NFL Draft Special: MI High School Fantasy Draft

<p>HAPPY DRAFT DAY!!! To celebrate the occasion, I'm writing a very unique article. This piece will mock the first 13 picks of tonight's draft as if the prospect pool was Michigan Class of 24/25 athletes. This article is NOT a rankings article, and the order of players selected is based on real-life NFL team needs. With that out of the way, let's have some fun! If this article does well, expect a much longer mock next year! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Carolina Panthers select QB [player_tooltip player_id='247690' first='Bryce' last='Underwood']</h2>   <p>In this universe, the Panthers traded up specifically to select [player_tooltip player_id='247690' first='Bryce' last='Underwood']. It's a consensus that Bryce is now the best QB in Michigan and very likely the best in the Midwest. I know that Bryce has high character, an amazing work ethic, great size, and the performance to back it up. The Panthers lock in this pick early on and the whole organization feels great about this selection. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Houston Texans select QB [player_tooltip player_id='77217' first='CJ' last='Carr']</h2>   <p>With the second pick, the Texans take their QB! With Bryce off the board, CJ is the next-best pick. A very polished passer who can also evade pressure quite well, [player_tooltip player_id='77217' first='CJ' last='Carr'] is great for the Texans system. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Arizona Cardinals select DL [player_tooltip player_id='247645' first='Bobby' last='Kanka']</h2>   <p>Just like in real life, The Arizona Cardinals are set up wonderfully to pick up the best defensive player in the draft. [player_tooltip player_id='247645' first='Bobby' last='Kanka'] adds a likely star to what is a lackluster defensive line in Arizona. His sheer dominance in the power and finesse game, along with his elite physical traits, make Bobby incredibly hard to pass up. Arizona comes out of this with high confidence they're getting a productive player at worst and a pro bowler at best. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4 Indianapolis Colts select QB [player_tooltip player_id='77216' first='Isaiah' last='Marshall']</h2>   <p>The never-ending quarterback carousel for the Colts ends with the selection of [player_tooltip player_id='77216' first='Isaiah' last='Marshall']. Isaiah offers an extremely high upside at the QB position and can even sit behind Gardner Minshew if he's not ready right away. Chirs Ballard can finally go to sleep knowing his team doesn't have to worry about the Quarterback position for a while! This is one of the most obvious picks in this draft, as Marshall is by far the best QB available, with the Colts desperately needing a long-term answer at the position. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5 Seattle Seahawks select DL [player_tooltip player_id='80954' first='Brandon' last='Davis-Swain']</h2>   <p>Pretty straightforward pick here. In my opinion, it's either QB or DL for Seattle in this draft, and [player_tooltip player_id='80954' first='Brandon' last='Davis-Swain'] just happens to be a perfect fit while also being the best player available. Brandon immediately bolsters a weak defensive line, and makes the Seattle defense a whole lot scarier. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#6 Detroit Lions select DB [player_tooltip player_id='329420' first='Alex' last='Graham']</h2>   <p>Here, [player_tooltip player_id='329420' first='Alex' last='Graham'] is arguably the best player available, is a scheme fit, and fills a position of need. Detroit hasn't been shy about wanting to bolster the defense in free agency and the draft, and I highly anticipate Detroit's first two picks going defense. Detroit takes a player that burst onto the scene and very suddenly rose up the draft boards (just like Devon Witherspoon). [player_tooltip player_id='329420' first='Alex' last='Graham'] offers ball-hawk ability to this Lions defense, and I think Brad Holmes + Dan Campbell would adore this pick. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#7 Las Vegas Raiders Select TE [player_tooltip player_id='248962' first='Brady' last='Prieskorn']</h2>   <p>I love this pick for the Raiders for so many reasons. Sure, you could argue that this is far too high for a Tight End, as this would mean Brady is the 4th TE ever to be selected in the top 7 of the draft since the year 2000. But Brady is too special a player to fall any further. Brady has an absolutely elite frame, has shown significant improvement every year, and is a proven blocker + pass catcher. In this universe, Brady has solidified himself as a top-10 lock, similar to Kyle Pitts. The Raiders just traded Darren Waller to the Giants, and they currently don't have a proven TE on the roster. Brady fits perfectly with the Raiders scheme and the Josh McDaniels offense. We know that McDaniels has coached and utilized many elite TEs in his day, and Brady could be next up. Can you tell I'm overly excited about this fantasy draft? </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#8 Atlanta Falcons select DB [player_tooltip player_id='77223' first='Jacob' last='Oden']</h2>   <p>The Atlanta Falcons have made a point this offseason to bolster their secondary, and this trend continues with [player_tooltip player_id='77223' first='Jacob' last='Oden']. This is just about the safest DB pick, as you know what you're getting with [player_tooltip player_id='77223' first='Jacob' last='Oden']. With a good mixture of veteran leaders and young guys in the Falcon's secondary, Jacob will fit right in and won't have an extraordinary amount of pressure put on him.