Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - Detroit's Dark Knight: The Des Moines Dragons Reborn

revrew · 10-02-2019, 09:04 AM

2032 Draft Coverage:

Welcome to Jacksonville, Florida, home of the 2032 NFL amateur draft! With the first overall pick, the Houston Texans selected cornerback Frank Starks, the gifted athlete out of Virginia who made America sit up and take notice at this year's Maurice's Mattress and Furniture Barn Bowl and doubled down by wowing scouts at this year's combine.

When NFL Commissioner James Gordon stepped to the podium to announce the Des Moines Dragons' 12th overall pick, UNI offensive tackle Sebastian Shaw was still on the draft board and the presumed pick for the squad with a history of only selecting Iowa players. The commissioner, however, surprised the crowd by announcing the pick had been traded to the San Diego Chargers!

In return for the 1.12 and their 4th rounder, the Dragons received the 1.20 and the 2.20, giving the Dragons an additional 2nd round pick.

When the 1.20 rolled around, it turns out the Dragons were in luck!

1.20 OT Sebastian Shaw, University of Northern Iowa

Mel Kiper: The trade gamble pays off for the Dragons, as they drop down from 1.12 to 1.20 and land their man anyway. Not yet varying from the policy of picking only Iowa players, new Head Coach Josh McDaniels took the tackle who shot up the draft board after a good combine, but it appears cooled off as scouts dug deeper into the tape. I think that's why Shaw slipped a bit and why Des Moines took the gamble he'd still be there with the 20th pick. Shaw is an untested player, having rarely faced elite competition, but what Des Moines is getting is a mountain of a man at 6'6" and 352 pounds with excellent athleticism for a tackle his size. The Dragons already have a roster full of tackles, so I'll be curious where they line him up and how soon he'll slip into the lineup.

2.11 OLB Antonio Lepsis, Iowa

Todd McShay: It's not surprising that the Dragons took Lepsis, but it was a little surprising to see him taken with the first of their two, second-round picks. You look at the tape, and it's easy to see why teams are high on this kid. He's a tackling machine who can run with tight ends. The knock on him is that he's really a safety playing out of position. At 5'10" and only 218 pounds, he doesn't attack blockers well, and it shows. He's far better in space than in the trenches.

2.20 CB Alfredo Hanson, Iowa

Todd McShay: This is the player I expected the Dragons to take earlier. Hanson was 2nd-Team All Big 10 after racking up a season of picks and passes defended. He reads quarterback eyes very well and breaks to the ball with a playmaker's instincts. The biggest question mark is whether he's fast enough to run with NFL receivers or strong enough to take them on in tight coverage. But if allowed to sit back and play zone, Hanson could be a real asset.

Trade – The Des Moines Dragons trade their 3rd round selection and 7th round selection to the Houston Texans in exchange for the 5.1, 7.1, and the Texans' 3rd round pick next year.

Kiper: I think it's a smart play for Des Moines. If they're not in love with Iowa State Quarterback Bubba Griffin, who's really the only 3rd rounder from Iowa I can see on the draft board, then swapping out for the worst team in the league's 3rd rounder next year makes sense. And picking up an extra 5th and a higher 7th? Why not?

5.1 – WR Sean Reeves, Idaho State

Daniel Jeremiah: The senior out of Manchester, Iowa, who played for the Vandals, has NFL top speed and toughness. His hands are rock solid, and he knows how to take a hit. His ability to separate, however, will need to be developed, as he tends to play more like a basketball player blocking out his opponents than a receiver running away from them.

5.12 – RB Bubba Clayton, Iowa State

McShay: At last, the Dragons pick a runningback. I don't fault them for taking Clayton here, where the shifty Cyclone is a decent value as a 3rd down specialist. But I do fault them for not taking a more bell-cow back earlier in this draft.

6.11 – OLB Chester Dazey, Iowa

Kiper: Dazey might just be the toughest player in this draft. Listed at 5'9", it's surprising to see him playing linebacker at all, but Iowa's twin tiny mites – Lepsis and Dazey, both drafted by the Dragons – were like buzzing bees to opposing defenses. And of the two, Dazey is the one with the surprising sting. Not as sure a tackler as Lepsis, but a fierce hitter.

7.1 – SS Dylan Flannery, Iowa

McShay: High character, locker room leader and captain of the Iowa defense. He's a smart player who will help fill a depth need for the Dragons.

