*Biggest Steals of the NSFL draft

[kcheng686]

Every year stud players are selected in the NSFL draft. However, not every stud goes top 16. Knowing how to get value in the later rounds can make or break a team.These are the biggest steals of the NSFL draft, 8 weeks through the season(first and second rounders not included because first and second rounders are expected to perform at a high level.) So, lets start with our first honorable mention.

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HM 3: Nicholas Pierno( ) - Round 6 pick 45 by the Wraiths, traded to the Yeti

Stats: 1238 yards, 4 TDs, 43.6% completion rate

Pierno should be learning in the DSFL right now honestly, but because of the Logan noble scandal, he was sent to the Yeti to be the starter. Pierno’s stats this season have been absolutely atrocious, but that was to be expected of a raw rookie QB starting in place of the disposed Logan Noble, a top 3 NSFL QB. Pierno need much better accuracy and arm strength, but his potential is still easily sky high, and many still believe he can be the starting QB of the Yeti for the future. Not bad for a 6th round pick.

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HM 1 & 2: Cesar Milan( ) - Round 3 Pick 17 by the Liberty and Sammy Walters( ) - Round 4 pick 29 by the Liberty

Stats: 33 pancakes, 6 sacks allowed/32 Pancakes, 12 sacks allowed

Sort of cheating here by listing 2 teammates, but the Liberty followed a strong offseason with a strong draft. Milan and Walters have been excellent this season, with both ranking top 10 in pancakes. However, what keeps them off this list is their sacks allowed. Walters ranks first in the league in sacks allowed with 12, and Milan isnt far behind with 8. If they can get their sacks down, they can anchor the interior line of the Line for the Liberty for the next few seasons.

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5: Jaxon Tuck( ): Round 5 Pick 40 by the Outlaws

Stats: 67 carries, 237 yards, 4 TDs, 25 receptions, 173 yards, 2 TDs

The brother of NSFL DPOY and MVP Jayce Tuck, Jaxon Tuck has been fantastic as the #2 running back for the Outlaws. He has flashed off both his rushing and receiving ability with 410 All-purpose yards and 6 all-purpose TDs, and has been a great secondary option for when R Mackworthy needs a quick breather. Because of his position and questions about his commitment during the draft, the Outlaws managed to get a steal of a player, and Tuck will be making defenses pay for that mistake.

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4: Wallace Stone( ): Round 3 Pick 18 by the Legion

Stats: 29 pancakes, 3 sacks allowed

Stone was a relative unknown coming into the draft, and the Legion gambled on him, grabbing him in the 3rd, a move most considered a reach. So far, Stone’s play has more than justified his pick. He has been the lone bright spot in the Legion’s offensive line, being tied for the most pancakes on the Legion offensive line, and last in sacks allowed, having only allowed 3 sacks all season. If Stone can continue his level of play, he can be a building block and anchor to the Legion’s rebuild, along with LeClair and Savea.

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3: Nate Atasuke( ): Round 6 Pick 46 by the Otters

Stats: 34 receptions, 391 yards, 11.5 YPC, 2 TDs

Atasuke and the next player on the list were extremely close, but Atasuke was edged out slightly. Not that he hasn't been impressive, because Atasuke has been excellent at WR #3, completely outperforming his draft position. Orange County may have the best 1-2-3 receiving corps in the league with Westfield-Phelps-Wright Jr and the best QB in the league in Mike Boss, but Atasuke has been excellent when he has played, and emerged as a serious threat as the Slot receiver/ WR 3, and contributed heavily to the Otters’ #1 ranked passing attack. If Atasuke can keep his level of up at this level is too be seen, but so far, the Otters should be ecstatic on how well their 6th rounder has panned out so far.

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2: Samuel Zhang( ): Round 3 Pick 23 by the Outlaws

Stats: 31 receptions, 391 yards, 12.6 YPC, 2 TDs

Samuel Zhang was a late addition to the draft, and despite the long odds, quickly jumped up the draft boards and into the arms of the Outlaws. He may have started his rookie season slowly, but Zhang has recently broken out as a deadly slot receiver for the Outlaws. With the loss of Mayran Jackson, he has excelled for the Outlaws as Evans and Chess moved to WR 1 and 2 respectively, and made their and Bronko’s lives much easier. Zhang has helped the Outlaws turn into the second best passing attack in the league, quite a feat considering the Outlaws are a run heavy team, and Bronko, while excellent, isn't Boss or Orocz. Additionally, Zhang has proven his stats are not just garbage time yards versus bad teams like the Yeti or Legion. In the Outlaws latest win over the Wraiths, led by one of the best secondaries in the league, Zhang racked up 103 yards and a TD, and a huge 45 yard gain that shoved a dagger right through the Wraith’s comeback hopes. Zhang seems poised to be one of the best WRs in the league in the near future, and the Outlaws being able to getting 2 huge steals in him and Tuck seems to be the proverbial cherry on top of an already stacked draft class of King, Harris Jr, Law, Schmarchetype, and Erikson, who was sent to the Yeti as part of a package for Carter and Big Bot. If Zhang can improve at the level he has been doing now, it seems hard to picture an end to the Outlaws dynasty.

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1: William Ridley( ): Round 3 Pick 19 by the Liberty

Stats: 45 tackles, 6 TFL, 9 sacks, 1 Int, 3 pass deflections

Ridley may have been a 3rd rounder, but he’s one of the favorites for DROY and ROY, and has arguably outperformed first rounders Brice Boggs and Julian O’Sullivan. There isnt much to say about Ridley that doesnt involve the words “Impressive” or “excellent”. His 45 tackles ranks 4th among all defense rookies, behind Sullivan, Boggs, and R Sandoval. His 6 Tackles for loss ranks top 20 in the league, and 2nd among all rookies behind De Light. His 9 sacks rank 5th in the league, and accounts for 25!! percent of the Liberties total Sacks. He’s also racked up an interception and 3 pass deflections, quite a resume for the a rookie linebacker. His overall play has helped the Liberty become the second best defense in the league, and has cemented him firmly into the Defensive Rookie of the Year race. If Ridley will win if yet to be seen, but if he can keep up his level of play, I’d say its a good bet that he brings home the award.

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GRADED

[124715]

@MacTonight @Meowls @PointGod That's what I like to see! Good job!

[kckolbe]

Samuel Zhang and Nate Atasuke were drafted 3 rounds apart and have the same stats. How is Zhang a steal? Hell, at only 13 picks after Willie, isn't he kind of a reach?

[iamslm22]

Samuel Zhang and Nate Atasuke were drafted 3 rounds apart and have the same stats.  How is Zhang a steal?  Hell, at only 13 picks after Willie, isn't he kind of a reach?

I mean he's the author. You could argue Willie is much more of a steal.

[kcheng686]

Samuel Zhang and Nate Atasuke were drafted 3 rounds apart and have the same stats.  How is Zhang a steal?  Hell, at only 13 picks after Willie, isn't he kind of a reach?

QB situations, teammates, team playstyle. Also Zhang is 172 TPE. Atasuke is 67 TPE.

Also Willie is a WR1.

[kcheng686]

I mean he's the author. You could argue Willie is much more of a steal.

I didnt include any players from the first 2 rounds, since generally 1st and 2nd rounders are expected to perform at a high level.

Else Willie would easily be #1

[iamslm22]

I didnt include any players from the first 2 rounds, since generally 1st and 2nd rounders are expected to perform at a high level.

Else Willie would easily be #1

Yea, I just don't see how he fell to Round 2 ya know. Good read though man, good job.