NFL Modern Era Draft: Draft Picks Only Thread

[Assani Fisher]

1. LuckyLloyd
2. NopairParker
3. BJLTNKY
4. nutshot2
5. nath
6. SL___72
7. Mikhail's Fortunes
8. SuperUberBob
9. Dudd
10. Assani Fisher
11. MacGuyV/AC-Cobra
12. BiiigChips
13. Franchise 60
14. EPiPeN11
15. EvanJC
16. SHARK DOCTOR
17. Zimmer4141
18. Steroid Boy
19. SMIGLET
20. Myrmidon7328
21. kkcountry
22. LurchySorprano
23. vixticator
24. SarcasticRat
25. metsandfinsfan
26. capone0
27. Needle77
28. Seadood228
29. battschr
30. DA TRUF!
31. BobboFitos
32. Dr. Zoidberg



Make your picks here. No other posts please. If a mod could help out with editting the picks into this post, I'd appriciate it.

[LuckyLloyd]

Round 1, Pick # 1:

Lawrence Taylor, LB



The only no - brainer part of this pick is what year of his career to take this beast. I choose to take the Lawrence Taylor of the 1986 NFL season within which he recorded 20.5 sacks and was named league MVP. He then led the Giants to victory in the superbowl over Elway and the Broncos.

Before I attempt to justify this pick, I feel it is worth noting that I am Irish; have never played an organized game of American football; and the first game I ever watched from start to finish was the 2002 superbowl between NE and Saint Louis. As such, I was really hoping that I wouldn't have to pick first and could see the discussion and debate around the first few to provide me a crutch before I made my decision. While I have picked up a little bit about the history of the game and it's players over the past few years, relative to everyone else in this process my overall understanding of the game's history will be lacking.

The obvious way to go with this pick is clearly to just pick a franchise QB and be done with it. And while that seems easier to justify, I believe that there will be QBs available when I pick next that I can conceivably win a superbowl with. And therefore, I choose to do something that won't be possible with that pick in all likelihood - take who I perceive to be the most dynamic defensive player in the modern era.

Taylor's statistics and achievements are available to view in the wiki link above with more info here and I won't restate them again in this thread. As you all will know, he is credited with revolutionizing the linebacker position and forcing offenses that faced him through the eighties to limit their playbook and line up a certain way solely to stop him crunching their QB multiple times a game. Taylor was a phenomenal athlete who played the game with a crazy intensity. Whatever about his off the field problems - he was a leader and game changer on it.

I think he will give me great flexibility to build my defense around and I would go so far as to say that even if I tank every other pick on that side of the ball - I'm still going to cause offenses problems because I have a big threat player out there who is going to get to the ball and **** up what you are trying to do numerous times a game. Of course there is so much that goes into being a great defensive team, but finding ways to get pressure on a QB and maybe rattle his skull a couple of times seems so vital. Ultimately I can't think of a single defensive pick available who will more ably help me in that regard.



And finally, with this pick I am making the first guy into my lockeroom a winner who will do everything on the field to make a play. At the end of this process we will all have put together squads that have great athletes from top to bottom. I feel that having championship personallities and mentalities in your team who know what it takes to win and can inspire those around them should have some value when we come down to the final evaluation.

Have at it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH8SZOqc6Pk

[Assani Fisher]

Posted in the other thread:

Originally Posted by NopairParker

Round 1 pick number 2 I am going with Peyton Manning.

I will be taking him in his absurd year of 2004 where he put up a 121 passer rating with 49TD passes.

Besides actual stats, other factors that make me chose him is, this family has been put on this planet to produce hall of fame quarterbacks.

6-5 QB with great field vision.

I did want to go with a QB for my number 1 pick as I think it will set a good foundation for players around. I feel his character will be great in the locker room. We will need a real star QB to gain the respect of the kind of talent we are going to have on these teams and Manning will command respect.

[BJLTNYK]

Round 1, Pick 3: Tom Brady 2007





The kind of player you love to hate because he's so damn talented and so damn sexay. Brady finds ways to win games and in a league with the best of the best I feel like I need a star QB to build around. Last season was pretty surreal for the Pats both in their winning streak and the absurd stats put up by the team.

