*S15 - Top 3 at Each Position Draft Preview

[flyeaglesfly29]

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Ready to be graded - Double Draft Media - 4,621 Words

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Top 3 at Each Position[/div]

As the super exciting draft season is upon us I wanted to take the opportunity to go over the amazing draft prospects that we have from this incredibly large class of DSFL Rookies that will possibly be moving on to the next level in the coming weeks. While I could sit here and do a write up on every player with time being a factor, I will go over the top 3 prospects at each position and give you my thoughts on them. I will give you some insight on these player's season performance, but I will also be looking into how active these guys are as well, which will effect the ranking process. Let's get started:

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Quarterback[/div]

Normally by all the accounts the most important position on the field is quarterback, however from what I have seen in the sim this past season, that may not always be the case. Regardless the position is very important when it comes to effecting the way your offense gels and getting points on the board. Another thing that is possibly overlooked is the quality of leadership these guys can bring to their respected locker rooms, which is something that I think can go a lot further than just their performances on the field.

1. Franklin Armstrong - - @moonlight

Currently sitting at 249 TPE which will certainly be at the 250 DSFL cap by the time the draft rolls around, Franklin Armstrong is my number one QB available by leaps and bounds. I'm not sure how many positions in this draft will have such a large margin of drop off like the QB position when it comes to talent and draft stock. Armstrong was selected as QB1 for the NFC Pro Bowl roster and I would be highly surprised if he was not the first QB drafted in the upcoming NSFL draft. Throwing more touchdowns than anyone else (22) in his rookie season and having the highest QB rating at 86% doesn't hurt my argument for sure, but I could also tell you about his all around involvement! I saw this personally when I was drafted by the Pythons and constantly saw Franklin staying involved in the discord and on the site as well. He has obviously been very active and that shows in regards of how much TPE he has already gained. I think that any team that makes Franklin Armstrong their pick as QB moving forward will be very happy with that decision.

2. Jay Longshaw - - @dropbear

At a modest 198 TPE total as of April 20th, Jay Longshaw comes in at number 2 in the QB rankings for me. Certainly a busy user, dropbear is also a NSFL GM, his player Jay Longshaw is making strides at becoming a force to deal with in the future. While I am pretty positive that Longshaw will be drafted given that we have 2 expansion teams and reallocation of players that is taking place right now, I could also see Longshaw benefitting from another season down in the DSFL. Only throwing 11 tds compared to 14 interceptions while posting a 65.7% quarterback rating is something that scouts have to consider when making Longshaw their plan for the future at the QB position. Another thing to consider for Longshaw is that he had a great group of receivers around him in Norfolk and that someone scares me when talking about is production. Being a run first team in Norfolk, I would just like to see more positives with his play vs the "middle of the pack" type play we've seen so far.

3. Apollo Lange - - @RohnJobert

Rounding out the top 3 quarterbacks is Apollo Lange. I'm slightly worried about his activity since it seems like he hasn't been around in a few weeks, but nevertheless when his last update was done, Lange was at 139 TPE. Obviously a very likely candidate to be sent back down to the DSFL after being drafted, Lange's activity and on the field performance both solidify this in my mind. Finishing the year with 10 tds with and an underwhelming 21 interceptions (58.8% QBR), Lange definitely needs time to develop before he can be counted on as viable replacement for anyone in the NSFL. However I will say that one thing Lange has going in his favor is his running ability. Apollo finished the season with 220 rushing yards which is leaps and bounds ahead of his other QB competition in this draft. There are things to build on here for Lange if he is willing to put in the work!

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Running Back[/div]

1. Morgan Marshall - - @`EnfysNest`

I am not a big fan of doing NFL comparisons when I'm writing things like this, but if I am being honest, Morgan Marshall may be the closest thing to Saquan Barkley that this NSFL draft has to offer. Marshall is a stud prospect in all aspects of the meaning. Leading the league in rushing with 1513 yards and tacking on 13 tds to go with it make him by far the best available RB in this draft. But to be compared to Barkley, you have to be an all around player and Marshall is that as well given that he finished second amongst running backs with 42 receptions for 336 yards and the most tds at 6. Oh and I haven't even mentioned his TPE yet which is currently at 236, which will most likely be at the 250 cap before draft day. Depending on team needs, I would not be surprised if Marshall was the number 1 overall pick in the draft, but I am 100% sure he will be taken in the first round!

