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Once again, its time for my 16th annual 1st round draft review. I've been doing this for a long time and actual have a thread which tracks every 1st round pick for all 32 teams since the allocation draft.
My review is based on my opinion of the player drafted using my custom player ratings and a broad look at where he fits on the team that drafted him. It doesn't make me an expert and if you check the draft history, I've been wrong many times but I've also hit the nail on the head a few times.
At this point, it should go without saying but we always have newer owners in the league so PLEASE dont take my review personally. I do this in the spirit of fun and I try to spice it up sometimes. Enough talking....here we go!
Vancouver Vandals 2033 1.1 CB Michael Boutte 36/91 6' 1" 200 lbs West Virginia Vol 56
Vancouver kicks off the draft with this potential shutdown corner out of West Virginia. Boutte is the complete package with elite speed, quickness, high IQ with high end cover and tackling skills. He will play in the XFL and its just a matter of how good will he become.
Grade A
Washington Warriors 2033 1.2 RB Robert Yancy 36/84 5' 11" 207 lbs Maryland Vol 10
In a draft with little talent at RB, Washington takes the best back with the second pick. Yancy is a little undersized and lacks elite speed but has great power and quickness coupled with solid pass catching ability. Definately fills a need as Washington only has one other RB on the roster who is entering year 9 of his career. Yancy will has every opportunity to start from day 1. The grade reflects higher rated players available at this point of the draft more so then the player himself.
Grade A-
Memphis Maniacs 2033 1.3 WR Dan Murray 39/91 6' 0" 209 lbs Acorn State Vol 96
Memphis takes this combine stud from a small school. He rated at the top in many combine test including speed, quickness and IQ. He dominated against lesser talent and its all a matter of how will his skill set transition to the XFL. Memphis lacks talent at both RB and WR and Murray has the size to play either. It will interesting to see where he is used. This is definatlely a high risk/high reward draft pick and Memphis needs a win here.
Arizona takes this defensive back who may be the fastest and quickest player in the draft. Scouts love his speed but have questioned his cover skills especially his ability to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage and he is viewed more as a FS by those same scouts. If he stays at CB in the XFL, he may be best suited in the slot.
Grade A
Daytona Beach Bull Sharks 2033 1.5 C Mark Ortiz 37/78 6' 3" 280 lbs Texas Vol 2
We have our first head scratcher this season as Daytona takes this center out of Texas. Scouts don't have him in the top ten offensive lineman in the draft but he rated in the top 5 centers. Scouts do love his combination of power and speed but his blocking and snapping are average at best. He was considered a late 1st round/2nd round talent taken with the 5th overall pick
Grade C
Cincinnati Defenders 2033 1.6 CB Charles Hill 45/90 5' 9" 183 lbs East Carolina Vol 94
Another defensive back taken early in the draft for Cincinnati. Hill has high end speed, quickness and football IQ with all a tick below elite but scouts believe despite his diminutive size he may be the most physical corner in the draft. His ability to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage is elite level and if he can match his man cover skills to that, he could easily start in this league. As with any small school player, there is risk as to his ability to translate his skills to the XFL.
Grade A
Seattle Barbarians 2033 1.7 SS Michael Brooks 37/81 5' 11" 197 lbs Houston Vol 56
Seattle takes the 4th defensive back in the first 7 picks. Brooks played safety in college but scouts love his man cover skills and he is incredibly strong which can help in run support. Seattle drafted for need here as they had no SS on the roster and Brooks talent is close enough to the draft position to make this a good marriage.
Montana Grizzlies 2033 1.8 CB Norman Philson 33/84 6' 0" 204 lbs San Jose State Vol 98
The trend continues as yet another defensive back is selected and owners have had no problem gambling on players from smaller programs. Philson may be the most complete CB in the draft according to the scouts but he lacks high end speed which may limit him in the league. If he makes a successful transition to the XFL, he will be a quality corner who can cover all but the fastest wide receivers.
