Well, my offensive big board post was a hit, so let's make another one for the defensive guys with nine more players and let's start working on it the day of the Draft, because my planning skills are in the friggin' toilet. Also, quick side note, the TPEs listed here will be a bit higher than the offensive ones, since between that post and this one, the new season started and some players already got the jump and added new equipment. So that's why we have a player in the 300s here, but we didn't on offense. With that out of the way, let's go.
Defensive Line (Teams with this need:
) (Again, the expansion teams are implied for all positions)
Neither the Yeti nor the Outlaws have a defensive linemen above 200 TPE and they finished second to last and last, respectively, in sacks last season. It's a pretty big need. Yellowknife isn't much better off as they have an aging Zach Skinner, an ineffective Will Foster, and a couple of sub-160 IAs. All three of these teams also ranked in the bottom of the league in run defense, so this would be a useful pick for them.
San Antonio DE Nero Alexander (@shadyshoelace)
Total TPE: 293, Activity Level: Very High
Combine highlights: 2nd in Wonderlic, 1st in 40 Yard Dash, 1st in Bench, 1st in Vert, 1st in Broad, 1st in Shuttle, 4th in 3-Cone Drill among DEs
Here's another player teams are talking about as a possible #1 overall pick. Alexander was a menace in the backfield, stopping everything that happened in front of him. He led what is perhaps the best defense in DSFL history in sacks with eight on the season. He's also been putting in work in the offseason, and had a damn good Combine, netting five first place finishes at his position (mostly against IAs but still). If you need a defensive end, you need to get Nero Alexander, otherwise you may have to wait until next year's DE crop.
Norfolk DT Ricardo Morris (@Roly)
Total TPE: 255, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-3rd in Wonderlic, 1st in 40 Yard Dash, 1st in Bench, 1st in Vert, 1st in Broad, 1st in Shuttle, 2nd in 3-Cone Drill among DTs
In much the same way Nero Alexander paced the field in the Combine amongst DEs, Ricardo Morris did the same among DTs, nabbing five firsts among DTs. Defensive tackles don't put up the flashiest statlines, so when searching for a good prospect here, activity level is paramount, and Morris was super active. He's a recreate who's been here for years and doesn't appear to be going anywhere. Couple that with the work he's put in in the D-League this year, reaching the cutoff in just one season, and there's no reason to assume Morris won't be a star.
Portland DT AJ Lattimer (@TeyonSchavari)
Total TPE: 222, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-3rd in Wonderlic, 2nd in 40 Yard Dash, 2nd in Bench among DTs
AJ Lattimer showed up a week later than the famous wave of Season 14 prospects, but he made up that time rather quickly, finishing the season with a healthy TPE and has stayed busy during the offseason with pressers and other articles. His combine was less than amazing, but he still has some really high potential, and if your team can snag him in the 3rd or so, you're in good hands.
Norfolk DT Ryan Leaf Jr. (@ValorX77)
Total TPE: 104, Activity Level: Medium-High
Combine Highlights: T-3rd in 40 Yard Dash, 3rd in Vert, 3rd in Broad, 2nd in Shuttle, 3rd in 3-Cone Drill among DTs
In the words of Chris Jericho, Ryan Leaf Jr. is the best in the world at what he does, I just don't know what that is. Leaf is a lightening rod of attention, famously getting booted out of Kansas City and changing positions midseason. The move worked though as Leaf found new life at DT, finishing the season with eight TFLs, despite only being a DT for half of a season. Expand those numbers across a full season, and that would be good for third in the league. I think he's gonna fall down the board, but some team will take a chance on him. And whoever does will get a guy who plays angry and makes some great quotes for the press. You can decide if that's worth it.
Linebackers (Teams with this need:
)
The only two linebackers on the New Orleans roster are hovering around 250 TPE or less, and will be hitting regression soon. Uh oh. The Liberty at least have one young stud in K.J. Becker, but literally no one else, and last time I checked, very few teams ran one-linebacker formations. Same goes for the Yeti, they've got Logan Lejune, and not a whole lot else (read as: one IA).
San Antonio LB Quenton Bode (@terriblehippo)
Total TPE: 291, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 1st in 40 Yard Dash, 5th in Bench, 1st in Vert, 1st in Broad, 1st in Shuttle, 3rd in 3-Cone Drill at his position
The man in the middle of the vaunted San Antonio defense is a first-round lock. Everything Bode did this season impressed, finishing the season T-3rd among linebackers in sacks and T-6th in the league in tackles. He also leads all draftable linebackers in TPE, and has been very active in the boards. But perhaps his best work came at the Combine where he mauled the competition en route to four first places at his position. Quenton Bode is one of those guys you put at middle linebacker and then don't worry about the position again for the next decade.
