The LOC Report

Friday 5 August 2016

The Greatest Draft Pick Of All Time (1st round part 3)

We're rolling through the bracket now, and there are some juicy match ups coming up in round two. This is part 3 of 4 in the first round where we're weeding out the contenders from the pretenders.

1st round

Josh Gordon 2013 (34) v DeAngelo Williams 2015 (62)
Josh Gordon had a momentous year in 2013. Unfortunately for IKNAN, he didn't benefit from it due to a roster error. Still would have been great value for a 12th rounder (1646 yards 9 TDs, 218 pts).

DeAngelo Williams was expected to play the back up role in 2015, but he played far more than anyone expected, gaining 1274 yards and 11 TDs (193 pts). Coach Nathwani got a steal in the 11th round.

Winner: DeAngelo Williams
Reason: Gordon had a heck of a season, but the roster error ruined it


Marshawn Lynch 2011 (12) v Jordy Nelson 2011 (18)
Lynch had never lived up to potential in Buffalo, but Coach Nathwani saw opportunity for Lynch in Seattle, spending the 99th pick to get him. Opportunity came knocking, as he rolled to 1416 yards and 13 TDs (219 pts).

Nelson had been in the league a few years and not done much. Not surprising that he was available in the 16th round when Forge Flyers selected him. It just so happens that's the year he popped, posting 1263 yards and 15 TDs (216 pts).

Winner: Jordy Nelson
Reason: incredible value, we don't even have a 16th round anymore


Peyton Manning 2013 (30) v Frank Gore 2012 (25)
Few champions ever lead teams to titles single handedly, but if there's any case for one that did its this. Manning had an earth shattering 5477 yards and 55 TDs (549 pts), leading Burdettinators to the title. He was a mere 5th round pick.

People have been predicting the demise of Frank Gore for years, but it certainly didn't come in 2012 when Tom's Tyrants selected him in the 6th round. He got a cool 1448 yards and 9 TDs (199 pts).

Winner: Peyton Manning
Reason: just a ridiculous stat line


T.Y Hilton 2014 (40) v Devonta Freeman 2015 (60)
Hilton was still an NFL newbie in 2014, but that didn't stop Coach Barnes from selecting him in the 8th round in 2014. He went on to get 1345 yards and 7 TDs (176 pts). Not bad at all.

Another pick spoilt by a bad decision. Devonta Freeman had a marvellous 2015, rattling off 1639 yards and 14 TDs (248 pts). The Tuckfards got great value for him in the 9th, but Coach Leach was the one that benefitted as Coach Merritt released him early on.

Winner: Devonta Freeman
Reason: Despite dropping him it was still a great pick


Larry Fitzgerald 2011 (6) v Jamaal Charles 2012 (19)
One of the most featured players in this bracket, Fitz was selected nearly ever year by IKNAN. In 2011 he was taken with the 27th pick and delivered 1411 yards and 8 TDs (189 pts).

Coming off an ACL tear, Charles was a risk in 2012. Gridiron Gang thought he was worth the gamble, using the 12th pick of the draft to get him. It paid off big time though, as he got a whopping 1745 yards and 8 TDs (222 pts).

Winner: Jamaal Charles
Reason: a big calculated risk that paid off


Jeremy Maclin 2014 (38) v Mike Evans 2014 (42)
Maclin had been in the league a few years but never quite put it together. With Chip Kelly, Coach Nathwani thought it might be his chance. He was right, getting him in the 5th round, Maclin posted 1318 yards and 10 TDs (192 pts).

Coach Burdett isn't one to shy away from a rookie receiver, and that was all too true when he selected Evans in the 9th round. He didn't stay on the roster all too long, but he did get 1051 yards and 12 TDs (177 pts), so he did get it right.

Winner: Jeremy Maclin
Reason: a very smart pick (and he kept hold of him)


Greg Olsen 2014 (45) v Doug Martin 2012 (24)
TEs are a tricky beast, but Coach Merritt seems to have a knack for finding the good ones. In the 12th round in 2014 he selected Greg Olsen, and he went on to get 1008 yards and 6 TDs (137 pts). Not bad for a TE.

Martin was a rookie in 2012 and had a lot of hype about him. IKNAN bought into that, taking him in the 5th round. The hype train did not disappoint, as Martin rattled off 1926 yards and 12 TDs (264 pts).

Winner: Doug Martin
Reason: just a tremendous return for a 5th rounder


Doug Martin 2015 (54) v Ryan Mathews 2011 (11)
After that 2012 season however, Martin never got back to those heights. He did have a renaissance in 2015 though, when Tom's Tyrants also selected him with a 5th rounder. He was rewarded with 1673 yards and 7 TDs (209 pts).

Ryan Mathews has had a similar career to Martin, a couple of great years but the rest not so much. 2011 was one of those good years though, when Burdettinators took him in the 10th round and he went onto record 1546 yards and 6 TDs (190 pts).

Winner: Ryan Mathews
Reason: both great picks, but Mathews was better value


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