2. Forrest Gump - - @TomHanks

The ability to score can not be underestimated and that is exactly what Forrest Gump did more than any other RB this season finishing with an astonishing 18 rushing tds. He finished 6th in the DSFL in rushing yards with 1070, adding in 15 receptions for 91 yards and 1 td. Gump's ability to finish is not the only thing to be considered here either, he also finished with 5.2 ypc which was the 2nd highest amongst running backs with at least 200 carries. As of 4/23/19 Gump is at 215 TPE, which I could see increasing quite a bit by the time the draft rolls around and the "man behind the man" also just became Co-Gm of the Luchadores, so his activity is not even a question. I'm a fan of Forrest and I think he could be one of the good ones that comes out of this "Box of Chocolates" we call life.

3. Terry Taffy - - @KingCollins

This pick is almost completely based on TPE gained and because I know the ups and downs that Taffy had to deal with throughout this season. When you consider the involvement and the consistent gaining of TPE, like I am doing here with this, then selecting Taffy as a top 3 RB prospect is understandable. After becoming the lead back in Kansas City, Taffy finished the year with 837 yards rushing (4.2 YPC) and 2 rushing tds. Taffy also had the most receptions by any RB with 43 for a total of 390 yards. The thing that I can say about Taffy though is that he is a team player and that is also evident when you look at his return stats. Taffy had more return yards than anyone in the league with 897 KR/PR yards and he is the only player to return a kickoff for a touchdown this season. If Taffy is the third running back off the board in the upcoming draft then he has to be considered a steal in my opinion.

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Wide Receiver[/div]

1. Ahri Espeeyeeseetee - - @steelsound

Getting to the wide receiver position and choosing where to slot each of these guys was a little tough. Ahri did not put up the most numbers or have the highest amount of TPE, but what he does have is an awesome mix of the two. Sitting at 222 TPE, Ahri is second to only one person in TPE amongst wide receivers. On the field he hauled in 75 catches for 873 and 4 tds in his rookie season as apart of the dynamic duo in Norfolk. Ahri is very active and is consistently making his player better with each update. I believe that he will be fighting with his fellow teammate Brock Landers moving forward to see who can gain the most TPE, but that just means that whatever team drafts these guys get a win! The last thing that I will say about Ahri is that he may have the most clever name in the DSFL and I respect that!

2. Brock Landers - - @gucci

I had a hard time not putting Brock Landers number one on this list and many could make an argument for him at that spot, but regardless here we are. Landers has amassed an incredible 260 TPE (minus his new equipment, which puts him at 292 TPE total) somehow and will be looking to beat out his teammate Mr. Respect for the title of first WR taken in the draft. Finishing the year with 57 catches for 727 and only 1 td, Lander's numbers are not eye-popping by any means, but the rate at which he has gained TPE is. Hopefully his ability to gain that TPE will carry over to his play on the field moving forward. Any GM who doesn't take this guy early in the draft would be making a big mistake if you ask me.

3. Rod Tidwell - - @SDCore

Now here is the man who had the most production at his position this season and the only reason why I don't have him ranked as the number 1 overall at WR is because of him being lower in TPE than the 2 guys above him. At 225 TPE as of 4/23/19, Rod Tidwell is third amongst his position in total gains, but there will be an NSFL Gm that will "show this man the money" this week. Tidwell had 78 catches for 902 yards and 5 touchdowns on the season. While I made the mistake of giving this man another person's stats the first time around, I also missed the fact that he lead the entire league in receptions. Could Tidwell be the next PPR fantasy monster at the next level?

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Tight End[/div]

1. Chase Jensen - - @dizzyDC

This one hurts my heart a little bit, but it isn't about being friendly, it's about being fair. Chase Jensen got a head start on the other tight ends in this group and it shows with his 285 TPE earned. He also performed very well on the field this season with 817 yards on 65 receptions, but only 1 TD. Not converting more of those catches into touchdowns does concern me, but that could also be more about the QB and the surrounding weapons than about Chase himself. Being a fellow DSFL GM I know that Dizzy will continue to stay involved and the GMs at the next level know that to, which is why I project Jensen as a first round pick!

