Season 2 expansion team the Las Vegas Legion have developed a player acquisition policy focusing on the promise of future seasons. Trades with Arizona and Yellowknife saw the Legion’s first draft choice come at 18th overall, and only have 5 selections in total. With numerous gaps to fill on both sides of the ball (the Legion finished Season 2 with the NSFL’s worst passing offense and defence, and the league’s second worst rushing offense) and only middle to late rounds to secure talent, we’ll take a look at how we believe the Legion performed on draft day.
Round 3 – Pick 2 (18th Overall) - Wallace Stone – Offensive Line – No College
Wallace comes into the league as a relative unknown, with no college listed in his profile. However Wallace must have impressed Legion management with his pre-draft workouts and interviews. The big offensive lineman shows great potential as a right-side protector for Bercovici, he will need to come into camp looking to make his intentions clear. Stone is looking to become the cornerstone of the Legion team in need of good news stories. Stone has the unique position of being the first early round selection by the Legion. Only time will tell if Stone can handle the pressure and turn into a real gem of a pickup for Las Vegas.
With this pick Las Vegas upgrade a position of dire need with a player some experts are proclaiming could be one of the steals of the draft. If Stone has the commitment to develop his game, this could be an era defining pick by Las Vegas, however, as there is an element of risk attached to this pick, I can only score it an A.
Draft Grade – A
Round 6 – Pick 1 (41st Overall) – Connor Tanner – Wide Receiver – University of Dublin
The Legion choosing a WR at this position is a big gamble for a team with so many other holes to fill. With a group of pass catchers including Stormblessed, LeClair, and Rocket, you could be excused thinking the Legion would pick a higher positional need here. Considering the team traded their biggest asset in Mark Ramrio, and noted Auburn prospect Shi’terrick Marks being picked 3 picks later, it’s hard to see how Tanner will have an immediate impact on the team. Receiver was a thin position in this draft class, however it was the selection of Tanner which seemed to trigger a response in the receiver group with Nate Akasuke (OCO) and Brian Wheat (BAL) being taken within the 6th round. If the Legion hold off on picking Tanner he could have fallen to their 7th round choice and enabled the team to select more positional needs.
I’m having difficulty identifying where Tanner will fit in with the Legion. Special teams seems his most likely landing spot, however Stormblessed prides himself on his return abilities. A stint in the DSFL may be the best option for the Legion for Tanner’s development from international curiosity to contributing member of the Legion.
While the Legion were last in the league in passing offense last year, there are other circumstances surrounding that ranking, and perhaps adding another receiver will not improve this ranking a great deal.
Draft Grade – D+
Round 6 – Pick 2 (42nd Overall) – Tyler Grant – Cornerback – Northwestern
Tyler Grant comes into the league after a up and down career at Northwestern, plagued by inconsistencies when defending in shallow zones, Grant will need to continue the developmental work he has shown in order to become a contributor. However, any addition to the Legion secondary who were steadily beaten last year can only be a positive. It would have been a bold choice for the Legion to move up a few picks to try to snare Mitchell Maslin out of Nebraska who could fill in any position in the secondary. However, Grant should be able to contribute in some capacity in improving this pass defence.
Overall a positive pickup for the Legion. Addressing a position of need, and picking up a potential contributor this late in the draft.
Draft Grade – B+
Round 7 – Pick 1 (49th Overall) – Crith Coalrange – Offensive Line – Columbia
Crith Coalrange entered the draft and instantly made himself unavailable for interviews, workouts, and media commitments. The Legion saw an opportunity to pick up some offensive line depth late in the draft and will aim to win Coalrange over to help Stone redefine the Legion offensive line. However, a good pick up late in the draft at a positional need. Not much to say here beyond that.
Draft Grade – C+
Round 9 – Pick 1 (65th Overall) – Ash Saginaw – Defensive Tackle – Texas A&M
Ash Saginaw out of Texas A&M showed some promise early on. However, Saginaw saw the requirements of making it in the big time and shied away from the spotlight. Saginaw becomes a usable asset of a player who may not improve much, however he will come in to cover the depth position made vacant by Ramrio’s departure. For the second last pick in the draft he could see himself as a depth sweetener in some trade packages.
Draft Grade – C+
Overall Thoughts
Total Selections: 5
Offensive Selections: 3
Defensive Selections: 2
The Las Vegas Legion did what they could with limited selections. The additions of Stone and Coalrange on the offensive line are really positive, with Stone potentially coming in as a pro-bowl left tackle for years to come. The Tyler Grant pick improves the secondary in terms of depth and being able to shift some pieces around; however, I would have liked to see the Legion leverage some of their stockpiled choices to move up and grab an impact player in the secondary. Connor Tanner is a livewire and there is no denying his passion, he needs to turn this passion into results and I feel Tanner will only see time as the number 4 in the group.
