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With the ISFL draft that happened last week, we saw a ton of great mock draft media get produced which I think did a great job of getting people who were involved in the draft excited for the big day to come and their name to get called. I haven't really seen as much of the same kind of media for the DSFL draft that we're going to get to see this week (there have been a couple of cool mock articles, but definitely less volume compared to what we saw for the big boy draft), so decided that I would throw my hat into the ring and write a little summary of how I think the first round of the draft is going to play out. I'm basically going to be looking at the picks I made in the mock PT and justifying why I think they're going to be relevant - probably going to change one or two things if I think I was a little bit off base, but I'm fully prepared for this to be a long way off what actually happens. Hopefully anyone who decides to check this out will find it enjoyable anyway, and who knows, maybe I might just go ahead and get one of the picks right. Just a quick note to say I went into player's update threads to get as accurate a read on their TPE as I could; it'll definitely be the case that a few of the guys mentioned haven't added in the TPE for this week's AC and training to their thread yet so what's stated here could be a little short of where they actually are, but hopefully it's all as close as we can realistically get.
1st Overall: 
Jay Cue Jr
Jay Cue JrCurrent TPE: 156
Position: Running Back
I initially really wasn't sure who I thought was going to be first off the board in the draft, but after hearing some rumors (pre draft ofc, no leaks here) and considering the fact that Cue Jr. had played a few games for Norfolk last season as a DFA, I think he was the pick that made the most sense at this spot. Cue Jr.'s obviously coming from a great user who a lot of people will know and like, and he's about as safe as bet to be a good player and someone who'll do everything he can to help the team. I like this pick a lot for Norfolk, maybe with the depth of running backs in this class they could afford to sit back and wait until the second round and see who's there, but I know Cue wouldn't last that long so why not go out and get your guy straight away and avoid the risk. 2nd overall:
Dante KingCurrent TPE: 153
Position: Running Back
I actually didn't realise that King had gone to Norfolk as a DFA too, so maybe with the benefit of some hindsight he's also a consideration at the first overall spot? Because shady and OP are both such great users, I feel like it's not easy trying to pick between the two and so I'll just stick with what I had originally, which saw King be taken with the second overall pick. King is very similar to Cue Jr. in terms of what he brings to a team; great player building history, user who is universally well liked and respected, and the experience that teams are going to be looking for when it comes to adding a recreate to their locker room at this spot. I don't know for sure what need BBB has for a running back, but in my mind he fits the type of pick they love making; great veteran user that will really help elevate an LR. Quick disclaimer to say sorry to everyone who had me going this pick in the draft; I know BBB needs a linebacker and I have a history with the team so it made a lot of sense, but I came into this draft wanting to get the chance to join a new LR and meet some new people, so it came down to me having a conversation with their management and asking to go elsewhere. They're going to be able to get a great player at this spot though, and I'm very happy for whoever gets the chance to join a room as cool as that one!
I actually didn't realise that King had gone to Norfolk as a DFA too, so maybe with the benefit of some hindsight he's also a consideration at the first overall spot? Because shady and OP are both such great users, I feel like it's not easy trying to pick between the two and so I'll just stick with what I had originally, which saw King be taken with the second overall pick. King is very similar to Cue Jr. in terms of what he brings to a team; great player building history, user who is universally well liked and respected, and the experience that teams are going to be looking for when it comes to adding a recreate to their locker room at this spot. I don't know for sure what need BBB has for a running back, but in my mind he fits the type of pick they love making; great veteran user that will really help elevate an LR. Quick disclaimer to say sorry to everyone who had me going this pick in the draft; I know BBB needs a linebacker and I have a history with the team so it made a lot of sense, but I came into this draft wanting to get the chance to join a new LR and meet some new people, so it came down to me having a conversation with their management and asking to go elsewhere. They're going to be able to get a great player at this spot though, and I'm very happy for whoever gets the chance to join a room as cool as that one!
