08-15-2019, 10:34 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-15-2019, 11:11 PM by IsaStarcrossed.)
I would like to preface this entire article by saying I absolutely adore this community. I put a lot of time into this project and you guys were nothing but supportive and helpful along the way. It was actually overwhelming how much people were willing to help. I was expecting to get maybe half of the response I got during this process and you guys blew my expectations completely out of the water. I appreciate everyone who took their time to contribute to this and I hope in the future I can do similar projects. Though perhaps a teeny bit smaller.
Hello, ladies and gentleman, welcome to Ironside Media. The one place to keep you updated on everything that is new in the league! Today, we're covering the NSFL draft that took place last night. We're going to take a deep dive into the process of what happened, talk to players and GMs about how it all went down, and give our overall review of each of the picks. I hope you guys enjoy! Lets get started.
1.
Austin makes obvious pick and number one, but was it the right one?
With the first pick in the draft, the Austin Copperheads select running back Ashley Owens. This is a pick that came as no surprise to anyone. Coming off of a season where he posted 1704 all purpose yards and 12 touchdowns, Owens was the only selection in this spot. He's a max earner who is always looking for way to improve and looks to be a long time face on this team. The Copperheads knew what they were getting at this pick and now they have a superstar that might help them get to the next level.
We managed to sit down with both of the GMs for the Austin Copperheads, AdamS and JKortesi81 . Lets take a look at what they had to say at this pick.
Ironside: "Thank you for taking a moment of your time tonight. I know its a busy time, but we have to talk about Ashley Owens.Obviously most people saw Ashley Owens going at number one, but was he always your guy in this process or did you have other considerations?"
AdamS: "Always our number one. Lot of people were amazing but he was always the one we wanted."
Ironside: "You guys went after Ashley Owens with your first pick. What was the main quality that made him stand out here to you?"
JKortesi81: "You’re saying that like there’s only one quality that caused us to make this selection! Owens was heads and tails above the rest of the draftees here, and that’s saying something with this amazing class. It comes down to this: Ashley Owens is a game changing, nay, franchise changing football player, and that’s exactly what we need in Austin. His work ethic is off the charts, and when combined with his natural, God-given football abilities, it equates to one hell of a difference maker on the field. On top of it all he’s a locker room leader, and we expect him to be as much in the Copperheads locker room right off the bat. Just the total package."
With the GMs more than excited about getting Owens, I had to sit down with Owens himself and see how he felt about landing here.
Ironside: "I know you can't wait to celebrate, so I'll try to make this as brief as possible. You went first overall. Most everyone had you flying off the board here. Did you buy into the hype and would you have been disappointed in anything else?"
run_CMC: "I wouldn’t call it buying into the hype; more so it was confidence in myself and my abilities. I was actually contacted by several teams before my DSFL season was even halfway over. Austin is one of several who told me that they would take me with their highest possible pick. Other teams didn’t even contact me, and when I got in touch with them via my agent, they basically said they expected me to not even get close to falling to them. So, I try to keep myself humble about it, but I’ve kind of known for a while now that I’d go very high in the draft. Being the first overall choice in both the DSFL and NSFL draft makes me in a pretty exclusive club so, yeah I think I would’ve been disappointed going any lower, as conceited as that sounds."
Ironside: "That's good because confidence can be key in this league. Confidence got you this far. As the first overall draft pick, what impact do you expect to have on this season?"
run_CMC: "Obviously I’d love to come into Austin and immediately be a star. But realistically, even as the first pick of the draft, it’ll take some time. I hope to break 1500 combined rushing/receiving yards as I did this past season, but the skill of the other players at the receiving end of the ball, and the other running back, is much greater than it was in the DSFL (example: Rod Tidwell!). 1500 yards is definitely my goal, but I’d say anywhere from 1200-1500 is realistic. It really depends how many snaps I take in the slot versus out of the backfield. Either way, I expect myself to make an immediate strong positive impact on the team, regardless of if I’m a star player or the least recognized skill position player."
Ironside: "Are there any specific teammates you look forward to suiting up with in Austin? You seemed a little excited about Rod Tidwell."
run_CMC: "Rod Tidwell for sure. It’s easy for guys to fly under the radar when the team goes 0-13, understandably, but Tidwell is a beast. Hoping he can help me get my hands a little better! I’m also looking forward to being back on the same team with Takeda Okura. The guy is a great safety and a better teammate; Austin was lucky to get him! Also, it’ll be... interesting playing alongside Dermot Lavelle Jr. The dude has a lot of name recognition from his dad, and from an outsider’s point of view, it seemed to go to his head with all his draft demands. Like, I know I have a clause about kick returns in my contract I just signed, but he had a lot of stuff going on in his. I’m excited to work alongside him in practice and see how he produces on the field; regardless of my thoughts on his pre-draft business, I’m sure Lavelle has a lot of fire that’s gonna show on the turf."
Ironside: "A lot of guys went off the board tonight. Is there anything you'd like to say to your fellow draftees?"
run_CMC: "Yes! Keep on working. No days off. Your draft position can be a badge, but for people who were disrespected by their’s, use it as a chip on your shoulder. I was only offered scholarships from a handful of regional D1 schools when I was coming out of high school; they didn’t even cover full expenses and I had to take out small student loans as a result. And here I am now. The grind never stops unless you let it. Keep at it, and hard work will be rewarded."
Ironside: "Alright, I'm not going to hold you much longer. Anything else you would like to add about your draft experience? Things people might want to know or might help the new guys coming up?"
run_CMC: "If you don’t get calls, don’t worry. In the DSFL I only got contacted by half the teams. Same in the NSFL. Not to be repetitive, but work to be the best and one day, anyone who didn’t draft you will regret it."
Ironside: "That's fantastic. I wish you luck on the coming season. Now get out there and celebrate."
Overall it seems like the Copperheads really got their guy. Owens seems to be excited to get started on the season and hopefully he can repay Austin's trust in volumes with his play on the field.
2.
Colorado take defensive tackle second overall; best choice?
With the second pick in the draft, the Colorado Yeti select defensive tackle Bubba Thumper. He's coming off of a solid season where he posted 32 tackles, 6 TFLs, and two sacks. It wasn't his stats that attracted Colorado to this pick though. Thumper is active and hard working, constantly doing what he can to not only improve himself but help others as well. Colorado got a leader here with near limitless upside.
We had to get the opinions of the Colorado brass, so quickly tracked them down to try and get a statement. Infinitempg and bwestfield were completely confident in their pick.
Ironside: "With the second overall pick, you guys took Bubba Thumper. Some people thought Bubba might slip from here. Did you always see him at second overall?"
infinitempg: "Definitely. We did want to keep our options open and reached out to a lot of prospects, but I think ever since we beat Austin in the Tank Bowl that Bubba was our man. Our defensive line was retiring two and it's hard to pass over a talented DT like Bubba to fill those gaps."
Ironside: "You guys just picked up Bubba Thumper. Was there every a possibility of any other prospect? What role do you see for him on the team?"
bwestfield: "Unfortunately for them, no. A lot of people we talked to were awesome and we would have loved to have them on the team, but for us the pick of Bubba was undeniable. He was someone we had been watching throughout the year. We're very excited to have him on the team and expect an immediate impact."
With both GMs involved with the Colorado Yeti entirely enamored by this pick, I knew that sitting down with Bubba was absolutely necessary. He seemed more than eager to talk about his draft position, still riding the high of going second overall.
Ironside: "Colorado had no hesitation when taking you with the second overall pick. Is this where you imagined going?"
woelkers: "Well, I couldn't see myself going before Owens, so Austin was off the table. I was mocked mostly between Colorado, New Orleans, and Baltimore, so I expected to go in that general area. I'm thrilled Colorado decided to take a chance on me, and I'm ready to be a Yeti."
Ironside: "This team seemed to need a bit of help on their defensive line due to age and retirement. What role do you see yourself playing for the Yeti?"
woelkers: "I think I'm a guy that can change this defense for the better right away. This team went 1-12 last season; I intend to give everything I have to help this team improve in the seasons to come."
Ironside: "Now that you know where you're heading, who are you most excited to get on the field with in Colorado?"
woelkers: "I've gotten to know Mo Berry a little bit the past season, I think he's going to be real fun to have playing behind me. Quentin Sinclair and Tony Gabagool figure to be great teammates as well. It'll be really nice to have Jordan McCann III on my team, not with the enemy. We got some real great guys in the locker room, I'm excited to be here."
Ironside: "This seems to be a pretty tight class of prospects. Anything you'd like to say to the other draftees?"
woelkers: "I'm really proud of these guys, especially the guys I've shared a locker room with in San Antonio. We're a tight-knit group, and you'll see us supporting each other our entire careers, even though we're wearing different colors. We're not the biggest draft class, but you'd better believe we're trying to be the best."
Ironside: "Lastly, I've got to know. Do you've got any tips or advice for the guys going into the DSFL?"
woelkers: "I recognize I'm speaking from the position of somebody who just went second overall, so my draft experience is far from what most people get, but I especially want the young guys entering the league to know that all the hard work pays off in the long run. People didn't even know who I was when I went ninth in the DSFL Draft to San Antonio, and tonight the only player who went ahead of me was Owens. This is a dream come true for a guy like me; I've worked hard to get here, and I'm going to enjoy every moment of chasing championships in this league."
Bubba really seems to have a solid head on his shoulders and he's filling a position of desperate need for Colorado. The GMs seem optimistic about this pick and hopefully Bubba is a guy who can keep the optimism high for the Yeti.
3.
New Orleans goes for defense early; can this guy really turn it around?
With the third pick in the draft, the New Orleans Second Line select cornerback Jordan Andrews. Andrews comes off of pretty massive season where he managed 74 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 passes defended. This was a deep secondary class, but Andrews managed to make himself stand out at his position. He was one of the highest earners in the draft and has shown a willingness to work. New Orleans was looking to bolster their defense in this off season and Jordan is a massive jump start to that ambition.
Getting the New Orleans GMs, terriblehippo and JoOsu, to say a word didn't take much. Both seemed to be absolutely over the moon with this pick.
Ironside: "You just made Jordan Andrews your top pick in this draft. What made him such a high priority for this franchise?"
terriblehippo: "Andrews was absolutely the guy we were aiming for. I truly believe that defense wins championships, and I don't think it's a secret that our pass defense last season was not great. So it only made sense for us to go after a cornerback, and Andrews was the best CB prospect in this draft class. Additionally, his GM in Tijuana happens to be TomHanks, who spoke extremely highly of him in our pre-draft discussions. When you put all of those factors together, it became clear to all of us in the war room that Andrews was gonna be our pick at three."
Ironside: "Nice timing. I was just speaking to your colleague here about your first pick. The third overall pick Jordan Andrews. Was this the guy you were hoping to see at three?"
JuOSu: "Honestly, any of the three top guys are obviously great players and people and we would have been happy with any of them falling to us. That being said, Juice was actually the guy we were happiest to see in that spot. We felt like he was the guy we wanted to have on our team and we had great conversations with him beforehand. We are very excited to bring him to New Orleans."