2007 Brady
398-578 68.9%
50 TDs (besting Manning's 04 season by 1)
4,806 yards passing (3rd best in a single season)
300.4 Y/G
117.2 Passer rating (2nd only to Peyton's 04)

Once Manning was selected I think that this pick was a no brainer. I will gladly fill my stadium with females longing for Brady and males rooting for a proven winner who will get the job done.

My roommate be on da clock.

[nutshot2]

Round #1, Pick #4:

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB



With two of the top QB's and the best defensive player off the board, I decided to take the most versatile offensive player available. While there is certainly something to be said for building around a QB (and I did heavily debate this), I think there's just as much to be said for taking the best RB available.

In 2006, LaDainian set the still-standing NFL record with 28 rushing TD, and also added 3 receiving TDs for a total of 31 to eclipse the Rush+Rec TD record. If that weren't enough, he also tossed two touchdown passes. He led the league with 1,815 rushing yards, and caught 56 balls for 508 yards. Combined, this brings him within 1 yard of an all-time top-5 yards from scrimmage season. He accounted for 145 yards/game from scrimmage on his own.

In a draft like this, nearly all the teams will have very skilled players at all offensive positions. One of the big differences between the good and bad teams will be the ability to put the ball in the end zone against elite defenses. I love #21 in the red zone.

Another major thing that I considered before drafting LaDainian: Most defenses will be able to rush the passer, and most will have fat boys up the middle to clog the run. Most will
have a decent secondary, and have pretty good cover linebackers. The beauty of a guy like #21 is that he's so versatile that he can ruin a lot of defensive schemes, even against an all-star lineup of defenders.

Much the same as the #1 overall pick LT on defense, my LT will force defenses into uncomfortable matchups, and will allow my team to be very unpredictable. LT also allows me to be pretty flexible with the way I draft around him.

In conclusion, the guy's awesome, and he's my franchise.




NATH is on the clock!

[nath]

Round 1, Pick 5
Joe Montana, QB



A pretty obvious choice for me here. I had Montana, Manning, and Brady as the top 3 QBs, and would have been happy with any of them. I end up with a guy who won four Super Bowls, earned the nickname "Joe Cool" for his ability to perform under pressure, and was consistently efficient throughout his career. He's the consummate player at the most important position on the field. From here, I can go anywhere with my team.

I'll be taking his 1989 season: 70.2% completion percentage, 3521 yards, 26 TDs, only 8 INTs. His 9.1 yards/attempt led the league, as did his 112.4 QB rating. Even though he was 33, it was his best season statistically, as well as the team's fourth and most dominant Super Bowl victory.

SL__72 is on the clock.

[SL__72]

Round 1, Pick 6
Steve Young, QB




I really want to go with a QB considering my next pick isn't until like 58...

His reign at the top may have been shorter lived than many of the other great QBs who will be selected in this draft but it compares favorably to any of them in terms of brilliance. Two-time league MVP, Super Bowl MVP, highest ever career passer rating, etc.

The thing that really separates Young from the other QB options remaining for me is his scrambling ability. He ran for over 400 yards in a season 5 times in his 4149 career rushing yards is still 2nd all-time for a QB behind only Randall Cunningham. He also holds the record for career rushing TDs by a QB with 43.

Young's 6.8 adjusted net yards per attempt during his 49er years is just ridiculous. For comparison, Montana's as a Niner was 6.2, Manning's career ANY/A is 6.5...

He has three seasons in the top 10 all-time for ANY/A and no other QB has more than one.

Like Nath with Montana I am picking Young at 33. In 1994 he passed for 3969 yards, 35 TDs, 10 Int, 8.6Y/A, 7.5 ANY/A... he won the league MVP and had one of the greatest SB games of all-time passing for 350 yards, a SB record 6 TDs and also lead the game with 49 yards rushing.


Mikhail's Fortunes, you're up!

[Mikhail's Fortunes]

Round #1, Pick #7

This was a really tough pick because there was one player I wasn't expeting to be available, but I still like it.