Tijuana LB Johnny Slothface (@slothfacekilla)
Total TPE: 276, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 3rd in 40 Yard Dash, 1st in Bench, 5th in Vert, 5th in Shuttle at his position
If you miss out on Quenton Bode, have no fear, Johnny Slothface is here, and honestly you could go either way between these two. Their activity levels are about the same, with Bode having a slightly higher TPE. The Combine also skews in Bode's direction as well, but Slothface had the edge on the field, finishing second in the D-League in tackles. There's no bad option here, and I've even seen a few mocks where Slothface goes #1 overall. Wouldn't shock me.
San Antonio LB Mo Berry (@Frick_Nasty)
Total TPE: 224-247 (Unsure exactly, someone confirm with me please), Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-1st in Wonderlic, T-2nd in Bench at his position
The best word to describe Mo Berry is versatile, he's a jack of all trades linebacker, who has stated in articles that he's not afraid to play a different position. He was second on his team in tackles, tied for second in sacks, and third in deflections. He didn't do amazing in the Combine in the speed or agility drills, but he showed his brain power by acing the Wonderlic and pumping the iron really well. If you have a need on defense, literally anywhere on defense, Berry should be on your radar.
Kansas City LB Lightsout Lewis (@flyeaglesfly29)
Total TPE: 272, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 3rd in Vert, T-4th in Broad, 2nd in 3-Cone Drill at his position
Lightsout Lewis has made a very big name for himself in a very short amount of time. Despite being a relative newcomer, he's already a co-GM for the Coyotes. He'll in part be responsible for helping KC become more functional, and if he can do that, he should probably be considered for knighthood. And his TPE is definitely nothing to sneeze at. However, on the field, he was merely alright, and at the Combine, it was more of the same. Lewis has boom or bust potential, but the boom would net you not only an elite linebacker, but also an elite front office guy. Worth looking into, if you ask me.
Portland LB Lanzer Grievous (@Rising Equinox)
Total TPE: 260, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-1st in Wonderlic, T-4th in 40 Yard Dash, 3rd in Broad, T-2nd in Shuttle, 4th in 3-Cone Drill at his position
A lot of the stuff that you can use to describe Lanzer Grievous's accomplishes can be described as very good. Maybe not elite, but definitely very good. For instance, his TPE is past the cutoff, but still fourth among linebackers, very good. He came in first in the Wonderlic at his position and had five top-four drills among linebackers, very good. On the field, he had 92 tackles, three forced fumbles, and helped his team win an Ultimini. Very. Good. Grevious isn't receiving as much attention as other linebackers, and I think that means Grievous may fall a little bit in the draft, and he'll have a chip on his shoulder. I'm interested in seeing how that'll manifest in the majors.
Palm Beach LB Guy Nikko (@Duress)
Total TPE: 236, Activity Level: High
Combine Highlights: T-1st in Wonderlic, 2nd in Vert, 2nd in Broad, 4th in Shuttle, 1st in 3-Cone Drill
Guy Nikko is very good at hitting the guy who has the ball, especially when that guy is the quarterback. He led the D-League in sacks with ten, despite the fact that by mid-season, he was getting double-teamed at all times. Nikko might be the best pure pass rusher in this draft class. However, not a whole lot else stands out, and he might be a one-trick pony. But that one trick is a really cool trick. If he's to succeed, he needs to be on a team with quality defenders, so that he can be free to beat his man, and then the quarterback. Throw in a strong combine and solid TPE numbers and this could be a steal of a pick.
Palm Beach LB Tony Gabagool (@shipwreckrising)
Total TPE: 230, Activity Level: High
Combine Highlights: 4th in Vert, T-4th in Broad, 5th in 3-Cone Drill at his position
The center of the "Palm Beach Penetration", Tony Gabagool looks to be a very strong middle of the field guardian. He was fifth in the league in tackles, despite the fact that the guy next to him, Rock Hardshaft pilfered a good chunk of those tackles from him. He played at a high level, and his TPE has risen to a good level as well. Unfortunately, his Combine was pretty lackluster, and he hasn't been posting as much as some of his contemporaries. But he's a strong player, and I like what I've seen from the guy.
Palm Beach LB Rock Hardshaft (@Rouchicus)
Total TPE: 186, Activity Level: High
Combine Highlights: T-2nd in Bench at his position
Despite being projected lower than some of his fellow Solar Bears, Rock Hardshaft looked like the most complete player on the field for Palm Beach. He was neck-and-neck with Gabagool for tackles with 115, good for a tie for sixth. He also threw in four sacks and a forced fumble. Not bad, but he disappointed in other facets. His Combine was subpar, only really standing out in the bench press, and he's hasn't farmed as much TPE as others with a similar amount of activity. It's easy for me to imagine him being able to figure it out in the majors, although I think one more year in the D-League will do him some good. But, that's not a guarantee.
