KyleTheCommish's All-Rookie Team vs Sam Teet's All-Rookie Team - 4/16/21
A weird article today but the venerable Sam Teets put out a tweet on Wednesday asking if anyone wanted to do an All-Rookie Draft. Basically, the idea is you draft a starting 11 for offense and defense and then your team would play against your opponents team. So a total of 22 picks per team. Sam decided on a snake draft and he allowed me to go first.
Anyway, this idea was really fun because you are filling out a roster, not just taking the best players in the draft. Only 2 QBs should be drafted, 5 OL, so on and so forth. But Sam and I have a decent idea about schemes among these players so we took it a step further and got guys that fit into the schemes we wanted to run. Sam's offense took on the light of the Steelers offense of old with beefy lineman and a running game. I took a bit of the 49ers idealogy with an outside-zone running scheme and a weirdly versatile 3-4/4-3 under type of defense. My defense ended up being a 3-3-5 which is even weirder, but whatever. There is a graphic at the bottom of the article for what my defense alignment would be. Sam and I also got pretty competitive (OK I got competitive) at this and were all about forcing each other into situations that we weren't comfortable with. It was fun.
Big thanks to Sam for allowing me to do this with him and I hope any readers will check out his stuff on Twitter. He is in the midst of doing a 7-round mock draft for all 32 teams, so check his timeline to see if he did your team yet.
__________________________________________________________________________
1. KB: Kyle Pitts, TE Florida - I am going to abuse the rules a little bit here because I know we each can take only 1 QB and 1 TE. Pitts is light years ahead of whatever TE you pick and my #2 prospect overall. He is also an extra WR for me. I’m picking tails next time.
2. ST: Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson - Why did you have to go and do that? I was trying to force you into taking a quarterback first, but I’ll happily add Lawrence. He’s by far the best quarterback prospect in this draft.
3. ST: Penei Sewell, OT Oregon - Sewell was only 19 years old when he won the John Outland Trophy and was a Consensus All-American. There aren’t many 6-5, 331 lb. players that move as well as he does. I’m not letting you lay a finger on my franchise quarterback.
4+5. KB: Caleb Farley, CB Virginia Tech AND Patrick Surtain II, CB Alabama - Because we are assembling teams that are going to “play against each other”, I want to grab as many elite players as I can and stack talent at certain positions. Surtain and Farley together are the best 2 CBs and can play right up in your grill or with some zone concepts. My defense is all about versatility.
6. ST: Rashawn Slater, iOL Northwestern - Slater is the most versatile lineman in the 2021 class. While he proved against Chase Young that he’s more than capable of staying at tackle, I plan on kicking him inside to guard or center. Your corners won’t mean anything if Lawrence has forever to throw.
7. ST: Christian Darrisaw, OT Virginia Tech - Now I have the three best offensive line prospects in this class. Darrisaw lands at right tackle in this situation, where he uses his blend of athleticism and explosiveness to stomp the competition.
8. KB: Jaelan Phillips, OLB Miami - You may have cornered the tackle market but a good EDGE will always beat a good tackle eventually. Phillips is versatile enough to play in a 3-4 or 4-3. In my 3-4 system, I want him to stand up over Darrisaw and I believe my guy will beat yours.
9. KB: Azeez Ojulari, OLB Georgia - Another 3-4 OLB for me. It seems while you focused on offense (Pittsburgh), I focused on defense (Miami). I am of the mind that with 2 of the best pure pass rushers in the class, Trevor won’t be sitting with a nice clean jersey by the end of the game.
10. ST: Micah Parsons, ILB Penn St - I can’t let you have all of the defensive guys. I’ve still got to think of my defensive scheme, but Parsons is a great cornerstone. He’s got sideline-to-sideline range and a background as an edge rusher. Expect some fun defensive looks.
11. ST: Ja'Marr Chase, WR LSU - I’m tempted to wait on taking a wide receiver in this loaded class, but Chase is the No. 3 player on my big board. I’d be kicking myself if you took him with the 12th or 13th pick. Chase plays bigger than his 6-0 frame and averaged over 20 yards per catch in 2019.
12. KB: Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama - I already have a big-bodied pass catcher with Pitts, so you enjoy Chase. I'm going to get the dynamic Waddle to stretch the field and open up even more avenues for Pitts in the MOF.
