AAF to NFL Mock Draft

With the AAF suddenly gone and me knee deep in the NFL draft (keep an eye out for our newest 2 round mock draft and check out some of my player profiles over at HogsHaven.com), I decided to do a mock supplemental draft of the AAF. We’re not looking at guys to step in and start on an NFL team, we are looking for good fits to be contributors, add depth to positions of need, and teams that would take a flyer on a young, developmental player.

Round 1

#1 Arizona Cardinals

Keith Reaser – CB – Orlando Apollos | The Apollos claimed the default championship title with their league best 7-1 record. Reaser was a big reason for that success. He was the highest graded CB by PFF (92.7) and the second highest graded defensive player in the league. He had 3 interceptions, 7 pass break-ups, and allow an opponent passer rating of only 21.7. His success caught eyes of NFL scouts, as I’m writing this its been reported he’s signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.

#2 San Francisco 49ers

Derron Smith – S – Commanders | PFF’s Player of the Year as the top graded player in the AAF. Smith was stout in all aspects of the game for the Commanders. Smith could step in right away and backup Jaquiski Tartt at the SS position and be a solid contributor on special teams.

#3 New York Jets

Jordan McCray – C – Orlando Apollos | McCray was the top offensive lineman in a league. He graded with the top run-blocking grade from PFF and was the anchor on the line for the best offensive in the league. I think McCray has real starting potential in the NFL. The Jets need a center and while its likely they take one in this years draft, McCray could be a great option to add depth to both the center and guard positions.

#4 Oakland Raiders

Damontre Moore – EDGE – San Diego Fleet | The Raiders desperately need some edge rushers so here they grab the most dominating one from the AAF season. Moore finished out the 8 week season with 7 sacks and 25 QB hits on 41 QB pressures. Moore has experience with Oakland, he spent the 2016 offseason and played in 2 games this past season for the Raiders.

#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jamar Summers – CB – Birmingham Iron | Summers was the top corner for the top defense in the AAF. He exploded onto the scene in week 1 where he had 3 pass break-ups, an interception, and a force fumble against the Memphis Express. He finished the season with 3 interception, 10 pass break-ups, and allowed only a 42.4% completion percentage on targets thrown his way. He is only 23 years old, going undrafted this past season out of UConn. He spent the 2018 preseason with the Steelers before being cut.

#6 New York Giants

Mike Purcell – NT – Salt Lake Stallions | The Giants need depth at nose tackle and Purcell was the most dominant interior defensive lineman in the league. He had 3 sacks, 11 QB hits, and (according to PFF) never missed a tackle. Purcell last played in the NFL in 2016 where he played in 15 games for the 49ers.

#7 Jacksonville Jaguars

Brandon Greene – OT – Birmingham Iron | Greene finished the season as the top tackle in the league. Jaguars need depth on the offensive line. He is only 25. Seems like a good fit.

#8 Detroit Lions

Rashad Ross – WR – Arizona Hotshots | Ross was one of the most explosive players in the AAF. He was second in the league in receiving yards (583) and first in receiving TDs (7). Ross could step in right away as a rotation threat, especially with Stafford’s big arm. Looks like Ross will be one of th first AAF players to already make the jump to the NFL, signing with the Carolina Panthers.

#9 Buffalo Bills

Nick Truesdell – TE – Salt Lake Stallions | Truesdell is one of the most interesting prospects in the AAF, and a guy I think this type of league was made for. He played for the University of Cincinnati, but was kicked off the team and ended up at Grand Rapids CC where he then tore his ACL. He decided to go pro and bounced around to a few Arena and Indoor football teams. He attended the veteran combine in 2017 and impressed scouts running a 4.5 40 at 6’6″ 252lbs. The Bills need depth and Truesdell could be a great alternate weapon for Josh Allen.

#10 Denver Broncos

De’Vante Bausby – CB – Commanders | Bausby was one of the top corners in the league and lead the league with 5 interceptions and 11 pass break-ups. The Broncos really need depth at corner and Bausby can step in right away to provide that. And literally as I am writing this, Bausby has signed a contract with the Broncos

#11 Cincinnati Bengals

Terence Garvin – LB – Orlando Apollos | It’s no surprise the Bengals biggest need this offseason is at linebacker. Garvin can step in right away to provide depth, or even compete, for the SAM linebacker position. He stood out for his coverage skills, intercepting 3 passes and 6 pass break-ups. Garvin has also shown a knack for special teams throughout his career.

#12 Green Bay Packers

Joey Mbu – NT – San Antonio Commanders | Mbu was one of my personal favorite players coming into the season having watched him in 2017 in camp with the Redskins. He spent time in camp with the Packers this past season and I could see them bringing him back to backup Kenny Clark.

#13 Miami Dolphins

Garrett Gilbert – QB – Orlando Apollos | This pick just makes sense to me, especially if Miami is “tanking.” After Gilbert’s success with the Apollos, they could bring him in to camp to compete with Fitzpatrick. The fans would love to see Gilbert get a shot to go from starting in Orlando to starting in Miami. Gilbert threw for a league best 2,152 yards and 13 touchdowns to only 3 interceptions. He most likely would have finished as the league MVP.

#14 Atlanta Falcons

Kameron Kelly – CB – San Diego Fleet| The Falcons really need to some depth at the corner position, both outside and at nickel. Kelly is a bigger back at 6’2″ 207lbs. He finished the season with 4 interceptions and 9 pass break-ups.

#15 Washington Redskins

Greer Martini – LB – Salt Lake Stallions | The Redskins need depth at inside linebacker, especially if Rueben Foster is suspended. Martini excelled as the MLB for the Stallions. He’s got size (6’3″ 236lbs) that the Redskins are currently lacking on the inside. He’s also only 23 years old. He could be a great early down backer for the Redskins.