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#9 Chicago Bears select OL [player_tooltip player_id='188031' first='Andrew' last='Dennis']</h2>   <p>The Chicago Bears have effectively traded the #1 overall pick for WR DJ Moore, the BEST offensive lineman in this year's draft, with an additional 1st next season. [player_tooltip player_id='188031' first='Andrew' last='Dennis'] provides an immediate impact on the Bears OL and provides deserved protection to Justin Fields. Don't look now, but the Bears could have a real scary offense next season! Don't get too cocky Bears fans; you were winless against the NFC North last season and got the #1 pick for a reason. I see too many of y'all way too confident on Twitter. </p>   <p>This scenario could very likely play out tonight. I could easily see Chicago taking Paris Johnson with their real-life selection! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em><strong>*Eagles trade the #10 pick to the Green Bay Packers* </strong></em></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#10 Green Bay Packers select WR [player_tooltip player_id='190093' first='Nick' last='Marsh']</h2>   <p>The Packers have traded up from #13 to #10 while also giving up their 3rd-round selection. This is a win-win for both teams as Green Bay jumps two WR-needy teams to take the best WR in the draft, while Philadelphia moves down a few spots to take their guy at #13 (you'll see). </p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='190093' first='Nick' last='Marsh'] is like Allen Lazard if Allen Lazard was actually good (oops). Honestly, Lazard and Marsh aren't THAT alike, but I wanted to throw some shade at Lazard because I don't think he's good. Anyways, [player_tooltip player_id='190093' first='Nick' last='Marsh'] fills a major need for the Packers as an immediate WR1 for their new starting QB. I see Marsh pairing very well with Romeo Dobbs and Chrisitan Watson. Marsh is more of a physical receiver and is a much-needed 50/50 option for the Packers. If I'm Green Bay, I'm celebrating getting this deal done and jumping Tennessee + Houston who would both have selected Marsh. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>*Titans trade the #11 pick to the Dallas Cowboys*</em></strong></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#11 Dallas Cowboys select DL [player_tooltip player_id='437922' first='Willie' last='Fletcher']</h2>   <p>Tennessee is upset they didn't get their guy with [player_tooltip player_id='190093' first='Nick' last='Marsh'], so they quickly field trade calls. The Bills and Cowboys were the top bidders, with Jerry Jones ending up winning the battle. </p>   <p>With the #11 Pick, the Dallas Cowboys get an immediate impact player that they believe can help them make a Super Bowl Run. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#12 Houston Texans select WR [player_tooltip player_id='603743' first='Elijah' last='Dotson']</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603743' first='Elijah' last='Dotson'] has been shooting up draft boards, and the Texans stick and pick based on need here. Houston may not have gotten Marsh, but they do get a player with a similar ceiling and a much-needed weapon for the young offense. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#13 Philidelphia Eagles select G [player_tooltip player_id='253307' first='Miguel' last='Botello']</h2>   <p>The Eagles would have benefitted from Marsh a few picks ago, but Howie Roseman elects to trade down, filling Guard (most needed position) and adding a 3rd. Miguel is the 2nd lineman off the board and immediately goes to a Super Bowl contender. Games are won in the trenches, and Philly is getting themselves a mauler here. </p>   <p>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</p>   <p>Well, I hope that mock was entertaining! For those reading right before the Draft, have fun tonight! Go Lions! </p>

HAPPY DRAFT DAY!!! To celebrate the occasion, I'm writing a very unique article. This piece will mock the first 13 picks of tonight's draft as if the prospect pool was Michigan Class of 24/25 athletes. This article is NOT a rankings article, and the order of players selected is based on real-life NFL team needs. With that out of the way, let's have some fun! If this article does well, expect a much longer mock next year!