We're just over a month away from the Larkspur Bowl draft- the perfect time to mock a draft.
This draft utilized Yahoo!'s standard rankings (as of today) to determine picks. The only additional parameters were a cap at two RBs and two WRs; No defensive players were selected. Players were then attributed directly in sequence. This is NOT meant to simulate individual drafting strategies, just a way to see how teams might shake out on draft day.
NYF- RB J. Charles
NYF- RB C. Spiller
NYF- WR K. Allen
NYF- WR T. Hilton
NYF- TE J. Cameron
Right off the bat we expect to see divergence from this script, as New York has made no secret that they intend to take a QB overall, specifically Peyton Manning. Whether that ends up to be a blustery ruse or their actual intentions, they hold the keys to the draft, and should be able to initiate positional runs throughout the draft. Their mock roster has a lot of upside; Allen and Cameron broke out with the Champion Uprising last year and along with Hilton, look to build on their success. CJ Spiller will look to rebound from a disappointing 2013, still possessing elite upside. If Charles stays healthy, there's no reason he won't live up to a top draft pick.
BEX- RB L. McCoy
BEX- WR A. Brown
BEX- RB R. Mathews
BEX- QB C. Newton
BEX- WR T. Smith
The Executioners have yet to formally declare their moniker for next year; If they opt against showing up for the draft (50/50 proposition for this franchise) they can hope their autodraft turns out like this. McCoy and Brown are elite producers near the top of the league in touches for their position. Mathews, Newton and Smith all have fortuitous context, making this a dangerous hypothetical.
MVP- RB A. Peterson
MVP- RB A. Ellington
MVP- WR R. Cobb
MVP- QB M. Stafford
MVP- WR J. Edelman
The Parrots mock draft yielded a robust group of playmakers; A Mr Inside/Mr Outside dynamic at RB could develop between future hall of famer Adrian Peterson, and explosive sophomore Andre Ellington. Randall Cobb's recovery from injury is a question mark, but there ought to be plenty of tread left on the youngster's tires. Stafford will throw enough to make up for any liabilities- he's got a pretty high floor, because he's going to keep chucking it up. If this season is the one where it all comes together for him, he'd be a steal in the fourth round.
OAK- RB E. Lacy
OAK- RB Z. Stacy
OAK- WR V. Jackson
OAK- WR M. Floyd
OAK- QB M. Ryan
The mock is obviously flawed because we all know that Matt Ryan will end up a Sasquatch. Then again, last year he ended up on Oakwood before getting wheeled and dealed, so perhaps the Drivers will take him hostage again. They'd be betting on two young RB with rhyming last names in Lacy & Stacy, both of whom looked like the next generation of premier RB as the 2013 season wore on. Vincent Jackson is sort of the blueprint for Michael Floyd, and both should see plenty of looks, especially in the red zone. The best laid plans tend to go awry, but this setup would lead to plenty of optimism in 2014.
SPC- RB M. Forte
SPC- RB A. Morris
SPC- TE J. Thomas
SPC- WR D. Jackson
SPC- QB A. Luck
The storyline for the Cow's inaugural season will inevitably compare the team to Toronto, as the brain trust there was split this year. LTP had a lot of success last year amassing WR2 breakouts, but this mock eschews that strategy, taking two all-purpose bruisers early, then betting on Orange Julius's potential to cement himself as an elite TE. Andrew Luck is a solid QB to anchor your team on- year three could see him enter his prime.
LGM- WR C. Johnson
LGM- WR J. Nelson
LGM- RB D. Martin
LGM- TE R. Gronkowski
LGM- RB J. Bell
With Josh Gordon felled by off the field issues, Megatron remains unarguably the premier WR in the game. Snatching him early locks in one of the (potentially four) WR slots as long as the big man can stay healthy. Jordy Nelson is a safe WR2; Doug Martin is less of a sure thing, after a disappointing second year ended in injury, but he's only a year removed from being a top RB. Same with the Gronk- he's potentially the best TE in the league, if he can stay on the field. RB Joique Bell is criminally underrated, one of football's most efficient all-around backs. This draft strategy leaves the team to pick a mid tier QB off the scrap heap in the later rounds.
SAS- TE J. Graham
SAS- QB A. Rodgers
SAS- RB T. Gerhart
SAS- WR M. Crabtree
SAS- RB S. Ridley
Someone is going to draft Jimmy Graham in the first round; In this model he is going to Canadian Team 2: Northerer. WR1 numbers at TE is a major boon, and following up with QB Aaron Rodgers could give the team the highest scoring players at two positions. The back three picks have less upside: RBs Gerhart and Ridley are far from proven commodities, while Michael Crabtree is a safe WR2 without a high ceiling.
PAW- RB M. Ball
PAW- WR A. Jeffery
PAW- RB R. Jennings
PAW- WR C. Patterson
PAW- QB R. Griffin III
The Pacers go full risk/reward in this model: Montee Ball is probably the biggest question mark in the first round, but has inherited a juicy portfolio and has the pedigree and skills to maximize it. Alshon Jeffrey is probably the safest pick in this bunch, as a burgeoning physical WR in his prime. Jennings is presumed to be the bell cow in a crowded backfield without articulated roles; He could end up a steal in the third round, or he could be an afterthought by October. Patterson is an explosive playmaker that grew into a larger role as 2013 went on. RGIII is perhaps the biggest X-Factor in the draft.