Ironside: "You got picked third overall! Were you planning to go off the board that fast?"
Juice: "Well, my family, friends, teammates and coaches would bring it up now and again cause I don't pay attention to the sports channels, critics and radios. Less distraction, more work into being the player I am."
Ironside: "You're heading off to New Orleans. They had that absolutely draft shattering trade that brought the number four pick to New Orleans with you. How do you feel about getting to start your career with two top 5 picks on the same defense?"
Juice: "Absolutely unbelievable that was last night! Two top 5 picks on defense going to the same team is news for seasons to come. The way I look at it as a player is, myself and Brayden are competitors on the field and don't see ourselves as numbers. We go out an play 60 minutes of gridiron football at our greatest of abilities every game. That's what got us selected where we did. Can't wait to hit the practice field with this guy!"
Ironside: "Any final comments or advice you want to give your fellow prospects or future prospects?"
Juice: "Education is key. School is not for everyone but you can still use your time wisely to educate yourself or seek it through other methods. Keep in mind that many athletes like yourselves work their entire lives to make it to the league and never do or only last a season or two. Or a career ending injury. I pray that happens to none of y'all. Be educated on life if football doesn't work."
4.
Top prospect caught up in draft insanity!
With the fourth pick in the draft, the Baltimore Hawks select defensive tackle Brayden Ennis. Ennis was widely regarded as an easy top five pick in this draft. Coming off of a season that saw him net 28 tackles and a sack, it was Ennis' work ethic that appealed to most GMs. This is a guy who is constantly updating and who is willing to be a pillar of his community. He was easily the second best defensive lineman in the class, and it seemed like Baltimore may have gotten the steal of the draft at this pick. Then early in the second, chaos erupted as Baltimore made a move to trade Ennis to the New Orleans Second Line for Benson Harris.
No one expected this, it was a true blindside and we had to go behind the scenes to get a grasp on exactly what happened in the blockbuster trade of the season. We wanted to speak to Baltimore's front office first, get a grasp on why they were making an early exit from this draft.
Ironside: "Alright, you guys just traded completely out of the draft for a solid existing player. Can you take me through that process and why Baltimore was willing to give up this class?"
iseedoug: "We picked Brayden Ennis in the first round, who filled a position of need and is highly active, but we are in win now mode. We decided to trade him to NOLA to get a much higher skill DT who is young and helps us get better right away.
I think Brayden could have been a solid play for us in the future, and hopefully he can have a great career at NOLA, but our window is closing with the age of many of our star players."
Ironside: "Things went a little crazy for the Hawks here in the draft. You guys picked Brayden Ennis with the fourth picj, but then decided to basically trade out of the draft entirely. What were your thoughts on the insanity?"
nuncoepi: "Yeah! We knew that we needed to focus on our DL in this draft, so we did that with our first draft pick. However we saw an opportunity to pick up older guy with a little more ability and decided to take it. So although it would have been great to get Ennis on our team, we had to make a sacrifice."
With Baltimore in an absolute win now mode, I knew that the guys who just picked up some key talent for their franchise would want to talk. Terriblehippo and JuOSu both were more than willing to expand on their side of the trade.
Ironside: "Okay, so that trade was absolutely insane. Terriblehippo, at what point did you guys know that you had a chance at Ennis?"
terriblehippo: "We were a little disappointed when Baltimore took him, but not surprised: we knew that he was going to be taken early, so we began focusing on the rest of the draft. But then Baltimore approached us about acquiring Benson Harris. They wanted a more immediate upgrade on their defensive line to make a run at the Ultimus, and while they liked Ennis, they thought that Harris would be a better fit for that goal. So we quickly agreed to the deal that they proposed. Honestly I feel like this trade is one of those rare ones where both teams win. Baltimore gets a great defensive lineman that will definitely improve their odds of making--and winning--an Ultimus, and we get a great young player to add to our existing young core of talent. I think we'll look back at this trade in a few seasons and agree that it was a fantastic move for all parties involved."
Ironside: "And you, JuOSu. What was your mindset with all of this insanity going on?"
JuOSu: "We had liked Ennis in the first round, but we basically knew there was no way he would fall to us, so we begrudgingly had to accept we wouldn't get him. I think there were trade talks with another team first that fell through for them and so they came to us with the offer. We couldn't believe our luck and our fortune, as we had felt very strongly about Ennis and being able to add yet another active with the additional second rounder was just the cherry on top. Getting Ennis for Harris straight up would have already been a great trade for us, but this way we were able to add another great player."
It seemed that all sides were pretty excited about the shake up with this pick. Now we had to talk to the prospect himself because we knew that he had to be going through a roller coaster of emotions.
Ironside: "Thank you for taking the time to do this, I know things are crazy right now! You were initially chosen by the Baltimore Hawks, but then mere minutes later you were shipped off to New Orleans. What was that roller coaster like and do you feel like you ended up in a good spot?"
Buttersqauch: "That was incredible, I think most people knew I was going 4OA but no one could’ve predicted the trade. My phone blew up with notifications. If you’ve seen who NOLA drafted you can see we’re about to make a super team. Looking at it after the trade NOLA is the better spot for me. The fact that Baltimore was willing to get rid of me for some no name and give NOLA an extra pick is beyond me. Definitely better management in New Orleans."
Ironside: "New Orleans gave up a proven commodity to come get you. What kind of role do you see yourself taking on this team?"
Buttersqauch: "I see myself starting immediately on the line. Franklin Townsend is starting to get old and he’s DSFL material. I’m here to fill up the space that NOLA needs filled and I’m gonna do it right."
Ironside: "What do you want to say to the teams that passed on you to this point?"
Buttersqauch: "I mean. We knew who was going to Austin and Colorado first and second overall. I think most of us thought that I wasn’t going third Overall to New Orleans. But since the trade happened the only team I can really critique is Baltimore. All I can say is why would you do something that’s gonna bite you in the asshole later?"
Ironside: "What about your fellow draftees? Anything for the 2017 class?"
Buttersqauch: "I’m hoping for the best for all. No matter where they went. Except for poor Michael Doud since he went to Baltimore. Never forget:
![[Image: 8Bvz0m0.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/8Bvz0m0.jpg)
Ironside: "Its good to know you already have some bulletin board material. You've got that chip on your shoulder and something to prove. More fuel is never bad. Do you have anything you'd like to add for the newer guys coming int?"
Buttersqauch: "Don’t get your hopes up to where you think you’ll be going unless it’s 100%. My DSFL draft I was certain I was going to San Antonio. I was disappointed when it didn’t happen but Kansas City was an amazing place. You’ll learn to enjoy where you go."
It seems that both franchises got what they wanted out of this deal. The Hawks really want to close out a championship in their current window and they made the moves they felt were necessary for that. The Second Line got to continue building up the young core of players that should make them solid contenders in the next couple of seasons. Ennis is a key building block here and I can't wait to see what becomes of this young, stacked defense.
5.
SaberCats get elite defender; Brackenridge upset about draft position?
With the fifth pick in the draft, the San Jose SaberCats select safety Tyron Brackenridge. Brackenridge was the best safety prospect in this draft and many thought he might go higher than this. Brackenridge comes off of a season where he posted a respectable 57 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and three passes defended. Add in his earning potential and the fact he's one of the busier guys on the board and he was almost guaranteed to be gone in the top five.
Some might would say Tyron slipped a bit as many pundits had him potentially going in the top three. We thought we'd ask around and see what San Jose had to say about their new pick.
Ironside: "After slipping to five overall, San Jose managed to pick up Tyron Brackenridge. Is this the guy you hoped would be here to get with this pick?"
ckroyal92: "100%. There were a couple positions of need that we were looking to fill and our secondary has been a point of emphasis this entire off season for us. We got torched by the passing game last season, having fielded two rookie corners. My new coGM, Rradum, spoke very highly of Brack and we expect him to be a major part of our defense as we move into the next phase of SaberCats football."
With the mention that Rradum had some impact on this pick, we thought it'd be great to go to the new coGM and see how he felt about how things worked out.
Ironside: "You guys managed to grab Tyron Brackenridge at number five. What made him such a priority for you guys over others at this spot?"
Rradum: "The SaberCats secondary was absolutely our weakest point last season and we saw a chance to build on that. He was at the top of our board since the beginning and we are so happy that we got him. It's going to be awesome having him in the locker room since I was his GM in Kansas City."
Finally, I managed to flag down the man himself to see how he felt about how everything landed.
Ironside: "Do you mind if I take just a few minutes of your time to ask questions about the draft? You got picked fifth by San Jose. Is this where you thought you'd land?"
Lowlycrib: "Didn't really see myself going here but my former GM at Kansas City is a part of this San Jose team so I guess that could've played a role."
Ironside: "You said you didn't see yourself landing here, so where is it that you really saw yourself going in the draft? Higher? Lower?"
Lowlycrib: "Thought i had a good chance of top three."
Ironside: "What kind of role do you see yourself taking on this team now that you're here?"
Lowlycrib: "Large impact, they obviously have big plans for me and I plan to remain active to complete that."
Ironside: "You seem unhappy about falling to five, so you clearly have a bit of a chip on your shoulder. Is there anything you'd like to say to the teams that passed on you?"
Lowlycrib: "Brack don't crack."
Ironside: "What would you want to get out to your fellow prospects?"
Lowlycrib: "Good luck keeping up to me."
After talking to all parties involved, it looks like Tyron Brackenridge has a chance to make an immediate impact on this team. The GMs for San Jose seem ecstatic to have gotten him and while Tyron himself seems to resent those who passed him up, he seems to appreciate the chance to play for this franchise. He seems to have some renewed drive to prove to everyone he should have been taken before fifth overall.
6.
Wraiths continue their method of taking the best player off the board.
With the sixth pick in the draft, the Yellowknife Wraiths select cornerback Mervin Leonard. Yellowknife have a bit of a reputation for taking the best player off the board. Its hard to argue with anyone other that Mervin Leonard in this spot. Leonard had a relatively breakout season this past year with 56 tackles, four interceptions, and a massed 15 passes defended. Leonard has a real sense for the ball and finds himself often in the right place at the right time. Getting a solid, young secondary player is always nice and the Wraiths may have struck gold here.
We wanted to get a little more insight on why Yellowknife felt Leonard was the best pick here, so we started with a quick sit down with Daybe and Bigred1580.
Ironside: "Thanks for taking the time for this interview! You guys picked up Mervin Leonard at number six. You are a solid team with a lot of depth. How do you think he impacts you guys this season?"
Daybe: "Mr. Leonard may or may not be on the team’s roster for this season depending on how free agency shakes out. If the case was that we called him up this year, Leonard would make an impact right away, although likely would not start on the other side of Mr. Snuggles, more of in a nickelback role. If he debuts in S18, then he will be the second shutdown cornerback on this team, playing opposite of Snuggles."
Ironside: "With the sixth pick, you guys grabbed a cornerback, Mervin Leonard. What about him made him a priority for Yellowknife?"
Bigred1580: "A couple things. He was just a great fit both on and off the field. Great interview, guy who grew up in the Northwest Territories, plus he filled possibly our biggest need at CB and is such a solid earner."
