Image courtesy of http://www.thesportshero.com/nfl-mock-draft-the-avengers-edition/
By: Austin Falco (@AustinFalco)
Today is a big – nay, humongous – day for everyone across the USA. There has been so much buzz about what moves are going to be made and who will end up where when all is said and done after the 3-hour spectacle this Thursday night. But it’s finally here and all the speculation can stop. We’re finally going to get answers, find out the fate of our favorite players we’ve been watching grow for years, and see what the lay of the land will be for the years to come.
Avengers: Endgame is going to be amazing.
What? Is there something else happening on Thursday night? I kid, I kid. I know the NFL draft is a big deal this time of year. But let’s get real: it’s the secondary attraction to the event 22 movies and 11 years in the making, the event causing some theaters to stay open for 72 hours straight, the event that caused Fandango to have their most profitable day EVER on pre-sales alone.
But hey, I’ll compromise. I promised a mock draft so that’s what you’ll get, complete with NFL teams and team needs courtesy of Evan Silva and Josh Norris of RotoWorld. The picks just won’t be the players you were expecting.
Ground rules for this: every character confirmed to be alive after “The Snap” will be drafted, everyone confirmed to be dead is off the board, and anyone in the middle is fair game. Also, NO ENDGAME SPOILERS ALLOWED. I’ll do a deeper dive for the Top 10, then a line or two for the rest, so let’s get started:
1. Arizona Cardinals
Team needs: DL, OL, Pass Catcher (PC)
The pick: DL/OL Thanos, Titan
Without a doubt, the #1 prospect on the board. A two-way player in the trenches, he addresses needs on both sides of the line. Nobody’s getting through the massive 985 lb. frame with impeccable technique [see: beginning of Infinity War vs. Hulk] and it doesn’t matter if you’re in max protect, he’s gonna get to the QB [see: end of Infinity War vs. everybody] with that gauntlet of his. Sure-fire #1, easy pick here.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Team needs: PC, Secondary (SEC), Edge Rusher (EDGE)
The pick: DB/WR Captain America, Army
Another two-way standout, Steve Rodgers’ size/speed/strength combo would be a huge asset on the outside. Jamming receivers to a standstill off the line, sprinting past DBs, or coming up big in run support, he’s a guy that can really do it all and deserves this lofty draft stock.
3. New York Jets
Team needs: OL, EDGE, CB
The pick: OL Korg, Sakaar
This might be a little bit of a reach at 3rd overall, but I’m going by team needs here. Leverage could be an issue and it’ll be a little tough for a QB to throw over his stature, but he’s 2045 lbs. of raw, immovable rock just waiting to be sculpted into the next great LT.
4. Oakland(?) Raiders
Team needs: EDGE, TE, CB
The pick: ?? Thor, Asgard
An incredible athlete who could be a star but with some obvious flaws (aim for the head), Thor is the perfect fit for a couple of roles for the Raiders. As an edge rusher, his strength/speed is hard to stop. As a TE, he can be a real mismatch with amazing hands. I mean, have you ever seen him drop his hammer flying at crazy speeds?
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Team needs: DL, SEC, RB
The pick: RB Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, Air Force
Simply put: this is an absolute steal. Captain Marvel is probably the single most talented prospect out there. I have her as a running back because of the way she can single-handedly tear through a defense [see: end of Captain Marvel vs. Kree], but she can honestly play anywhere and be successful. A good coach (not Nick Fury) should use her early and often for maximum success.
6. New York Giants
Team needs: QB, Front 7 (F7), SEC
The pick: QB Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Iowa
I’ll admit there are potential concerns over size and age/mobility, but when he can release from anywhere at any time with pinpoint accuracy and anticipation, those are irrelevant. Hawkeye has to be the #1 QB in the draft, and he’ll be a star in New York as long as he’s got someone who can actually catch his passes around.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Team needs: PC, OL, RB
The pick: WR/RB, Valkyrie, Asgard
Valkyrie’s just the type of all-around athlete that can transform an offense, which is exactly what the Jags need. As an Asgardian warrior, she possesses speed and strength that very few prospects have and her years of service have her technique down to a T. Polished and powerful, she’s a great pick here in the top 10 for Jacksonville.
8. Detroit Lions
Team needs: SEC, EDGE, PC
The pick: EDGE M’Baku, Wakanda
M’Baku’s raw physical talent is something that will most definitely attract the Lions’ gaze. He’s got brute strength for days and good speed to pair with it, but could really use some refinement when it comes to technique. Also a coachable player willing to conform to the system and be a team player [see: end of Black Panther].
