Tweet
We've done this several times before in the league's history, and it's never too early to start another, in my opinion. There are 7 position groups, in my opinion: QB, RB, OL, DL, LB, DB, and Specialists. I'm going to tackle safeties this week but anyone at any time should feel free to take on another position group!
Let's get the discussion and the player veneration going!
<small>Also, please don't be offended if I left anyone out. Lots of good candidates, easy to miss a few. And I know one of these guys is not like the others, but I'm trying to write the list as if from an observer who didn't have such concrete ratings numbers, and only perception, buzz, and stats to go on.</small>
1. SS Kendall Crane - 3 - 95/95
Denver Grizzlies
If he isn't the best the league has ever seen, he surely must be up there. Taken with the 6th pick of the 2020 draft - acquired by then-GM thenewchuckd via, I believe, St. Paul - Crane has really come into his own as the premier secondary player of the league. This season, he has defended 7 passes and allowed 8 in his six starts so far, with two passes picked off.
A true stalwart who could not possibly be better at every single skillset. Needs a breather here and there and does not play ST, but really, who cares? The Grizzlies have a defense to be feared with this guy roving the backfield. Truly special athletic abilities.
2. CB Nicky Wallace - 7 - 87/87
Columbus Catfish
Wallace Island is the loneliest piece of real estate in the OSFL. This former #1 overall pick is in the prime of his career, with 4 interceptions already, through seven games. He has one of the more illustrious careers in OSFL history, earning All-League 1st Team a total of four times, in '17, '18, '19, and '21.
Wallace probably figures prominently in Boston's current cap penalties after being traded early in the 2021 offseason, and Columbus has them at a 'bargain' $10 mil per year (or so). The Catfish failed to win a title in the offseason and have been raided in free agency - so Wallace, Tubbs, Crazy Legs & co are burning up and rarin' to make up for their early playoff exit.
3. CB Michael Horton - 5 - 79/79
North Liberty Enforcers
They say the pro leagues tend to cordon players into strict height/weight profiles, and that was certainly the case with Horton. In the 2018 draft, he slipped to 1.15 on account of his slight 5'9, 183 frame. Concerns abounded that he wouldn't be strong enough to take on blockers and provide help in run support.
While that may be the case, it hardly matters with Horton's near-perfect coverage capabilities. On the year, he has a shocking 100% PDPct through 7 games, including a league-leading 6 interceptions (1 TD). He's allowed only 11 catches this year, while having 10 breakups to his credit. That would be the relationships of the quarterbacks whose sweethearts couldn't bear to stay any longer after their humiliation at the hands of the North Liberty secondary.
4. CB Tommy Leyba - 4 - 47/47
Brooklyn Hitmen
His 2.07 pick from the 2019 draft has had a breakout Year 4 campaign. A fulltime starter since he entered the league, Leyba has fought back from a debilitating MCL tear suffered late in his rookie season. Still, he has been nothing beyond solid up to this point, and the developments of the young '22 season are surprising.
He has nearly as many picks (4) as catches allowed (6) and boasts a league's second-best 99.2 PDPct %. He's already making waves in the local media, a rising star in the Big Apple with plenty of advertisers crowing after him. Will he sustain it, or is this a flash-in-the-pan success?
5. CB Vernon Gentala - 3 - 80/80
Morgantown Maniacs
"Don't Touch My" Gentala ... the crown jewel(s?) of the Morgantown '22 draft class, and they paid a price to get him. He struggled through an inconsistent rookie campaign but has raised his level of play since then. This year, 2022, looks like the year he's finally put it all together. He has 3 picks through 6 games already and a 90.7 PDPct. In past years, he's had difficulty adjusting to routes and defending passes, but he should solidly surpass his 2021 and 2020 numbers in this category, maybe even combined.
He may weigh a sparse 194 lbs, but he's feisty, plays smart, and isn't afraid to jack you up! And on that note, the Honorables list...
Hon. Mention
CB Don Jacke (CHI), CB Courtney Frederick (KAL), CB Kurt McCloud (DEN), CB Monty Meier (CLB), SS Nate Sinclair (SMD), FS Chester Foster (UTA), FS Roosevelt Dunn (DAK)
? List: the highly touted stars who need to bounce back given their play so far this year
CB Cris "Get Down, Get Down, And Move It All Around, Get Down" Lowe (PHO), CB Kurt DelNegro (LAC), CB Randall Inoue (STP), SS James Wistrom (KAL), FS D.J. McElroy (MTC)
<small>These lists in particular are kind of grab bag - don't take them too literally! Also, let me know ahead of time if you're going to take a position group so I know which ones not to take next
And any requests for which ones next, and when...</small>
Let's get the discussion and the player veneration going!
