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Old 11-08-2018, 08:07 AM   #64
revrew
Team Chaplain
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Just outside Des Moines, IA
ESPN Draft Profile: Des Moines Dragons

The Dragons have to be considered one of the most intriguing teams in this years' draft. Not because of speculation over what they might do, but because of the absolute certainty over what they seem bound to do. Des Moines GM Jack Ledger steadfastly refuses to field any player who hasn't played either high school or college ball in Iowa. That severely limits his choices come draft day.

Despite what they say about "best talent available," every typical NFL team takes into account two factors on draft day: How good the player is and where the team's needs and future needs lie. But for the Dragons, a third factor has been introduced: Where the players are from.

Not only are Ledger and new Head Coach Kevin O'Dea handcuffed by the third factor, but they're also facing the reality that every other GM in the league knows who they're targeting. If the Dragons want to trade up, for example, teams will know exactly who the Dragons are after. And the teams sitting behind the Dragons in draft position know which players are safe. This puts the Des Moines team at yet another competitive disadvantage in a league where every coach and GM is scrambling for the tiniest of advantage over their rivals.

That said, let's take a look at who everyone in the NFL knows the Dragons have their eyes on - the talent from Iowa - and where said players are currently project to be drafted:

1st Round
OT Dashawn O'Connell attended South Carolina, but he went to high school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He would also fill a major need position for the Dragons. But he's considered by many a top 10 talent, so if Ledger and O'Dea want O'Connell, they will likely need to trade up from the 18th spot to land him.

FS Darren Terrell out of Iowa State could fall to the bottom of the first or top of the second. If the Dragons trade down, he's a likely target, but the Dragon secondary is already the team's top position of strength.

2nd Round
No Iowa native players are projected to be picked in the 2nd, unless Terrell falls, so expect the Dragons to use their 2nd rounder as natural trade bait.

3rd Round
Both of Iowa's offensive tackles, Myron West and Bob Hansen, could be selected in the third, as well as Notre Dame grad Mitchell Riepl, who originally hails from Dubuque, Iowa. Hawkeye CB and KR Calvin Minnig might also land here. If the Dragons do trade out of the second, it might be to pick up extra picks in the third to grab more than one of these players.

Other notables:
ISU WR Bernard Russell – He's small and clocked a slow 40, but he was productive in college at a position the Dragons need help
University of Iowa Safety Brock Riley
ISU Guard Amos Shepherd
NC Guard Edgar Edge, who was O'Connell's high school teammate in Cedar Rapids
ISU DE Frankie Rhodes – More of a run stuffer than a pass rusher, and the Dragons really need help in sacking QBs
Ol' Miss TE Dustin Murphy, who originally hails from Camanche, IA

Could the Dragons be baited into overpaying in draft or trade capital in order to land exactly and only these players? Almost certainly. So how will the Dragons avoid being raked over the coals?
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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.
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