of Ohio QB Zac Dysert
13. Hawks - Missouri G Evan Boehm
14. Packers - Iowa G Austin Blythe
15. Lions - Texas A&M OT Koren Blades
16. Bengals - Penn St. WR Allen Robinson
17. Broncos - Arizona HB Ka'Deem Carey
18. Jaguars - Northwestern SS Ibraheim Campbell
19. 49ers - Arizona OLB Harold Cash
20. Jets - Penn St. TE Jesse James
21. Buccaneers - N.C. St. G Joe Thuney
22. Rams - Vanderbilt WR Barron Ogden
23. Ravens - USF C Austin Reiter
24. Hawks - Georgia OT Kevin O'Neal
25. Panthers - Clemson P Bradley Pinion
26. Steelers - Houston C Dwight Mack
27. Colts - Texas FS Tony Taylor
28. Vikings - SMU QB Garrett Gilbert
29. Raiders - Arizona SS Quentin White
30. Seahawks - Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief
31. Cowboys - Pittsburgh St. WR John Brown
32. 49ers - Ohio St. TE Jeff Heuerman
---

Round 6 Recap:
1. Patriots - Pittsburgh C Conrad Kramer
2. Falcons - Eastern Michigan G Jeff Johnson
3. Titans - Ole Miss DT Ross Hejl
4. Wildcats - Rice K Chris Boswell
5. Redskins - Stanford OLB Neil Parker
6. Giants - Florida St. WR Kelvin Platt
7. Bills - Northwestern QB Tom Henley
8. Bears - Western Illinois QB Glenn Braxton
9. Browns - Tennessee G Otis Smith
10. Titans - UNLV OLB Willie Walls
11. Lightning - Nebraska C Dimitrius Massey
12. Pumpkins - Ohio St. DE Duane Salaam
13. Hawks - Nebraska HB Tavian Radetsky
14. Bills - Oregon HB Dan Duff
15. Steelers - East Carolina DE Kris Norris
16. Bengals - Temple CB Bobby Harris
17. Broncos - Oregon G Desmond Keys
18. Jaguars - Cincinnati OLB Justin McGee
19. Titans - Michigan St. G Charlie Mitchell
20. Jets - Missouri DE Barron Lewis
21. Buccaneers - Texas Tech TE Jace Amaro
22. Rams - Clemson MLB Allen Rogers
23. Ravens - Penn St. MLB Chad Carpenter
24. Pioneers - Texas A&M OT Bryant Graham
25. Panthers - Southern Miss HB Harry Ball
26. Steelers - Butler OT Kevin Jones
27. Colts - Notre Dame OLB Cory Gordon
28. Vikings - Nebraska FS Richie Connor
29. Raiders - Indiana WR Cody Latimer
30. Seahawks - Auburn DE John Ward
31. Cowboys - Texas A&M OT Dexter Scott
32. Chiefs - North Carolina FS Champ White
---

Round 7 Recap:
1. Patriots - Tulsa MLB Stan Massey
2. Falcons - USC SS Tavian Montgomery
3. Titans - South Carolina P Spencer Lanning
4. Wildcats - Texas A&M OLB Rich Hartley
5. Redskins - Northwestern St. TE Junior Spires
6. Giants - Penn St. DT Lorenzo Norris
7. Chiefs - Ohio St. FB Leon Wells
8. Bears - North Carolina DE Antwaan Barney
9. Browns - Nebraska WR Matt Larsen
10. Bills - UL Lafayette WR John Van Dyke
11. Lightning - Miami FS Tyler Winters
12. Pumpkins - Tennessee TE Bruce Otto
13. Hawks - Virginia OT Josh Humphrey
14. Bills - Florida A&M FS Rashaan Brown
15. Lions - Hofstra G Matt Ball
16. Bengals - Valdosta St. DT Jevon Littman
17. Broncos - Clemson G Will Zeigler
18. Jaguars - Montana St. CB Edgar Williams
19. Bills - New Mexico DT David Hermann
20. Jets - North Carolina WR Darren Kent
21. Buccaneers - Arizona MLB Raymond Els
22. Rams - UL Lafayette OT Kurt Williams
23. Ravens - Notre Dame SS Darnell Gainer
24. Pioneers - Michigan DT Michael Sikes
25. Panthers - North Carolina WR Ronnie Sikes
26. Jaguars - Illinois TE Frank Emanuel
27. Colts - Nebraska OT Leonardo Bennett
28. Vikings - Oregon WR Lance Simms
29. Raiders - Notre Dame CB Chris Paulding
30. Seahawks - North Carolina MLB Reuben Reed
31. Cowboys - Syracuse P Riley Dixon
32. Dolphins - Wisconsin WR Alex Erickson
---

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. They are essentially arbitrary. All AI teams are given A grades.

A
Steelers

A-
Bears
Bills
Browns
Seahawks

B+
Falcons
Panthers
Titans
Wildcats

B
Chiefs
Dolphins
Giants
Patriots
Pumpkins
Redskins

C+
Lions
Colts

C
Buccaneers
49ers

D+
Jaguars

D-
Packers
---

KCF0107 posted...

D-
Packers

:(
---

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!