I'm taking the best defensive player in the NFL modern era after LT. Yes, there are elite pass rushers and cornerbacks, but when it comes to defensive leaders, nobody can hold Ray's jock. He is to my knowledge the only defensive player who has earned the power to call a different play based on his read on the field. Lewis has been the best run-stuffing linebacker in the NFL and is also an elite pass defender, with 25 career interceptions. He hits like a truck, demoralizes opponents, and rallies his own players to perform to the peak of their abilities.

I'm taking his 2001 season, the third of his five straight 1st Team All-Pro seasons (not counting 2002). Ray was 26 that year, in the absolute prime of his career, and he carried the experience of being a Super Bowl champion. Ray's value to my team goes beyond his stats, physical gifts, and career accomplishments. I'm taking him because he is the ultimate defensive player and leader, and with him on the field I'll know I'm just one devastating defensive play away from a game-changing swing in momentum.

Here is a superb video of (mostly) Ray's career highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeexD...eature=related

[SuperUberBob]

Here's my out-of-the-blue controversial pick:

Round 1, Pick 8

Anthony Munoz, OT, Cincinnati Bengals (1981)



He is regarded by many (myself included) as the best offensive lineman of all-time. He played the most demanding position in football and did it better than anybody else.

11 straight Pro Bowls (1981-1991)
10 time All-Pro (1981-1988, 1990, 1991)
3 time offensive lineman of the year (1981, 1987, 1988)
Ranked 17th on TSN's 100 Greatest Football Players of All-Time in 1999

He's one of a kind and if I would be the one starting a team, I would no doubt start by building the trenches with the greatest offensive lineman of all-time.

[Dudd]

Round 1 Pick 9

Reggie White, DE



Simply put, Reggie White is a beast. During his first eight seasons in the league, he averaged greater than one sack per game, including a remarkable 21 sacks in just 12 games in 1987, the year in which I will be taking him. Twice he was named the defensive player of the year, and he was the all time sack leader when he retired. If you judge all players like you judge quarterbacks, he was a champion, leading to his team to victory in Super Bowl XXXI with 3 sacks.

The old cliche is that the game is won and lost in the trenches, and with a player as good as Reggie White, I believe that is true. All of the great quarterbacks taken so far will find it difficult to play with pressure constantly in their face, and a defense lead by Reggie White will be able to bring this pressure on a consistent basis.

13 time Pro Bowler
8 All Pro selections
198 career sacks
NFL record 9 straight seasons with double digit sacks
2006 Hall of Fame inductee

[Assani Fisher]

1.10: Jerry Rice






I had Rice as the #2 player on my draft board behind only LT, and I never ever thought I'd get him at #10. I'll admit it: Part of me wanted Munoz or White to fall to me instead of Rice because I looked forward to debating my pick. With this one, its so cut and dry that its just ridiculous imo.

I'm going to steal something Bobbo wrote:

Career leader in Rec (1549, next is 1101)
Career leader in rec yards (22,895, next is 14934)
Career leader in rec TD (197, next is 134)
Career leader in TDs (208, 175 is 2nd)
Career leader in yards from scrimmage (23540, next is 21579 - next closest WR is EIGHTEENTH)


He simply is miles and miles above anyone else at his position. He set the single season mark for rec TDs, and he did it in only 12 games!!

The fact that two of his QBs are thought of to be two of the greatest ever should be a testament to Rice. Some will argue that he was aided by that, and of course he was. However, look at how good Steve freakin' Bono did with him. Or look at how later on in his career he made an average QB into a MVP candidate.

And unlike many of the other top WRs, he has had tremendous team success, has been a great locker room guy, and is tremendously reliable.