Norfolk LB Marques Acho (@Huskies311)
Total TPE: 181, Activity Level: Medium-High
Combine Highlights: T-2nd in Bench at his position
A lot of the stuff that I said about Rock Hardshaft could be copy-pasted into my thoughts on Marques Acho, but there are a couple of small differences. Acho was slightly better on the field, netting some deflections and even a pick-six, neither of which Hardshaft did. However, Acho hasn't updated his page since before the Ultimini. He's been doing stuff, and if he posted it, I'd move him up higher, but for now, I don't know exactly what I'm getting from Acho. He is still active, so I'm sure it'll be something positive.
Cornerbacks (Teams with this need: )
With the departure of Vander Jones, Philadelphia needs someone at cornerback ASAP that hopefully won't languish in the DSFL forever. The Second Line managed to resign their lone corner on the roster, but he's an IA, and that definitely won't cut it. And the Yeti need someone to compliment Beau Montgomery.
Portland CB Emondov Emoji (@BWIII)
Total TPE: 318, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 1st in 40 Yard Dash, 1st in Vert, 1st in Broad, 1st in Shuttle, 1st in 3-Cone Drill at his position
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new high score. The only thing that you can really fault Emondov Emoji on is that he had a really hard time snagging interceptions. He only had one pick on the season, but he was still tied for third in the D-League in deflections, so he's at least making sure the other team doesn't catch it. Aside from that one blemish, this dude is aces across the board. He dominated the Combine, with five first place finishes at his position. He has the highest TPE that I've seen so far, although maybe Landers, Marshall, or Jensen are close with new equipment. And he's a long-time user, who might be Philly's GM. If so, that looks like a prime place for him to land.
Portland CB Xerxes Ridley (@plantane)
Total TPE: 285, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 4th in Wonderlic, 2nd in 40 Yard Dash, T-2nd in Bench, 3rd in Vert, 2nd in Broad, 2nd in Shuttle at his position
Look, I've read ahead, and this is a good year to need a secondary member, trust me. Xerxes Ridley is about at the same level as Emoji, and again, it's a coin flip on who I'd take. They posted similar numbers on the field. Ridley's TPE is just a few ticks lower than Emoji's, and Ridley's Combine numbers were right there with Emoji's, and Ridley had the higher Wonderlic score. If you have a need at cornerback, and both are available, you can't go wrong.
Norfolk CB Lucas Knight (@ven_knight)
Total TPE: 249, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-1st in Wonderlic, 3rd in 40 Yard Dash, T-2nd in Bench, 4th in Vert, T-3rd in Broad, 4th in Shuttle at his position
Lucas Knight is one of those guys who I could see going to a number of different places. He had, in my opinion, the best season of any cornerback who'll be drafted here. He notched five INTs, and got 78 tackles, which led all cornerbacks. If he didn't pick the ball off, he'd make you pay for catching it. He also did solidly at the Combine, and he's stayed very active in the community. Knight is a solid pick, and I think he'll be off the board by the end of the third round.
Palm Beach CB Deon Taylor (@BrewCrew)
Total TPE: 220, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-1st in Wonderlic, 4th in 40 Yard Dash, 1st in Bench, 2nd in Vert, T-3rd in Broad, 3rd in Shuttle, 2nd in 3-Cone Drill at his position
Deon Taylor is the only other cornerback left who's even a little active, so I think that after the first three go off the board, Taylor will go soon after because there's not much left after him. That's not to say I wouldn't want Taylor on my team. He played well this season, he's been staying very busy this offseason with big articles, and his Combine was a pretty good one. But in a few big places, like TPE and on-field production, he was a step or two behind the other corners. Still, he'll be a player that'll be heavily sought after when the draft comes around.
Free Safeties (Teams with this need:
)
Safeties are going to be interesting because there aren't a ton of needs out there, but this is a pretty strong safety class. So don't be surprised if we see some of these guys fall. Also, since the Combine graded all of the safeties together, all of the Combine rankings and team needs will be grouped together. Anyway, Baltimore needs to find a replacement for the rapidly aging Blackford Oates, who's deep into regression. Arizona only has one safety and he's IA. And Colorado has a couple of young players who don't seem like long-term fixes.
Portland FS Richard D'Attoria V (@124715)
Total TPE: 271, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 1st in 40 Yard Dash, 5th in Bench, 1st in Vert, 1st in Broad, 1st in Shuttle, 1st in 3-Cone Drill among safeties
Richard D'Attoria V is the perfect template for a hard-hitting blitzing safety. He led the D-League in sacks amongst safeties with seven, next closest had four. He forced a pair of fumbles and recovered three of them. On top of that, he's a recreate whose user has been around for a long time, so you know you're getting a player who'll keep improving, year after year. And his Combine, holy cow his Combine. First places in five different drills between both free and strong safeties. If you have any sort of need at safety, draft RD5. Just do it.