It was time to shift gears and see what Mervin Leonard felt about the draft.
Ironside: "You now know that you're heading out to Yellowknife. Did you ever thing that you would go this high?"
hihihi_62: "Honestly man this whole process has been such a whirlwind and I still can't believe I was even a first round pick in the NSFL draft! Coming into the DSFL I was the 12th selection in a league with four active teams at the time and there really wasn't much fanfare around me. Throughout the process I really clicked with the Wraiths GM BigRed and really enjoyed the time I had spent touring the Yellowknife facility. I'm just happy that a team took a chance on me and I'm going to work my ass off to ensure they aren't disappointed!"
Ironside: "The Wraiths seem to have a pretty stacked roster on paper. What kind of role do you think you play on this kind of team?"
hihihi_62: "In my humble opinion the Wraiths are an absolutely loaded squad on both sides of the ball but especially in their secondary. My plan is to just show up and learn from talented guys like Jonny Snuggles to improve myself and do whatever it takes to help the team win."
Ironside: "You seem to be pretty excited about this roster. Are there any other players that you look forward to sharing a locker room with in Yellowknife?"
hihihi_62: "Oh man for sure! Guys like Johnny Snuggles, Nero Alexander, Logan Uchiha and Danny Grithead have been guys I have idolized for as long as I can remember so I can't wait to get on the field with them."
Ironside: "You are of course in the first round, but being at six means five teams passed on you. Anything you want to say about that?"
hihihi_62: "That's a tough question. I think everyone that went above me worked hard and deserved to be chosen where they were, but I think long run people are going to be kicking themselves for not considering Mervin Leonard when he's shutting down their offense and giving opposing wideouts nightmares."
Ironside: "This was a pretty decent class. A lot of friendships, a lot of rivalries. Anything you want to say to them?"
hihihi_62: "We've been a tight group throughout this whole process and I just want to congratulate everyone on their hard work paying off bit I'd also like to remind them that the real grind starts now and just because they've been drafted doesn't mean shit. We all still need to keep working hard to earn minutes and prove ourselves."
Ironside: "I don't want to take too much more of your time, but do you have any advice for the next wave of rookies?"
hihihi_62: "This whole draft experience has been something that I'll never forget and has been like a roller coaster. To all the new guys starting out I just want to remind them that regardless of where they are drafted and regardless of where they end up on their DSFL depth charts to be persistent and keep working hard. I was the 12th pick in a four team draft, came into the Pythons as the third ranked DB in terms of TPE but kept grinding and finished as the fourth highest TPE earning defender in the draft and by far the highest earning defender on the Pythons. If you ever get confused or overwhelmed the NSFL community is so supportive and helpful so reach out for help if you need it!"
While is seems there is a chance that Marvin Leonard doesn't start immediately, he seems like he's willing do whatever it takes to help the team win. He's a flashy prospect with a lot of upside who really seems to put an emphasis on improvement and sacrifice. Regardless of what role he plays this season, going into the future Leonard will become a center piece to an already strong roster.
7.
Another trade brings star linebacker to Austin!
With the seventh pick in the draft, the Orange County Otters select linebacker Honda Edmond. Honda was unquestionably the top linebacker in this draft. Coming off of a season where he posted 49 tackles and a sack, Honda had the advantage of being a hard working player at a position of need in our league. His value was truly shown though when the Austin Copperheads almost immediately offered a trade when he came off the board. Orange County was willing to give him up for the next pick and a little extra draft capitol.
Were were only able to track down AdamS for comment, but he was more than willing to give us a quote on the trade.
Ironside: "AdamS, you guys seemed to be quick to respond when Honda was taken. What went into the process of dealing this trade?"
AdamS: "A lot of long careful thought and planning. Ha! I can feel my coGM glaring at me. Honda was someone who was extremely high on our list and I jumped as soon as he was gone in order to get him where he belongs."
Honda himself seemed to be absolutely glowing with excitement when we found him after the pick was made.
Ironside: "You were initially grabbed by the Otters before the Copperheads immediately traded for you. It seems the team put huge emphasis on you. Did you see yourself going at pick 7 and do you like where you landed?"
KillKillKill: "I honestly had no idea where I'd go. If you were to believe the mocks, I was picked to go to Philly at pick 9. When I heard my name at 7, it was a pretty big surprise. Then, I saw the trade. I was a bit confused at first, but when it all shook out and I was going to Austin, I was pretty happy. No disrespect to the Otters, I would have enjoyed playing there as well. I had a bit of experience with some of the Copperheads, so it will be a smooth transition in the locker room and I couldn't be happier about that."
Ironside: "Now that you're headed off to Austin, do you envision a role for yourself on that roster?"
KillKillKill: "I think I'll be active in the game plan early. I'm going to do my best bolster the linebacker core and improve the defense. Hopefully I can grow into being a team leader and help bring the team some victories."
Ironside: "You mentioned you were actually surprised to go as early as seventh, but even so would you like to say something to the other teams?"
KillKillKill: "I made a lot of friends with my S17 draft mates, and each one that was picked before me will be a star in this league. All I'm gonna focus on is how I can make the team that did take a chance on me, better."
Ironside: "Is there anything specific you'd like to say to your season 17 friends?"
KillKillKill: "Each of you is like a brother, and I wish my brothers nothing but success. Unless you're playing the Copperheads, then I hope you have you worst game of the season haha."
Ironside: "I always like to ask all of our prospects, but do you have any advice for the up and comers?"
KillKillKill: "Just make sure you're taking advantage of every opportunity to improve your player. You don't have to be the biggest voice in the room if you keep on top of every chance you get to improve. Do more listening to the vets of the league than talking. Find out what makes them good and adapt it to fit your style."
It looks like Honda Edmond will be looking to make an impact early and often. Austin is a team that is working on building a young core of star players and linebacker is always somewhere you would want a reliable peice. Edmond seems to be ready to do whatever it take to be what it is Austin is looking for. This could be one of the better matches in this draft.
8.
Offensive superstar falls to late in the first. How does it impact him?
With the eight pick in the draft, the Orange County Otters select wide receiver Dexter Banks II. Banks was the top receiver in this class and only the second offensive talent to be taken. He comes off of a top level season where he managed 74 catches, 985 yards, and six touchdowns. He was one of the biggest weapons in the DSFL and it was a bit surprising to see him slide here. Banks is a reliable player who should continue to improve during his career with the Otters.
Between trading down to this spot and grabbing a weapon such as Dexter Banks, we knew we had to talk to someone who was in the know. Speculadora was willing to give us some insight on what happened in Orange County's war room.
Ironside: "You guys selected Honda Edmund seventh overall and then immediately swapped him out to grab Banks at eighth. What were you thinking in the process of that swap?"
Speculadora: "We were absolutely huge fans of Edmond and trading him was a gut wrenching call, but when the Copperheads approached us with an early pick in next season's loaded draft class we just felt like it was a move we had to make. Defense was definitely a priority but we'll have a chance to address that again next season while doing this now still allowed us to get a premier receiver in Dexter Banks II. Banks was high on our list as well, with our wide receiver situation a little unpredictable at the moment. So picking up more draft capital while still grabbing a player high on our board made it too difficult to not cave and take Austin's offer."
We had another player involved with a bit of a crazy switch. We were eager to get Dexter Banks' opinion on the whole ordeal.
Ironside: "You went to Orange County at eight overall. Being one of the top offensive talents in the draft, did you have any indications that you might slip this far?"
TropicaliaCC: "Going into the draft I knew there was a chance I could fall just because of the lack of receiver needy teams in the league right now. It actually worked in my favor because I get to go to a team that’s already a contender."
Ironside: "As you said, there weren't a ton of receiver needy teams. Do you think this is a team that can find a role where you can have an early impact?"
TropicaliaCC: "We will have to see how contract talks shake out between our front office and the pair of studs that are free agents right now. But whenever my time comes to step into a starting role you best believe I’ll be ready."
Ironside: "With so much defense going early, you made quite the slip. Do you think the other teams will regret passing you up?"
TropicaliaCC: "They’ll get a shoutout in my Hall of Fame speech."
Ironside: "You were just getting started in this league not too long ago. What's something you'd tell the players who are wearing those shoes now?"
TropicaliaCC: "Keep grinding and good things will come."
Orange County got an absolute steal with their eighth pick. They seem to be excited about Dexter Banks' potential and he seems determined to live up to their expectations. I can see him continuing to develop and having just as much success at the next level as he did in the DSFL.
9.
Arizona makes a move to secure their guy.
With the ninth pick in the draft, the Arizona Outlaws select wide receiver Saba Donut. Though Arizona had the tenth pick, they weren't willing to risk missing out on a player like Saba. there were some that had Saba going higher than this. He was a top 10 pass catcher in the DSFL this past season, wrangling in 60 passes for 645 yards and 5 touchdowns. What really attracted team though were his tendency to be team first. He's always willing to help out other players and push them to be better. He doesn't get focused on himself and is willing to do what it takes to win.
We were able to get SwagSloth in on a comment about his team's pick and their initiative to make sure they locked it up.
Ironside: "Arizona moved up at the end of the first round to secure Saba Donut at number nine. What made you pull the trigger on the trade?"
SwagSloth: "We were really surprised to see Saba fall as far as he did; we looked at him as a top 5 talent and didn’t expect him to fall that far. It was also clear to us that he was on another tier compared to the rest of the prospects left on the board. We were nervous about giving up any picks from the upcoming S18 draft, but fortunately, they were looking for cap and we had a little that we could afford to spare. We feel very strongly that Saba is the right fit for us long term and we’re absolutely ecstatic to have him here."
It was clear that Arizona felt pretty strongly about this pick. We really saw no reason to not take a look and see if Saba Donut felt just as strongly about his new team.
Ironside: "It took a trade, but you were finally picked up at number nine. Where did you roughly see yourself going in this draft? Did you think offensive talent would drop like this?"
SabaDonutMan: "Not originally. I was super surprised when all the wide receivers started to drop and once I saw the otters pick Banks I knew that the outlaws would somehow get me."
Ironside: "How excited were you to see that the Outlaws went out of their way to make a move to ensure you went to Arizona?"
SabaDonutMan: "I was ecstatic. From the previous talks I’ve had with Swag I knew that the outlaws were one of my favorite teams, so when I saw that they traded up I was super happy."
Ironside: "Do you see yourself taking a major role on this Arizona squad?"
SabaDonutMan: "Whatever the team wants me to do. If they need me to drive 47 hours to get White Castle I’ll do it. As long as I get some,"
Ironside: "Which of your new teammates are you most excited to share a locker room with now?"
SabaDonutMan: "There is no way I can just pick one. All of them are amazing and so kind and they play so well on the field. It’s an honor to share the field with each and every one of them."
Ironside: "With offensive talent dropping, you tumbled to ninth. Do you think any of the teams are going to regret that decision?"
SabaDonutMan: "I know they all had their reasons and I hope they are happy with who they picked."
Ironside: "You seem to be pretty interactive with your draft class. Anything you want to tell them?"
SabaDonutMan: "Let’s get to work."
Ironside: "You seem to always have advice to give, so what do you have for the young guys?"
