MEL KIPER IS BACK!

Well listen I am so glad to be back to analyze the IFL draft and thank Commissioner John for inviting me back.

I love talking rookie QBs every year before we do our mock draft, and this year is no different. 
 

 

 Caleb Williams - Caleb Williams' rookie season with the Chicago Bears was marked by a mix of impressive records and a challenging overall experience. Williams, the #1 overall pick, set several rookie records for the Bears, including most passing yards (3,541), passing touchdowns (20), and passer rating (87.8) in a single season. He also became the first Bears rookie QB to pass for over 3,000 yards and the first to have multiple games with 300+ passing yards, But he was sacked 68 times and the off season has produced some controversy.Reports suggesting he and his father, Carl Williams, sought to avoid the Bears and potentially play for the Minnesota Vikings instead. This was due to concerns about the team's direction and coaching staff, as well as a desire to avoid what Carl Williams termed as a "place quarterbacks go to die"  Ouch will new head coach the highly sought after Ben Johnson be able to get the best out of Calab. But more importantly with this story coming out will the bears fans and media will be looking for a reason to rip this kid. 


Jayden Daniels  - The clear number 1 pick in this years IFL draft. The kid looked like a superstar the whole year. And he took a Washington team that was expected to finish 3rd in their division all the way to the NFC Championship game. Daniels broke the NFL rookie quarterback record for rushing yards in a season. Named Offensive Rookie of the year. However do not forget CJ Stoud had the same type of rookie season and came back to earth a little in his 2nd year. 

 

 

Drake Maye - Started the season on the bench behind Jacoby Brissett but that only lasted 3 games. Once Drake took over the Patriots got better QB play. He did set a Patriots rookie record for TD (17) 15 passing 2 rushing , he was a pro bowl selection (who isn't now a days). Most of all he showed great promise and with an upgraded team around him he should improve in his second season. Although he will get his 2nd defensive minded head coach in Mike Vrabel but he gets Josh McDaniels as OC and that turned out just fine for Brady 

 

 

Bo Nix  -  Despite being labled as a 2nd round talent in the draft community heading into the 2024 draft ,Bo Nix had a highly successful rookie year , leading the Denver Broncos to their first playoff berth in nearly a decade. He was the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and quickly became the starting quarterback, becoming the first Broncos rookie to start since John Elway in 1983. Nix set several franchise rookie records, including the most passing touchdowns in a season by a rookie, and was also nominated for the NFL Rookie of the Year award. Offensive whiz Sean Peyton has a track record as he signed FA Drew Brees in his first season in New Orleans that turned out ok and this is looking like a great fit also. The IFL GM who gets this QB will have a Franchise QB paired with a one of the best  play-callers in the league .   

 

Michael Penix- He played in only 5 games started in 3. Completed only 58% of his passes with 3TD and 3INTs. But Atlanta has pinned there future with Penix. He did show flashes that will lead an IFL GM to draft him high . But 3 starts is really tough to judge just how good he will be . 


All right let's get to the draft and see where these QB end up


1.1   LA Chargers  Well 2 first round QB on the roster here is hoping the 3rd is the charm  Pick QB  Jayden Daniels


1.2   NY Jets   Coach Durfee has a franchise altering decision to make . He went with Anthony Richardson with the 6th pick in the 2024 draft and already moved on from him . his choices are Williams , Nix or Maye with only Winston on his roster. I trust the veteran play calling coach to bring along my rookie   Pick QB Bo Nix 


1.3  Tennessee- After taking a swing late in round 1 in 2024 draft  on then starting QB Aidan O Connell who promptly fell out of favor in Las Vegas. Coach Brunson was leaving nothing to chance this year pulling off a trade and moving up from the 7th spot to go get his franchise QB. Now which one would he take is all that's left to answer. I believe he bets on a nice improvement from a talented QB and a new offensive head coach   Pick QB Caleb Williams


1.4  NY Giants - Well the great thing for coach Mays is he does not have to choose which QB he thinks will be better and yes with only Mitch Trubisky on the roster a 4th QB in a row will go off the board and the Giants will take the leftover who still could be the 2nd best QB of the class when its all said and done  Pick QB Drake Maye


1.5  Detroit  Coach Merlenbach traded for QB Anthony Richardson betting on his upside and I would think he is not looking to spend his 1st round pick on a QB . Deshaun Watson is also on the roster.When your picking in the top 5 and just traded for a young first round pick do you really invest in another young QB? I just think you have to pick the best player in the top 5 and the best one on my board is a WR who reminds me of what Jefferson has done in Minnesota putting up ridicules numbers with subpar QB play. lets see he had Jones-Lock-Devito-and don't forget the great Tim Boyle. with that he caught 109 passes over 1200 yards in his rookie season. 