2. Cameron Olsen - - @Rradum

The number 2 man on this, Cameron Olsen is pretty damn cool, but I may be slightly bias since we run the Coyotes together and consider one another friends. However, his TPE consumption speaks for itself. Olsen has gained 245 TPE in his rookie season which couples well with his 66 Receptions (highest among all TE) for 453 yards and 3 tds. Given the up and down nature of the Coyotes offense this season before we took over, it is understandable how the "Leaf Effect" could hurt his production. Nevertheless, Olsen stayed active and made the best out of a bad situation. I highly doubt that he falls past the second round and I know for a fact that any team who drafts him is getting a star in the making!

3. Jammerson Irving - - @contacts

At number 3 you have the speedster Jammerson Irving. He is a lot faster than any of the other tight ends in this group and that's for sure. At 203 TPE as of 4/18/19, Jammerson is a bit behind his cohorts at this position but not by a huge amount. On the field Irving finished third in receptions from this group at 62 and was right in the middle of the pack in receiving yards with 574. Irving did catch one TD on the season, but I will say that I am a little surprised he wasn't able to do more with the speed he has. Regardless, if Irving keeps it up I think that he can definitely be a contributor at the next level.

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Offensive Line[/div]

1. Brave Ulysses - - @PaytonM34

When I got to the offensive lineman, I was not expecting to find someone that was leaps and bounds past the competition but that is exactly what happened! Brave Ulysses is so far ahead of the other players at this position that I could see him getting drafted 5 rounds earlier than any other offensive lineman. Brave has amassed 218 TPE this season and will most certainly be the first lineman taken in the NSFL draft. Ulysses only gave up 1 sack the entire season and that was against your's truly! I couldn't let you forget about that one haha!

2. Edmond Beaver-Dantes - - @Beaver

Here is where we end the offensive linemen section of the article and it is another player from the Luchadores. This is also where you could make an argument for different types of dedication. I am by no means knocking Beaver or claiming that he is not dedicated but his fellow teammate was able to put up 46 more TPE than him this season and that is what really separates the two players. At a modest 172 TPE, Beaver-Dantes only gave up 2 sacks on the season and will most likely be drafted to an NSFL squad. While Beaver-Dantes may spend another season in the DSFL, there is absolutely nothing wrong with perfecting and gaining more experience for your player.

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Defensive Line[/div]

1. Nero Alexander - - @shadyshoelace

Well if this guy isn't a consensus pick then I'm not sure who is. I would compare Nero Alexander as a lock to be great the same way that I did with his teammate Morgan Marshall. Nero has gained 262 TPE this season and has to be the front runner for DSFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Great speed and strength, Nero can do it all if you ask me. A very complete player. Alexander finished the season with 41 tackles, 12 for loss and 8 sacks from his defensive end position and it won't be long before he is sacking qbs in the NSFL. I'm calling it now that Nero will be a top 10 pick come draft time for sure!

2. Ricardo Morris - - @Roly

The big man in the middle is not to be taken lightly! Ricardo Morris is stud defensive tackle and will be treated as such in the upcoming draft. Falling just behind Nero Alexander with a total of 255 TPE, Morris leads all defensive tackles and is second amongst defensive linemen. The leader at his position in tackles at 39 coupled with 6 sacks, Morris has shown that he can make life hell for opposing quarterbacks, even when facing a double team majority of the time. I look for him to make an immediate impact in the NSFL at his position!

3. AJ Lattimer - - @TeyonSchavari

When you look at AJ Lattimer's performance vs his TPE gained there are some questions to be answered as to how his production on the field was not higher, but also knowing how things work in Portland and the great group of linebackers that he had behind him it is a little more understandable. Going into this draft AJ has put himself in a great position with 214 TPE and finished his season with the Pythons by having 22 tackles and 1 for a loss. While the numbers aren't huge, the reality of the situation is that Lattimer had awesome linebackers playing behind him and him taking on the blocks so that they could make plays isn't something that is tracked in the stat book. I think that AJ Lattimer's talents are at a premium and will be recognized at the next level.

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Linebacker[/div]

1. Johnny Slothface - - @slothfacekilla

Given that this is the position that I play, it is also the position that I pay the most attention to. I like to scout out my competition and to see the guys that are doing what I do succeed as well. With that being said, that is exactly what Johnny Slothface has done this season. Leading all linebackers with 269 TPE, Slothface will most likely reap the benefits of being a top 5 pick in the draft because of his dedication. On the field, Johnny finished the year with 123 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 3 pass deflections. Slothface fell 2nd in the league in tackles but he was first amongst the season 15 rookies. I look forward to measuring myself against him in the NSFL.