#16 Carolina Panthers

Karter Schult – EDGE – Salt Lake Stallions | Schult was a dominating pass rusher for the Stallions. He led the league in total pressures with 49 and tackles for a loss with 13. The Panthers need guys who can rush the passer. Schult spent some of the 2018 offseason with the Panthers and they could bring him back after his impressive showing in the AAF.

#17 Cleveland Browns

Joe Powell – S – Birmingham Iron | With Peppers gone, the Browns need some depth at the strong safety position. Powell was one of the top defenders on the best defense in the league. He’s a guy to bring in to compete in camp to backup that SS position and provide help on special teams.

#18 Minnesota Vikings

Charles Johnson – WR – Orlando Apollos | Johnson returns to the team he played for from 2014-16. Johnson lead the league in receptions (45) and receiving yards (687) for the best offense in the league. He’s 30 years old, which is part of why he’s not higher on this list. If he can keep up the talent he showed in Orlando he can be a solid rotational player for the Vikings, who could use some depth at wide receiver.

#19 Tennessee Titans

John Wolford – QB – Arizona Hotshots | The Titans are set at the top 2 QBs on their depth chart after trading for Ryan Tannehill. But with both Mariota and Tannehill’s injury history, the Titans would be smart to bring in a young guy to sit on the practice squad and be ready when his time is called. Wolford was the second best QB in the AAF, throwing for 1,616 yards and a league best 14 touchdowns. He would have been in the discussion for league MVP.

#20 Pittsburgh Steelers

Casey Sayles – DL – Birmingham Iron | Sayles was the top graded lineman on the league leading Birmingham Iron defense. He had 24 total pressures on the season, including 6 QB hits. He spent the 2018 offseason with the Steelers and could see a return given his performance this season and familiarity with the system.

#21 Seattle Seahawks

Shakir Soto – DL – San Diego Fleet | Like Pittsburgh, Seattle needs some depth on the defensive line. Soto had 4 sacks and 6 QB hits for the Fleet this season. Soto could step in and compete for a rotational spot on the interior.

#22 Baltimore Ravens

Jayrone Elliott – EDGE – San Antonio Commanders | Elliott had the highest pass rush grade from PFF (91.9). He finished the season with 7.5 sacks, 13 QB hits, and forced 4 fumbles. He’s a perfect fit to work into the rotation to rush the passer in Baltimore.

#23 Houston Texans

D’Ernest Johnson – RB – Orlando Apollos | Houston needs to add another dynamic threat in the backfield this season. Johnson finished second in the league with 372 yards, but first in the league with an impressive 5.8 yards per carry. On top of that, he had 22 receptions for 220 yards. Johnson is a dynamic player and could make for an explosive option behind Lamar Miller.

#24 Chicago Bears

Jhurell Pressley – RB – Arizona Hotshots | Pressley tied Johnson as the top graded running back in the AAF. He lead all backs in rushing yards with 431. After trading away Jordan Howard, the Bears could use another back in camp to compete. He also has experience in the NFC North, having spent time with both the Vikings and the Packers.

#25 Philadelphia Eagles

Jake Payne – EDGE – Birmingham Iron | Payne was also one of my favorite players going into the AAF season. In large part because he played in the ODAC at Shenandoah University. We featured him preseason in an article highlighting Division III players trying to earn a shot in the AAF. Payne didn’t join the Iron until week 5, but he finished out the season as one of the top graded players on the Iron defense. His progression from Division III, to Arena ball, to the AAF has been outstanding and if he can continue that momentum, I expect him to get a shot in camp as a 4-3 defensive end. Philly seems like a great fit.

#26 Indianapolis Colts

Cody Riggs – CB – Orlando Apollos | Playing opposite Reaser, Riggs also had a great season for the Apollos. He was PFFs second highest graded corner (behind Reaser). The Colts could use some depth outside at corner.

#27 Dallas Cowboys

Kenneth Farrow – RB – San Antonio Commanders | The Cowboys bring in the Irving, TX native to backup Ezekiel Elliott. Farrow tied for second in the league with 372 yards rushing. He has experience in the league, playing in 13 games for the Chargers in 2016. He spent time on the Patriots practice squad this past season.

#28 Los Angeles Chargers

Ed Reynolds Jr – S – Atlanta Legends | The Chargers are likely to draft a free safety in the upcoming draft, but they could also look to bring in Reynolds to provide depth and compete in camp at the position. Reynolds really stood out on a team and a defense that was particularly bad. He didn’t allow a touchdown all season and was near the top of the league with 33 solo tackles.

#29 Kansas City Chiefs

Ja’Quan Gardner – RB – San Diego Fleet | Gardner is young and explosive and could be a great addition to an already dynamic offense. He was a beast at D2 Humboldt St and while he is considered undersized, he showed with the Fleet what kind of dynamic athleticism he can bring to a team.

#30 New Orleans Saints

DeMarquis Gates – LB – Memphis Express | The Saints need some help at linebacker and Gates could be an interesting add. He lead the AAF in tackles with 52, had 8 tackles for loss, and force 5 fumbles playing the will backer for the Express. He’s young, having just turned 23 years old, and could be a great developmental add for the Saints.

#31 Los Angeles Rams

JC Hassenauer – C – Birmingham Iron | Hassenauer was one of the top offensive lineman in the league, and could have been the top if it wasn’t for an injury. The Rams need help at center and Hassenauer is a guy that can step in right away and support/compete with Brian Allen.

#32 New England Patriots

De’Mornay Pierson-El – WR – Salt Lake Stallions | The Patriots need help at wide receive and here they could grab one of the most dynamic WR from the AAF. According to PFF, Pierson-El forced the most missed tackles in the league after the catch. He also finished near the top of the league in yards after the catch.






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