3rd overall: 
Marcus Jones
Marcus JonesCurrent TPE: 153
Position: Linebacker
This is where I decided to place myself in my original mock, not really sold on this one as much as I am with some of the others but based on a couple of factors I decided to put myself here. I know London needs some help at linebacker this season as they're set to lose a couple of their guys and their third option is a GM bot I think. I also know Slate from being teammates on Sarasota and had a good convo with Katarn as part of the scouting process, so definitely think there's a chance that they might want to bring me in, but honestly, who knows. Like I said, not super sure on this one but I would be really happy going to London and like a lot of the guys they have so thought I might as well put myself in at this spot. Definitely think they could go in another direction here, heard some names like Suggs Upshall and Sam Squanch get placed here who I think would all fit with the kind of pieces they need. Interested to see how this pick plays out, but yeah, not my most confident choice in the draft.
4th overall:
Rejoignez LOrdreSombre
Current TPE: 103
Position: Running Back
No real read on this one at all, went with it because I know Bayley is a great user and he GMs a team which has a very strong link with Minnesota so it felt to me like a very natural fit in terms of personalities in the locker room. Looking at their roster, I think he'd fit in immediately as the best running back on the team and addresses a position of need, so don't see there really being much of an argument to make on this one. Like I said, haven't heard anything from anyone implying this is going to happen or anything but it seems on paper to be about as good a fit as you can hope for. It's pretty crazy the depth of running back talent we've seen at the top of this one; definitely the premier position in the class, having so many high end recreates decide to go for the same position at once definitely means that the draft can go in a lot of possible directions.
5th overall:
Sam Squanch
Current TPE: 114
Position: Linebacker
To me, this felt like a good fit based on who was off the board so far. I think Squanch is a really good prospect, being someone who's come from the SHL where he's shown he can build a good player and earn TPE, and is someone who'll definitely be a contributor to a locker room. Tijuana desperately needs a linebacker too, so I think this one makes a lot of sense in terms of their needs too. I think that if Marcus Jones doesn't go 3rd overall, it's very possible that he could end up being taken here (I had some good talks with my man kotASSa) but based on what we've taken off the board so far, this is the pick for Tijuana as I see it.
6th overall:
Lip Gallagher
Current TPE: 124
Position: Cornerback
I liked this pick when I first looked at the mock and it's one I still feel pretty good about. Gallagher's off to a hot start earning TPE, plays a premium position as a corner and has a very good history of making players in another sim league. Portland are desperate for some help at cornerback; I can't see any on their roster at the time of writing, which would mean Gallagher would come in and instantly be their number 1 guy as a rookie. Definitely makes a lot of sense for them to pick Gallagher here, and if he's on the board at this point I think they really need to take him, address a position of need and get a great user in the process.
This is where I decided to place myself in my original mock, not really sold on this one as much as I am with some of the others but based on a couple of factors I decided to put myself here. I know London needs some help at linebacker this season as they're set to lose a couple of their guys and their third option is a GM bot I think. I also know Slate from being teammates on Sarasota and had a good convo with Katarn as part of the scouting process, so definitely think there's a chance that they might want to bring me in, but honestly, who knows. Like I said, not super sure on this one but I would be really happy going to London and like a lot of the guys they have so thought I might as well put myself in at this spot. Definitely think they could go in another direction here, heard some names like Suggs Upshall and Sam Squanch get placed here who I think would all fit with the kind of pieces they need. Interested to see how this pick plays out, but yeah, not my most confident choice in the draft.
4th overall:
Rejoignez LOrdreSombreCurrent TPE: 103
Position: Running Back
No real read on this one at all, went with it because I know Bayley is a great user and he GMs a team which has a very strong link with Minnesota so it felt to me like a very natural fit in terms of personalities in the locker room. Looking at their roster, I think he'd fit in immediately as the best running back on the team and addresses a position of need, so don't see there really being much of an argument to make on this one. Like I said, haven't heard anything from anyone implying this is going to happen or anything but it seems on paper to be about as good a fit as you can hope for. It's pretty crazy the depth of running back talent we've seen at the top of this one; definitely the premier position in the class, having so many high end recreates decide to go for the same position at once definitely means that the draft can go in a lot of possible directions.