San Antonio FS Walt Green (@Duilio05)
Total TPE: 281, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-2nd in Wonderlic, 3rd in 40 Yard Dash, 3rd in Broad, 3rd in Shuttle, T-2nd in 3-Cone Drill among safeties
The first half of Walt Green's rookie season is going to go into the history books as a monumental success. After that, teams wisely stopped throwing to him, but he still finished the season with seven INTs, only behind his record-breaking teammate Vander Jones. Green had a very strong Combine, coming up right behind D'Attoria in a lot of the categories his dominated. He also has the most posts of any rookie I've seen so far, so he's very involved in the community. This is a guy who seems like he'll be doing this for a while, so he'll be a highly coveted player.
Norfolk FS Logan Uchiha (@CalvinP)
Total TPE: 186, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 1st in Wonderlic among safeties
Two things leap out at you when you look at Logan Uchiha. #1: he emerged as a Defensive Player of the Year contender in the second half of the season; he ended the season with 103 tackles and ten TFLs (both are most among the secondary members) and six INTs (two of which were pick sixes). #2, he had the highest Wonderlic score of any defender. He's got a great mind for the game, and can read quarterbacks with ease. Unfortunately, he had a poor Combine outside the Wonderlic, and his TPE isn't on the same level as the elite safety prospects. But still, he's a big play threat with a knack for turning around the field.
Palm Beach FS Quentin Sinclair (@MaxGnarland)
Total TPE: 152, Activity Level: High
Combine Highlights: 5th in 40 Yard Dash, T-4th in Shuttle, 5th in 3-Cone Drill among safeties
The best thing that you can say about Quentin Sinclair is that he's active and trying to improve. Aside from that, there wasn't a whole lot to get excited about. His activity level is good, but it could be better. His TPE isn't very good for someone who's been active all season. And his Combine left a lot to be desired. He's trying though, and hopefully some teams see that level of effort.
Strong Safeties
Palm Beach SS Fatih Terim (@Eco)
Total TPE: 263, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 5th in Wonderlic, 2nd in Bench, 3rd in Vert, 5th in Broad among safeties
Fatih Terim had a very solid season, but that is only scratching the surface when it comes to his worth as a player (although 77 tackles and two sacks ain't bad). He's a very active member of the community, posting fantastic graphics all the time, and collecting tons of TPE. His Combine numbers were pretty good, with his best showing coming in the bench press. He's a good strong safety, and I think he'll make some team very happy in an early round.
Palm Beach SS Lamont McKinnie (@SouljaBoy2007)
Total TPE: 250, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 4th in Wonderlic, 4th in 40 Yard Dash, 5th in Vert, 4th in Broad, T-4th in Shuttle, 4th in 3-Cone Drill among safeties
Lamont McKinnie didn't put up jaw-dropping stats, but he played very solidly for Palm Beach this season and did what was asked of him. 79 tackles and two TFLs are pretty good, but less so when you realize those were the only numbers he put up. He's been very active in the Discord and on this site, and he's racked up a good amount of TPE. His Combine was pretty good, with top-fives in six of the seven drills at his position, but nothing leaps out at you. McKinnie is simply a solid player, who'll need to do some serious work to take that next step.
Tijuana SS Troy Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (@Sir Earl)
Total TPE: 175, Activty Level: High
Combine Highlights: 2nd in 40 Yard Dash, 3rd in Bench, 2nd in Vert, 2nd in Broad, 2nd in Shuttle, T-2nd in 3-Cone Drill
I like a lot of the stuff I've seen from Troy Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (just gonna copy that real quick to make things easier for me). His Combine grades were neck-and-neck with Walt Green, which is to say he did pretty well there. His 98 tackles led all strong safeties, and he record a forced fumble with a recovery. I just think we could see a little bit more from him, in both his TPE levels and his activity levels. He could develop into something really special, so can an eye out for (Ctrl-V) Humuhumunukunukuapua'a.
Norfolk SS Giannis Kroustis (@`AirCrou`)
Total TPE: 187, Activity Level: High
Combine Highlights: No top-5s finishes among safeties
Giannis Kroustis had probably the best on-field performance of all the strong safeties on the board, with four sacks and a pick to go along with his 73 tackles. However, he bombed his Combine, finishing with no top-5 grades at his position. Maybe he just had a bad day there. He has been staying busy with his "Unfiltered" series, but even with that, he hasn't been making as many posts as his peers, and his TPE shows. I think he'll still be a quality player, but maybe not much more.
Norfolk SS Jack Rambo (@oz3700)
Total TPE: 180, Activity Level: Medium
Combine Highlights: T-2nd in Wonderlic, 4th in Bench among safeties
Jack Rambo seems like he's doing about the minimum he needs to get by. He was just decent on the Seawolves, with just 71 tackles and four sacks to his credit. The only posts he's made are his creation page, update page, and a couple of graphics, and he hasn't commented much. His Combine could've been better, but he did flex those brain muscles and regular muscles while he was there. 180 TPE is a pretty number, but I'd really like to see it improve.