ESPN Draft Grade: C+

10-02-2019, 09:04 AM	#233
revrew Team Chaplain Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Just outside Des Moines, IA	2032 Draft Coverage: Welcome to Jacksonville, Florida, home of the 2032 NFL amateur draft! With the first overall pick, the Houston Texans selected cornerback Frank Starks, the gifted athlete out of Virginia who made America sit up and take notice at this year's Maurice's Mattress and Furniture Barn Bowl and doubled down by wowing scouts at this year's combine. When NFL Commissioner James Gordon stepped to the podium to announce the Des Moines Dragons' 12th overall pick, UNI offensive tackle Sebastian Shaw was still on the draft board and the presumed pick for the squad with a history of only selecting Iowa players. The commissioner, however, surprised the crowd by announcing the pick had been traded to the San Diego Chargers! In return for the 1.12 and their 4th rounder, the Dragons received the 1.20 and the 2.20, giving the Dragons an additional 2nd round pick. When the 1.20 rolled around, it turns out the Dragons were in luck! 1.20 OT Sebastian Shaw, University of Northern Iowa Mel Kiper: The trade gamble pays off for the Dragons, as they drop down from 1.12 to 1.20 and land their man anyway. Not yet varying from the policy of picking only Iowa players, new Head Coach Josh McDaniels took the tackle who shot up the draft board after a good combine, but it appears cooled off as scouts dug deeper into the tape. I think that's why Shaw slipped a bit and why Des Moines took the gamble he'd still be there with the 20th pick. Shaw is an untested player, having rarely faced elite competition, but what Des Moines is getting is a mountain of a man at 6'6" and 352 pounds with excellent athleticism for a tackle his size. The Dragons already have a roster full of tackles, so I'll be curious where they line him up and how soon he'll slip into the lineup. 2.11 OLB Antonio Lepsis, Iowa Todd McShay: It's not surprising that the Dragons took Lepsis, but it was a little surprising to see him taken with the first of their two, second-round picks. You look at the tape, and it's easy to see why teams are high on this kid. He's a tackling machine who can run with tight ends. The knock on him is that he's really a safety playing out of position. At 5'10" and only 218 pounds, he doesn't attack blockers well, and it shows. He's far better in space than in the trenches. 2.20 CB Alfredo Hanson, Iowa Todd McShay: This is the player I expected the Dragons to take earlier. Hanson was 2nd-Team All Big 10 after racking up a season of picks and passes defended. He reads quarterback eyes very well and breaks to the ball with a playmaker's instincts. The biggest question mark is whether he's fast enough to run with NFL receivers or strong enough to take them on in tight coverage. But if allowed to sit back and play zone, Hanson could be a real asset. Trade – The Des Moines Dragons trade their 3rd round selection and 7th round selection to the Houston Texans in exchange for the 5.1, 7.1, and the Texans' 3rd round pick next year. Kiper: I think it's a smart play for Des Moines. If they're not in love with Iowa State Quarterback Bubba Griffin, who's really the only 3rd rounder from Iowa I can see on the draft board, then swapping out for the worst team in the league's 3rd rounder next year makes sense. And picking up an extra 5th and a higher 7th? Why not? 5.1 – WR Sean Reeves, Idaho State Daniel Jeremiah: The senior out of Manchester, Iowa, who played for the Vandals, has NFL top speed and toughness. His hands are rock solid, and he knows how to take a hit. His ability to separate, however, will need to be developed, as he tends to play more like a basketball player blocking out his opponents than a receiver running away from them. 5.12 – RB Bubba Clayton, Iowa State McShay: At last, the Dragons pick a runningback. I don't fault them for taking Clayton here, where the shifty Cyclone is a decent value as a 3rd down specialist. But I do fault them for not taking a more bell-cow back earlier in this draft. 6.11 – OLB Chester Dazey, Iowa Kiper: Dazey might just be the toughest player in this draft. Listed at 5'9", it's surprising to see him playing linebacker at all, but Iowa's twin tiny mites – Lepsis and Dazey, both drafted by the Dragons – were like buzzing bees to opposing defenses. And of the two, Dazey is the one with the surprising sting. Not as sure a tackler as Lepsis, but a fierce hitter. 7.1 – SS Dylan Flannery, Iowa McShay: High character, locker room leader and captain of the Iowa defense. He's a smart player who will help fill a depth need for the Dragons. ESPN Draft Grade: C+ __________________ Winner of 6 FOFC Scribe Awards, including 3 Gold Scribes Founder of the ZFL, 2004 Golden Scribe Dynasty of the Year Now bringing The Des Moines Dragons back to life, and the joke's on YOU, NFL! I came to the Crossroad. I took it. And that has made all the difference.