Grade B+
Michigan Wolverines 2033 1.9 SS Darren McCullough 35/75 5' 11" 214 lbs Missouri State Vol 32
This pick was a surprise as scouts viewed McCullough as a 2nd round talent. Despite the run on defensive backs early, scouts had at least 4 others ranked higher on the draft board. McCullough has great speed and an elite IQ but his strength and cover skills have been questioned at average at best.
Grade B-
Atlanta Dominators 2033 1.10 QB Samual Edwards 28/78 6' 1" 208 lbs Florida State Vol 20
It took until the 10th overall pick but our 1st QB has come off the board. Atlanta needs a francise quarterback and by most scouts ratings, they may have found him in Edwards. He is a pure pocket passer with no speed but has an ability to move in the pocket. He doesn't have elite accuracy or arm strength but scouts gush about his vision and ability to look off defenders. He is considered a safe pick since he comes from a big program and many believe he will excel if he is protected and has playmakers around him.
Grade A
New England Crusaders 2033 1.11 MLB Timothy Guerrier 42/85 5' 11" 225 lbs East Carolina Vol 24
The first linebacker comes off the board in this undersized player out of East Carolina. Scouts love everything about him but he will have to put on some weight to play MLB in the XFL. Hopefully the weight gain won't cost him too much speed and scouts viewed him as a top 5 talent. A steal for New England at pick 11.
Grade A+
Toronto Titans 2033 1.12 LG Roland Westbury 32/91 6' 5" 303 lbs Florida State Vol 34
Toronto takes the best offensive lineman in the draft at number 12. QB Edwards was taken a few picks ago and Westbury was the guy blocking his blindside at Florida State. He should be put at LT for the next 12-15 years in Toronto before he eventually gets put on the Hall of Fame ballot.
New York Empire 2033 1.13 RB Daniel Greenlee 31/83 5' 9" 223 lbs Notre Dame Vol 62
One of only a few true running backs considered 1st round talent goes to New York. He is build like a fire hydrant and is a powerful runner with near elite speed. With a good camp, he could start right away for the team.
The second straight golden domer comes off the board in LB Heath. He was a combine star with great ratings in speed, quickness, strength and football IQ. Scouts love his ability to play sideline to sideline and he has fantastic cover skills.
Providence selects this speedy playmaker from Maryland. He adds speed to the WR room plus brings elite returner ability to the team. Scouts believe he will become a starter quickly and instantly becomes the primary return man.
Grade A
Philadelphia Slayers 2033 1.16 WR Floyd Montgomery 35/88 5' 11" 207 lbs Kansas State Vol 82
Scouts had Montgomery ranked the 2nd overall WR in the draft but concerns over off the field issues dropped him all the way to 16th overall. Unlike Proctor who is deemed a cant miss prospect, Montgomery has question marks based on desire and work ethic. If he can harness his potential in camp, this could be the steal of the draft.
Grade A
Tampa Bay Fireballs 2033 1.17 TE Dwayne Joines 29/81 6' 5" 259 lbs Alabama Vol 46
Tampa selects the first true TE in the 1st round. Joines was rated the best college TE and Tampa Bay has an every down player with decent speed, pass catching and blocking skills.
Grade B
Vegas Black Aces 2033 1.18 WR Clifford Mayes 32/82 5' 10" 211 lbs Apalachicola State Vol 50
Mayes was ranked in the top 5 wide recievers in the draft. He brings elite speed and great pass catching and route running to the table. He has the size to play at RB but concerns over ball security may limit him there.
Grade A-
KC Chaos 2033 1.19 WR Edgar Plummer 35/79 5' 11" 197 lbs Penn State Vol 10
KC takes the 5th WR taken in the top 19 picks. Plummer was also ranked in the top 5 for WR in the draft and was the last to get selected. He has the elite speed and quickness but his skills as a pass catcher may be more average then the others taken ahead of him. Scouts do love the fact that while his high end may not be as fantastic, his years at a top college make him more readily polished to play in the XFL now.
