The mighty Duluth Pillagers have completed our draft.
1 - 7 E. J. Manuel, Bills - It was painful to not fill my immediate need at CB or FS with a top prospect, but Milliner was already gone and it seemed too high for Eric Reid. After debating Star Lotulelei, Barkevious Mingo, and Jarvis Jones, I decided that there's only one way to replace Phillip Rivers, and that's by rolling the dice in the draft. I figured Manuel would be a backup, but he may make a legitimate starting run in training camp. I like this pick better now than when I made it.
2 - 47 Dwayne Gratz, Jaguars - I traded down for this pick since there were three CBs that I liked when my Round 2 pick came up - Xavier Rhodes, Darius Slay, and Gratz. Rhodes was taken with the pick I traded, and then I sweated as the other two stayed on the board. Slay went on Pick 46 and I jumped on Gratz with 47. He should start for me.
3-50 T. J. McDonald, Rams - I had no free safety on the roster, so I sweated while McDonald and Rambo remained available. I pondered whether they might slide a little further because I was interested in Le'Veon Bell and Kawann Short, but couldn't chance it. He will start for me.
3-55 John Jenkins, Saints - I didn't really know what to do with this pick, and liked Jenkins to help up the middle on a pure talent play. I already have Kevin Williams and Kyle Williams, but only had Josh Chapman as a backup. Jenkins will join the rotation on run downs, most likely.
5-103 Denard Robinson, Jaguars - This is a high-risk, high-reward pick. I needed a backup HB and it was either him or Zac Stacy, who would be a safer option. I figured I'd roll the dice with Robinson and hope Frank Gore stays healthy.
6-127 Brice Butler, Raiders - I found this guy, who's the #3 receiver in Oakland right now, and he's got great measurables. I've got strong WRs in Hakeem Nicks, Desean Jackson, and Randall Cobb, so I figured I could take a chance on him and let him compete with Devon Wylie for the #4 WR spot. Hopefully he'll develop well for me (other than the fact that he's a Raider).
7-151 Ricky Wagner, Ravens. I need a backup tackle and had Quessonberry in mind for a long time, and then discovered that he'd been hurt. Wagner is a rookie second-string LT, so I was pleased to discover him this late.
7-167 Jordan Poyer, Eagles. I was debating between him and LB Brandon Jackson, but Jackson got scooped up two picks before me. Poyer was an easy choice because I need CB depth and he's got a high potential upside.
In summary, I added two players in the defensive backfield, and one at every other group except LB. Interestingly, I came in with outside linebacker as my #1 need, but it looks like Dumervil is being moved back there and Bruce Carter is moving back outside, so my problem may have gone away. I ended up adding four offensive players and four defensive players.
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Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
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