<small>Also, please don't be offended if I left anyone out. Lots of good candidates, easy to miss a few. And I know one of these guys is not like the others, but I'm trying to write the list as if from an observer who didn't have such concrete ratings numbers, and only perception, buzz, and stats to go on.</small>1. SS Kendall Crane - 3 - 95/95
Denver Grizzlies
If he isn't the best the league has ever seen, he surely must be up there. Taken with the 6th pick of the 2020 draft - acquired by then-GM thenewchuckd via, I believe, St. Paul - Crane has really come into his own as the premier secondary player of the league. This season, he has defended 7 passes and allowed 8 in his six starts so far, with two passes picked off.
A true stalwart who could not possibly be better at every single skillset. Needs a breather here and there and does not play ST, but really, who cares? The Grizzlies have a defense to be feared with this guy roving the backfield. Truly special athletic abilities.
2. CB Nicky Wallace - 7 - 87/87
Columbus Catfish
Wallace Island is the loneliest piece of real estate in the OSFL. This former #1 overall pick is in the prime of his career, with 4 interceptions already, through seven games. He has one of the more illustrious careers in OSFL history, earning All-League 1st Team a total of four times, in '17, '18, '19, and '21.
Wallace probably figures prominently in Boston's current cap penalties after being traded early in the 2021 offseason, and Columbus has them at a 'bargain' $10 mil per year (or so). The Catfish failed to win a title in the offseason and have been raided in free agency - so Wallace, Tubbs, Crazy Legs & co are burning up and rarin' to make up for their early playoff exit.
3. CB Michael Horton - 5 - 79/79
North Liberty Enforcers
They say the pro leagues tend to cordon players into strict height/weight profiles, and that was certainly the case with Horton. In the 2018 draft, he slipped to 1.15 on account of his slight 5'9, 183 frame. Concerns abounded that he wouldn't be strong enough to take on blockers and provide help in run support.
While that may be the case, it hardly matters with Horton's near-perfect coverage capabilities. On the year, he has a shocking 100% PDPct through 7 games, including a league-leading 6 interceptions (1 TD). He's allowed only 11 catches this year, while having 10 breakups to his credit. That would be the relationships of the quarterbacks whose sweethearts couldn't bear to stay any longer after their humiliation at the hands of the North Liberty secondary.
4. CB Tommy Leyba - 4 - 47/47
Brooklyn Hitmen
His 2.07 pick from the 2019 draft has had a breakout Year 4 campaign. A fulltime starter since he entered the league, Leyba has fought back from a debilitating MCL tear suffered late in his rookie season. Still, he has been nothing beyond solid up to this point, and the developments of the young '22 season are surprising.
He has nearly as many picks (4) as catches allowed (6) and boasts a league's second-best 99.2 PDPct %. He's already making waves in the local media, a rising star in the Big Apple with plenty of advertisers crowing after him. Will he sustain it, or is this a flash-in-the-pan success?
5. CB Vernon Gentala - 3 - 80/80
Morgantown Maniacs
"Don't Touch My" Gentala ... the crown jewel(s?) of the Morgantown '22 draft class, and they paid a price to get him. He struggled through an inconsistent rookie campaign but has raised his level of play since then. This year, 2022, looks like the year he's finally put it all together. He has 3 picks through 6 games already and a 90.7 PDPct. In past years, he's had difficulty adjusting to routes and defending passes, but he should solidly surpass his 2021 and 2020 numbers in this category, maybe even combined.
He may weigh a sparse 194 lbs, but he's feisty, plays smart, and isn't afraid to jack you up! And on that note, the Honorables list...
Hon. Mention
CB Don Jacke (CHI), CB Courtney Frederick (KAL), CB Kurt McCloud (DEN), CB Monty Meier (CLB), SS Nate Sinclair (SMD), FS Chester Foster (UTA), FS Roosevelt Dunn (DAK)
? List: the highly touted stars who need to bounce back given their play so far this year
CB Cris "Get Down, Get Down, And Move It All Around, Get Down" Lowe (PHO), CB Kurt DelNegro (LAC), CB Randall Inoue (STP), SS James Wistrom (KAL), FS D.J. McElroy (MTC)
<small>These lists in particular are kind of grab bag - don't take them too literally! Also, let me know ahead of time if you're going to take a position group so I know which ones not to take next
And any requests for which ones next, and when...</small>
Comment