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After a season that the team would rather forget, ACI entered the draft with the #3 overall pick. Offense is still a huge need for the Phantoms and will likely be a focus in this year’s draft.
J.R. Brustkern
RB – Ball State – 5’10” – 206 lbs.
1st round. Pick #1-3. #3 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 6.40
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 6.80
Key Combine Scores: 29 Solecismic, 4.51 40 Time, 18 Bench Reps, 7.19 Agility, 30 Position Drill
Actuals: 66/69
After the huge disappointment last year with the drafting of RB Engelke, it was a bit surprising that ACI would go back to another running back in the first round. Looking at the roster, however, this was a no brainer. Adam Richard, who has signed in 2031 to be the primary back, dropped from 1,102 rushing yards to only 746 in 2032. His ratings also took a big hit (down to 33/33) so he was not the future and has recently been released. Grant Fontenot has been signed and released so many times by ACI that I have actually lost count. At 44/44, he appears to be a nice back but he averaged just 2.91 yards per carry in five starts in 2032 and was left in free agency. This left Engelke, 2032 draftee Levon Bailey (29/38) and the recently signed Winfred Wells as the only running backs on the roster.
Sammy Gilmore
OLB – Washington – 5’11” – 226 lbs.
2nd Round. Pick #2-2, #34 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 5.90
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.70
Key Combine Scores: 31 Solecismic, 21 Bench, 7.27 Agility
Actuals: 36/63
This pick could turn out as controversial as the Engelke selection in 2032. ACI had targeted Virginia Tech Center Jeff Hanson for this pick before the draft even started. The hope was to get a young center to develop and possibly move either Shephard or Mathews via trade. This plan was one pick away from coming true until Durham chose Hanson with pick 2-1. Scrambling a bit, the Phantoms shifted gears to Gilmore who many draft gurus had predicted would be selected in round 1 but was also considered overrated by many others. Gilmore is small but there was another small UW linebacker (5’10” 237 lbs) selected by ACI a few years back and he worked out pretty well. Mr. Stoner meet Mr. Gilmore.
Mack Leskanic
WR – Ohio State – 5’11” – 187 lbs.
3rd Round. Pick #3-5, #69 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.90
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.10
Key Combine Attributes: 28 Solecismic, 7.02 Agility, 61 Position Drill
Actuals: 11/21
Up to this point, ACI had not addressed the serious issues at wide receiver. Leskanic may not fit into the downfield speed that seems to be all the rage for the Phantoms but he was selected for one reason: hands. Leskanic tied Kelvin Bell (selected 1-15 by Boise) for the highest position drill score for a wide receiver at the combine.
Roderick Woods
DT – Purdue – 6’3” - 294 lbs.
4th Round. Pick #4-4. #100 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 5.20
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.60
Key Combine Scores: 36 Bench Reps
Actuals: 28/55
The selection of Woods was in an area of need but also a best talent available pick so this should be a good fit. Woods had the third highest bench score at the combine and has a chance to be a good pass rusher from his defensive tackle spot.
Calvin Van der Haak
CB – Southern Mississippi – 6’1” – 205 lbs.
5th Round. Pick #5-3. #131 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.70
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.80
Key Combine Scores: 7.02 Agility
Actuals: 25/43
The ACI war room was hoping that fullback Nick Croxton would slip to this spot but he was selected at 4-32 by SCU. Van der Haak was next on the teams list and should be an interesting project. At 6’1” 205, he is a big corner so the Phantoms may look at moving him to safety. Either way, Van der Haak may have an immediate role as a punt and kickoff returner.
Jose O’Donnell
CB – Washington – 5’11” – 191 lbs.
6th Round. Pick #6-2. #162 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.20
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.30
Key Combine Scores: 30 Solecismic
Actuals: 19/47
ACI went back to the University of Washington with the selection of O’Donnell. O’Donnell is a smart kid who was one of the better return men in college football last season. A key focus for the Phantoms was improving the return game and this pick should help considerably. The question is how good is he as a corner or will this be a returner only roster spot?
Dan Brown
DE – Oklahoma – 6’3” – 253 lbs.
7th Round. Pick #7-5. #197 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.50
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.90
Key Combine Scores: 31 Solecismic
Actuals: 22/39
Brown is another smart player who was drafted as a project (of course, what 7th round picks aren’t projects?). He will bring some youth to the defensive line.
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Last edited by rbeyer on Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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