4066 words
Defensive Line (Teams with this need:
) (Again, the expansion teams are implied for all positions) Neither the Yeti nor the Outlaws have a defensive linemen above 200 TPE and they finished second to last and last, respectively, in sacks last season. It's a pretty big need. Yellowknife isn't much better off as they have an aging Zach Skinner, an ineffective Will Foster, and a couple of sub-160 IAs. All three of these teams also ranked in the bottom of the league in run defense, so this would be a useful pick for them.
San Antonio DE Nero Alexander (@shadyshoelace) Total TPE: 293, Activity Level: Very High
Combine highlights: 2nd in Wonderlic, 1st in 40 Yard Dash, 1st in Bench, 1st in Vert, 1st in Broad, 1st in Shuttle, 4th in 3-Cone Drill among DEs
Here's another player teams are talking about as a possible #1 overall pick. Alexander was a menace in the backfield, stopping everything that happened in front of him. He led what is perhaps the best defense in DSFL history in sacks with eight on the season. He's also been putting in work in the offseason, and had a damn good Combine, netting five first place finishes at his position (mostly against IAs but still). If you need a defensive end, you need to get Nero Alexander, otherwise you may have to wait until next year's DE crop.
Norfolk DT Ricardo Morris (@Roly) Total TPE: 255, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-3rd in Wonderlic, 1st in 40 Yard Dash, 1st in Bench, 1st in Vert, 1st in Broad, 1st in Shuttle, 2nd in 3-Cone Drill among DTs
In much the same way Nero Alexander paced the field in the Combine amongst DEs, Ricardo Morris did the same among DTs, nabbing five firsts among DTs. Defensive tackles don't put up the flashiest statlines, so when searching for a good prospect here, activity level is paramount, and Morris was super active. He's a recreate who's been here for years and doesn't appear to be going anywhere. Couple that with the work he's put in in the D-League this year, reaching the cutoff in just one season, and there's no reason to assume Morris won't be a star.
Portland DT AJ Lattimer (@TeyonSchavari) Total TPE: 222, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-3rd in Wonderlic, 2nd in 40 Yard Dash, 2nd in Bench among DTs
AJ Lattimer showed up a week later than the famous wave of Season 14 prospects, but he made up that time rather quickly, finishing the season with a healthy TPE and has stayed busy during the offseason with pressers and other articles. His combine was less than amazing, but he still has some really high potential, and if your team can snag him in the 3rd or so, you're in good hands.
Norfolk DT Ryan Leaf Jr. (@ValorX77) Total TPE: 104, Activity Level: Medium-High
Combine Highlights: T-3rd in 40 Yard Dash, 3rd in Vert, 3rd in Broad, 2nd in Shuttle, 3rd in 3-Cone Drill among DTs
In the words of Chris Jericho, Ryan Leaf Jr. is the best in the world at what he does, I just don't know what that is. Leaf is a lightening rod of attention, famously getting booted out of Kansas City and changing positions midseason. The move worked though as Leaf found new life at DT, finishing the season with eight TFLs, despite only being a DT for half of a season. Expand those numbers across a full season, and that would be good for third in the league. I think he's gonna fall down the board, but some team will take a chance on him. And whoever does will get a guy who plays angry and makes some great quotes for the press. You can decide if that's worth it.
Linebackers (Teams with this need:
) The only two linebackers on the New Orleans roster are hovering around 250 TPE or less, and will be hitting regression soon. Uh oh. The Liberty at least have one young stud in K.J. Becker, but literally no one else, and last time I checked, very few teams ran one-linebacker formations. Same goes for the Yeti, they've got Logan Lejune, and not a whole lot else (read as: one IA).
San Antonio LB Quenton Bode (@terriblehippo) Total TPE: 291, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 1st in 40 Yard Dash, 5th in Bench, 1st in Vert, 1st in Broad, 1st in Shuttle, 3rd in 3-Cone Drill at his position
The man in the middle of the vaunted San Antonio defense is a first-round lock. Everything Bode did this season impressed, finishing the season T-3rd among linebackers in sacks and T-6th in the league in tackles. He also leads all draftable linebackers in TPE, and has been very active in the boards. But perhaps his best work came at the Combine where he mauled the competition en route to four first places at his position. Quenton Bode is one of those guys you put at middle linebacker and then don't worry about the position again for the next decade.
Tijuana LB Johnny Slothface (@slothfacekilla) Total TPE: 276, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 3rd in 40 Yard Dash, 1st in Bench, 5th in Vert, 5th in Shuttle at his position
If you miss out on Quenton Bode, have no fear, Johnny Slothface is here, and honestly you could go either way between these two. Their activity levels are about the same, with Bode having a slightly higher TPE. The Combine also skews in Bode's direction as well, but Slothface had the edge on the field, finishing second in the D-League in tackles. There's no bad option here, and I've even seen a few mocks where Slothface goes #1 overall. Wouldn't shock me.
