2068 Las Vegas Rounders Draft Review
Las Vegas entered 2068 ranked 7th in rushing with RB Noah Finley leading the ground game with over 1300 yards rushing after he and Mark Gredzinski both gained over 1000 yards rushing in 2066. Finley's contract talks garnered most of the off-season attention in Vegas with many expecting the Rounders to move up to land their franchise QB or a new running back in the 2068 draft.
1-29 (29)
Marlon Hardy DT Baylor
6'2" 303 lbs
Despite many rumors about possible trades, Vegas stood pat at 1.29 and was rewarded with Baylor's stand-out DT, Marlon Hardy. Some think Hardy may be the most impactful defensive lineman in the 2068 draft. Hardy joins an experienced front seven in Vegas and will be featured in the rotation immediately.
2069 Update: Hardy was placed in the rotation as planned, recording 51 tackles, 22 assists, 2.5 sacks, 1 bloc, 7 hurries, and 4 QB knockdowns. Hardy also topped the Green Page in his rookie campaign:
2-29 (61)
Gabriel Lane S Colorado State
6'1" 213 lbs
For the 2nd year in a row, Vegas takes a Safety with their 2nd round pick. Last year, Vegas selected FS Willie Covington who started 7 games in 2067. Lane brings outstanding man coverage and physicality to a young Vegas secondary that has Erick Watkins as the lone holdover at Safety from the previous version of the Vegas defense.
2069 Update: Lane started 16 games last year tallying 80 tackles, 23 assists, 1 interception, and 7 passes defended. All-Pro LB's Hargreaves and Green were the only defenders with more tackles last season. Lane looks to be a leader on defense for the foreseeable future.
3-25 (89)
Ruben Schroeder WR Arizona State
6'2" 201 lbs
The Rounders pressed the reset button on the WR room with the McSwag McSwain trade to Boston. Rumblings of other significant moves at the position were confirmed when Vegas selected 3 WR's in the 2068 draft, the first of which was Arizona State's Ruben Schroeder. Schroeder's size and 4.41 speed result in big plays and 3rd down conversions that run the current version of the Rounders' offense. Fans have been reminded that the Roush era is here with an offense that is far more methodical (reads: boring) than it was during McKnight's reign, but yards after the catch and chunk plays are the fuel to the new engine. Schroeder has the skills to fit this offense.
2069 Update: Schroeder was the first of 3 WR's selected by Vegas last year but he's the worst of the three. He is currently the leader of the receiver room but he needs to start producing if he wants to see a second contract with the Rounders.
3-29 (93)
Jamal Coward TE Mississippi
6'3" 251 lbs
TurfToe seemed hell-bent on going TE with this pick and rumor has it the war room was divided between Jamal Coward and Carlos Bradetich. Reports indicate it came down to the difference in blocking strength and hands between these two and Coward won out in the staff's eyes. Coward will get a chance to earn a roster spot in the passing game and on special teams.
2069 Update: Coward won a roster spot and is still on the team. He's a 50/50 guy - he caught 1 of his 2 targets and made 1 of his 2 key run block opportunities. Coward is the 3rd TE that sees limited time in 13 and 23 personnel.
4-22 (118)
Jay Burgess WR Alabama
5'11" 192 lbs
Jay Burgess was the 2nd WR selected as part of the receiver room overhaul showcasing similar skills to Schroeder. Burgess lacks Schroeder's size but brings a superior route-running ability that should help Roush in his second season as a starter. Burgess's ability to move the chains and generate chunk plays was very pronounced on film. Burgess is a raw prospect but has the motor and football IQ to succeed at the next level.
2069 Update: Burgess may lack Schroeder's size but he's every bit the football player Schroeder isn't. He was brought along slowly with 44 targets (4th on the team) but he has developed nicely. We expect big things from Burgess in his sophomore seaon.
4-23 (119)
Damian Latschaw OLB Oklahoma
6'0" 236 lbs
Latschaw joins one of the best LB corps in the CFL. He was brought in as a coverage specialist and should make a noticeable impact on passing downs and special teams. If Latschaw can get some plusses on film in the running game, he may cement his spot as a backup OLB on this roster.
2069 Update: Latschaw's smaller frame is evident in the run game but he has shown flashes in the passing game. In limited time he hasn't allowed a catch and has a PD% of 82.5 in limited play. The verdict is still out on Damian but he is still on the 53-man roster.
4-29 (125)
Amos Pitcher P Morningside
6'2" 215 lbs
Journeyman punter Jesse Givens started showing his age last season, so Morningside's Amos Pitcher was brought in to compete after his solid showing at the CFL combine. Pitcher embarassed some of the QB's at the combine and some scouts actually thought he was one of this class's QB's during his workout. Pitcher brings a powerful leg along with passing and rushing skills that can be leveraged on fakes on both punts and from the holder position on FG's.
2069 Update: Pitcher demonstrated his big leg matching the league lead with a 72-yarder. He also had the 7th-best average at 47.3 and a respectable 38 of 93 punts inside the 20. Pitcher has a roster spot unless he does something stupid to lose it.
5-11 (139)
Brady Floyd RB Washington State
5'11" 216 lbs
Many pundits expected Vegas to settle their contract issues with Noah Finley by selecting one of the many top runners in this class. Instead, Vegas waited until the 5th round to grab a runner and they selected an interesting prospect in Floyd. Floyd brings elusiveness that Vegas fans haven't seen since Gmerek's days in the black and pink. Floyd has the quickness to hit the hole or get to the outside but lacks a second gear needed to consistently break off big plays. He lacks hands even though he runs precise routes and has a knack for moving the chains in the passing game. Reps in the pre-season will be key to understanding Floyd's future as a Rounder.
2069 Update: Floyd managed to stick around and even get some work during the regular season. Appearing in 6 games last year he took 91 carries for 342 (3.76 ypc) and 2 TD's. He's still a bubble guy but he's also on a CFL roster.
5-29 (157)
Mason Gillespie C Alabama
5'11" 283 lbs
Sophomore center Ed Hutton managed a handful of starts last season and did well enough for Vegas to release long-time center Soltis. Hutton has big shoes to fill and Alabama's Mason Gillespie was brought in for support. Gillespie demonstrated similar skills as Hutton, but scouts are concerned with his size. If he is unable to put on some more weight, this level may prove too much for the rookie.
2069 Update: Gillespie impressed in the pre-season and earned 16 starts during the regular season. He went 44-115 KRB's (38.3 BPCt) with 1 pancake and 2 sacks allowed (23.2 OPct). He also earned All-League First Team Center honors.
6-29 (189)
Caleb Stuart WR Miami Florida
5'9" 189 lbs
Caleb Stuart was the 3rd receiver selected by Vegas in the 2068 draft. Stuart's ability to get downfield, move the chains, and adjust to poorly thrown balls made him essential to the receiver reload in Vegas. OC Jackie Tubbs said the one thing that stood out on Stuart was his catch radius and ability to catch poorly thrown balls despite his small stature. Definitely a guy to watch as the pre-season unfolds.
2069 Update: Stuart was an afterthought in the Rounders' 2068 draft but he wound up as the 2nd best WR selected by Vegas. Although eh was brought in as a 3rd down specialist, his 75% completion rate in the red zone has garnered some attention from the coaching staff. Stuart will probably be a Rounder longer than Schroeder.
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