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Evaluating the Atlantic City 2032 Draft Class
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Author:  rbeyer [ Thu May 10, 2012 7:44 am ]
Post subject:  Evaluating the Atlantic City 2032 Draft Class
ACI entered the draft with the 20th and 28th overall picks and nine overall. The Phantoms took a huge step in 2031 with a 9-7 record and just missed the playoffs. Did they add any talent that can help in 2032 and beyond?


Harvey Engelke
RB – South Carolina – 6’1” – 231 lbs.
1st round. Pick #1-20. #20 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 5.90
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 6.30
Key Combine Scores: 37 Solecismic, 4.57 40 Time, 19 Bench Reps
Actuals: 25/29 (OUCH!)

There was confusion in the ACI draft room when this pick was announced. Special advisor Rick Beyer was away on family business and the team relied on their priority list. CB’s Joel Hudrik and Luther Watkins were the top targets. Hudrik was selected at #19 so the pick should have been Watkins. Unfortunately, the priority list had Engelke ahead of Watkins so Engelke was the automated selection. The Phantoms still have high hopes for Engelke as a future replacement for Adam Richard but this pick will be scrutinized for years to come. This could be a boom or bust situation.



Myron Learned
TE – St. Johns – 6’3” – 241 lbs.
1st Round. Pick #1-25, #25 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 6.70
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.80
Key Combine Scores: 4.6 40 Time, 29 Bench Reps, 7.28 Agility, 10’5” Broad Jump, 49 Position Drill
Actuals: 39/57

Picks 1-28 and 5-27 were acquired from Brooklyn for 2031 2nd round pick C Monty Dunlap. As the draft inched towards pick 1-28, ACI had a decision to make. Getting offensive help was a must. There was not good value on QB’s at this point and while there were some WR’s, their numbers were more of a high second selection and would be a gamble late in round 1. After the pick at 1-20, the Phantoms needed a sure thing (if there is such a thing in FOF). Learned was easily the best TE in the draft and was slowly dropping down the draft. Would he make it to 1-28? The consensus in the ACI draft room was if we wanted him we had to move up. San Antonio wanted to drop a few spots so a deal was quickly agreed upon for a swap, with a 5th round pick going to the Stingers.



K.C. Norton
G – TCU – 6’2” – 300 lbs.
2nd Round. Pick #2-15, #47 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 5.80
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.50
Key Combine Attributes: 5.00 40 Time, 31 Bench Reps, 7.80 Agility
Actuals: 31/74

With the pick acquired for RB Mario Hall last season, ACI continued to strengthen the offense with the selection of Norton. Norton’s combine numbers point to a very strong pass and run blocker and if his bars hold, he will be a solid backup this year and future starter.

Fun Fact: K.C. Norton was selected immediately after K.C. Baker was selected by Honolulu.



Leo Pasquarella
S – Purdue – 5’9” - 193 lbs.
2nd Round. Pick #2-22. #54 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 5.70
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.40
Key Combine Scores: 18 Bench Reps, 7.13 Agility, 50 Position Drill
Actuals: 38/52

Finally, the defense added some young talent with the selection of Pasquarella. At 5’9” and 193 lbs., Pasquarella is a bit small for a safety but could be ideal at corner. All indicators point to a good fit for the Phantoms defensive style.



Kennedy Phipps
DE – Georgia – 6’5” – 302 lbs.
3rd Round. Pick #3-21. #85 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 5.00
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.50
Key Combine Scores: 7.39 Agility
Actuals: 29/50

ACI is working to build a very strong front seven and Phipps is another piece in that puzzle. The assumption is that Phipps will be a strong run defender and can spell Mike Hipp in obvious run situations.



Levon Bailey
RB – Syracuse – 5’10” – 200 lbs.
4th Round. Pick #4-20. #116 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 5.00
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.30
Key Combine Scores: 18 Bench Reps, 7.15 Agility
Actuals: 30/46

Bailey was a classic best player available selection. Despite the drafting of Engelke, the scouts thought Bailey was too good to pass up and was very underrated.

Fun Fact: Levon’s older brother Shaun (a CB out of Ohio State) was chosen one pick later by Anchorage.



Wayne Fleming
S – Kentucky State – 5’11” – 204 lbs.
5th Round. Pick #5-27. #155 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.80
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.50
Key Combine Scores: 18 Bench Reps, 7.23 Agility
Actuals: 20/39

Fleming is a bigger version of Pasquarella. The coaching staff is undecided about keeping him at S or making the switch to CB. Either way, he appears to be a good fit for the defense in nickel and dime situations.



Claude Duran
P – Southern Mississippi – 6’2” – 214 lbs.
6th Round. Pick #6-21. #181 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 5.50
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 2.90
Key Combine Scores: 38 Solecismic, 4.91 40 Time, 7.20 Agility
Actuals: 23/33 (Are you kiddng me?)

With the talent in the draft quickly diminishing, ACI decided to take a flyer on a punter. Duran was the best directional punter in the draft and may be good value at this point.



Riddick Mikolic
CB – Kent State – 5’10” – 173 lbs.
7th Round. Pick #7-20. #212 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.20
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.30
Key Combine Scores: 15 Bench Reps, 7.10 Agility
Actuals: 23/45

Seventh round picks are always a crapshoot. ACI decided to take a chance on a 173 pound safety that is surprisingly physical for his size. If he can add some weight, he might have a career in the CFL as a nickel / dime corner.
Author:  TurfToe [ Thu May 10, 2012 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Evaluating the Atlantic City 2032 Draft Class
I had all of the first 4 picks on my list and liked each and every one of them. I didn't have an opinion on the rest, so it's not like they won't be good, I just didn't have them scouted as heavily as the first 4.
Author:  JJ Smitty [ Sun May 13, 2012 8:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Evaluating the Atlantic City 2032 Draft Class
Sweet Writeup Rick..
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