San Antonio LB Mo Berry (@Frick_Nasty) Total TPE: 224-247 (Unsure exactly, someone confirm with me please), Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-1st in Wonderlic, T-2nd in Bench at his position
The best word to describe Mo Berry is versatile, he's a jack of all trades linebacker, who has stated in articles that he's not afraid to play a different position. He was second on his team in tackles, tied for second in sacks, and third in deflections. He didn't do amazing in the Combine in the speed or agility drills, but he showed his brain power by acing the Wonderlic and pumping the iron really well. If you have a need on defense, literally anywhere on defense, Berry should be on your radar.
Kansas City LB Lightsout Lewis (@flyeaglesfly29) Total TPE: 272, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 3rd in Vert, T-4th in Broad, 2nd in 3-Cone Drill at his position
Lightsout Lewis has made a very big name for himself in a very short amount of time. Despite being a relative newcomer, he's already a co-GM for the Coyotes. He'll in part be responsible for helping KC become more functional, and if he can do that, he should probably be considered for knighthood. And his TPE is definitely nothing to sneeze at. However, on the field, he was merely alright, and at the Combine, it was more of the same. Lewis has boom or bust potential, but the boom would net you not only an elite linebacker, but also an elite front office guy. Worth looking into, if you ask me.
Portland LB Lanzer Grievous (@Rising Equinox) Total TPE: 260, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-1st in Wonderlic, T-4th in 40 Yard Dash, 3rd in Broad, T-2nd in Shuttle, 4th in 3-Cone Drill at his position
A lot of the stuff that you can use to describe Lanzer Grievous's accomplishes can be described as very good. Maybe not elite, but definitely very good. For instance, his TPE is past the cutoff, but still fourth among linebackers, very good. He came in first in the Wonderlic at his position and had five top-four drills among linebackers, very good. On the field, he had 92 tackles, three forced fumbles, and helped his team win an Ultimini. Very. Good. Grevious isn't receiving as much attention as other linebackers, and I think that means Grievous may fall a little bit in the draft, and he'll have a chip on his shoulder. I'm interested in seeing how that'll manifest in the majors.
Palm Beach LB Guy Nikko (@Duress) Total TPE: 236, Activity Level: High
Combine Highlights: T-1st in Wonderlic, 2nd in Vert, 2nd in Broad, 4th in Shuttle, 1st in 3-Cone Drill
Guy Nikko is very good at hitting the guy who has the ball, especially when that guy is the quarterback. He led the D-League in sacks with ten, despite the fact that by mid-season, he was getting double-teamed at all times. Nikko might be the best pure pass rusher in this draft class. However, not a whole lot else stands out, and he might be a one-trick pony. But that one trick is a really cool trick. If he's to succeed, he needs to be on a team with quality defenders, so that he can be free to beat his man, and then the quarterback. Throw in a strong combine and solid TPE numbers and this could be a steal of a pick.
Palm Beach LB Tony Gabagool (@shipwreckrising) Total TPE: 230, Activity Level: High
Combine Highlights: 4th in Vert, T-4th in Broad, 5th in 3-Cone Drill at his position
The center of the "Palm Beach Penetration", Tony Gabagool looks to be a very strong middle of the field guardian. He was fifth in the league in tackles, despite the fact that the guy next to him, Rock Hardshaft pilfered a good chunk of those tackles from him. He played at a high level, and his TPE has risen to a good level as well. Unfortunately, his Combine was pretty lackluster, and he hasn't been posting as much as some of his contemporaries. But he's a strong player, and I like what I've seen from the guy.
Palm Beach LB Rock Hardshaft (@Rouchicus) Total TPE: 186, Activity Level: High
Combine Highlights: T-2nd in Bench at his position
Despite being projected lower than some of his fellow Solar Bears, Rock Hardshaft looked like the most complete player on the field for Palm Beach. He was neck-and-neck with Gabagool for tackles with 115, good for a tie for sixth. He also threw in four sacks and a forced fumble. Not bad, but he disappointed in other facets. His Combine was subpar, only really standing out in the bench press, and he's hasn't farmed as much TPE as others with a similar amount of activity. It's easy for me to imagine him being able to figure it out in the majors, although I think one more year in the D-League will do him some good. But, that's not a guarantee.
Norfolk LB Marques Acho (@Huskies311) Total TPE: 181, Activity Level: Medium-High
Combine Highlights: T-2nd in Bench at his position
A lot of the stuff that I said about Rock Hardshaft could be copy-pasted into my thoughts on Marques Acho, but there are a couple of small differences. Acho was slightly better on the field, netting some deflections and even a pick-six, neither of which Hardshaft did. However, Acho hasn't updated his page since before the Ultimini. He's been doing stuff, and if he posted it, I'd move him up higher, but for now, I don't know exactly what I'm getting from Acho. He is still active, so I'm sure it'll be something positive.
Cornerbacks (Teams with this need:
) With the departure of Vander Jones, Philadelphia needs someone at cornerback ASAP that hopefully won't languish in the DSFL forever. The Second Line managed to resign their lone corner on the roster, but he's an IA, and that definitely won't cut it. And the Yeti need someone to compliment Beau Montgomery.
