2025 Draft Preview

 Thankfully it is that time again, FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!! While it is sad the budget for the writing staff was not big enough for us to be able to get out to the draft in person, our contract has been extended through the 2025 season with a league option for 2026, so we will once again get to follow along all season long and feel like we are a part of the great Out of the Sandbox league. The draft, is tomorrow, Saturday, August 16th and while we wish we could be with all of you, well most of you, since two of the members have a really good reason to not be there, and the other is just a poor loser. 

But enough with the intro, let's get right into the draft preview:

Derek: First pick: #1

  Keepers: Jayden Dainels, Trey McBride and Jameson Williams

Outlooks: With three very good keepers plus four picks in the top 8, Derek is looking to be very strong this year. He has a lot of options on what he can do, as he has a 3rd, 4th, and two 5ths before his keepers begin in round 6 and 7. Derek likes to be active in drafts though so you never know how he will move up or down. 

Best Man Robb: First Pick: #2

Keepers: Chase Brown, Puka Nacua, and TJ Hock tua enson

Outlook: BMR is one of those rare mangers that has one pick in each round. They are not all in his draft spot but does not have any long breaks at this time. Having a top ten overall talent in the 8th as a keeper is sure a good start, and he will get his pick of anyone in the league not named Jamar Chase, so that is nice too. 

The Comish: First Pick: #3

Keepers: Garrett Wilson, Buckey Irving, and Chuba Hubbard

Outlook: After the 3rd overall pick, Justin Jefferson, Gregory does have three picks in a row in the 2nd round, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6 respectfully and then also an early 3rd round pick at 3.3. That gives him the option to move forward or back based on how the draft is going and who he wants to target. A source close to him told me that with Greg playing 72 holes of golf in less than a week he is looking to find a dark spot in the ESPN radio booth to dose off for a pre-draft nap so he can stay alert for the 14-hour ordeal. Robb takes a long time when he is in the room when it happens, when he isn't you don't need a stopwatch, you need a sun dial. 

Tiricoooooo: First Pick #5

Keepers: James Conner, Nico Collins, and Courtland Sutton

Outlook: Three very good keepers for young Matthew to get his draft started, and he does have pick 2.3 as well so he doesn't have to wait too long for his next pick after #5, Barkley, however, with the 3rd round keeper, after that pick in the 2nd he does not pick a player until 5.5 so look for Tirico to want to draft a good RB and a good WR to move Sutton to a flex and have a very strong RB1/RB2 WR1/WR2 core. 

Santino: Fire Pick: #6

Keepers: David Montgomery and Xavier Worthy

Outlook: Has a bit of a break after a 3rd round keeper and then two 4th rounders before he drafts again in round 7. May look to find a way to get a 5th and/or 6th rounder during the draft depending on if he sees anyone he likes. Or he will just eat a watermelon and enjoy his evening.

Steve: First Pick: #9

Keepers: Zay Flowers, George Kittle, and Jakobi Meyers

Outlook: No 2nd round pick hurts, also not winning in over a decade hurts worse. Has some decent keepers but a lot of work to be done in the draft and then during the season for him if he wants to make it back to the playoffs and have a chance at that beautiful trophy. Personally, the writing staff feels like he doesn't have it in him. 

Vickery: First Pick #10

Keepers: Malik Nabers, De'Von Achane and Ladd McConkey

Outlook: The defending champ, or champs, is this team really lead by two managers? are they not just the same person? Wish the writing staff was bought a plan ticket so they could find out, but perhaps video confirmation will take place during the draft. Anyway, this is a great start of a team, and while they don't double up until 3.10/4.1, they also have two 5th round picks so they can move around a bit in the draft if they so choose. 

Ryan: First Pick: #12

Keepers: Lamar Jackson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Brian Thomas Jr. 

Outlook: Feel bad for the former Dean, since he had a layup no brainer of a keeper in Alexander Mattison in the 9th, before a season ending injury, but good work by The Wiseguy to pivot and settle on keeping Brian Thomas Jr. in that spot instead, it will have to do. Having Lamar and his duel threat ability is always nice to have in fantasy and Ryan should be able to position himself nicely. He also has no 14th or 15th round picks so should be able to have his pick of any defense and kicker he would like, unless of course Derek just drafts one in like the 7th round cause he has everything else already by then.

DP: First pick: #11

Keepers: Kyren Williams and Brock Bowers

Outlook: DP needs the young keepers to do well for him for him to have a successful season but the best TE and a great young RB is a wonderful place to start. After doing a wonderful job hosting the draft last season, Dylan can just relax and enjoy it all this year. Especially since as far as the writing staff knows, it will be his and the entire Hootie World Tours first time visiting the mother ship headquarters. 

Sloney: First Pick: #36

Keepers: Josh Jacobs, Tee Higgins and Mike Evans

Outlook: Sure, he has a 2nd and 3rd round keeper in their but the first time our, well yours, the writing staff wasn't invited, draft host gets to actually say a name in the draft is at pick #36. He does have two picks in the 5th and the 6th so maybe he will be able to make some magic happen before that, time will tell. Three solid keepers though to start the squad for Fran's favorite son, and you always have to give him a fighter's chance. 

 

Again, the writing staff is very happy to be back for another year, good luck to all, have a great draft and a wonderful season. We will be back with a draft recap in the coming days after the draft, so stay tuned.