SabaDonutMan: "Don’t get worried about where you will get drafted. Just get ready to work."
Arizona had a need at receiver and they managed to fill that need with one of the coolest heads in the league. This guy isn't the type to focus on himself, but focus on getting his team ready to win. For the ninth overall pick, the Outlaws couldn't have done better than Saba Donut.
10.
Liberty swap down and still get their man.
With the tenth pick in the draft, the Philadelphia Liberty select cornerback Julian McMorris. The Liberty swapped down and took the fourth defensive back off the board. McMorris posted respectable numbers last season with 35 catches, two interceptions, and eight pass defenses. He's a steady player who keeps himself competitive with his peers, but was a bit of a surprise to slip into the top 10 picks. He brings great personality the locker room though and fills the secondary corner role for the Liberty.
We wanted to know a bit more about McMorris and why the Liberty targeted him, so we decided what we could learn from Philadelphia's GMs, BWIII and Vander Jones.
Ironside: "You guys had a bit of excitement at the end of the first round where you selected Julian McMorris. Were you concerned about that trade down to 10?"
BWIII "Well at first we trying to trade up with Orange County, but after Austin came in with that huge offer that beat ours we had to shift gears. McMorris was the guy we had tabbed, but we felt like other teams might not be as high on him as we are and we knew what some of the other teams were targeting. In the end after talking with Arizona we knew they weren't going to select McMorris and allowed them to jump up a spot to grab their guy, while we secured more cap space as we had a number of free agents we have been targeting."
Ironside: "You guys took Julian McMorris with the last selection in the first round. How high of a priority was he for Philadelphia?"
Vander Jones: "There were a few good players left at that spot and we had talks with a couple of them. Throughout the process I was really impressed with McMorris during our conversations and thought he would become a good player but more than anything a great locker room guy. We needed a corner to play opposite of Emoji, which is something we've been searching for a few seasons now, and we hope McMorris will be the guy to take that responsibility and run with it. He is a little behind some others in practice time but we believe he will remain consistent and become a great asset to our defense. When we were up and Saba Donut was on the board, we knew Arizona was wanting him, and we were in search of some more cap space. So it made sense to offer them a swap to pick up extra cap space and still draft the guy we were going to draft if we had stayed put."
Tracking down the man of the hour took a little extra time, but he was more than willing to share when we sat down with him.
Ironside: "You slid into the first round, getting picked up by Philadelphia at number 10. Did you anticipate going in the first round?"
TubbyTim69: "I knew I was going to be a late first early send round pick. Once I finished my pre draft talk with Philly I kinda had an idea I was going first round."
Ironside: "You come in a bit late, but how do you see yourself impacting this roster?"
TubbyTim69: "Its going to be a battle, but I want to start day one. I want to start of swinging."
Ironside: "You're heading to Philadelphia. Who are you looking forward to teaming up with?"
TubbyTim69: "Any of the guys on defense really. Emoji is the shut down guy right now and I can't wait to work with him and learn and build good chemistry with him."
Ironside: "You almost tumbled out of the first round. Any words for the guys that let you slip this far.?"
TubbyTim69: "See you on the field."
The Philadelphia Liberty seemed to have a firm grasp of how things would play out at the end of this round. They knew who their man was, they knew who they were targeting, and they were able to take advantage of a trade to free up a little cap space. Julian McMorris seemed to be ready to start day one on a team that needed a number two corner to solidify their defense. Hopefuly he continues to improve and the Liberty's secondary can become something special."
11.
Austin gets potential steal at the beginning of the second round.
With the 11th pick in the draft, the Austin Copperheads select safety Takeda Okura. After racking up 79 tackles, one interception, and two pass defenses last season, Takeda Okura was the clear number two safety in this draft. He's a guy who does what he can to keep himself improving and there were a lot of mocks that had him going in the top 10.
We were curious about how the Copperheads felt about Okura dropping here, so we reached out to the GMs once more.
Ironside: Some people saw him going potentially in the first round, but with the 11th pick you brought in Takeda Okura. Do you have plans for him to contribute right away?
AdamS: Yes. We were absolutely ecstatic that he dropped to us at number 11. This is someone who improves our young defense immediately and we have high hopes for.
Being the first pick in the second round, I was hoping I'd get a chance to catch up with Okura himself. It took some time to track him down, but he was more than willing to answer some questions once I did!
Ironside: "There was some thought of you going in the first round, but Austin picked you at 11. How do you feel about that position?"
Jaspers: "I mean, I'd expected to maybe go a pick or so before, but it was generally where I thought it would be."
Ironside: "You're going to Austin. Who are you most excited about on their roster?"
Jaspers: "Of course. Owens was my teammate in San Antonio with the Marshals, and a really chill guy. I haven't met too many of my new teammates yet, because I've been gone for a while, but overall I'm really excited to have landed here."
Ironside: "Seven teams passed on you for you to fall to 11. Anything you wish to share with them?"
Jaspers: "Nah, I don't really care too much about that. I'm just focusing on my current team right now. Although for the team that drafted Brackenridge, you'll regret that pick in the future."
Ironside: "What do you want to say to your fellow prospects?"
Jaspers: "We're a great group, and I know that a lot of us will have successful NSFL careers. We'll still be good friends even after being thrust into new teams."
Ironside: "Well I'm not going to try and hold you any longer. Anything you want to throw out for the young guys?"
Jaspers: "Make a twitter account, ask questions, and be active."
We got to hear from Takeda Okura directly, but we have also heard from several of his teammates. They sing high praises for the safety and it always speaks to character when people are willing to go to bat for you. The Copperheads got one of the highest rated remaining earners on the board and it looks like he intends to continue grinding.
12.
Arizona bolsters their defensive line.
With the 12th pick in the draft, the Arizona Outlaws select defensive tackle Shane Masters. Shane Masters comes into this slot without a lot of fanfare. There weren't many who were really talking about him in the top 12 coming into the draft. He managed a decent effort this past season that consisted of 37 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, and a single sack. He is the third best defensive lineman in the draft and considering a league wide talent shortage at this position, its a surprise Masters wasn't discussed more.
While we had SwagSloth available, we wanted to see what it was about Masters that brought the young defensive tackle to this position.
Ironside: You guys just used your 12th pick to select Shane Masters. What made Masters a priority here in the second round?"
SwagSloth: "We don’t consider our defense to have many holes, but the one area that is constantly of concern for most teams is the defensive line. We saw Masters as a player who had serious potential, but needed more time to showcase his real talent. We pride ourselves on being able to develop players from the ground up. One of our veteran DEs, Avery Woodham, is also retiring after this season, so Masters will have a spot waiting for him and we feel he’s the perfect successor to Mr. Woodham."
Being at such a position of need, Masters could potentially be the diamond in the rough of the entire draft. He can go into Arizona and make an immediate impact. The Outlaws were looking at potential with this pick and with some development, Masters can have some of the highest potential in this draft.
13.
Absolute game changer slips to New Orleans in the second round.
With the 13th pick in the draft, the New Orleans Second Line[b] select wide receiver [b]Action Jackson From the outside looking in, almost no one expected the top receivers to slide the way they did. Coming off of a season where he posted 44 catches, 450 yards, and four touchdowns, many draft boards had Jackson going no later than 10. Jackson was a top four offensive prospect in the draft and New Orleans grabbing him here was an absolute steal.
I was absolutely surprised that Action Jackson slipped down the board like this, so I had to find out if the GMs of the Second Line were as blindsided as me. I tracked down terriblehippo and JuOSu once again.
Ironside: "New Orleans just took Action Jackson 13th in the draft. He was pretty highly rated, so were you surprised to see him on the board this late?"
terriblehippo: "Honestly, we were very surprised to find Jackson at number 13. He was another prospect that we had rated highly, but we assumed that he would be long gone by the time we got to our second round pick--there are quite a few teams that could've used him, and we figured one of them would take him. We were focused more on defenders in this draft, but when we got on the clock and realized Jackson was still available, we knew we had to snap him up. We are beyond thrilled to have him in New Orleans."
Ironside: "At number 13, you guys went for Action Jackson. Seeing him at that position, it was an absolutely pick him now situation right?"
JuOSu: "Jackson stood out to us even earlier than that. We actually thought he was a first round talent and we were shocked he kept dropping. In our war room, we kept being shocked that he was dropping and falling further. We were very happy he fell all the way to 13. He had more ability and was more active than several guys taken ahead of him, which made it all the more surprising he fell."
I felt a bit better about my assumptions after talking to the GMs involved with this pick. It was clear that Action Jackson was a higher pick than this, but every draft there is someone who falls just a little bit later than they should. This season it looks like New Orleans was able to swoop in and pickup the peices.
14.
The Second Line look to solidify secondary with the 14th pick.
With the 14th pick in the draft, the New Orleans Second Line select cornerback Willie Woodson. New Orleans takes another corner off the board with a pick they got in the Brayden Ennis trade with the Hawks. Woodson posted a solid season with 60 tackles, one interception, and eight passes defended. The Second Line came into this draft with an emphasis on defense and Woodson is another addition to a solid draft class.
In a draft class rife with secondary talent, I wanted to see what really made Woodson stick out to the Second Line.
Ironside: "You guys got an additonal second rounder with your earlier trade. You picked up your second corner of the draft. What made Woodson stick out at this pick?"
JuOSu: "The league is a passing league in many ways. Most teams, like ours, use nickel formation most, so you can never have too many cornerbacks. With s15 draftee Deon Taylor, we now have three great cornerbacks that should make this a feared defense, along with our great linebackers and the rest of our defense."
Ironside: "You said earlier you guys were looking at defenders at 13th when Action Jackson fell. Then this 14th pick fell into your lap. How good did it feel to get a steal and still get the guy you were looking at in this spot?"
terriblehippo: "It felt fantastic! Like I said, our main focus going into the draft was improving our defense. By selecting Andrews with the third and trading for Ennis, we made immediate and significant upgrades to both our secondary and our defensive line. Getting Jackson, and then grabbing another corner in Willie Woodson, was just icing on the cake. We've still got to figure out exactly what our defense is going to look like next season: we've got a lot of players, both new and old, and we need to find the best way to utilize those players so we can win games. But as far as problems go, that's a great one to have. I'd rather have too much talent than not enough, and we are swimming in talent."
The New Orleans Second Line have really pushed this secondary into something that will borderline elite. It'll need a little development and we will have to see how Willie Woodson takes to his role as the nickel corner, but he'll get a chance to contribute early and often.
15.
San Jose draft pick retires!
With the 15th pick in the draft the San Jose SaberCats select safety A.C. Payton. A.C. Payton posted respectable numbers last season. He worked to get 69 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, and four pass defenses. He was the third best safety in the DSFL, but most of that got overshadowed on draft. Day. Shortly before draft picks were announced, A.C. Payton retired, sending San Jose into chaos.
As the draft was closing out, I had to know how the SaberCats were dealing with the drama that was unfolding around the pick. I was able to contact ckroyal92 and Rradum for comment.