CAL- RB M. Lynch
CAL- RB G. Bernard
CAL- WR V. Cruz
CAL- WR P. Harvin
CAL- QB N. Foles
The Swag have a very straight forward draft here, buying high on two well regarded RBs and buying low on two WRs coming off various disappointments; Cruz did not manage to hit the end zone much after week one in 2013, the victim of a broken offense. Percy Harvin barely played, although his electric kick return TD in the Super Bowl would indicate he should be healthy for 2014. Each has reasons to be optimistic for a bounce back season. Conversely, Nick Foles seems bound for regression after a nearly flawless run from mid season on- but to what extent? Even 80% of what he did in a partial season would translate to a value purchase in the fifth round.
SEA- RB A. Foster
SEA- WR J. Jones
SEA- RB B. Sankey
SEA- WR R. White
SEA- QB T. Romo
Seattle is the only true rookie in 2014, stepping in for regular contender Orgrimmar. This mock draft sees them go after two players that finished 2013 on the IR. After that they snag fellow rookie Bishop Sankey, and the second half of the ATL WR duo. Going 1A & 1B gives a high floor but does minimize upside; QB Tony Romo is true gunslinger, and every Sunday should have the potential to be high noon at the OK corral. Not a bad setup.
SFC- WR D. Thomas
SFC- QB D. Brees
SFC- RB R. Bush
SFC- WR A. Johnson
SFC- RB C. Johnson
Silver City's draft scored them a few aging RBs out to prove they have plenty left in the tank, and two elite WRs with question marks. Reggie Bush looks like he's being properly implemented for the first time in his career; CJ2K will hope a new setting will jump start his wheels, which by all accounts still have plenty of juice. Demaryius Thomas has a prime setup to be a top five WR- Andre Johnson's context is far murkier, but could potentially improve by the time the season starts. Drew Brees would continue the FC's tradition of top notch QB play through their third year in the league.
LTP- WR D. Bryant
LTP- RB L. Bell
LTP- WR L. Fitzgerald
LTP- RB S. Vereen
LTP- QB J. Cutler
Toronto will go it alone, and this draft sees them start things off with one of the most talented WRs in the league in Dez Bryant. Not a bad wingman. From there they take Levon Bell, who is on an upward trajectory. Larry Fitzgerald's floor is an adept WR2, which makes him a great value in the third round for a low slot. Shane Vereen is one of the new era's RBs: Less touches, but more room to do things. He will get his, if he can stay healthy. QB Jay Cutler might be due for that big year, where he elevates his game from that 'above average' level.
HVM- WR A. Green
HVM- RB D. Murray
HVM- WR W. Welker
HVM- TE V. Davis
HVM- QB T. Brady
The Mock sees Hill Valley snag 2014's Larkspur Bowl Championship MVP AJ Green in the first round; Elite WR's are always a good bet at the turn. RB Demarco Murray has always been a beast on the field, but with his upright style, necessitates backfield depth. WR Wes Welker may not repeat his frenzied Red Zone prowess, but is sure to get plenty of looks, a high volume guy at worst. TE Vernon Davis might be the most physically skilled player at the position, but it has only translated to inconsistent genius at best; If he is ever made the focal point of that offense, watch out. QB Tom Brady in the fifth round seems like stealing.
PHX- WR B. Marshall
PHX- QB P. Manning
PHX- WR P. Garcon
PHX- RB F. Gore
PHX- RB S. Jackson
The defending champs come out with a veteran squad in this exercise; While QB Peyton Manning would appear to be ageless, running back duo Frank Gore and Steven Jackson's best days are behind them. Their WR duo of Marshall and Garcon are bonafide premier targets, which is the only way to look at WRs in the early going.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Old Looks & New Looks
We have had some face lifts and relocations! I anticipate that there may be a few more before the draft. But to maintain everybody's bearings, here's the rundown:
Steve Grimes' Chicago Bears have become the Margaritaville Parrots.
They move on from their Bipolar moniker:
To their colorful new ensemble:
The Rage ditched their cursed threads:
For a more grizzled get up:
Silver City FC couldn't settle for bronze, so Ajay Patel moved to them to become the Indiana Turbanators.
The Silver element is gone:
Pete Persampier and the Levee G-Men shipped out of New Orleans, settling in as the HCM City Lead-Farmers:
These duds are sunk:
The new looks goes scorched earth:
The California Swag and Jay Kalmer have opted for a more palatable color scheme:
They lose the green trimming:
Opting for a creamy beige complimentary look familiar to the Bay Area:
Vince Milillo take the Bristol Executioners to a new crime scene: the Oniontown Massacre.
The basic color scheme stays the same, from this:
And just adding a splash of blood:
Gone are the Orgrimmar Horde and Flint Aristocrats:
And in their stead are the South Park Cows and the Seattle Seaslugs:
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