*Grading the first round draft picks

Daybe · (This post was last modified: 09-13-2017, 10:43 AM by jparks98.)

The first round of the NSFL draft was insane. It was quite chaotic. I’m going to break down the draft with first round draft grades.

1. Colorado Yeti: Antonio Sandoval
The Colorado Yeti traded up to the #1 pick with the Arizona Outlaws. They planned on selecting their waiver pickup with the first pick, and that’s what they did. This raises some questions, though, as most teams saw Sandoval falling out of the top 3 and that the Yeti would have the opportunity to take Sandoval at #4, considering it wasn’t a huge need for the teams ahead of them and the players ahead of him were slightly better. It is an interesting move but it is certainly a questionable move.
Pick grade: D

2. Arizona Outlaws: Godfrey King
The Outlaws brought back their waiver pickup as well in Godfrey King. King was projected by most analysts to go top 3, so it’s no surprise that the Outlaws, who want a defensive tackle, go ahead and make the decision to draft King. Considering the Arizona Outlaws run a 4-3 defensive scheme and with 3 talented linebackers already, this is the smartest decision for the Arizona Outlaws. This way, they don’t have to change up their defensive scheme based off on one player. The Outlaws already have the best front 7 the NSFL has ever seen and are just adding to that here.
Pick grade: A-

3. Yellowknife Wraiths: Brice Boggs
The Yellowknife Wraiths are the third consecutive team to pick up their waiver pickup in the draft. Brice Boggs offers the Wraiths some much needed help on the defensive end and bolsters a linebacker unit that already includes Kevin Cushing. Boggs was the most talented player going into the draft and certainly was going to go top 3 no matter the situation. The Wraiths made the right move, and they got an excellent bargain on Boggs as they didn’t have to trade up to select a player that they needed.
Pick grade: A+

4. San Jose Sabercats: Benson Bayley
The Sabercats went ahead and got Benson Bayley, the best cornerback prospect in this draft. This move is extremely interesting, considering Benson Bayley joined the NSFL very recently. Nonetheless, he’s been earning TPE at an extremely rapid rate, and has been writing plenty of media articles to bolster his player. These aspects add up to a top 5 prospect. While he didn’t have as much TPE as more coveted prospects, such as Godfrey King and Brice Boggs, he’s a prospect, and he’s certain to develop into a talented player one day, provided he stays active and keeps earning TPE at this quick rate. He’s going to be a valuable player and a great fit in the SJS organization.
Pick grade: A-

5. San Jose Sabercats: Iyah Blewitt
With the Sabercats’ second consecutive pick, they went out and got the best kicker in the draft, Iyah Blewitt. This is very interesting, considering kicker is not a position that is usually going to go in the first round. It is probably a bit of a reach here, but it is one of the Sabercats’ bigger needs and they fill in a hole with a reliable placekicker that can get the job done. His stats in the NSFL so far have been questionable but he is a great prospect on the rise and will almost certainly improve his game and become more accurate. The only thing that really deters this pick from being great is Blewitt’s position.
Pick grade: B-

6. Orange County Otters: Julian O’Sullivan
The Orange County Otters went ahead and made a big decision in this draft to pass up on their waiver wire pickup in Ricardo Sandoval and go ahead and add to an already solid linebacking core by drafting Julian O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan, related to Liberty cornerback Kristoffer O’Sullivan, is set to make a significant impact on the Orange County Otters, hopefully all good. After Franklin Harris Jr.’s retirement, the Otters need to fill up that hole and O’Sullivan provides a fantastic opportunity for the Otters to do just that. He is another late joiner that didn’t make the waiver wire but he is an excellent prospect with a high ceiling. Maybe not their biggest need but one they wanted to address as soon as possible.
Pick grade: B+

7. Baltimore Hawks: Ricardo Sandoval
The other Sandoval brother finally heard his name called at #7, 6 picks after his brother, Antonio Sandoval was drafted by the Colorado Yeti. Ricardo Sandoval had one of the higher TPE totals in this draft and is expected to make an immediate impact wherever he goes. The Hawks improve a defensive line that is already solid with Owen Taylor and Kurt Hendrix as two of the better defensive ends in the league, and now they add a run stuffer in the middle. Sandoval is going to be great in this league for a while. We don’t know if he will be better than his brother, Antonio, but what we do know is that the Hawks are liking this pick.
Pick grade: A-

8. Arizona Outlaws: Franklin Harris Jr.
Franklin Harris Jr. is the son of Franklin Harris, who recently was put in prison for murder. He plans to exceed expectations set by critics in the shadow of his dad. The speedy cornerback already has a solid reputation in the league and that will only continue to grow in his new home in Arizona, going to a team that is already labeled the Ultimus favorites for S3 and years to come. Harris Jr. is likely excited about his new home and he is ready to win a few championships. As TPE goes he is rather low but he already has a solid bank account built up so he can use that money to upgrade his player. Given his high activity and his role in the league, he is a good pick for the Outlaws but right now the grade is slightly diminished by his low TPE count.
Pick grade: B

Notable Prospects who fell out of the first round: Trey Willie, J.D. Boom

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