The Legion have managed one of the steals of the draft with Stone, however they will be dependent on future seasons for their continued ability to improve and compete.
Overall Draft Grade – B-
Graded
Payout=$1,639,000
Round 3 – Pick 2 (18th Overall) - Wallace Stone – Offensive Line – No College
Wallace comes into the league as a relative unknown, with no college listed in his profile. However Wallace must have impressed Legion management with his pre-draft workouts and interviews. The big offensive lineman shows great potential as a right-side protector for Bercovici, he will need to come into camp looking to make his intentions clear. Stone is looking to become the cornerstone of the Legion team in need of good news stories. Stone has the unique position of being the first early round selection by the Legion. Only time will tell if Stone can handle the pressure and turn into a real gem of a pickup for Las Vegas.
With this pick Las Vegas upgrade a position of dire need with a player some experts are proclaiming could be one of the steals of the draft. If Stone has the commitment to develop his game, this could be an era defining pick by Las Vegas, however, as there is an element of risk attached to this pick, I can only score it an A.
Draft Grade – A
Round 6 – Pick 1 (41st Overall) – Connor Tanner – Wide Receiver – University of Dublin
The Legion choosing a WR at this position is a big gamble for a team with so many other holes to fill. With a group of pass catchers including Stormblessed, LeClair, and Rocket, you could be excused thinking the Legion would pick a higher positional need here. Considering the team traded their biggest asset in Mark Ramrio, and noted Auburn prospect Shi’terrick Marks being picked 3 picks later, it’s hard to see how Tanner will have an immediate impact on the team. Receiver was a thin position in this draft class, however it was the selection of Tanner which seemed to trigger a response in the receiver group with Nate Akasuke (OCO) and Brian Wheat (BAL) being taken within the 6th round. If the Legion hold off on picking Tanner he could have fallen to their 7th round choice and enabled the team to select more positional needs.
I’m having difficulty identifying where Tanner will fit in with the Legion. Special teams seems his most likely landing spot, however Stormblessed prides himself on his return abilities. A stint in the DSFL may be the best option for the Legion for Tanner’s development from international curiosity to contributing member of the Legion.
While the Legion were last in the league in passing offense last year, there are other circumstances surrounding that ranking, and perhaps adding another receiver will not improve this ranking a great deal.
Draft Grade – D+
Round 6 – Pick 2 (42nd Overall) – Tyler Grant – Cornerback – Northwestern
Tyler Grant comes into the league after a up and down career at Northwestern, plagued by inconsistencies when defending in shallow zones, Grant will need to continue the developmental work he has shown in order to become a contributor. However, any addition to the Legion secondary who were steadily beaten last year can only be a positive. It would have been a bold choice for the Legion to move up a few picks to try to snare Mitchell Maslin out of Nebraska who could fill in any position in the secondary. However, Grant should be able to contribute in some capacity in improving this pass defence.
Overall a positive pickup for the Legion. Addressing a position of need, and picking up a potential contributor this late in the draft.
Draft Grade – B+
Round 7 – Pick 1 (49th Overall) – Crith Coalrange – Offensive Line – Columbia
Crith Coalrange entered the draft and instantly made himself unavailable for interviews, workouts, and media commitments. The Legion saw an opportunity to pick up some offensive line depth late in the draft and will aim to win Coalrange over to help Stone redefine the Legion offensive line. However, a good pick up late in the draft at a positional need. Not much to say here beyond that.
Draft Grade – C+
Round 9 – Pick 1 (65th Overall) – Ash Saginaw – Defensive Tackle – Texas A&M
Ash Saginaw out of Texas A&M showed some promise early on. However, Saginaw saw the requirements of making it in the big time and shied away from the spotlight. Saginaw becomes a usable asset of a player who may not improve much, however he will come in to cover the depth position made vacant by Ramrio’s departure. For the second last pick in the draft he could see himself as a depth sweetener in some trade packages.
Draft Grade – C+
Overall Thoughts
Total Selections: 5
Offensive Selections: 3
Defensive Selections: 2
The Las Vegas Legion did what they could with limited selections. The additions of Stone and Coalrange on the offensive line are really positive, with Stone potentially coming in as a pro-bowl left tackle for years to come. The Tyler Grant pick improves the secondary in terms of depth and being able to shift some pieces around; however, I would have liked to see the Legion leverage some of their stockpiled choices to move up and grab an impact player in the secondary. Connor Tanner is a livewire and there is no denying his passion, he needs to turn this passion into results and I feel Tanner will only see time as the number 4 in the group.
The Legion have managed one of the steals of the draft with Stone, however they will be dependent on future seasons for their continued ability to improve and compete.
Overall Draft Grade – B-
Graded
Payout=$1,639,000
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