Ironside: "You guys picked A.C Patyon at 15. What were the reactions to the AC Peyton retirement knowing that you guys had picked him up?"
ckroyal92: "Frustrating to say the least considering we had made the pick days ago and we weren't allowed to talk to him about it, or at least why we'd wanted to talk about it if we had. As soon as the pick was officially announced, I contacted him immediately and he quickly unretired, an act for which I am
Hello, ladies and gentleman, welcome to Ironside Media. The one place to keep you updated on everything that is new in the league! Today, we're covering the NSFL draft that took place last night. We're going to take a deep dive into the process of what happened, talk to players and GMs about how it all went down, and give our overall review of each of the picks. I hope you guys enjoy! Lets get started.
1.
Austin makes obvious pick and number one, but was it the right one?
With the first pick in the draft, the Austin Copperheads select running back Ashley Owens. This is a pick that came as no surprise to anyone. Coming off of a season where he posted 1704 all purpose yards and 12 touchdowns, Owens was the only selection in this spot. He's a max earner who is always looking for way to improve and looks to be a long time face on this team. The Copperheads knew what they were getting at this pick and now they have a superstar that might help them get to the next level.
We managed to sit down with both of the GMs for the Austin Copperheads, AdamS and JKortesi81 . Lets take a look at what they had to say at this pick.
Ironside: "Thank you for taking a moment of your time tonight. I know its a busy time, but we have to talk about Ashley Owens.Obviously most people saw Ashley Owens going at number one, but was he always your guy in this process or did you have other considerations?"
AdamS: "Always our number one. Lot of people were amazing but he was always the one we wanted."
Ironside: "You guys went after Ashley Owens with your first pick. What was the main quality that made him stand out here to you?"
JKortesi81: "You’re saying that like there’s only one quality that caused us to make this selection! Owens was heads and tails above the rest of the draftees here, and that’s saying something with this amazing class. It comes down to this: Ashley Owens is a game changing, nay, franchise changing football player, and that’s exactly what we need in Austin. His work ethic is off the charts, and when combined with his natural, God-given football abilities, it equates to one hell of a difference maker on the field. On top of it all he’s a locker room leader, and we expect him to be as much in the Copperheads locker room right off the bat. Just the total package."
With the GMs more than excited about getting Owens, I had to sit down with Owens himself and see how he felt about landing here.
Ironside: "I know you can't wait to celebrate, so I'll try to make this as brief as possible. You went first overall. Most everyone had you flying off the board here. Did you buy into the hype and would you have been disappointed in anything else?"
run_CMC: "I wouldn’t call it buying into the hype; more so it was confidence in myself and my abilities. I was actually contacted by several teams before my DSFL season was even halfway over. Austin is one of several who told me that they would take me with their highest possible pick. Other teams didn’t even contact me, and when I got in touch with them via my agent, they basically said they expected me to not even get close to falling to them. So, I try to keep myself humble about it, but I’ve kind of known for a while now that I’d go very high in the draft. Being the first overall choice in both the DSFL and NSFL draft makes me in a pretty exclusive club so, yeah I think I would’ve been disappointed going any lower, as conceited as that sounds."
Ironside: "That's good because confidence can be key in this league. Confidence got you this far. As the first overall draft pick, what impact do you expect to have on this season?"
run_CMC: "Obviously I’d love to come into Austin and immediately be a star. But realistically, even as the first pick of the draft, it’ll take some time. I hope to break 1500 combined rushing/receiving yards as I did this past season, but the skill of the other players at the receiving end of the ball, and the other running back, is much greater than it was in the DSFL (example: Rod Tidwell!). 1500 yards is definitely my goal, but I’d say anywhere from 1200-1500 is realistic. It really depends how many snaps I take in the slot versus out of the backfield. Either way, I expect myself to make an immediate strong positive impact on the team, regardless of if I’m a star player or the least recognized skill position player."
Ironside: "Are there any specific teammates you look forward to suiting up with in Austin? You seemed a little excited about Rod Tidwell."
run_CMC: "Rod Tidwell for sure. It’s easy for guys to fly under the radar when the team goes 0-13, understandably, but Tidwell is a beast. Hoping he can help me get my hands a little better! I’m also looking forward to being back on the same team with Takeda Okura. The guy is a great safety and a better teammate; Austin was lucky to get him! Also, it’ll be... interesting playing alongside Dermot Lavelle Jr. The dude has a lot of name recognition from his dad, and from an outsider’s point of view, it seemed to go to his head with all his draft demands. Like, I know I have a clause about kick returns in my contract I just signed, but he had a lot of stuff going on in his. I’m excited to work alongside him in practice and see how he produces on the field; regardless of my thoughts on his pre-draft business, I’m sure Lavelle has a lot of fire that’s gonna show on the turf."
Ironside: "A lot of guys went off the board tonight. Is there anything you'd like to say to your fellow draftees?"
run_CMC: "Yes! Keep on working. No days off. Your draft position can be a badge, but for people who were disrespected by their’s, use it as a chip on your shoulder. I was only offered scholarships from a handful of regional D1 schools when I was coming out of high school; they didn’t even cover full expenses and I had to take out small student loans as a result. And here I am now. The grind never stops unless you let it. Keep at it, and hard work will be rewarded."
Ironside: "Alright, I'm not going to hold you much longer. Anything else you would like to add about your draft experience? Things people might want to know or might help the new guys coming up?"
run_CMC: "If you don’t get calls, don’t worry. In the DSFL I only got contacted by half the teams. Same in the NSFL. Not to be repetitive, but work to be the best and one day, anyone who didn’t draft you will regret it."
Ironside: "That's fantastic. I wish you luck on the coming season. Now get out there and celebrate."
Overall it seems like the Copperheads really got their guy. Owens seems to be excited to get started on the season and hopefully he can repay Austin's trust in volumes with his play on the field.
2.
Colorado take defensive tackle second overall; best choice?
With the second pick in the draft, the Colorado Yeti select defensive tackle Bubba Thumper. He's coming off of a solid season where he posted 32 tackles, 6 TFLs, and two sacks. It wasn't his stats that attracted Colorado to this pick though. Thumper is active and hard working, constantly doing what he can to not only improve himself but help others as well. Colorado got a leader here with near limitless upside.
We had to get the opinions of the Colorado brass, so quickly tracked them down to try and get a statement. Infinitempg and bwestfield were completely confident in their pick.
Ironside: "With the second overall pick, you guys took Bubba Thumper. Some people thought Bubba might slip from here. Did you always see him at second overall?"
infinitempg: "Definitely. We did want to keep our options open and reached out to a lot of prospects, but I think ever since we beat Austin in the Tank Bowl that Bubba was our man. Our defensive line was retiring two and it's hard to pass over a talented DT like Bubba to fill those gaps."
Ironside: "You guys just picked up Bubba Thumper. Was there every a possibility of any other prospect? What role do you see for him on the team?"
bwestfield: "Unfortunately for them, no. A lot of people we talked to were awesome and we would have loved to have them on the team, but for us the pick of Bubba was undeniable. He was someone we had been watching throughout the year. We're very excited to have him on the team and expect an immediate impact."
With both GMs involved with the Colorado Yeti entirely enamored by this pick, I knew that sitting down with Bubba was absolutely necessary. He seemed more than eager to talk about his draft position, still riding the high of going second overall.
Ironside: "Colorado had no hesitation when taking you with the second overall pick. Is this where you imagined going?"
woelkers: "Well, I couldn't see myself going before Owens, so Austin was off the table. I was mocked mostly between Colorado, New Orleans, and Baltimore, so I expected to go in that general area. I'm thrilled Colorado decided to take a chance on me, and I'm ready to be a Yeti."
Ironside: "This team seemed to need a bit of help on their defensive line due to age and retirement. What role do you see yourself playing for the Yeti?"
woelkers: "I think I'm a guy that can change this defense for the better right away. This team went 1-12 last season; I intend to give everything I have to help this team improve in the seasons to come."
Ironside: "Now that you know where you're heading, who are you most excited to get on the field with in Colorado?"
woelkers: "I've gotten to know Mo Berry a little bit the past season, I think he's going to be real fun to have playing behind me. Quentin Sinclair and Tony Gabagool figure to be great teammates as well. It'll be really nice to have Jordan McCann III on my team, not with the enemy. We got some real great guys in the locker room, I'm excited to be here."
Ironside: "This seems to be a pretty tight class of prospects. Anything you'd like to say to the other draftees?"
woelkers: "I'm really proud of these guys, especially the guys I've shared a locker room with in San Antonio. We're a tight-knit group, and you'll see us supporting each other our entire careers, even though we're wearing different colors. We're not the biggest draft class, but you'd better believe we're trying to be the best."
Ironside: "Lastly, I've got to know. Do you've got any tips or advice for the guys going into the DSFL?"
woelkers: "I recognize I'm speaking from the position of somebody who just went second overall, so my draft experience is far from what most people get, but I especially want the young guys entering the league to know that all the hard work pays off in the long run. People didn't even know who I was when I went ninth in the DSFL Draft to San Antonio, and tonight the only player who went ahead of me was Owens. This is a dream come true for a guy like me; I've worked hard to get here, and I'm going to enjoy every moment of chasing championships in this league."
Bubba really seems to have a solid head on his shoulders and he's filling a position of desperate need for Colorado. The GMs seem optimistic about this pick and hopefully Bubba is a guy who can keep the optimism high for the Yeti.
3.
New Orleans goes for defense early; can this guy really turn it around?
With the third pick in the draft, the New Orleans Second Line select cornerback Jordan Andrews. Andrews comes off of pretty massive season where he managed 74 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 passes defended. This was a deep secondary class, but Andrews managed to make himself stand out at his position. He was one of the highest earners in the draft and has shown a willingness to work. New Orleans was looking to bolster their defense in this off season and Jordan is a massive jump start to that ambition.
Getting the New Orleans GMs, terriblehippo and JoOsu, to say a word didn't take much. Both seemed to be absolutely over the moon with this pick.
Ironside: "You just made Jordan Andrews your top pick in this draft. What made him such a high priority for this franchise?"
terriblehippo: "Andrews was absolutely the guy we were aiming for. I truly believe that defense wins championships, and I don't think it's a secret that our pass defense last season was not great. So it only made sense for us to go after a cornerback, and Andrews was the best CB prospect in this draft class. Additionally, his GM in Tijuana happens to be TomHanks, who spoke extremely highly of him in our pre-draft discussions. When you put all of those factors together, it became clear to all of us in the war room that Andrews was gonna be our pick at three."
Ironside: "Nice timing. I was just speaking to your colleague here about your first pick. The third overall pick Jordan Andrews. Was this the guy you were hoping to see at three?"
JuOSu: "Honestly, any of the three top guys are obviously great players and people and we would have been happy with any of them falling to us. That being said, Juice was actually the guy we were happiest to see in that spot. We felt like he was the guy we wanted to have on our team and we had great conversations with him beforehand. We are very excited to bring him to New Orleans."
Ironside: "You got picked third overall! Were you planning to go off the board that fast?"
Juice: "Well, my family, friends, teammates and coaches would bring it up now and again cause I don't pay attention to the sports channels, critics and radios. Less distraction, more work into being the player I am."