Bears
First Pick: WR Willie Snead
Best Pick: QB Zach Mettenberger

Browns
First Pick: DE Olivier Vernon
Best Pick: OLB Kwon Alexander

Buccaneers
First Pick: WR Jarvis Landry
Best Pick: Roderick Baker

Cowboys
First Pick: CB Bradley Roby
Best Pick: OT Ereck Flowers

Packers
First Pick: DE Demarcus Lawrence
Best Pick: HB Isaiah Crowell

Rams
First Pick: TE Austin Hooper
Best Pick: CB Jason Verrett

Titans
First Pick: QB Paxton Lynch
Best Pick: HB Melvin Gordon
---

Titans cut OT Phil Loadholt and CB Jimmy Williams

To Do:
- Favorite picks in each round
- Favorite draft hauls
- Officially start rookie signing period and send out PMs
---

Really wanted to hold on to Loadholt and make him sit out the season. Oh well, needed the cap space
---

Oh boy time to find out how badly KCF thinks the G Men did here.

I am somewhat expecting to get dragged for taking a Punter
---

I have taken a P in the 4th twice, so no I am not going to rag on your decision to take one then. I do believe it is the earliest a punter has ever been taken in the draft though. I believe the previous high was the Falcons and Johnny Hekker two or so drafts ago (taken in the middle of the 3rd).
---

KCF0107 posted...

I have additional concerns too, but given the unique situation, I am hoping that stevr informed Wiz of Lymon's receiving and return stats when he was a Bill.

I figured Lymon's Redskins stats would be more relevant (which I don't currently have knowledge of) since he's played 2 seasons there since being a Bill, but I'll go ahead and post here his last two years with the Bills:

His return numbers in his 2nd-to-last season with the Bills were:
21.5 KR avg. (this seems pedestrian, but KCF will have to comment, since I don't know league averages on a yr-yr basis) with 1 TD; 15.3 PR avg. with 3 TDs which is obviously excellent.
His receiving numbers were 43 rec for 616 yards and 8 TDs (Hopefully KCF can clarify whether the TD number is separate from his return TDs or not)

In his last season with the Bills, his return numbers dopped off with a higher 23.6 KR avg., but just 10.8 avg on PRs (which seems decent, but again I'll defer to KCF) and 1 TD on punt returns.
His receiving numbers were 41 for 714 yards and 9 TDs (I again assume the TDs listed here are separate from his return TDs), so his yardage improved on 2 less catches, and he certainly caught more TDs than the previous year.

@Wizardsfan1000

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 nor were players dropping further than expected draft slot.

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 Colts or Dolphins picks. At the end of all this, I will also mention my three favorite team draft classes.
---

First Round

Browns DE Olivier Vernon (9th overall) - I am singling him out because considering the greater scheme of things, I think the Browns needed a DE more than any other team that picked one this round. In addition to Charles Grant retiring, the Browns shockingly let one of the best DT in the league hit the FA market in Vince Wilfork. The DL heading into the draft was basically just Pierre Woods as the two projected starting DT are a below average guy on the wrong side of 30 that was famously the centerpiece in the Walter Jones/Mike Flynn Colts trade and a complete unknown. Having a pedestrian DL would have doomed the Browns defense and caused yet another setback for a team that has naturally picked in the Top 10 for three straight seasons. The DTs are still what they are, but at least the DEs make them more palatable and gives the team a fighting chance with their underrated LB corps.

Pioneers OLB Kyler Fackrell (27th overall) - While I contemplated including both of their first round picks, I am going to highlight just Fackrell. I loved this pick so much that I was a little sad it just came and went on draft night. AI teams get no respect I tell you. Everybody knows that the Pioneers have an elite offense, but the work-in-progress defense started to turn a corner last season. It may come as a shock that the weak link is at LB where otherworldly stud Kamerion Wimbley exists to prey upon others. The Pioneers may have solved that in a single round. Fackrell is the one I believe in more. Not knowing his rating, I think he can unseat incumbent O'Brien Schofield and be the favorite for DRotY.

Chiefs DT Dontari Poe (32nd overall) - This is partially up here because of what Ranlom originally intended to do with the pick. I was getting PTSD from my trade with the Wildcats in S8. This was a great pivot though as incumbent DEs Baraka Atkins and Ryan Riddle are starting to wind down and DT Terrance Knighton is just a glorified sack specialist (very low tackle totals for a DT and just five total FFs+FRs in his career). While it was sad for me to see that this was the result of 176-game starter (aka every B8NFLL game) Sam Rayburn leaving the only franchise he has ever known, it appears as if the Chiefs turned a negative into a positive. Will Poe flame out? Maybe, but the Chiefs need to start establishing some sort of defense, and this was a great next step after getting some fresh OLBs and Ss in recent seasons.

Honorable Mentions
*insert any other DE selection here*
Bills HB Todd Gurley (4th overall)

Regret Pick - Wildcats selecting CB Ronald Darby over DE Malik Jackson

Given the construction of the roster, I get that Darby will likely be good enough to be a starter Week 1 while Jackson is maybe not as likely without user intervention. Still, this defense isn't good enough to be spending a 1st round pick on a CB. Darby isn't quite set up to fail, but he has far and away the greatest bust potential out of any of the 32 1st round picks.
---