Evaluating the Atlantic City Phantoms 2034 Draft

We are back once again for a draft report about a team that needs lots of help. In 2033, ACI was able to get a franchise running back and a couple fringe corners. Besides that, the draft was very poor. Let’s see if the 2034 draft will be a hit or a miss.

Corey Fisher



OLB – Boise St. – 6’3” – 245 lbs.
1st round. Pick #1-3. #3 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 6.70
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 6.40
Key Combine Scores: Solecismic 28, 40 time 4.49, Bench Reps 25, Agility 6.99

Actuals: 35/77

The Phantoms found themselves sitting at 1-3 for the second straight year. The obvious need was on offense, specifically wide receiver, but this appears to be a horrible year for receivers. Picks 1-1 (DT Gozzi) and 1-2 (T Bradford) went as expected. This left QB Kendall McCarthy available for ACI and would most likely fill the quarterback spot for the next 7-8 years. However, ACI feels that Rico Firth is a good enough quarterback to run the team’s offense and a big key to success long term is a formidable defense. Most draft boards had Fisher as the best linebacker in the draft and he should slot in nicely opposite Stoner.



Levon Biakabutuka



DT – Oregon St. – 6’2” – 277 lbs.
2nd Round. Pick #2-28, #60 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 5.40
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.80
Key Combine Scores: Bench Reps 33, Agility 7.55

Actuals: 31/49

In 2033, ACI drafted OLB Sammie Gilmore with pick 2-2 and he was a huge bust. This year, with the same pick, ACI decided to trade down. Were they a bit gun shy? Maybe, but you can’t argue with the return as they got a starting ILB (more on that in a minute). With pick 2-28, ACI drafted a strong, agile defensive tackle that is very strong against the run and will punish running backs who try to run up the middle. The hope is that Biakabutuka can put on a few pounds on prior to the season and provide some relief for Richardson and Blackwell.



Emmitt Suhocki

ILB – Bethune Cookman – 5’10” – 229 lbs. (4th year)
Via Trade (Pick 2-2 to Durham for 2-28 and ILB Suhocki)
Key Stats: Selected by Durham with pick 1-13 in the 2031 draft

Actuals: 53/53

With the decision to not resign Zack Koethe, ACI needed a middle linebacker to pair with Stoner and Fisher. Despite being a 50+ player, Suhocki was stuck behind possibly the best young linebacker to come into the CFL in 15 -20 years (Charles Shephard). Durham was able to move up in the draft and get some value for Suhocki while ACI was able to fill a huge need at linebacker and still maintain a second round pick.




Les Mathews



S – Ball State – 6’2” – 222 lbs.
3rd Round. Pick #3-1. #65 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 5.20
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.90
Key Combine Scores: Skipped combine

Actuals: 24/61

ACI once again goes defensive but not for a lack of trying to get offensive help. TE Casey Ford (taken 2-23) was a workout warrior who the Phantoms were watching since the start of the second round. FB Jimmie Donovan (taken 2-26) was the best fullback in the draft with a running back skillset. As is the case in drafts, the players you covet get selected just ahead of you more often than not. In Mathews, ACI gets a versatile safety that skipped the combine due to a lingering injury so this is a bit of a gamble. Excellent run defense and a ball hawk presence in the secondary were keys to this selection. If it works out then the Phantoms will have a future replacement for Dwight Ross.




David Hudson



G – Texas A&M – 6-3” – 297 lbs.
4th Round. Pick #4-3. #99 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 5.40
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.10
Key Combine Scores: Solecismic 34, 40 Time 4.99, Agility 7.60

Actuals: 13/45

Reports out of the Phantoms war room indicate that Hudson was very close to being the teams pick at 3-1. When he was available at the top of the fourth round, the coaches were ecstatic. And not just the offensive coaches were happy (since they finally got a draftee). With a sub 5.00 40 time and excellent agility, the entire team thinks they got a steal. If they are right, the next question will be does he stay at guard or fill a huge hole at tackle.




Mercury Osborne



CB – Clemson – 5’10” – 180 lbs.
5th Round. Pick #5-2. #130 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.90
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.00
Key Combine Scores: Skipped combine

Actuals: 18/60

ACI likes to draft at least one cornerback in every draft and in this year it happened in the fifth round. Like Mathews, Osborne is an extremely athletic player who skipped the combine as he recovers from a late season injury. Osborne’s pass covering skills were near the top for all corners in the draft.




Jeremy Murphy



C – TCU – 6’2” – 270 lbs.
6th Round. Pick #6-1. #161 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.70
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.00
Key Combine Scores: Solecismic 32, 40 Time 5.08

Actuals: 14/43

Murphy was rated the 3rd best center in the draft and was another surprise to have lasted this long. Athletic ability and excellent run blocking strength fit nicely into to the Phantoms offensive style.





Ray Floyd



WR – Florida – 6’0” – 198 lbs.
7th Round. Pick #7-3. #195 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.10
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.30
Key Combine Scores: Solecismic 33, 40 Time 4.46

Actuals: 18/37

When this selection was announced, the crowd at the teams draft party (all 30 of them) erupted with cheers. While very few even know who Floyd is, they were happy that ACI finally drafted a WR. What Floyd brings is sure hands and an ability to make big plays. His 4.46 40 time was also in the top 20 at the combine.

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