Ironside: "You're heading off to New Orleans. They had that absolutely draft shattering trade that brought the number four pick to New Orleans with you. How do you feel about getting to start your career with two top 5 picks on the same defense?"
Juice: "Absolutely unbelievable that was last night! Two top 5 picks on defense going to the same team is news for seasons to come. The way I look at it as a player is, myself and Brayden are competitors on the field and don't see ourselves as numbers. We go out an play 60 minutes of gridiron football at our greatest of abilities every game. That's what got us selected where we did. Can't wait to hit the practice field with this guy!"
Ironside: "Any final comments or advice you want to give your fellow prospects or future prospects?"
Juice: "Education is key. School is not for everyone but you can still use your time wisely to educate yourself or seek it through other methods. Keep in mind that many athletes like yourselves work their entire lives to make it to the league and never do or only last a season or two. Or a career ending injury. I pray that happens to none of y'all. Be educated on life if football doesn't work."
4.
Top prospect caught up in draft insanity!
With the fourth pick in the draft, the Baltimore Hawks select defensive tackle Brayden Ennis. Ennis was widely regarded as an easy top five pick in this draft. Coming off of a season that saw him net 28 tackles and a sack, it was Ennis' work ethic that appealed to most GMs. This is a guy who is constantly updating and who is willing to be a pillar of his community. He was easily the second best defensive lineman in the class, and it seemed like Baltimore may have gotten the steal of the draft at this pick. Then early in the second, chaos erupted as Baltimore made a move to trade Ennis to the New Orleans Second Line for Benson Harris.
No one expected this, it was a true blindside and we had to go behind the scenes to get a grasp on exactly what happened in the blockbuster trade of the season. We wanted to speak to Baltimore's front office first, get a grasp on why they were making an early exit from this draft.
Ironside: "Alright, you guys just traded completely out of the draft for a solid existing player. Can you take me through that process and why Baltimore was willing to give up this class?"
iseedoug: "We picked Brayden Ennis in the first round, who filled a position of need and is highly active, but we are in win now mode. We decided to trade him to NOLA to get a much higher skill DT who is young and helps us get better right away.
I think Brayden could have been a solid play for us in the future, and hopefully he can have a great career at NOLA, but our window is closing with the age of many of our star players."
Ironside: "Things went a little crazy for the Hawks here in the draft. You guys picked Brayden Ennis with the fourth picj, but then decided to basically trade out of the draft entirely. What were your thoughts on the insanity?"
nuncoepi: "Yeah! We knew that we needed to focus on our DL in this draft, so we did that with our first draft pick. However we saw an opportunity to pick up older guy with a little more ability and decided to take it. So although it would have been great to get Ennis on our team, we had to make a sacrifice."
With Baltimore in an absolute win now mode, I knew that the guys who just picked up some key talent for their franchise would want to talk. Terriblehippo and JuOSu both were more than willing to expand on their side of the trade.
Ironside: "Okay, so that trade was absolutely insane. Terriblehippo, at what point did you guys know that you had a chance at Ennis?"
terriblehippo: "We were a little disappointed when Baltimore took him, but not surprised: we knew that he was going to be taken early, so we began focusing on the rest of the draft. But then Baltimore approached us about acquiring Benson Harris. They wanted a more immediate upgrade on their defensive line to make a run at the Ultimus, and while they liked Ennis, they thought that Harris would be a better fit for that goal. So we quickly agreed to the deal that they proposed. Honestly I feel like this trade is one of those rare ones where both teams win. Baltimore gets a great defensive lineman that will definitely improve their odds of making--and winning--an Ultimus, and we get a great young player to add to our existing young core of talent. I think we'll look back at this trade in a few seasons and agree that it was a fantastic move for all parties involved."
Ironside: "And you, JuOSu. What was your mindset with all of this insanity going on?"
JuOSu: "We had liked Ennis in the first round, but we basically knew there was no way he would fall to us, so we begrudgingly had to accept we wouldn't get him. I think there were trade talks with another team first that fell through for them and so they came to us with the offer. We couldn't believe our luck and our fortune, as we had felt very strongly about Ennis and being able to add yet another active with the additional second rounder was just the cherry on top. Getting Ennis for Harris straight up would have already been a great trade for us, but this way we were able to add another great player."
It seemed that all sides were pretty excited about the shake up with this pick. Now we had to talk to the prospect himself because we knew that he had to be going through a roller coaster of emotions.
Ironside: "Thank you for taking the time to do this, I know things are crazy right now! You were initially chosen by the Baltimore Hawks, but then mere minutes later you were shipped off to New Orleans. What was that roller coaster like and do you feel like you ended up in a good spot?"
Buttersqauch: "That was incredible, I think most people knew I was going 4OA but no one could’ve predicted the trade. My phone blew up with notifications. If you’ve seen who NOLA drafted you can see we’re about to make a super team. Looking at it after the trade NOLA is the better spot for me. The fact that Baltimore was willing to get rid of me for some no name and give NOLA an extra pick is beyond me. Definitely better management in New Orleans."
Ironside: "New Orleans gave up a proven commodity to come get you. What kind of role do you see yourself taking on this team?"
Buttersqauch: "I see myself starting immediately on the line. Franklin Townsend is starting to get old and he’s DSFL material. I’m here to fill up the space that NOLA needs filled and I’m gonna do it right."
Ironside: "What do you want to say to the teams that passed on you to this point?"
Buttersqauch: "I mean. We knew who was going to Austin and Colorado first and second overall. I think most of us thought that I wasn’t going third Overall to New Orleans. But since the trade happened the only team I can really critique is Baltimore. All I can say is why would you do something that’s gonna bite you in the asshole later?"
Ironside: "What about your fellow draftees? Anything for the 2017 class?"
Buttersqauch: "I’m hoping for the best for all. No matter where they went. Except for poor Michael Doud since he went to Baltimore. Never forget:
Ironside: "Its good to know you already have some bulletin board material. You've got that chip on your shoulder and something to prove. More fuel is never bad. Do you have anything you'd like to add for the newer guys coming int?"
Buttersqauch: "Don’t get your hopes up to where you think you’ll be going unless it’s 100%. My DSFL draft I was certain I was going to San Antonio. I was disappointed when it didn’t happen but Kansas City was an amazing place. You’ll learn to enjoy where you go."
It seems that both franchises got what they wanted out of this deal. The Hawks really want to close out a championship in their current window and they made the moves they felt were necessary for that. The Second Line got to continue building up the young core of players that should make them solid contenders in the next couple of seasons. Ennis is a key building block here and I can't wait to see what becomes of this young, stacked defense.
5.
SaberCats get elite defender; Brackenridge upset about draft position?
With the fifth pick in the draft, the San Jose SaberCats select safety Tyron Brackenridge. Brackenridge was the best safety prospect in this draft and many thought he might go higher than this. Brackenridge comes off of a season where he posted a respectable 57 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and three passes defended. Add in his earning potential and the fact he's one of the busier guys on the board and he was almost guaranteed to be gone in the top five.
Some might would say Tyron slipped a bit as many pundits had him potentially going in the top three. We thought we'd ask around and see what San Jose had to say about their new pick.
Ironside: "After slipping to five overall, San Jose managed to pick up Tyron Brackenridge. Is this the guy you hoped would be here to get with this pick?"
ckroyal92: "100%. There were a couple positions of need that we were looking to fill and our secondary has been a point of emphasis this entire off season for us. We got torched by the passing game last season, having fielded two rookie corners. My new coGM, Rradum, spoke very highly of Brack and we expect him to be a major part of our defense as we move into the next phase of SaberCats football."
With the mention that Rradum had some impact on this pick, we thought it'd be great to go to the new coGM and see how he felt about how things worked out.
Ironside: "You guys managed to grab Tyron Brackenridge at number five. What made him such a priority for you guys over others at this spot?"
Rradum: "The SaberCats secondary was absolutely our weakest point last season and we saw a chance to build on that. He was at the top of our board since the beginning and we are so happy that we got him. It's going to be awesome having him in the locker room since I was his GM in Kansas City."
Finally, I managed to flag down the man himself to see how he felt about how everything landed.
Ironside: "Do you mind if I take just a few minutes of your time to ask questions about the draft? You got picked fifth by San Jose. Is this where you thought you'd land?"
Lowlycrib: "Didn't really see myself going here but my former GM at Kansas City is a part of this San Jose team so I guess that could've played a role."
Ironside: "You said you didn't see yourself landing here, so where is it that you really saw yourself going in the draft? Higher? Lower?"
Lowlycrib: "Thought i had a good chance of top three."
Ironside: "What kind of role do you see yourself taking on this team now that you're here?"
Lowlycrib: "Large impact, they obviously have big plans for me and I plan to remain active to complete that."
Ironside: "You seem unhappy about falling to five, so you clearly have a bit of a chip on your shoulder. Is there anything you'd like to say to the teams that passed on you?"
Lowlycrib: "Brack don't crack."
Ironside: "What would you want to get out to your fellow prospects?"
Lowlycrib: "Good luck keeping up to me."
After talking to all parties involved, it looks like Tyron Brackenridge has a chance to make an immediate impact on this team. The GMs for San Jose seem ecstatic to have gotten him and while Tyron himself seems to resent those who passed him up, he seems to appreciate the chance to play for this franchise. He seems to have some renewed drive to prove to everyone he should have been taken before fifth overall.
6.
Wraiths continue their method of taking the best player off the board.
With the sixth pick in the draft, the Yellowknife Wraiths select cornerback Mervin Leonard. Yellowknife have a bit of a reputation for taking the best player off the board. Its hard to argue with anyone other that Mervin Leonard in this spot. Leonard had a relatively breakout season this past year with 56 tackles, four interceptions, and a massed 15 passes defended. Leonard has a real sense for the ball and finds himself often in the right place at the right time. Getting a solid, young secondary player is always nice and the Wraiths may have struck gold here.
We wanted to get a little more insight on why Yellowknife felt Leonard was the best pick here, so we started with a quick sit down with Daybe and Bigred1580.
Ironside: "Thanks for taking the time for this interview! You guys picked up Mervin Leonard at number six. You are a solid team with a lot of depth. How do you think he impacts you guys this season?"
Daybe: "Mr. Leonard may or may not be on the team’s roster for this season depending on how free agency shakes out. If the case was that we called him up this year, Leonard would make an impact right away, although likely would not start on the other side of Mr. Snuggles, more of in a nickelback role. If he debuts in S18, then he will be the second shutdown cornerback on this team, playing opposite of Snuggles."
Ironside: "With the sixth pick, you guys grabbed a cornerback, Mervin Leonard. What about him made him a priority for Yellowknife?"
Bigred1580: "A couple things. He was just a great fit both on and off the field. Great interview, guy who grew up in the Northwest Territories, plus he filled possibly our biggest need at CB and is such a solid earner."
It was time to shift gears and see what Mervin Leonard felt about the draft.