Portland CB Emondov Emoji (@BWIII) Total TPE: 318, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 1st in 40 Yard Dash, 1st in Vert, 1st in Broad, 1st in Shuttle, 1st in 3-Cone Drill at his position
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new high score. The only thing that you can really fault Emondov Emoji on is that he had a really hard time snagging interceptions. He only had one pick on the season, but he was still tied for third in the D-League in deflections, so he's at least making sure the other team doesn't catch it. Aside from that one blemish, this dude is aces across the board. He dominated the Combine, with five first place finishes at his position. He has the highest TPE that I've seen so far, although maybe Landers, Marshall, or Jensen are close with new equipment. And he's a long-time user, who might be Philly's GM. If so, that looks like a prime place for him to land.
Portland CB Xerxes Ridley (@plantane) Total TPE: 285, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 4th in Wonderlic, 2nd in 40 Yard Dash, T-2nd in Bench, 3rd in Vert, 2nd in Broad, 2nd in Shuttle at his position
Look, I've read ahead, and this is a good year to need a secondary member, trust me. Xerxes Ridley is about at the same level as Emoji, and again, it's a coin flip on who I'd take. They posted similar numbers on the field. Ridley's TPE is just a few ticks lower than Emoji's, and Ridley's Combine numbers were right there with Emoji's, and Ridley had the higher Wonderlic score. If you have a need at cornerback, and both are available, you can't go wrong.
Norfolk CB Lucas Knight (@ven_knight) Total TPE: 249, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-1st in Wonderlic, 3rd in 40 Yard Dash, T-2nd in Bench, 4th in Vert, T-3rd in Broad, 4th in Shuttle at his position
Lucas Knight is one of those guys who I could see going to a number of different places. He had, in my opinion, the best season of any cornerback who'll be drafted here. He notched five INTs, and got 78 tackles, which led all cornerbacks. If he didn't pick the ball off, he'd make you pay for catching it. He also did solidly at the Combine, and he's stayed very active in the community. Knight is a solid pick, and I think he'll be off the board by the end of the third round.
Palm Beach CB Deon Taylor (@BrewCrew) Total TPE: 220, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-1st in Wonderlic, 4th in 40 Yard Dash, 1st in Bench, 2nd in Vert, T-3rd in Broad, 3rd in Shuttle, 2nd in 3-Cone Drill at his position
Deon Taylor is the only other cornerback left who's even a little active, so I think that after the first three go off the board, Taylor will go soon after because there's not much left after him. That's not to say I wouldn't want Taylor on my team. He played well this season, he's been staying very busy this offseason with big articles, and his Combine was a pretty good one. But in a few big places, like TPE and on-field production, he was a step or two behind the other corners. Still, he'll be a player that'll be heavily sought after when the draft comes around.
Free Safeties (Teams with this need:
) Safeties are going to be interesting because there aren't a ton of needs out there, but this is a pretty strong safety class. So don't be surprised if we see some of these guys fall. Also, since the Combine graded all of the safeties together, all of the Combine rankings and team needs will be grouped together. Anyway, Baltimore needs to find a replacement for the rapidly aging Blackford Oates, who's deep into regression. Arizona only has one safety and he's IA. And Colorado has a couple of young players who don't seem like long-term fixes.
Portland FS Richard D'Attoria V (@124715) Total TPE: 271, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 1st in 40 Yard Dash, 5th in Bench, 1st in Vert, 1st in Broad, 1st in Shuttle, 1st in 3-Cone Drill among safeties
Richard D'Attoria V is the perfect template for a hard-hitting blitzing safety. He led the D-League in sacks amongst safeties with seven, next closest had four. He forced a pair of fumbles and recovered three of them. On top of that, he's a recreate whose user has been around for a long time, so you know you're getting a player who'll keep improving, year after year. And his Combine, holy cow his Combine. First places in five different drills between both free and strong safeties. If you have any sort of need at safety, draft RD5. Just do it.
San Antonio FS Walt Green (@Duilio05) Total TPE: 281, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: T-2nd in Wonderlic, 3rd in 40 Yard Dash, 3rd in Broad, 3rd in Shuttle, T-2nd in 3-Cone Drill among safeties
The first half of Walt Green's rookie season is going to go into the history books as a monumental success. After that, teams wisely stopped throwing to him, but he still finished the season with seven INTs, only behind his record-breaking teammate Vander Jones. Green had a very strong Combine, coming up right behind D'Attoria in a lot of the categories his dominated. He also has the most posts of any rookie I've seen so far, so he's very involved in the community. This is a guy who seems like he'll be doing this for a while, so he'll be a highly coveted player.