13. KB: Landon Dickerson, iOL Alabama - I'm not sure if I am going to put him at center or at guard, but I would have him as a top 15 prospect if he was healthy. You have taken 3 of the top OL and it kind of pushes me into a power scheme (narrator: just wait until it blows up in your face Kyle), which is perfectly fine with me and perfect for Landon.
14. ST: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG USC - Vera-Tucker played left tackle at USC this past season, but his arm length makes him a guard in the NFL. There’s no moving Vera-Tucker once he drops the anchor. I’m walking away with the four best offensive linemen in this class.
15. ST: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Notre Dame - An instinctive, smart, versatile linebacker/safety hybrid, Owusu-Koramoah can do almost anything I need him to. He can play in the slot, drop into coverage as a third safety, or stick his nose into the backfield against the run.
16. KB: Christian Barmore, iDL Alabama - It's like I like the Alabama prospects or something... I need to keep addressing the DL if I am going to make this front 7 work. My OLBs are set and with Barmore, I am hoping to be able to get some pressure from the interior as well.
17. KB: Trevon Moehrig, FS TCU - This pick is less about me wanting to take a safety right now and more me not wanting you to have him. Trevon is the best deep safety on the board and I want your secondary to be swiss cheese. His tenacity in run defense is an important facet of his game.
18. ST: Tevin Jenkins, OG Oklahoma St - Screw it, I’m moving Rashawn Slater to center and deploying Jenkins as a guard. You’re bound to have a better defensive line than me. My only counter is to draft talent above all else on the offensive line. Besides, have you seen Jenkins run guys over in college?
19. ST: Jevon Holland, S Oregon - It’s a reach to take Holland this high, but he’s extremely versatile. The vast majority of his snaps in 2019 actually came in the slot, which makes him one of the best coverage safeties in this class. I’ll take all of the defensive chess pieces I can get.
20. KB: Jaycee Horn, NCB South Carolina - You wanna take Jenkins as a guard? Cool. Horn is my nickel CB. My base defense is going to be 3-3-5. Horn is taller than the average slot, but he has experience from the nickel in his freshman year as a Gamecock. I'M PETTY LIKE THAT.
21. KB: Travis Etienne, RB Clemson - I wasn't sure what type of offense I was going to be running but since you took all the available OL, I feel I have been pigeon-holed. I'll grab the one cut back that will terrorize your defense in the open field and switch to an outside zone.
22. ST: Zaven Collins, LB Tulsa - I feel pressured to add another linebacker here because you haven’t taken one yet. Despite being 6-5 and weighing nearly 260 lbs., Collins excels in zone coverages. He’s a big play machine that can also contribute to the pass rush.
23. ST: Kwity Paye, EDGE Michigan - I’m not Paye’s biggest fan but he ran a 4.52 at 261 lbs. and posted 36 reps on the bench press. He’s a jacked defensive end that is explosive and quick in short spaces. He never gives up on a play either.
24. KB: Milton Williams, iDL Louisiana Tech - Another one of "your guys" who will fit perfectly into my interior defensive line. On pass-rushing downs he will work as a DT, and on early downs he will play on the edge when my OLBs drop into coverage. All about that versatility baby.
25. KB: Devonta Smith, WR Alabama - I feel weird being able to take Pitts, Waddle, and now Smith. I was very happy to wait and just select Bateman, but Smith has better hands and route running than Bateman. The size could be an issue but he won't be asked to take on a #1 role within my offense.
26. ST: Levi Onwuzurike, iDL Washington - Interior defensive line is one of the few overlapping positions we have left. Onwuzurike is dominant against the run and still has a lot of room to grow as a pass rusher. I plan on letting my interior defensive linemen close gaps and draw double teams.
27. ST: Alim McNeill, iDL NC State - McNeill’s squat stature gives him excellent natural leverage. He redirects well in small spaces, making him an asset against the run. Despite his frame, McNeill recorded ten sacks during his last three collegiate seasons.
28. KB: Tommy Tremble, TE Notre Dame - Well because you took all the offensive lineman I need to subsidize those tackles I take later on with the best blocking tight end in the class. Via PFF, Tremble graded out with an 83.7 run blocking grade and his athleticism to get out into space and continue his blocks will be key for popping Etienne.
29. KB: Creed Humphrey, C Oklahoma - Creed has been one of the best centers in college football for 4 years and put on a good showing at the Senior Bowl as well. He measured a perfect 10/10 on the RAS metric proving how athletic he is.