9. Buffalo Bills
Team needs: DL, OL, TE
The pick: DT Bruce Banner/The Hulk, Harvard
This seems really low for The Hulk on the surface, and I get that argument. The Green Guy is unstoppable when he’s locked in. But there are some big issues here. He’s prone to taking plays (or movies) off and he has some serious discipline issues that really restrict him to playing on the DL alone, unlike some of the other prospects in this draft.
10. Denver Broncos
Team needs: OL, QB, ILB
The pick: QB Kraglin, Xandar
Admittedly, this is probably a reach, especially with some of the big names - notably Iron Man - still on the board. But if you’re looking for a QB, you could do worse than the guy who inherited an arrow that can weave its way through a defense and hit its mark. He’s gonna need time to develop, but Joe Flacco starting can allow that. Elway loves him some QBs, so this is where I see him going.
Today is a big – nay, humongous – day for everyone across the USA. There has been so much buzz about what moves are going to be made and who will end up where when all is said and done after the 3-hour spectacle this Thursday night. But it’s finally here and all the speculation can stop. We’re finally going to get answers, find out the fate of our favorite players we’ve been watching grow for years, and see what the lay of the land will be for the years to come.
Avengers: Endgame is going to be amazing.
What? Is there something else happening on Thursday night? I kid, I kid. I know the NFL draft is a big deal this time of year. But let’s get real: it’s the secondary attraction to the event 22 movies and 11 years in the making, the event causing some theaters to stay open for 72 hours straight, the event that caused Fandango to have their most profitable day EVER on pre-sales alone.
But hey, I’ll compromise. I promised a mock draft so that’s what you’ll get, complete with NFL teams and team needs courtesy of Evan Silva and Josh Norris of RotoWorld. The picks just won’t be the players you were expecting.
Ground rules for this: every character confirmed to be alive after “The Snap” will be drafted, everyone confirmed to be dead is off the board, and anyone in the middle is fair game. Also, NO ENDGAME SPOILERS ALLOWED. I’ll do a deeper dive for the Top 10, then a line or two for the rest, so let’s get started:
1. Arizona Cardinals
Team needs: DL, OL, Pass Catcher (PC)
The pick: DL/OL Thanos, Titan
Without a doubt, the #1 prospect on the board. A two-way player in the trenches, he addresses needs on both sides of the line. Nobody’s getting through the massive 985 lb. frame with impeccable technique [see: beginning of Infinity War vs. Hulk] and it doesn’t matter if you’re in max protect, he’s gonna get to the QB [see: end of Infinity War vs. everybody] with that gauntlet of his. Sure-fire #1, easy pick here.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Team needs: PC, Secondary (SEC), Edge Rusher (EDGE)
The pick: DB/WR Captain America, Army
Another two-way standout, Steve Rodgers’ size/speed/strength combo would be a huge asset on the outside. Jamming receivers to a standstill off the line, sprinting past DBs, or coming up big in run support, he’s a guy that can really do it all and deserves this lofty draft stock.
3. New York Jets
Team needs: OL, EDGE, CB
The pick: OL Korg, Sakaar
This might be a little bit of a reach at 3rd overall, but I’m going by team needs here. Leverage could be an issue and it’ll be a little tough for a QB to throw over his stature, but he’s 2045 lbs. of raw, immovable rock just waiting to be sculpted into the next great LT.
4. Oakland(?) Raiders
Team needs: EDGE, TE, CB
The pick: ?? Thor, Asgard
An incredible athlete who could be a star but with some obvious flaws (aim for the head), Thor is the perfect fit for a couple of roles for the Raiders. As an edge rusher, his strength/speed is hard to stop. As a TE, he can be a real mismatch with amazing hands. I mean, have you ever seen him drop his hammer flying at crazy speeds?
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Team needs: DL, SEC, RB
The pick: RB Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, Air Force
Simply put: this is an absolute steal. Captain Marvel is probably the single most talented prospect out there. I have her as a running back because of the way she can single-handedly tear through a defense [see: end of Captain Marvel vs. Kree], but she can honestly play anywhere and be successful. A good coach (not Nick Fury) should use her early and often for maximum success.
6. New York Giants
Team needs: QB, Front 7 (F7), SEC
The pick: QB Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Iowa
I’ll admit there are potential concerns over size and age/mobility, but when he can release from anywhere at any time with pinpoint accuracy and anticipation, those are irrelevant. Hawkeye has to be the #1 QB in the draft, and he’ll be a star in New York as long as he’s got someone who can actually catch his passes around.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Team needs: PC, OL, RB
The pick: WR/RB, Valkyrie, Asgard
Valkyrie’s just the type of all-around athlete that can transform an offense, which is exactly what the Jags need. As an Asgardian warrior, she possesses speed and strength that very few prospects have and her years of service have her technique down to a T. Polished and powerful, she’s a great pick here in the top 10 for Jacksonville.