Norfolk FS Logan Uchiha (@CalvinP) Total TPE: 186, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 1st in Wonderlic among safeties
Two things leap out at you when you look at Logan Uchiha. #1: he emerged as a Defensive Player of the Year contender in the second half of the season; he ended the season with 103 tackles and ten TFLs (both are most among the secondary members) and six INTs (two of which were pick sixes). #2, he had the highest Wonderlic score of any defender. He's got a great mind for the game, and can read quarterbacks with ease. Unfortunately, he had a poor Combine outside the Wonderlic, and his TPE isn't on the same level as the elite safety prospects. But still, he's a big play threat with a knack for turning around the field.
Palm Beach FS Quentin Sinclair (@MaxGnarland) Total TPE: 152, Activity Level: High
Combine Highlights: 5th in 40 Yard Dash, T-4th in Shuttle, 5th in 3-Cone Drill among safeties
The best thing that you can say about Quentin Sinclair is that he's active and trying to improve. Aside from that, there wasn't a whole lot to get excited about. His activity level is good, but it could be better. His TPE isn't very good for someone who's been active all season. And his Combine left a lot to be desired. He's trying though, and hopefully some teams see that level of effort.
Strong Safeties
Palm Beach SS Fatih Terim (@Eco) Total TPE: 263, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 5th in Wonderlic, 2nd in Bench, 3rd in Vert, 5th in Broad among safeties
Fatih Terim had a very solid season, but that is only scratching the surface when it comes to his worth as a player (although 77 tackles and two sacks ain't bad). He's a very active member of the community, posting fantastic graphics all the time, and collecting tons of TPE. His Combine numbers were pretty good, with his best showing coming in the bench press. He's a good strong safety, and I think he'll make some team very happy in an early round.
Palm Beach SS Lamont McKinnie (@SouljaBoy2007) Total TPE: 250, Activity Level: Very High
Combine Highlights: 4th in Wonderlic, 4th in 40 Yard Dash, 5th in Vert, 4th in Broad, T-4th in Shuttle, 4th in 3-Cone Drill among safeties
Lamont McKinnie didn't put up jaw-dropping stats, but he played very solidly for Palm Beach this season and did what was asked of him. 79 tackles and two TFLs are pretty good, but less so when you realize those were the only numbers he put up. He's been very active in the Discord and on this site, and he's racked up a good amount of TPE. His Combine was pretty good, with top-fives in six of the seven drills at his position, but nothing leaps out at you. McKinnie is simply a solid player, who'll need to do some serious work to take that next step.
Tijuana SS Troy Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (@Sir Earl) Total TPE: 175, Activty Level: High
Combine Highlights: 2nd in 40 Yard Dash, 3rd in Bench, 2nd in Vert, 2nd in Broad, 2nd in Shuttle, T-2nd in 3-Cone Drill
I like a lot of the stuff I've seen from Troy Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (just gonna copy that real quick to make things easier for me). His Combine grades were neck-and-neck with Walt Green, which is to say he did pretty well there. His 98 tackles led all strong safeties, and he record a forced fumble with a recovery. I just think we could see a little bit more from him, in both his TPE levels and his activity levels. He could develop into something really special, so can an eye out for (Ctrl-V) Humuhumunukunukuapua'a.
Norfolk SS Giannis Kroustis (@`AirCrou`) Total TPE: 187, Activity Level: High
Combine Highlights: No top-5s finishes among safeties
Giannis Kroustis had probably the best on-field performance of all the strong safeties on the board, with four sacks and a pick to go along with his 73 tackles. However, he bombed his Combine, finishing with no top-5 grades at his position. Maybe he just had a bad day there. He has been staying busy with his "Unfiltered" series, but even with that, he hasn't been making as many posts as his peers, and his TPE shows. I think he'll still be a quality player, but maybe not much more.
Norfolk SS Jack Rambo (@oz3700) Total TPE: 180, Activity Level: Medium
Combine Highlights: T-2nd in Wonderlic, 4th in Bench among safeties
Jack Rambo seems like he's doing about the minimum he needs to get by. He was just decent on the Seawolves, with just 71 tackles and four sacks to his credit. The only posts he's made are his creation page, update page, and a couple of graphics, and he hasn't commented much. His Combine could've been better, but he did flex those brain muscles and regular muscles while he was there. 180 TPE is a pretty number, but I'd really like to see it improve.
4066 words
![[Image: YiIFAGN.png]](https://i.imgur.com/YiIFAGN.png)
Jurisprudence Jones, OL ![[Image: cYhSwFY.png]](https://i.imgur.com/cYhSwFY.png)
![[Image: left.gif]](https://s3.gifyu.com/images/left.gif)
![[Image: right.gif]](https://s3.gifyu.com/images/right.gif)
![[Image: 63889_s.gif]](https://signavatar.com/63889_s.gif)
![[Image: 0MdTrck.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/0MdTrck.jpg)
![[Image: VV-KCC-Sig.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/0jDDFwbL/VV-KCC-Sig.png)
![[Image: Ayame-CTC.gif]](https://i.postimg.cc/dtt99ZSP/Ayame-CTC.gif)