Ironside: "You now know that you're heading out to Yellowknife. Did you ever thing that you would go this high?"
hihihi_62: "Honestly man this whole process has been such a whirlwind and I still can't believe I was even a first round pick in the NSFL draft! Coming into the DSFL I was the 12th selection in a league with four active teams at the time and there really wasn't much fanfare around me. Throughout the process I really clicked with the Wraiths GM BigRed and really enjoyed the time I had spent touring the Yellowknife facility. I'm just happy that a team took a chance on me and I'm going to work my ass off to ensure they aren't disappointed!"
Ironside: "The Wraiths seem to have a pretty stacked roster on paper. What kind of role do you think you play on this kind of team?"
hihihi_62: "In my humble opinion the Wraiths are an absolutely loaded squad on both sides of the ball but especially in their secondary. My plan is to just show up and learn from talented guys like Jonny Snuggles to improve myself and do whatever it takes to help the team win."
Ironside: "You seem to be pretty excited about this roster. Are there any other players that you look forward to sharing a locker room with in Yellowknife?"
hihihi_62: "Oh man for sure! Guys like Johnny Snuggles, Nero Alexander, Logan Uchiha and Danny Grithead have been guys I have idolized for as long as I can remember so I can't wait to get on the field with them."
Ironside: "You are of course in the first round, but being at six means five teams passed on you. Anything you want to say about that?"
hihihi_62: "That's a tough question. I think everyone that went above me worked hard and deserved to be chosen where they were, but I think long run people are going to be kicking themselves for not considering Mervin Leonard when he's shutting down their offense and giving opposing wideouts nightmares."
Ironside: "This was a pretty decent class. A lot of friendships, a lot of rivalries. Anything you want to say to them?"
hihihi_62: "We've been a tight group throughout this whole process and I just want to congratulate everyone on their hard work paying off bit I'd also like to remind them that the real grind starts now and just because they've been drafted doesn't mean shit. We all still need to keep working hard to earn minutes and prove ourselves."
Ironside: "I don't want to take too much more of your time, but do you have any advice for the next wave of rookies?"
hihihi_62: "This whole draft experience has been something that I'll never forget and has been like a roller coaster. To all the new guys starting out I just want to remind them that regardless of where they are drafted and regardless of where they end up on their DSFL depth charts to be persistent and keep working hard. I was the 12th pick in a four team draft, came into the Pythons as the third ranked DB in terms of TPE but kept grinding and finished as the fourth highest TPE earning defender in the draft and by far the highest earning defender on the Pythons. If you ever get confused or overwhelmed the NSFL community is so supportive and helpful so reach out for help if you need it!"
While is seems there is a chance that Marvin Leonard doesn't start immediately, he seems like he's willing do whatever it takes to help the team win. He's a flashy prospect with a lot of upside who really seems to put an emphasis on improvement and sacrifice. Regardless of what role he plays this season, going into the future Leonard will become a center piece to an already strong roster.
7.
Another trade brings star linebacker to Austin!
With the seventh pick in the draft, the Orange County Otters select linebacker Honda Edmond. Honda was unquestionably the top linebacker in this draft. Coming off of a season where he posted 49 tackles and a sack, Honda had the advantage of being a hard working player at a position of need in our league. His value was truly shown though when the Austin Copperheads almost immediately offered a trade when he came off the board. Orange County was willing to give him up for the next pick and a little extra draft capitol.
Were were only able to track down AdamS for comment, but he was more than willing to give us a quote on the trade.
Ironside: "AdamS, you guys seemed to be quick to respond when Honda was taken. What went into the process of dealing this trade?"
AdamS: "A lot of long careful thought and planning. Ha! I can feel my coGM glaring at me. Honda was someone who was extremely high on our list and I jumped as soon as he was gone in order to get him where he belongs."
Honda himself seemed to be absolutely glowing with excitement when we found him after the pick was made.
Ironside: "You were initially grabbed by the Otters before the Copperheads immediately traded for you. It seems the team put huge emphasis on you. Did you see yourself going at pick 7 and do you like where you landed?"
KillKillKill: "I honestly had no idea where I'd go. If you were to believe the mocks, I was picked to go to Philly at pick 9. When I heard my name at 7, it was a pretty big surprise. Then, I saw the trade. I was a bit confused at first, but when it all shook out and I was going to Austin, I was pretty happy. No disrespect to the Otters, I would have enjoyed playing there as well. I had a bit of experience with some of the Copperheads, so it will be a smooth transition in the locker room and I couldn't be happier about that."
Ironside: "Now that you're headed off to Austin, do you envision a role for yourself on that roster?"
KillKillKill: "I think I'll be active in the game plan early. I'm going to do my best bolster the linebacker core and improve the defense. Hopefully I can grow into being a team leader and help bring the team some victories."
Ironside: "You mentioned you were actually surprised to go as early as seventh, but even so would you like to say something to the other teams?"
KillKillKill: "I made a lot of friends with my S17 draft mates, and each one that was picked before me will be a star in this league. All I'm gonna focus on is how I can make the team that did take a chance on me, better."
Ironside: "Is there anything specific you'd like to say to your season 17 friends?"
KillKillKill: "Each of you is like a brother, and I wish my brothers nothing but success. Unless you're playing the Copperheads, then I hope you have you worst game of the season haha."
Ironside: "I always like to ask all of our prospects, but do you have any advice for the up and comers?"
KillKillKill: "Just make sure you're taking advantage of every opportunity to improve your player. You don't have to be the biggest voice in the room if you keep on top of every chance you get to improve. Do more listening to the vets of the league than talking. Find out what makes them good and adapt it to fit your style."
It looks like Honda Edmond will be looking to make an impact early and often. Austin is a team that is working on building a young core of star players and linebacker is always somewhere you would want a reliable peice. Edmond seems to be ready to do whatever it take to be what it is Austin is looking for. This could be one of the better matches in this draft.
8.
Offensive superstar falls to late in the first. How does it impact him?
With the eight pick in the draft, the Orange County Otters select wide receiver Dexter Banks II. Banks was the top receiver in this class and only the second offensive talent to be taken. He comes off of a top level season where he managed 74 catches, 985 yards, and six touchdowns. He was one of the biggest weapons in the DSFL and it was a bit surprising to see him slide here. Banks is a reliable player who should continue to improve during his career with the Otters.
Between trading down to this spot and grabbing a weapon such as Dexter Banks, we knew we had to talk to someone who was in the know. Speculadora was willing to give us some insight on what happened in Orange County's war room.
Ironside: "You guys selected Honda Edmund seventh overall and then immediately swapped him out to grab Banks at eighth. What were you thinking in the process of that swap?"
Speculadora: "We were absolutely huge fans of Edmond and trading him was a gut wrenching call, but when the Copperheads approached us with an early pick in next season's loaded draft class we just felt like it was a move we had to make. Defense was definitely a priority but we'll have a chance to address that again next season while doing this now still allowed us to get a premier receiver in Dexter Banks II. Banks was high on our list as well, with our wide receiver situation a little unpredictable at the moment. So picking up more draft capital while still grabbing a player high on our board made it too difficult to not cave and take Austin's offer."
We had another player involved with a bit of a crazy switch. We were eager to get Dexter Banks' opinion on the whole ordeal.
Ironside: "You went to Orange County at eight overall. Being one of the top offensive talents in the draft, did you have any indications that you might slip this far?"
TropicaliaCC: "Going into the draft I knew there was a chance I could fall just because of the lack of receiver needy teams in the league right now. It actually worked in my favor because I get to go to a team that’s already a contender."
Ironside: "As you said, there weren't a ton of receiver needy teams. Do you think this is a team that can find a role where you can have an early impact?"
TropicaliaCC: "We will have to see how contract talks shake out between our front office and the pair of studs that are free agents right now. But whenever my time comes to step into a starting role you best believe I’ll be ready."
Ironside: "With so much defense going early, you made quite the slip. Do you think the other teams will regret passing you up?"
TropicaliaCC: "They’ll get a shoutout in my Hall of Fame speech."
Ironside: "You were just getting started in this league not too long ago. What's something you'd tell the players who are wearing those shoes now?"
TropicaliaCC: "Keep grinding and good things will come."
Orange County got an absolute steal with their eighth pick. They seem to be excited about Dexter Banks' potential and he seems determined to live up to their expectations. I can see him continuing to develop and having just as much success at the next level as he did in the DSFL.
9.
Arizona makes a move to secure their guy.
With the ninth pick in the draft, the Arizona Outlaws select wide receiver Saba Donut. Though Arizona had the tenth pick, they weren't willing to risk missing out on a player like Saba. there were some that had Saba going higher than this. He was a top 10 pass catcher in the DSFL this past season, wrangling in 60 passes for 645 yards and 5 touchdowns. What really attracted team though were his tendency to be team first. He's always willing to help out other players and push them to be better. He doesn't get focused on himself and is willing to do what it takes to win.
We were able to get SwagSloth in on a comment about his team's pick and their initiative to make sure they locked it up.
Ironside: "Arizona moved up at the end of the first round to secure Saba Donut at number nine. What made you pull the trigger on the trade?"
SwagSloth: "We were really surprised to see Saba fall as far as he did; we looked at him as a top 5 talent and didn’t expect him to fall that far. It was also clear to us that he was on another tier compared to the rest of the prospects left on the board. We were nervous about giving up any picks from the upcoming S18 draft, but fortunately, they were looking for cap and we had a little that we could afford to spare. We feel very strongly that Saba is the right fit for us long term and we’re absolutely ecstatic to have him here."
It was clear that Arizona felt pretty strongly about this pick. We really saw no reason to not take a look and see if Saba Donut felt just as strongly about his new team.
Ironside: "It took a trade, but you were finally picked up at number nine. Where did you roughly see yourself going in this draft? Did you think offensive talent would drop like this?"
SabaDonutMan: "Not originally. I was super surprised when all the wide receivers started to drop and once I saw the otters pick Banks I knew that the outlaws would somehow get me."
Ironside: "How excited were you to see that the Outlaws went out of their way to make a move to ensure you went to Arizona?"
SabaDonutMan: "I was ecstatic. From the previous talks I’ve had with Swag I knew that the outlaws were one of my favorite teams, so when I saw that they traded up I was super happy."
Ironside: "Do you see yourself taking a major role on this Arizona squad?"
SabaDonutMan: "Whatever the team wants me to do. If they need me to drive 47 hours to get White Castle I’ll do it. As long as I get some,"
Ironside: "Which of your new teammates are you most excited to share a locker room with now?"
SabaDonutMan: "There is no way I can just pick one. All of them are amazing and so kind and they play so well on the field. It’s an honor to share the field with each and every one of them."
Ironside: "With offensive talent dropping, you tumbled to ninth. Do you think any of the teams are going to regret that decision?"
SabaDonutMan: "I know they all had their reasons and I hope they are happy with who they picked."
Ironside: "You seem to be pretty interactive with your draft class. Anything you want to tell them?"
SabaDonutMan: "Let’s get to work."
Ironside: "You seem to always have advice to give, so what do you have for the young guys?"
SabaDonutMan: "Don’t get worried about where you will get drafted. Just get ready to work."
Arizona had a need at receiver and they managed to fill that need with one of the coolest heads in the league. This guy isn't the type to focus on himself, but focus on getting his team ready to win. For the ninth overall pick, the Outlaws couldn't have done better than Saba Donut.
