I'll edit post as I go.
Amazing camp for Manila.
QB is the guy who touches the ball every play and while they rarely get injured it can be a disaster if they do. Manilas backup is in his 11th year and as I often do I start taking swings at project replacements on the cheap. Simonson was a big hit and would probably be a franchise QB on most teams though he'll be the ultimate insurance policy in Manila. The price tag? A lowly mid 4th rounder.
RB has to be able to move the chains and Manila has old farts that were entering an ungraceful decline at 7 and 11 seasons. Greens painful speed wall hit landed him with 62 speed, making him pretty much useless. Thankfully Manila took a swing to replace these aging vets with the last pick of the 5th round and hit in Martin. Martin boasts 84 speed while being overweight and excellent pass blocking likely to max. His ball carrying only reached 63 which will limit his role but speed and QB protection is enough to give him the rb3 role.
At FB we took a 7th round flyer that went 0/-14. He has a knockout bounty on sight so his name shall not be mentioned here.
At TE Manila was in trouble with only a 12 year declining vet on the roster. In comes David Moody. He was originally pegged for ol due to having 50 speed but when that's what you got it's what you got. His b&r is pretty low but he's good everywhere else except speed. He'll provide a strong blocking presence and strong hands even if not able to create wide open windows.
Manila had 4 9th year vets at wr. A youth with speed was a must, and few can hold a candle to Paul Hendersons blazing speed or his linemanesque strength. Then he boomed and his blue bar talent could surpass his speed. Did I mention he has 77 kick return too. He made Manila look genius going with a huge risk late in round 2.
OL was a huge weakness for Manila with just 7 players on the team 1 eyeing retirement and several who were stopgap at best. As such Manila invested 4 picks at the position. Early second rounder Michael Mitchell disappointed. While still having great physical talent and 72 pass blocking he's still capable as a backup but not at the levels Manila hoped. Late 4th rounder Albert Lucius failed completely and was sent home with walking papers shortly after drills finished. From the darkness came light! Two 3rd rounders boomed to their full potential! Both Brian Pittman and Thomas Hintz look to be starters for a long time.
DL like the rest of the roster boasted some elder statesman. Manila had high hopes for 2nd rounder Robert Thompson but he let them down in spectacular fashion. Manila is a meritocracy and his second round status couldn't save him here, he was instantly fired. Derrick Davis was an afterthought for most due to his 44 speed at DT but all his other skills showed promise... and unlike loser Thompson he made good on it. He showed that even in the last pick of the 6th round heart can make it.
At LB Mr Irrelevant is suddenly very relevant. Hidden at DE and heavy even there Manila still saw potential in non DL skills and drafted him to play lb instead and he rewarded their faith. He may not have starter speed but he's smart and reliable in coverage. It took to the last pick and a position change but he found himself on a team where he's likely to have a long career.
One can never have enough DBs. Manila firmly believe in this and took a shot in the late 2nd round on Donald Farris. He made good. Not a blazer he makes his plays with savvy. He'll be a long term asset for Manila.
The only position group that Manila didn't draft was K (for obvious reasons).
The only position that totally failed was FB.
Manila did not have a first round pick and 2 of it's four 2nd rounders busted.
Manila had 9 booms and 4 busts. Of the busts 3 were cut busts.
Manila sacrificed 2 firsts, a second, a third, and a fourth to get the picks over the next two seasons for this massive class. Manila fully deems it worth it already.
Last edited 6/22/2024 4:41 am