2. Lanzer Grievous - - @Rising Equinox

A former teammate of mine and a fellow LB, Lanzer Grievous is doing big things in the TPE department with 252 TPE total. His performance on the field was not as great as the guy below him on this list, but I believe there is something to be said for building the best player possible and it seems to me like that is what he is doing here. Lanzer contributed 92 tackles, 1 for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 1 sack, and 4 pass deflections while playing next to the league leader in tackles. I would call that a very solid season if you ask me. I have no doubt that Lanzer will be impactful in the NSFL and look forward to see how he continues to progress.

3. Quenton Bode - - @terriblehippo

I will not lie, I had took quite a bit of time when choosing the third linebacker on this list because of TPE gained. I could have selected myself here with my 240 TPE gained, but I also didn't play at the linebacker position all season and that skewed my numbers dramatically. I also wanted to take into account performance on the field and when you do that, Ouenton Bode is the obvious answer to me. With 231 TPE along with his performance on the field, he had to be on this list. To say that Bode is an all around linebacker seems to be an understatement and here's his stat line: 115 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 6 sacks, 2 interceptions, 6 pass deflections, and 1 td. I wasn't quite sure if that was ever going to end, but you get the point! Bode is everywhere like the wind apparently and that is why he will be joining a NSFL team near you very soon.

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Cornerback[/div]

1. Xerxes Ridley - - @plantane

Another former teammate in both the prospect bowl series and the DSFL, Xerxes Ridley has made a name for himself this season at the cornerback position and now his dedication will pay off by getting him drafted to the next level. At 217 TPE, Xerxes is the highest rated player at his position and could be the top man taken at the position, but that's only if the number 2 man on this list doesn't have a thing or two say about that. Ridley finished the season with 50 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, and 11 pass deflections. Something that can make add to the value of Ridley in the NSFL is his return ability. When him and I played together in the prospect bowl series he was pretty dominant in that aspect. I wish you luck my former fellow teammate!

2. Lucas Knight - - @ven_knight

While writing this article and covering the defensive side of the ball, I am having a hard time figuring out how my prospect bowl team did not win absolutely everything given how many of the top players at each position were on that defense and guess what....here's another one in Lucas Knight. Now apart of the Norfolk Seawolves, Lucas Knight has put himself in position to fight Xerxes Ridley for the crown of best cornerback in the DSFL. Lucas has gained a total of 216 TPE this season and will not have to wait to long before hearing his name called on draft night. Leading all cornerbacks with 78 tackles, Lucas also contributed 5 interceptions, 13 pass deflections, and 1 td this season. Picking Knight or Ridley as your building block corner in the NSFL is a decision that should make any GM a happy man. Like I said above, I wish you luck my former fellow teammate!

3. Deon Taylor - - @BrewCrew

They say that "your learn something new everyday" and that is the case here. I mean no ill will at all by saying this, but until I started doing my research for this article I was not aware of the man they call Deon Taylor from the Palm Beach Solar Bears. After getting my facts straight, I quickly realized that Taylor had to be included in this list after a great performance this year. Deon Taylor contributed 75 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 9 pass deflections this season for the Solar Bears and also took over the TPE lead amongst his position today while I was writing this article at 220 TPE total. Just like Taylor shot up this list, I could see him doing the same thing when the draft rolls around this coming week. Good luck sir!

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Free Safety[/div]

1. Walt Green - - @Duilio05

Well what do you know....I get to the free safety portion of this and I find another member of my prospect bowl team, Mr. Walt Green. I knew way back when that Walt was going to be awesome and that certainly showed through this season. Green has been a TPE monster and is now sitting at 249 TPE going into this draft. Walt finished this season with 66 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 7(!!!) interceptions, and 17 pass deflections. Do you know who led all S15 rookies in pass deflections and interceptions....two fingers pointing right at Walt Green. The guy is a ballhawk and I've said it all along that when someone can create turnovers they are a rare commodity. Like my other former teammates, I wish you luck sir!

2. Richard D'Attoria - - @124715

I am trying not to sound redundant at this point, but when you have been surrounded by greatness you have to point it out. That is the case once again with Richard D'Attoria. We played with one another for a short period of time while I was a part of the Portland Pythons and I would say that he is one of the players that I missed the most when I made the switch over to KCC. But enough about the past, let's talk about the future, and in Richard's case it looks to be a bright one. As of 4/23/19, D'Attoria is sitting right behind Walt Green with 247 TPE and that was the deciding factor for the most part when I decided how to rank these free safeties. Richard contributed 64 tackles, 1 for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 7 sacks (???), 1 interception, and 1 pass deflection this season while he played what I would call the rover position. When you are playing all over the field literally, you have the chance to do a little bit of everything and his stats mirror that. I will finish this piece on Richard with another trivia question: Do you know who led all secondary players in the DSFL this season in sacks...oh yeah, I just told you all about him!