I really don't see any downside whatsoever to this pick. He is durable and reliable, he is far and away the best at his position, hes a good locker room guy. What else could I ask for???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWFd2eT1P4E

[MacGuyV]

Round 1, pick 11
Dan Marino, QB



His #'s speak for themselves.
He's got the yardage, the TD's, the durability, and the quickest release the game has ever seen (sacked on a lol 3.1% of pass attempts), mostly done with an unspectacular at best supporting cast.
Growing up as a Bills fan in the 80's/90's, I saw other HOF QB's waltz into the toughest stadium to play in January and get beaten like a drum. #13 OTOH showed that he's a tough Pittsburgh boy and can play in whatever elements, putting up 34 points on the board in the snow.
We'll be taking the 1986 season of 61% completions, 4,746 yards, and 44 TD's.

9 time Pro-Bowler
3 time 1st team all-pro
1 time MVP/Offensive POY
'05 HOF Inductee

[BiiiiigChips]

Round #1 Pick #12 Team BiiiiiigChips selects

Deion Sanders - Defensive Back












All conversations about the best corner back of this generation start and end with this guy. The first and only true lock down corner in the modern era. At the peak of his powers QBs wouldn't even bother throwing in his direction and was known for taking way a complete side of the field. Probably one of the best all-around athletes to ever play in the NFL. Besides his cover abilities he was one of the best return men ever and was even called on to make plays as wide receiver from time to time.

Accolades

8 Time Pro Bowler
6 Time All Pro
NFL Career Leader in Non-Offensive Touchdowns with 19
1994 NFL AP Defensive Player Of The Year.

Member of Pro Football HOF Selection Committee All Decade Team (1990s) at 2 Positions. Defensive Back and Punt Returner

Member of 2 Super Bowl Champion Teams. 94-San Francisco and 95-Dallas

[Franchise 60]

Round 1 Pick 13

Barry Sanders RB




First let me get it out of the way by saying "lol RB in top 15." With that being said there is only one RB that I would ever consider in the top half of the first round, and thats Barry Sanders. The conventional wisdom is that running back is easily the most replaceable and easy to fill position in the NFL, and that conventional wisdom is correct. But there are always a few RB's who are so good, that they are above this common way of thinking. Certain RB's are such an upgrade, are such game changers, and dominant a game to a degree where they are completely above the average, or even the very good running back. No player represents this exception like Barry Sanders, who is without a doubt the most dominant and game changing/dominating running back in this draft.

I was very tempted to draft one of the few remaining top class QB's, but I couldn't pull the trigger. The players I was deciding between were all time greats, but they came with glaring flaws that I felt would have my team playing catchup to the other teams with elite QB's. I think picking Sanders here, even though he is a running back, allows me to be on the offensive in terms of picking the rest of my team and attempting to field one of the best squads.

Barry Sanders played 10 NFL seasons. He made 10 pro bowls, and 10 all pro teams. He was the definition of a player who dominated his position. He did this playing for a fairly average team, and a far from great offensive line. Surround him with talent and he will be an even greater weapon because of the things he will open up for those around him.

I will be taking him during his 1997 season where he rushed 335 times for 2,053 yards and 11 TD's at 6.1! YPC. He also caught 33 passes for 305 yards and 3 TD's.

10x Pro Bowl selection (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 1996, 1997, 1998)
10x All-Pro selection (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
1997 Co-NFL MVP
1997 NEA NFL MVP
1997 Co-PFWA NFL MVP
1989 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
1988 Heisman Trophy
2x NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1997, 1994)

3,062 att's 15,269 yards 5.0 ypc 99 rushing TD's.

[EPiPeN11]

Round 1, Pick 14, Champ Bailey (Year 2006)

I obv wanted Deion Sanders, but with him gone I took the next best cornerback avaliable and one who is capable of shutting down every single reciever in this format.

Champ had a ridiculous 2006 year, and a lot of people at the time thought it was better than Sanders (I don't agree with this tho but regardless it's close). Champ had 10 interceptions which was tied for the league lead. What made this really impressive though is that through the entire season Bailey was only thrown at 35 times that year (slightly over 2 times per game) and only 4 passes were actually completed and none for TD's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champ_Bailey

Champ is also a very good tackler and can come up and help on run support. Although worse at coverage than Sanders, he is more of a complete corner who can do everything. I can match him up vs any reciever in this format and feel comfortable even if he has to go 1v1 with no saftey help when i'm blitzing.