8. Detroit Lions
Team needs: SEC, EDGE, PC
The pick: EDGE M’Baku, Wakanda
M’Baku’s raw physical talent is something that will most definitely attract the Lions’ gaze. He’s got brute strength for days and good speed to pair with it, but could really use some refinement when it comes to technique. Also a coachable player willing to conform to the system and be a team player [see: end of Black Panther].
9. Buffalo Bills
Team needs: DL, OL, TE
The pick: DT Bruce Banner/The Hulk, Harvard
This seems really low for The Hulk on the surface, and I get that argument. The Green Guy is unstoppable when he’s locked in. But there are some big issues here. He’s prone to taking plays (or movies) off and he has some serious discipline issues that really restrict him to playing on the DL alone, unlike some of the other prospects in this draft.
10. Denver Broncos
Team needs: OL, QB, ILB
The pick: QB Kraglin, Xandar
Admittedly, this is probably a reach, especially with some of the big names - notably Iron Man - still on the board. But if you’re looking for a QB, you could do worse than the guy who inherited an arrow that can weave its way through a defense and hit its mark. He’s gonna need time to develop, but Joe Flacco starting can allow that. Elway loves him some QBs, so this is where I see him going.
Image courtesy of https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Kraglin_Obfonteri
11. Cincinnati Bengals
Team needs: QB, OL, LB
The pick: LB James Rhodes/War Machine, Air Force
Before Iron Man? Yes. He’s got more size to stand up in the middle of the defense in run support and is used to leading his troops into battle.
12. Green Bay Packers
Team needs: PC, OL, DL
The pick: OL Bill Foster, Berkeley
If he can get back to his Goliath glory days, he’s an unmovable force when it comes to protection. Leverage is a potential issue, so he falls to here.
13. Miami Dolphins
Team needs: OL, SEC, DL
The pick: FS Redwing, Air Force
Technically a drone of Falcon’s in the MCU, I’m taking license here and saying the drone lives. He can roam sideline-to-sideline and swat (shoot) down anything in his vicinity.
14. Atlanta Falcons
Team needs: DL, OL, QB
The pick: OL Wong, Kamar-Taj
Wong can create a magic shield at will to hold back defenders. May struggle to create it fast enough against elite pass rushers, though. Also undersized should the whole “magic shield” thing not work out.
15. Washington Professional Football Team
Team needs: QB, PC, EDGE
The pick: QB Tony Stark/Iron Man, MIT
Potential steal this last. Red flags with age, but targeting systems are still as good as ever. Potential injury concerns with left arm and long standing PTSD/paranoia concerns.
16. Carolina Panthers
Team needs: EDGE, OL, SEC
The pick: EDGE Nebula, Parts Unknown
Undersized but with a mean streak. Capable of using her cyborg parts to either overpower or finesse her way past blockers. Not always a team player, but a common goal can get her in line.
17. New York Giants
Team needs: QB, Front 7 (F7), SEC
The pick: SEC Okoye, Wakanda
The Giants need help at every level of the defense. Okoye may be undersized, but she is fierce in coverage and will stick to her assignment like she sticks to T’Challa’s side. You can count on her to do her job at all times.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Team needs: OL, PC, Pass Rusher (PR)
The pick: OL Happy Hogan, Stark Industries
Committed to the safety of his teammates and the QB. Will do anything, including giving his life, for the sake of doing his job. Rough exterior, but a genuinely good and loyal teammate that would be great for locker room chemistry.
19. Tennessee Titans
Team needs: PR, PC, CB
The pick: OLB Natasha Romanov/Black Widow, Red Room
Another undersized pass rusher, Black Widow is more than capable of rushing in and winning vs numbers and larger opponents on the OL [see: Iron Man 2]. Great motor and a chip on the shoulder mentality.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Team needs: F7, PC, OL
The pick: EDGE Karl Mordo, Kamar-Taj
Has decent size and a wide variety of tricks up his sleeve. Potential locker room cancer that will turn on teammates (note: hasn’t stopped the Steelers before).
21. Seattle Seahawks
Team needs: OL, SEC, PC
The pick: CB/WR Nakia, Wakanda
Remarkable athlete that has fallen due to positional uncertainty. Can comfortably slide into several spots, but struggles to stay at one spot. Loyal, great locker room presence.
