2016 Draft Discussion

[Aston]

A big haul today, selecting four players. First two were solid, last two were ho-hum.

RT Jesse Wagner - great combine and pretty sweet bars. Hesitated about taking two tackles in a row, but I think this was a solid choice.

ILB Howard Cote - looked at three players here and flipped back and forth all over the place. Almost went with C Benton, then CB Stanton, then thought, "okay, if one of these guys doesn't last, this would hurt the most."

CB Bo Stanton lasted down to 21 anyways. Reminds me of Jesse Barringer (3.4 last year) - a VU corner with pretty good corner size and promising bars. Barringer blew chunks. I mean, he really sucked. So I hope this is not going to be the same. 63% developed, special teams, and low volatility led to this pick.

DE Howard Foley - very meh. Tried to trade out of this pick but no takers. Looking at him as a 3-4 end, so the size was a draw (and the low pass rush was forgivable). Would've rather gotten picks for next year with this pick, but this is OK. Incidentally, this is pretty much the size of all BBCF DE's coming out of high school. That game could use some more realistic ht/wt distributions...

[Pat]

Hopefully MTC picks soon so we can get moving...

SFO and CHA are on the forums and after that it's three straight autos. Could get a quick start this morning like yesterday.

[BradZ]

Hopefully MTC picks soon so we can get moving...

SFO and CHA are on the forums and after that it's three straight autos. Could get a quick start this morning like yesterday.

MTC proceeded to use their fully allotted time.

The SFO pick is in. CHA is on the clock.

[Pat]

MTC proceeded to use their fully allotted time.

The SFO pick is in. CHA is on the clock.

And managed to get three forum posts in during those two hours.

After trading away my 3rd, I'm eager to make my selection in the 4th round. Still some talent left!

[Clay]

I thought I was on Auto... bite me, Smear.

[Lintyfresh85]

Everyone relax.

We're moving along at a quick enough pace.

[Aston]

I like that Emmitt Richmond (DT) pick.

[BradZ]

We are smoking through this thing now! CHA is up at 4.12.

[Aston]

We'll be entertaining trade offers again shortly. I'm at 4.21 and would like to get a couple picks out of it if my guys are off the board or if it feels too early.

[tomr1962]

Sigh, this is the draft of a thousand horrors. My computer blew up last night. Had to get a new one. Fried the MB, CPU and video cards all at the same time. Never seen anything like it.

[Guest]

Sigh, this is the draft of a thousand horrors. My computer blew up last night. Had to get a new one. Fried the MB, CPU and video cards all at the same time. Never seen anything like it.

So my plan for the season is working already.

[Pat]

4.25 - Marvin Kaplan - OLB - Fordham - 6'2 252

-Great agility (7.28)
-Good special teams bar
-51% developed
-Oversized

A third linebacker? Yes, that's right. Kaplan played OLB in college but will likely move to ILB in the Phantoms new 3-4 look. He appears to be good against the run, average at coverage, should be a special teams player and can punish ball carriers. He doesn't contribute anything as far as a pass rush. His high development means he could play right away.


5.27 - Heath Steude - WR - UCLA - 5'11 182

-Good sole score (27)
-Good agility (7.05)
-Undersized
-Low development (12%)
-High volatility (83)

Finally broke the linebacker draft streak. The WR class in this draft might be one of the worst we have seen but I actually feel like Steude could become a good WR down the road. According to his bars, he should be able to get open and make some plays after the catch. I was preferring a more deep-threat option if I were to select a WR in this draft but they went early. Because of his low development, he won't see a lot of action this season. I have a veteran who doesn't have a lot left in the tank, a few guys on one-year deals and an overpaid guy who might be cut sooner than later. He will get his shot down the road.

----

ALSO! A reminder to all. The 5th round is about to finish. The 6th round is only a 1-hour timer. Be aware.

[Aston]

Damn! We were really excited that FB Corwin Metzblahhh was going to fall to us at 6.09. Instead, he's snatched up two picks earlier by Washington at 6.07. Which is part of the bevy of late round picks Utah gave to them for practically free.

well, we're helping that poor team rebuild. I get points for charity work, right?

-I'm shopping 7.08 by the way - want to move down in the 7th and pick up a 7th for next year.

[Aston]

UTA rounds out its draft:

4 - 21 (117) Cole Vinson OLB Syracuse
6 - 9 (169) Oliver Bastyr DT Washington
7 - 8 (200) Bryce Gangi OLB East Carolina

6.9 was a heartbreak; I really liked that FB. But I did have a backup plan and locked into Bastyr as soon as Corwin was gone. Gangi wasn't my initial thought at 7.08 and was thinking of just trading out, but I didn't think I'd have much takers - plus, he's an intriguing project. Not a whole lot of negatives (aside from volatility/development), and it was worth the OLB redundancy I think over other guys that had much more ? marks. I'm happy I picked him because the 4th and 6th rounders were disappointments.

[Pat]

6.26 - Toby Rabe - Virginia - G - 6'4 307

-Good size
-Good 40 (5.16)
-Good bars
-Scout says "underrated"

There will be a lot of offensive line jobs up for grabs in training camp. I had one retire, and two older veterans lose a step this past season. I have a lot of guards currently on the roster, but a few could be moved to center or tackle. Rabe had been on my priority list since the 4th round. His combine wasn't great but he has good initial bars and my scout is good scouting linemen.

7.25 - Allen Newsom - Colorado - OT - 6'5 331

-Good size
-Good sole (34)
-Good strength bar
-Scout says "underrated"

I've actually had pretty good success getting backups with my 7th round picks in the past. With the retirement of Lance Clayton, I only have two tackles currently on the roster. Newsom will have every opportunity to be a backup immediately. Hopefully Rabe and Newsom make the roster and provide some depth.