Colliders Content With Draft

Colliders GM Josh Hammond was admittedly underwhelmed by this year’s draft class; look not further than his pre-draft trades for proof. At first, it appeared as though he were collecting 2013 draft picks, but then he promptly swapped those out for 2014 picks. Most notably, Hammond traded QB Russell Wilson to the (r)EvoLUtion for a first rounder and was sitting pretty with two first round draft picks.

But not pretty enough. Hammond moved that pick to the Silvertips for a 2014 first rounder. Previously, Hammond had moved WR T.Y. Hilton to the Banthas for their 2014 first round pick.

“I’d rather be putting my eggs in 2014’s basket,” quipped Hammond.

Well, now he has three first round eggs in the 2014 draft. Not only that, but he moved some fifth rounders this year for some fourth rounders next year. Overall, he has 10 picks in next year’s draft, which is ludicrous.

With all of that being said, Hammond’s outlook on this year’s draft was pessimistic.

“We needed a running back, for sure, but it’s hard to find a good one in an NFL draft that started with two serviceable tackles being picked. At #7, we figured there wouldn’t be a decent back left, so we targeted a wide receiver for that spot.”

Hammond may have a point about overdrafting running backs. Just take a look at the running backs that have been drafted in the first round up until now:

2011
1.01 Mark Ingram
1.03 Daniel Thomas
1.05 Ryan Williams
1.07 Shane Vereen
1.12 Tim Hightower

2012
1.02 Trent Richardson
1.04 Doug Martin
1.06 David Wilson
1.11 Ronnie Hillman

Hammond is betting that 2013’s class is more like 2011’s class than 2012’s class.

“In our evaluations there was only one back with enough upside to be drafted in the first round,” said Hammond, as if his evaluations were the only ones that mattered. “And that player was Giovani Bernard. I think the Dream Team was wise to pick him first overall.”

The draft began with Bernard and Le’Veon Bell being drafted, and Hammond wasn’t surprised when the RB-starved Chitons picked up Eddie Lacy.

“The magic happened when the CornChutes stepped up to the podium for 3 picks,” reflected Hammond as he leaned back in his oversized leather office chair at Colliders headquarters. “I knew they needed wide receivers, and my guess was that they would draft two of them and also pick up one running back. That’s what they did, of course, but I assumed that Tavon Austin would be one of those wide receivers.”

Tavon Austin had been leading the ADP rankings in rookie only drafts for most of the summer, though he had slipped to #2 overall in the last couple of weeks.

“At any rate, we had basically resigned ourselves to having a guy like Cordarrelle Patterson on our team, which isn’t bad, but we don’t like his quarterback.”

The Chitons drafted DeAndre Hopkins, who the Colliders were hoping beyond hope would fall, and followed that up with Cordarrelle Patterson. Then they went RB, picking up Christine Michael and planning for the future.

“They got a RB,” said Hammond, “but who can really trust a guy named Christine? It’s Danieal Manning all over again…you see how that turned out.”

When it came time to pick, Hammond couldn’t believe that Austin was still available at #7. But he had a dilemma as well. Montee Ball, who many had going in the top 3, was also still there.

“I was tempted,” admitted Hammond, “I can tell you that. We have been searching for RB depth for a couple of years now. But I don’t know. I mean, the guy hasn’t even beaten out Ronnie Hillman for the starting job. Sometimes, when you’re given a gift, you just have to open it.”

That “gift” was one of the most dynamic playmakers in the draft. The Colliders selected Tavon Austin to bolster an already amazing receiving corps.

The Chitons felt the same way, drafting Montee Ball with their second pick in the first round.

“Tom needed RBs going into the draft and he came away with Lacy and Ball. My hat’s off to him,” said Hammond, ever the good sport.

Hammond also had high praise for another first round pick – the (r)EvoLUtion’s pickup of RB Marcus Lattimore.

“Look, I know he’s eating $10 this year, but I still love the pick,” said Hammond, who seemed to be settling in to this extensive interview. “It’s worth the gamble, if you ask me. If Lattimore is the starting back for the 49ers, who knows what he can do with his talent and that great offensive line? I would have picked him at #7 if our targeted players were gone.

“Besides, I’d rather eat $10 on a potentially great RB than eat $10 on a murderous tight end.”

The second round offered up a lot of surprises, including a Carolina running back getting picked and a run on defensive players. The Colliders still needed a running back, but the (r)EvoLUtion took Johnathan Franklin with the 6th pick – right in Hammond’s eye.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” said Hammond. “Franssen and I have a similar approach to the Immersion. The only real difference in our teams is not philosophy, it’s talent.”

Still, Hammond was more than delighted to snap up WR Kenbrell Thompkins, who has been Tom Brady’s favorite target and has pushed himself into the starting lineup.

“Again, we drafted talent over need,” said Hammond.

The Colliders didn’t have a 3rd rounder, so they drafted Chiefs backup running back Knile Davis in round 4.

“We’re ruing the fact that we didn’t sign Lamar Miller last year. So this is another bite at the apple. Davis probably sucks, but he doesn’t cost much, and he can suck on the practice squad. If he turns out to be Lamar Milleresque, then it’s a good deal.”

The Colliders held two picks in the final round, and used their first on LB Alec Ogletree. Ogletree is a talented LB who has forced his way into the Rams starting lineup.

“Again, LB is not a position of need for us,” said Hammond. “But our ‘best available’ plan was on display once again.”

With their last pick, the Colliders took a flier on another WR – Brice Butler from Oakland.

“I know what you’re thinking – you’ve already got Denarius Moore, and Matt Flynn is hot garbage. Well, you’re right. This was probably a dumb move.”

Blind bidding is underway, and the Colliders still have too many WRs and not enough RBs. They encourage trade offers.

“But don’t offer me a handcuff for a starter. That’s just childish.”

© 2013, Josh Hammond. All rights reserved.