30. ST: Jamar Johnson, S Indiana - You’ve told me you’re getting creative on defense, which means I should grab my guys while I can. Johnson intercepted Justin Fields twice last year and he brings scheme versatility to the table. I love his ability to play in coverage but also come down hard against the run.
31. ST: Greg Newsome, CB Northwestern - I was counting on Horn being available here after you went with two corners early, but we know how that turned out. According to PFF, quarterbacks only completed 35.3% of their passes when targeting Newsome in 2020. I’m confident he has the traits to play man or zone.
32. KB: Tyler Shelvin, NT LSU - Base defense, schmase defense. I have a lot of versatile players in my defensive front 7, but none are over 300 lbs. Shelvin could honestly do with losing a little of his 360 lbs, but he will be a 2-down run defender for me. In a world that I could pick the player he would come off the field for on passing downs, I would add an athletic LB like Jamin Davis or Baron Browning.
33. KB: Samuel Cosmi, OT Texas - I am to the point where I am confident you can't or won't be taking any of the rest of my players. Cosmi is the RT for my offense and has the length and athleticism to be the key cog in my outside-zone running scheme.
34. ST: Asante Samuel, CB FSU - If you can ball, you can ball. I’m not worried about Samuel’s size. His father played at about the same height and was an All-Pro. He’s great at making plays on the ball and has special agility that’s an asset in man coverage.
35. ST: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE Miami - I was really excited for Rousseau until he underwhelmed at Miami’s pro day. However, he still has great length, is new to the position, and can take pass rush snaps from the interior. There’s a lot to build on with Rousseau.
36. KB: Nick Bolton, LB Missouri - I need a MIKE LB. Bolton is really the missing piece to my defense for a few reasons. I need another run defender to pair with Shelvin and Milton and I need a leader on the field. Bolton captained his Missouri defense. I don't need help in coverage with my depth at CB, which Bolton has some questions with.
37. KB: Dillon Radunz, OT North Dakota St - My left tackle taken with my 5th to last pick. Talk about prioritizing foundational pieces. I love this kid though and his athleticism and urge to hit someone are what I am banking on for my outside zone scheme. He was the Senior Bowl MVP remember.
38. ST: Terrace Marshall Jr, WR LSU - Lawrence made his money at Clemson by throwing to overpowering receivers like Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross. While natural separators like Rashod Bateman and Elijah Moore are still on the table, I’m taking the 6-3 receiver that ran a 4.38.
39. ST: Najee Harris, RB Alabama - Harris is the most natural pass catcher of any running back in this draft class. He doesn’t have elite speed but displays excellent patience and contact balance. He creates plenty of yards after contact.
40. KB: Wyatt Davis, OG Ohio St - My RG spot is filled out with Davis and Dickerson will be my LG. I clearly have a thing for guards with injury issues because Davis is also coming off a major injury in the National Title Game. My scheme isn't the perfect fit for Davis but the rest of my OL is very athletic so I'm sure we can work this out.
41. KB: Zach Wilson, QB BYU - #2 in my heart. #2nd to last in my all-rookie draft. With you going Lawrence so early, I needed to draft QB as late as possible. My favorite thing about Wilson is his ability to extend the play and move around in the backfield. That confidence is going to be necessary behind my OL haha.
42. ST: Elijah Moore, WR Ole Miss - Moore can play outside or in the slot. He’s the definition of twitch as a wide receiver. A natural separator, Moore creates RAC yards with his speed and elusiveness. Even the fastest defensive backs get their ankles broken when Moore has the ball.
43. ST: Pat Friermuth, TE Penn St - Freiermuth is the default No. 2 tight end after Pitts. He’s a well-rounded player but doesn’t shine in any one facet of the game. He’ll probably peak as a 650-yard receiving tight end. That’s fine in my offense. Lawrence never used the tight ends much at Clemson anyway.
44. KB: Hamsah Nasirildeen, SS/LB FSU - I waited until the last pick because I knew there was no chance you would take him. When I decided to go really versatile with a 3-3-5 alignment I needed a jack of all trades. Bolton is my only traditional linebacker so Nasirildeen will be the rangy positionless defender that will allow him to thrive.
__________________________________________________________________________
Here is an approximate picture of what the 3-3-5 defense of Kyle's will look like. Credit my Paint skills for this masterpiece.
__________________________________________________________________________
Since no one reads this question at the bottom, did you get my High School Musical reference and are you now signing that song? Let me know in the comments or at @KyleTheCommish on Twitter.
Comments
Post a Comment