1/2 way through, who's had the best draft so far?

[Preds]

Who do you think has had the best draft so far? Be honest now, look at the draft as a whole, not just your team.

A) the UNDEAD with QB Joey Harrington, TE Daniel Graham, WR Josh Reed, and the Freedoms 2nd and Predators 3rd next year (minus their own 1st and 2nd)

B) the PREDATORS with WR Ashley Lelie, WR Javon Walker, TE Jerramy Stevens and the Undead's #2 next year (minus their own 3rd next year)

C) the FREEDOM with TE Jeremy Shockey, WR Jabar Gaffney, and the Undeads #1 next year (minus their own 2nd next year)

D) the RAGERS with RB Deshaun Foster and RB Jonathan Wells

E) the INSECTS with RB Clinton Portis and RB Lamar Gordon

or

F) the OPIHI with RB TJ Duckett and WR Reche Caldwell

[Royal Hawaiian Opihi]

This is a tough question...

For potential impact this year... it could very well be the RAGERS, if Foster figures out how to hold onto the ball, and Wells beats out Allen (and now Travis Prentiss, too!).

The INSECTS have two potential stud RBs... come 2-4 years down the road...

I like the fact that the FREEDOM got two players that could very well be starting this year AND they got a #1 pick for next year's draft (gold!)...

But my biggest decision was between the UNDEAD and the PREDATORS. Both have 3 quality players AND draft picks for next year. Each have one of the best players in the draft at their position (Harrington at QB and Lelie at WR). Both have potential TEs who could very well be top 5 in their position come 2-3 years down the road. None of their picks seem like a "reach." However, it was the giving away of the first round pick by the Undead, that pushed me to choose the PREDATORS.

Congrats Mike!

However... you may not think the OPIHI had a good draft... but when we revisit this post 2-3 years down the road, I think Duckett and Caldwell will be top-notch players!

And I can't find a thing to complain about the NITTANY DODGERS' picks yet! Way to hold your ground!! (Looking forward to that first 2.10 pick!!!)

[Nittany Dodgers]

My choice was between the Undead and Predators as well. I went with the undead, only because I think Javon Walker looks like a bust waiting to happen, but only time will tell.

I will say that I am upset that the Dodgers were not listed as a choice. I have no draft choice busts on my roster, and to show for my #1 choice I have Dominic "Randy" Rhodes (plus a receiver I wanted to cut, and another I wasn't going to match), plus I moved up one spot in the 2nd round.

[Preds]

I had a tough decision here, but overall, I think the Undead have greatly improved their team off this years draft at the expense of next years draft. I'm not so sure this years draft was worth them trading away their 1st and 2nd in 2003 for the Freedoms 2nd and my 3rd in 2003 so they could move up.

Overall however, with 3 picks in the top 13 payers you have to apopreciate what Jeremy has done to reawaken the Undead.

[Ypsilanti Undead]

I voted for myself, though I admit I don't think it's very fair. It would be more fair to judge this year's draft and next year's in combination. Next year's first rounder seems a steep price, but time will tell. Given the condition of my roster, I thought a future 1st was worth two 2nd rounders, especially when one of them was the first pick in the round (a virtual 1st rounder!) and I was getting what I felt was a solid late first-round talent (Reed) who was less of a gamble than several players who went before him. I really think if the NFL weren't so obsessed with the tape measure and the stopwatch, Reed would have been the #2 WR taken.

I'm sure many will disagree, but I feel like I got three 1st round talents this year, plus an extra late pick next year. What's more important from the fun perspective, is that I got the three players I really wanted on my roster (having conceded I'd never get Shockey, of course!).

The biggest knock against my draft, I feel, is revealed in my next statement: I thought the next best drafts were by the Freedom and the Predators. (Hey, aren't those the two teams I traded picks to? ) If I were a fan of either Lelie or Gaffney then I would humble myself and pick them over me, but I don't go for sprinters or Gators in this league.

-Jer

(Not justifying any decisions except for the decision to vote for myself in this poll!)

[Philadelphia Freedom]

I think the Predators were the Predators (ie, they came in and added more talent to an already talented team). The Toxic Waste addressed their biggest need with a potential stud in William Green, although I am puzzled by the trading down). The Undead may have mortgaged next year a bit, but they grabbed quality this year and ended up moving up and grabbing a player that the Predators wanted. The Opihi added a Top 3 RB and a WR that should be solid this year and for years to come. The Ragers added depth at one of the toughest positions with 2 guys that could be seeing significant playing time by midseason. The Insects also grabbed to RB's though both will probably take a little while to see much time, they both have the talent to be players for years to come.

All that being said, as long as we can vote for ourselves I am voting for me. I know a lot of this is subjective but I like the fact that both Gaffney and Shockey should be able to contribute this year. I know some were not sold on Shockey but the combination of this price and potential made it too hard to pass up. I am also not a huge fan of Florida players but Gaffney has the talent and should have a good chance to start. On a team with only one WR this seemed like a good pick for this year. To be honest I am most happy with grabbing two first rounders for next year. I had a very tough time once we got outside of the Top 10 picks this year deciding who was worth taking. However, the 2003 draft is projected to have 4 QB's go in round one and a very good number of high quality WR's.

[Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers]

There are so many ways to look at who had the "best" draft. You can look at filling needs, immediate impact players, best value or future help. I think its way too early to really judge this draft but its fun analyzing anyway. Its not like I have any real work to do (curse you Mike!!!! Stop making me slack at work!) But lets go ahead and analyze.

I think the Ragers have 2 potential impact players this year. Foster could be the steal of the NFL draft if he can pretend the ball is not a hot potato. Wells may be starting for the Texans, not sure if that's a valuable thing but starting RBs are hard to come by.

The Insects got some good value in Portis and Gordon. Not impact players this year but could they be future studs? I was hoping Portis might fall to me but alas I was 1 pick off!

The Freedom did well to help out the team this year with Shockey as well as add a #1 pick next year. I sure could have used Shockey as well!

[Royal Hawaiian Opihi]

What? No love for my Opihi yet?

Okay... okay... I'll remember that!


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[Ypsilanti Undead]

Aw shucks, you guys are so supportive! Or maybe you're all just encouraging me in the hopes that I'll trade you a #1 pick someday!

I have to say, I'm very impressed with the trash talk - to - genuine compliments ratio on this board. As a newbie who's just getting acquainted with you guys, I'm feeling very welcomed. Thanks!

(Somehow, though, I suspect the kid gloves come off once the season starts!)