Grade B+
Denver Extreme 2033 1.20 FS Jason Boggs 37/76 5' 9" 206 lbs Texas Christian Vol 56
Boggs is the 7th defensive back taken in the top 20. While his speed is average, scouts love his quickness and sure tackling which can help anchor a defensive backfield.
Houston Roughnecks 2033 1.21 C Lawrence Downing 39/79 6' 3" 273 lbs Florida Vol 20
Houston takes an intriguing pick with this center out of Florida. Some scouts love his versatility and believe he can transition to TE in the XFL. He played center in college because of strong short snapping skills but his long snapping was an issue. He showed signs of decent pass catching and route running in drills.
Grade B
Miami Nemesis 2033 1.22 CB Brandon Barry 33/76 6' 0 " 216 lbs Southern California Vol 82
Miami selects the 8th defensive back taken in the 1st round and finds Barry who has the speed and cover skills to be above average to great if he can make the transition from college to the XFL.
Grade A-
Carolina Cobras 2033 1.23 WLB William Strode 33/74 6' 1" 237 lbs San Diego State Vol 64
Carolina selects this versatile LB who can play inside or outside. The highly intelligent player has great speed and cover skills but scouts are concerned about his tackling and run stopping skills which may limit him to outside linebacker in the XFL.
Grade B+
Gem City Gangsters 2033 1.24 RB James Gilligan 30/78 5' 11" 239 lbs Southern California Vol 70
In a draft with little talent at RB, Gem City rolls the dice on this player they feel can transition to RB. Gilligan has the size and strength of a traditional FB but with some weight lose and a boost of speed, he could become a front line running back.
Los Angeles Challengers 2033 1.25 WLB Jose Sanders 34/76 6' 0" 240 lbs Washington State Vol 18
LA takes this linebacker who has all the skills to play MLB but scouts don't like his overall speed to become elite. His intelligence and quickness may make up for his lack of speed.
Grade B
Dakota Blizzard 2033 1.26 CB Scott Nemeth 25/70 6' 3" 230 lbs Trinity State Vol 30
Dakota takes a flyer on this college LB who they wanna make into a cover cornerback. He already has elite speed and if he can drop some weight and become even faster, the transition may be a success.
Oakland selects this undersized college DT who should transition to a DE in the XFL. He has the run stopping and pass rushing ability along with nice quickness to make the transition.
Grade B+
Saint Paul Punishers 2033 1.28 WLB William Burnett 33/68 6' 2" 214 lbs Fresno State Vol 34
The Punishers select this college defensive back who has the size and speed to play either safety position in the XFL. If they keep him at LB, he will have to bulk up which will make him lose some of his speed which could work also.
Grade B+
Seattle Barbarians 2033 1.29 CB John Hall 27/71 6' 0" 181 lbs Grambling Vol 26
The 10th of 11 defensive backs to go in the 1st round, Hall has the speed and cover skills to play CB in the XFL but scouts see him as more of a safety due to his intellect and lack of bump and run skills.
Grade B
Washington Warriors 2033 1.30 MLB Raymond Achenbach 37/74 6' 1" 248 lbs California Vol 30
Washington selects this MLB who doesn't have elite speed or cover skills but is considered an all around backer who can man the MLB position especially as part of a 3-4 defense.
Zehlendorf rounds out there roster with this true DE with great speed and quickness coupled with elite strength. A run stuffer who sets the edge with elite level stripping ability.
The last pick in the 1st round in yet another defensive back. He lacks elite speed but definately has elite all around cover skills and if he can have a positive transition to the XFL, he could become a valuable starter.
Another 1st round is in the books and high marks all the way around with only 1 very questionable pick and 1 other pick I didn't like much. As for the rest, A's and B's around but until training camp, none of us will know what we have.