Pick WR Malik Nabers  

1.6  Cincinnati  Well the commish makes a big move up the board from 13 giving up his 2nd round pick in the process. I have no doubt this is a move for a WR as long time Bengal star Diontae Johnson has fallen on hard times. I am sure he hopes that the Lions go for a QB leaving him Nabers but if this scenario plays out he knew the move up the board would get him one of these two receivers 

Pick WR Brian Thomas 


1.7  Carolina -   The Panthers picked 7th last year and got Bryce Young they liked picking 7th so much they traded down from 3 and picked up extra draft capital. They could easily go Brock Bowers here and upgrade the TE room with Gesicki and his 65 catches leading the team. However they really have a need at CB opposite Riq Wollen as Deonte Banks has not been great playing at a replacement level. So basically a call between Bowers and Quinyon Mitchell who looks like a shutdown corner in his rookie year.  

But just like I said with Nabers Bowers did his damage with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell throwing to him he looks like a generational TE talent. Pick TE Brock Bowers 


1.8  Arizona -  Another trade up team they moved from 12 to 8 I would think with QB Patrick Mahomes and RB Shaquan Barkley they moved up hoping for one of the receivers or Bowers to be here to pair with their 2 superstars and Davonte Adams. With all those options off the board they could pivot and pair Mitchell with Malon Humphry and have 2 dynamic CB or they could take the best WR left Ladd McConkey who played mostly in the slot and would be a huge upgrade over Christian Kirk or Josh Palmer. I like adding more weapons for Mahomes he has proven he knows how to use them. Pick WR Ladd McConkey


1.9  Buffalo -  The Bills have shown they will use a 1st round pick in this range a few years back and with Etienne having a down year RB Bucky Irving is in the mix. Jared Verse would slide right into a starting OLB role or they could put Mitchell next to Reed with only 3 CB on the roster and Jaire Alexanders recent injury history and being a FA I think they pick his replacement . 

Pick CB Quinyon Mitchell 


1.10 Houston- Interesting Kirk Cousin is now a backup and Joe Flacco is 40 years but could start again next year .Both QB are enough to get you through the year.  Michale Penix is sitting here for the taking if they believe in him. but the CB room is very light 4 young players 2 starter who could improve but right now are playing at below average level for the IFL the other 2 are backups . Cooper Dejean is also available. I say you grab your starting QB of the future and understand you need to look for a CB upgrade in round 2. Pick QB Michael Penix Jr 


1.11 Philadelphia  - This is a tough call for Coach Mason  he has 2 good RB but both are rotational back and he has a chance to pair Racheed White with his NFL backfield partner. I just think this locks them in at the RB position for many years to come  . 

Pick RB  Bucky Irving 


1.12  Indianapolis   - I think coach Evans runs the card up to improve his CB position that have 3 in the room all of them are mid to late in their career and their best one Rashual Douglas is still looking for a job in the NFL Pick CB Cooper DeJean  


1.13 Tampa Bay  - Well Coach Chase moved back to this position and I am not sure what they were hoping would be here. But one of the best defensive players in this draft is sitting on the board and he can also upgrade your run defense I think this is where you have to go  Pick Edge Jared Verse 


1.14 Jacksonville -  with 3 WR and two of them at 30 years old I say Allen gets some youth at the position and would be a nice fit next to Metcalf. Pick WR  Marvin Harrison