Team needs: QB, OL, LB
The pick: LB James Rhodes/War Machine, Air Force
Before Iron Man? Yes. He’s got more size to stand up in the middle of the defense in run support and is used to leading his troops into battle.
12. Green Bay Packers
Team needs: PC, OL, DL
The pick: OL Bill Foster, Berkeley
If he can get back to his Goliath glory days, he’s an unmovable force when it comes to protection. Leverage is a potential issue, so he falls to here.
13. Miami Dolphins
Team needs: OL, SEC, DL
The pick: FS Redwing, Air Force
Technically a drone of Falcon’s in the MCU, I’m taking license here and saying the drone lives. He can roam sideline-to-sideline and swat (shoot) down anything in his vicinity.
14. Atlanta Falcons
Team needs: DL, OL, QB
The pick: OL Wong, Kamar-Taj
Wong can create a magic shield at will to hold back defenders. May struggle to create it fast enough against elite pass rushers, though. Also undersized should the whole “magic shield” thing not work out.
15. Washington Professional Football Team
Team needs: QB, PC, EDGE
The pick: QB Tony Stark/Iron Man, MIT
Potential steal this last. Red flags with age, but targeting systems are still as good as ever. Potential injury concerns with left arm and long standing PTSD/paranoia concerns.
16. Carolina Panthers
Team needs: EDGE, OL, SEC
The pick: EDGE Nebula, Parts Unknown
Undersized but with a mean streak. Capable of using her cyborg parts to either overpower or finesse her way past blockers. Not always a team player, but a common goal can get her in line.
17. New York Giants
Team needs: QB, Front 7 (F7), SEC
The pick: SEC Okoye, Wakanda
The Giants need help at every level of the defense. Okoye may be undersized, but she is fierce in coverage and will stick to her assignment like she sticks to T’Challa’s side. You can count on her to do her job at all times.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Team needs: OL, PC, Pass Rusher (PR)
The pick: OL Happy Hogan, Stark Industries
Committed to the safety of his teammates and the QB. Will do anything, including giving his life, for the sake of doing his job. Rough exterior, but a genuinely good and loyal teammate that would be great for locker room chemistry.
19. Tennessee Titans
Team needs: PR, PC, CB
The pick: OLB Natasha Romanov/Black Widow, Red Room
Another undersized pass rusher, Black Widow is more than capable of rushing in and winning vs numbers and larger opponents on the OL [see: Iron Man 2]. Great motor and a chip on the shoulder mentality.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Team needs: F7, PC, OL
The pick: EDGE Karl Mordo, Kamar-Taj
Has decent size and a wide variety of tricks up his sleeve. Potential locker room cancer that will turn on teammates (note: hasn’t stopped the Steelers before).
21. Seattle Seahawks
Team needs: OL, SEC, PC
The pick: CB/WR Nakia, Wakanda
Remarkable athlete that has fallen due to positional uncertainty. Can comfortably slide into several spots, but struggles to stay at one spot. Loyal, great locker room presence.
Image courtesy of https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Nakia
22. Baltimore Ravens
Team needs: PR, ILB, WR
The pick: EDGE Miek, Sakaar
On the smaller side and definitely too small without his exoskeleton. Quick, good instincts and expert in hand technique. Promising prospect.
23. Houston Texans
Team needs: OL, CB, PR
The pick: CB Ava Starr/Ghost, England
Expert at disguising coverages, given she literally disappears. Occasionally has issues knocking the ball down, given she can also be intangible, causing this drop.
24. Oakland(?) Raiders
Team needs: EDGE, TE, CB
The pick: CB Scott Lang/Ant-Man, San Quentin State Prison
Lacks elite physical tools, probably restricting him to a zone-coverage scheme. Ability to shrink and grow at will is an asset in disguising coverages. Takeaways are his calling card.
25. Philadelphia Eagles
Team needs: OL, SEC, LB
The pick: CB Sharon Carter, CIA
Lack of film makes her hard to grade. Has shown flashes of great man-to-man skills and ability to disguise herself, but ultimately hard to take much higher because of limited exposure at the highest level.
26. Indianapolis Colts
Team needs: PR, PC, SEC
The pick: WR Rocket Racoon, Halfworld
Lack of size limits him to the slot, but his quickness allows him to get off the lines quickly and change-of-direction skills should get him open in space.
27. Oakland(?) Raiders
Team needs: EDGE, TE, CB
The pick: CB Pepper Potts, Stark Industries
Constantly used to defending in the press, Pepper’s not the most gifted athlete, but she could easily step up into a management role. We all know the Raiders could use some help there.