5th overall:
Sam SquanchCurrent TPE: 114
Position: Linebacker
To me, this felt like a good fit based on who was off the board so far. I think Squanch is a really good prospect, being someone who's come from the SHL where he's shown he can build a good player and earn TPE, and is someone who'll definitely be a contributor to a locker room. Tijuana desperately needs a linebacker too, so I think this one makes a lot of sense in terms of their needs too. I think that if Marcus Jones doesn't go 3rd overall, it's very possible that he could end up being taken here (I had some good talks with my man kotASSa) but based on what we've taken off the board so far, this is the pick for Tijuana as I see it.
6th overall:
Lip GallagherCurrent TPE: 124
Position: Cornerback
I liked this pick when I first looked at the mock and it's one I still feel pretty good about. Gallagher's off to a hot start earning TPE, plays a premium position as a corner and has a very good history of making players in another sim league. Portland are desperate for some help at cornerback; I can't see any on their roster at the time of writing, which would mean Gallagher would come in and instantly be their number 1 guy as a rookie. Definitely makes a lot of sense for them to pick Gallagher here, and if he's on the board at this point I think they really need to take him, address a position of need and get a great user in the process.
7th overall: 
Malik F. Doom
Malik F. DoomCurrent TPE: 83
Position: Defensive End
Probably a pick that if I knew what I now know would probably be a little bit different, but definitely could still happen. Doom's TPE count is the thing holding him back a bit here; I went with positional need over earning, but there's some big name recreates still on the board who might get picked at this spot despite them being much less premium positions (Sir Peter Jackson and Frostsuxlmap come to mind). I think Doom could have a lot of TPE that hasn't yet been added into his update thread which may push that TPE count up and if the Coyotes like the user and feel confident that he'll bring a lot to the team, I feel like with DE not being the deepest position in the draft I think if this pick were to happen it could turn out to be a good one.
8th overall:
Joey Marston
Current TPE: 94
Position: Tight End
Again, no real word on this one but I did some math on what could happen here and I think this is a sound one. I know that a lot of the guys in Dallas are also in SHL, where Marston's user is a junior league GM, and so will be familiar with him and the contribution he can make to a team. I can't see a TE on their roster at present, so he definitely fills a need, and when you add in the work he's put in to earning TPE and writing media so far, there's definitely a lot of positives I think you can get from drafting someone like Marston at this spot. I think he'd be a really good fit for them all around, and can't really think of any reason why they wouldn't make this pick so I'm feeling happy with it now.
Like I said in one of the picks earlier, there's actually some other big name recreates in this class who I didn't mock in the first round just because of the positions they play. No idea how it'll turn out for them, but decided I'd try and add a positional need factor into the mix. Hopefully I got at least one or two picks here correct, even if I didn't, was fun to write about and put some thought into how things might turn out on Wednesday when the thing happens for real.
Probably a pick that if I knew what I now know would probably be a little bit different, but definitely could still happen. Doom's TPE count is the thing holding him back a bit here; I went with positional need over earning, but there's some big name recreates still on the board who might get picked at this spot despite them being much less premium positions (Sir Peter Jackson and Frostsuxlmap come to mind). I think Doom could have a lot of TPE that hasn't yet been added into his update thread which may push that TPE count up and if the Coyotes like the user and feel confident that he'll bring a lot to the team, I feel like with DE not being the deepest position in the draft I think if this pick were to happen it could turn out to be a good one.
8th overall:
Joey MarstonCurrent TPE: 94
Position: Tight End
Again, no real word on this one but I did some math on what could happen here and I think this is a sound one. I know that a lot of the guys in Dallas are also in SHL, where Marston's user is a junior league GM, and so will be familiar with him and the contribution he can make to a team. I can't see a TE on their roster at present, so he definitely fills a need, and when you add in the work he's put in to earning TPE and writing media so far, there's definitely a lot of positives I think you can get from drafting someone like Marston at this spot. I think he'd be a really good fit for them all around, and can't really think of any reason why they wouldn't make this pick so I'm feeling happy with it now.
Like I said in one of the picks earlier, there's actually some other big name recreates in this class who I didn't mock in the first round just because of the positions they play. No idea how it'll turn out for them, but decided I'd try and add a positional need factor into the mix. Hopefully I got at least one or two picks here correct, even if I didn't, was fun to write about and put some thought into how things might turn out on Wednesday when the thing happens for real.
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