3. Logan Uchiha - - @CalvinP

Last but certainly not least, especially when you are talking stats is Logan Uchiha, the leader of the Norfolk Seawolve Defense in my opinion. Logan might be thinking of giving himself the nickname "Wolverine" because he is putting up the "X" on opposing offenses. Logan is low on the TPE totum poll right now at 186 TPE, but you couldn't tell by his performance on the field. 103 tackles, 10 for loss, 1 forced fumble, 3 sacks, 6 interceptions, 7 pass deflections, and 2 tds! The only thing that this man did not do is record a safety on the season, but my gosh, I just don't think that you could ask for more from your free safety than what Uchiha did. If Logan is able to get on track TPE wise with the other guys at his position, he might be glitch in the sim when he makes it to the NSFL.

[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Strong Safety[/div]

1. Fatih Terim - - @Eco

I feel like I really missed out on a lot of good players this season or maybe just the ones that played for Palm Beach because while I've been writing this article I have figured out that I was unaware of most of their players. For that I am sorry, but nevertheless I think that the number 1 overall strong safety in this class is Fatih Terim. Terim, who has been around a little bit longer than the others, but certainly seems like the NSFL is the next step in his progression. With 262 TPE he is now past his teammate Lamont Mckinnie (foreshadowing) overall and that could be the factor in which one of them goes first. Fatih was a big contributor for his team with 77 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception, and 3 pass deflections this season from the strong safety position. Being almost 30 TPE past everyone else at the position would certainly be a deciding factor for myself as a GM at the next level, but if that's not enough then check out the graphics that he makes because they are absolutely awesome. *cough cough, I need to speak with you Mr. Terim, cough cough* haha.

2. Lamont McKinnie - - @SouljaBoy2007

The second player on this list is another member of the Solar Bears and someone who is pretty much right on par with his previously mentioned cohort in terms of on the field production and that player is Lamont Mckinnie. After getting to know him a little bit better I see that he now has 235 TPE and has himself in prime position to be the one of the top strong safeties taken in the draft. Lamont finished the season 3rd in tackles amongst SS with 79 tackles, and 2 for loss which I know aren't out of this world numbers, but having the TPE is the key factor here.

3. Giannis Kroustis - - @`AirCrou`

My final player on this list is Giannis Kroustis from the Norfolk Seawolves. Currently at 187 TPE, which is pretty low in my opinion and could warrant Giannis staying down another year before being selected, but he is active, so that is certainly in his favor. Kroustis had 73 tackles, 1 for loss, 4 sacks, 1 interception, and 2 pass deflections on the season while helping Norfolk go from an expansion team to a team that has to be considered in the upper echelon of the league right now.

[Rradum]

Yep. Already read all 4000+ words. Good article!

[gucci]

Oof. That's gonna be a big money article.

[dizzyDC]

nice article man... and you nailed that #1 TE spot even if it "hurt your heart"

[Bigred1580]

Really good write up! Someone’s going to be rolling in the dough after this one!

[RohnJobert]

I promise I’m alive!

[Baron1898]

Are you sure you have all the TPE totals right?

Edit: Just as an example, you pull some people’s TPE from their update page and others from the actual updated TPE count; an example of this is Brock Landers (223 Actual/260 Updated) where you count the updated, versus Morgan Marshall (236 Actual/261 Updated) where you count the actual.

[Fordhammer]

Are you sure you have all the TPE totals right?

Edit: Just as an example, you pull some people’s TPE from their update page and others from the actual updated TPE count; an example of this is Brock Landers (223 Actual/260 Updated) where you count the updated, versus Morgan Marshall (236 Actual/261 Updated) where you count the actual.

Yeah, I'm also at least third in WR TPE, but it's all good haha.

Really enjoyed reading this! This draft is loaded.

[Eco]

*cough cough, I also made an awesome TPE tracker, cough cough* haha. Joking aside great article dude and hit me up if you want a sig.

[TeyonSchavari]

Great write up. Appreciate the words!