28. Los Angeles Chargers
Team needs: OL, DL, SEC
The pick: DL, Luis, San Quentin State Prison
Sturdy frame could be useful once in an NFL weight program. Has experience duking it out in the trenches, but biggest red flag is tendency to shy away from physical conflict.
29. Seattle Seahawks
Team needs: OL, SEC, PC
The pick: OL Ned Leeds, Midtown School of Science and Technology
Real project. Not physically gifted, but smart and willing to learn. Physics knowledge will help him gain leverage early on and a rigorous training program could complement that.
30. Green Bay Packers
Team needs: PC, OL, DL
The pick: WR Jane Foster, Culver
Doesn’t possess elite physical skills, but is elite mentally. Could be an asset on option routes, game planning, and offensive consulting to finally make Aaron Rodgers happy.
31. Los Angeles Rams
Team needs: OL, DL, SEC
The pick: FS Howard the Duck
Off-field habits are a concern, as is size. Hasn’t seen much playing time, but in theory could be an asset flying sideline-to-sideline. Definitely a raw project.
32. New England Patriots
Team needs: DL, PC, LT
The pick: QB Cassie Lang, Brookemont Elementary School
Young, moldable project that already shows signs of leadership and initiative. Will take time to develop, but Brady still has plenty of years left in him for her to grow and learn from the best.
Special thanks to RotoWorld's Draft Needs (https://www.rotoworld.com/article/draft-decisions/nfl-draft-needs-schedule)
and the Marvel Cinematic Universe Fandom site (https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Marvel_Cinematic_Universe_Wiki)
Team needs: PR, ILB, WR
The pick: EDGE Miek, Sakaar
On the smaller side and definitely too small without his exoskeleton. Quick, good instincts and expert in hand technique. Promising prospect.
23. Houston Texans
Team needs: OL, CB, PR
The pick: CB Ava Starr/Ghost, England
Expert at disguising coverages, given she literally disappears. Occasionally has issues knocking the ball down, given she can also be intangible, causing this drop.
24. Oakland(?) Raiders
Team needs: EDGE, TE, CB
The pick: CB Scott Lang/Ant-Man, San Quentin State Prison
Lacks elite physical tools, probably restricting him to a zone-coverage scheme. Ability to shrink and grow at will is an asset in disguising coverages. Takeaways are his calling card.
25. Philadelphia Eagles
Team needs: OL, SEC, LB
The pick: CB Sharon Carter, CIA
Lack of film makes her hard to grade. Has shown flashes of great man-to-man skills and ability to disguise herself, but ultimately hard to take much higher because of limited exposure at the highest level.
26. Indianapolis Colts
Team needs: PR, PC, SEC
The pick: WR Rocket Racoon, Halfworld
Lack of size limits him to the slot, but his quickness allows him to get off the lines quickly and change-of-direction skills should get him open in space.
27. Oakland(?) Raiders
Team needs: EDGE, TE, CB
The pick: CB Pepper Potts, Stark Industries
Constantly used to defending in the press, Pepper’s not the most gifted athlete, but she could easily step up into a management role. We all know the Raiders could use some help there.
28. Los Angeles Chargers
Team needs: OL, DL, SEC
The pick: DL, Luis, San Quentin State Prison
Sturdy frame could be useful once in an NFL weight program. Has experience duking it out in the trenches, but biggest red flag is tendency to shy away from physical conflict.
29. Seattle Seahawks
Team needs: OL, SEC, PC
The pick: OL Ned Leeds, Midtown School of Science and Technology
Real project. Not physically gifted, but smart and willing to learn. Physics knowledge will help him gain leverage early on and a rigorous training program could complement that.
30. Green Bay Packers
Team needs: PC, OL, DL
The pick: WR Jane Foster, Culver
Doesn’t possess elite physical skills, but is elite mentally. Could be an asset on option routes, game planning, and offensive consulting to finally make Aaron Rodgers happy.
31. Los Angeles Rams
Team needs: OL, DL, SEC
The pick: FS Howard the Duck
Off-field habits are a concern, as is size. Hasn’t seen much playing time, but in theory could be an asset flying sideline-to-sideline. Definitely a raw project.
32. New England Patriots
Team needs: DL, PC, LT
The pick: QB Cassie Lang, Brookemont Elementary School
Young, moldable project that already shows signs of leadership and initiative. Will take time to develop, but Brady still has plenty of years left in him for her to grow and learn from the best.
Special thanks to RotoWorld's Draft Needs (https://www.rotoworld.com/article/draft-decisions/nfl-draft-needs-schedule)
and the Marvel Cinematic Universe Fandom site (https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Marvel_Cinematic_Universe_Wiki)
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