10.
Liberty swap down and still get their man.
With the tenth pick in the draft, the Philadelphia Liberty select cornerback Julian McMorris. The Liberty swapped down and took the fourth defensive back off the board. McMorris posted respectable numbers last season with 35 catches, two interceptions, and eight pass defenses. He's a steady player who keeps himself competitive with his peers, but was a bit of a surprise to slip into the top 10 picks. He brings great personality the locker room though and fills the secondary corner role for the Liberty.
We wanted to know a bit more about McMorris and why the Liberty targeted him, so we decided what we could learn from Philadelphia's GMs, BWIII and Vander Jones.
Ironside: "You guys had a bit of excitement at the end of the first round where you selected Julian McMorris. Were you concerned about that trade down to 10?"
BWIII "Well at first we trying to trade up with Orange County, but after Austin came in with that huge offer that beat ours we had to shift gears. McMorris was the guy we had tabbed, but we felt like other teams might not be as high on him as we are and we knew what some of the other teams were targeting. In the end after talking with Arizona we knew they weren't going to select McMorris and allowed them to jump up a spot to grab their guy, while we secured more cap space as we had a number of free agents we have been targeting."
Ironside: "You guys took Julian McMorris with the last selection in the first round. How high of a priority was he for Philadelphia?"
Vander Jones: "There were a few good players left at that spot and we had talks with a couple of them. Throughout the process I was really impressed with McMorris during our conversations and thought he would become a good player but more than anything a great locker room guy. We needed a corner to play opposite of Emoji, which is something we've been searching for a few seasons now, and we hope McMorris will be the guy to take that responsibility and run with it. He is a little behind some others in practice time but we believe he will remain consistent and become a great asset to our defense. When we were up and Saba Donut was on the board, we knew Arizona was wanting him, and we were in search of some more cap space. So it made sense to offer them a swap to pick up extra cap space and still draft the guy we were going to draft if we had stayed put."
Tracking down the man of the hour took a little extra time, but he was more than willing to share when we sat down with him.
Ironside: "You slid into the first round, getting picked up by Philadelphia at number 10. Did you anticipate going in the first round?"
TubbyTim69: "I knew I was going to be a late first early send round pick. Once I finished my pre draft talk with Philly I kinda had an idea I was going first round."
Ironside: "You come in a bit late, but how do you see yourself impacting this roster?"
TubbyTim69: "Its going to be a battle, but I want to start day one. I want to start of swinging."
Ironside: "You're heading to Philadelphia. Who are you looking forward to teaming up with?"
TubbyTim69: "Any of the guys on defense really. Emoji is the shut down guy right now and I can't wait to work with him and learn and build good chemistry with him."
Ironside: "You almost tumbled out of the first round. Any words for the guys that let you slip this far.?"
TubbyTim69: "See you on the field."
The Philadelphia Liberty seemed to have a firm grasp of how things would play out at the end of this round. They knew who their man was, they knew who they were targeting, and they were able to take advantage of a trade to free up a little cap space. Julian McMorris seemed to be ready to start day one on a team that needed a number two corner to solidify their defense. Hopefuly he continues to improve and the Liberty's secondary can become something special."
11.
Austin gets potential steal at the beginning of the second round.
With the 11th pick in the draft, the Austin Copperheads select safety Takeda Okura. After racking up 79 tackles, one interception, and two pass defenses last season, Takeda Okura was the clear number two safety in this draft. He's a guy who does what he can to keep himself improving and there were a lot of mocks that had him going in the top 10.
We were curious about how the Copperheads felt about Okura dropping here, so we reached out to the GMs once more.
Ironside: Some people saw him going potentially in the first round, but with the 11th pick you brought in Takeda Okura. Do you have plans for him to contribute right away?
AdamS: Yes. We were absolutely ecstatic that he dropped to us at number 11. This is someone who improves our young defense immediately and we have high hopes for.
Being the first pick in the second round, I was hoping I'd get a chance to catch up with Okura himself. It took some time to track him down, but he was more than willing to answer some questions once I did!
Ironside: "There was some thought of you going in the first round, but Austin picked you at 11. How do you feel about that position?"
Jaspers: "I mean, I'd expected to maybe go a pick or so before, but it was generally where I thought it would be."
Ironside: "You're going to Austin. Who are you most excited about on their roster?"
Jaspers: "Of course. Owens was my teammate in San Antonio with the Marshals, and a really chill guy. I haven't met too many of my new teammates yet, because I've been gone for a while, but overall I'm really excited to have landed here."
Ironside: "Seven teams passed on you for you to fall to 11. Anything you wish to share with them?"
Jaspers: "Nah, I don't really care too much about that. I'm just focusing on my current team right now. Although for the team that drafted Brackenridge, you'll regret that pick in the future."
Ironside: "What do you want to say to your fellow prospects?"
Jaspers: "We're a great group, and I know that a lot of us will have successful NSFL careers. We'll still be good friends even after being thrust into new teams."
Ironside: "Well I'm not going to try and hold you any longer. Anything you want to throw out for the young guys?"
Jaspers: "Make a twitter account, ask questions, and be active."
We got to hear from Takeda Okura directly, but we have also heard from several of his teammates. They sing high praises for the safety and it always speaks to character when people are willing to go to bat for you. The Copperheads got one of the highest rated remaining earners on the board and it looks like he intends to continue grinding.
12.
Arizona bolsters their defensive line.
With the 12th pick in the draft, the Arizona Outlaws select defensive tackle Shane Masters. Shane Masters comes into this slot without a lot of fanfare. There weren't many who were really talking about him in the top 12 coming into the draft. He managed a decent effort this past season that consisted of 37 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, and a single sack. He is the third best defensive lineman in the draft and considering a league wide talent shortage at this position, its a surprise Masters wasn't discussed more.
While we had SwagSloth available, we wanted to see what it was about Masters that brought the young defensive tackle to this position.
Ironside: You guys just used your 12th pick to select Shane Masters. What made Masters a priority here in the second round?"
SwagSloth: "We don’t consider our defense to have many holes, but the one area that is constantly of concern for most teams is the defensive line. We saw Masters as a player who had serious potential, but needed more time to showcase his real talent. We pride ourselves on being able to develop players from the ground up. One of our veteran DEs, Avery Woodham, is also retiring after this season, so Masters will have a spot waiting for him and we feel he’s the perfect successor to Mr. Woodham."
Being at such a position of need, Masters could potentially be the diamond in the rough of the entire draft. He can go into Arizona and make an immediate impact. The Outlaws were looking at potential with this pick and with some development, Masters can have some of the highest potential in this draft.
13.
Absolute game changer slips to New Orleans in the second round.
With the 13th pick in the draft, the New Orleans Second Line[b] select wide receiver [b]Action Jackson From the outside looking in, almost no one expected the top receivers to slide the way they did. Coming off of a season where he posted 44 catches, 450 yards, and four touchdowns, many draft boards had Jackson going no later than 10. Jackson was a top four offensive prospect in the draft and New Orleans grabbing him here was an absolute steal.
I was absolutely surprised that Action Jackson slipped down the board like this, so I had to find out if the GMs of the Second Line were as blindsided as me. I tracked down terriblehippo and JuOSu once again.
Ironside: "New Orleans just took Action Jackson 13th in the draft. He was pretty highly rated, so were you surprised to see him on the board this late?"
terriblehippo: "Honestly, we were very surprised to find Jackson at number 13. He was another prospect that we had rated highly, but we assumed that he would be long gone by the time we got to our second round pick--there are quite a few teams that could've used him, and we figured one of them would take him. We were focused more on defenders in this draft, but when we got on the clock and realized Jackson was still available, we knew we had to snap him up. We are beyond thrilled to have him in New Orleans."
Ironside: "At number 13, you guys went for Action Jackson. Seeing him at that position, it was an absolutely pick him now situation right?"
JuOSu: "Jackson stood out to us even earlier than that. We actually thought he was a first round talent and we were shocked he kept dropping. In our war room, we kept being shocked that he was dropping and falling further. We were very happy he fell all the way to 13. He had more ability and was more active than several guys taken ahead of him, which made it all the more surprising he fell."
I felt a bit better about my assumptions after talking to the GMs involved with this pick. It was clear that Action Jackson was a higher pick than this, but every draft there is someone who falls just a little bit later than they should. This season it looks like New Orleans was able to swoop in and pickup the peices.
14.
The Second Line look to solidify secondary with the 14th pick.
With the 14th pick in the draft, the New Orleans Second Line select cornerback Willie Woodson. New Orleans takes another corner off the board with a pick they got in the Brayden Ennis trade with the Hawks. Woodson posted a solid season with 60 tackles, one interception, and eight passes defended. The Second Line came into this draft with an emphasis on defense and Woodson is another addition to a solid draft class.
In a draft class rife with secondary talent, I wanted to see what really made Woodson stick out to the Second Line.
Ironside: "You guys got an additonal second rounder with your earlier trade. You picked up your second corner of the draft. What made Woodson stick out at this pick?"
JuOSu: "The league is a passing league in many ways. Most teams, like ours, use nickel formation most, so you can never have too many cornerbacks. With s15 draftee Deon Taylor, we now have three great cornerbacks that should make this a feared defense, along with our great linebackers and the rest of our defense."
Ironside: "You said earlier you guys were looking at defenders at 13th when Action Jackson fell. Then this 14th pick fell into your lap. How good did it feel to get a steal and still get the guy you were looking at in this spot?"
terriblehippo: "It felt fantastic! Like I said, our main focus going into the draft was improving our defense. By selecting Andrews with the third and trading for Ennis, we made immediate and significant upgrades to both our secondary and our defensive line. Getting Jackson, and then grabbing another corner in Willie Woodson, was just icing on the cake. We've still got to figure out exactly what our defense is going to look like next season: we've got a lot of players, both new and old, and we need to find the best way to utilize those players so we can win games. But as far as problems go, that's a great one to have. I'd rather have too much talent than not enough, and we are swimming in talent."
The New Orleans Second Line have really pushed this secondary into something that will borderline elite. It'll need a little development and we will have to see how Willie Woodson takes to his role as the nickel corner, but he'll get a chance to contribute early and often.
15.
San Jose draft pick retires!
With the 15th pick in the draft the San Jose SaberCats select safety A.C. Payton. A.C. Payton posted respectable numbers last season. He worked to get 69 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, and four pass defenses. He was the third best safety in the DSFL, but most of that got overshadowed on draft. Day. Shortly before draft picks were announced, A.C. Payton retired, sending San Jose into chaos.
As the draft was closing out, I had to know how the SaberCats were dealing with the drama that was unfolding around the pick. I was able to contact ckroyal92 and Rradum for comment.
Ironside: "You guys picked A.C Patyon at 15. What were the reactions to the AC Peyton retirement knowing that you guys had picked him up?"
ckroyal92: "Frustrating to say the least considering we had made the pick days ago and we weren't allowed to talk to him about it, or at least why we'd wanted to talk about it if we had. As soon as the pick was officially announced, I contacted him immediately and he quickly unretired, an act for which I am
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