1.15 Chicago - The IFL has a heavy heart this year with the passing of long time owner and friend to many Steve Nordberg he will be truly missed . Coach Ken Fukuyama takes over the team so its hard to predict how he might build his squad. He has a team with a lot of talent QB Darnold is an all pro a couple good RB and last years first round pick WR Rashee Rice is a solid player unfortunately was injured much of the year. The defense has a couple stars and looks solid . OT is a need and luckily a player who had a solid rookie season and should improve as he gains experience. Pick OT Joe Alt 


1.16 San Francisco-  SF has a solid team with a future QB need but none is available with this pick. CB is a need of sorts as they have a very good CB1 but they could be looking for upgrade and youth to pair with Jaylon Johnson. youth at OG2 could also be a need but more for the future and they can get that in upcoming rounds  Pick CB Kamari Lassiter


1.17 Baltimore -   This is a good team lead on offense by Mayfield -Kyren Williams and St Brown could they use another WR of course is there TE room a little short yes but no TE here makes sense . On defense this team has a glaring weakness there CB room. They spent a 2nd rd pick on JuJu Brents last year but he only played 68 snaps. Three other CB that can play are average at best. I know Tarheeb Still had a little better rookie season but he played mostly in the slot. This player I believe has a brighter future  
Pick CB Nate Wiggins  


1.18 Minnesota - The Vikings have a decent team but are sorely lacking at the RB and WR position. Having got their franchise QB with the 1st pick last year coach Jones used a 2nd round pick on WR Michael Wilson. He is looks like a complementary piece to the WR room . Luckily for Minnesota a couple of WR are still here on the board both were ok their rookie season in Worthy or Odunze.

Pick WR Rome Odunze 


1.19 Dallas- On defense the Cowboys are in a good spot, spent their 1st round pick last year on Jalen Carter. They have their franchise QB in Herbert . they need an upgrade on the offensive line. They have average starters at C and both guard positions and a young LT in Dewand Jones so they hope he can develop. The other tackle spot needs a player and this young man fits well into the lineup   Pick OT Roger Rosengarten  


1.20 Las Vegas - at the WR-TE position this team has DJ Moore and DeAndre Hopkins with Travis Kelce  at TE. Kelce and Moore had excellent years . But both Hopkins and Kelce are getting long in the tooth and with no TE worthy of this pick they go with a WR 

Pick WR  Xavier Worthy


1.21 New Orleans - Coach Rice always has a solid team and this year is no different qb play could hold him back some this year with Tua being injured again for part of the season and Daniel Jones as the backup. This team needs an upgrade and depth at the safety position but with only LT Decker on the roster for tackles that will be the direction they go   Pick OT Taliese Fuaga 


1.22  Denver -  The Broncos need RB I understand but they do have 3 on the roster and hope Christian McCaffery bounces back from an injury riddled season next year.  .They only have 1 CB on the roster they need to start drafting that position now, especially with good talent available   Pick CB Tarheeb Still 


1.23 Kansas City   - Head Coach Joe Grogan takes over a playoff team from last year but they are far from perfect. With Fields and Dalton at the QB position they are hoping Fields can be the player many though he would be after being a first round pick. They have needs at WR,and DL. With the need for pass rushing help and someone who can be solid against the run coach Grogan makes his first pick.  Pick Edge Chop Robinson     

1.24 Pittsburgh - This teams QB room needs an upgrade after Browning had a very good season and lead them to a division title he did nothing last year . So the only QB on the roster who played is Devito. however there is no one available that should be picked this early with so much talent still left on the board. Besides that they have needs at OT- DL and CB.  Pick Edge Laiatu Latu 


1.25  Carolina - We talked about Carolina at pick 7 they comeback with this pick and add a NB who showed a lot of promise last year to the room  Pick CB Dru Phillips 


1.26 Atlanta - The Falcons could use an upgrade at safety but they have been trying to build up their WR room for a couple of years to give Jaken Hurts someone to throw to. They did trade a 3rd rounder for Kupp last year and he had a good year but all the other young WR have failed to show they will be the answer. I think at this spot it comes down to Legette, Pearsall or Coleman. I know this player did not have a better year than the other 2 but this player is still really young at the age of 21 and could grow into something special    Pick WR  Keon Coleman


1.27 Miami - Always a solid squad with coach Cox at the helm this year is no different not a lot of glaring needs. But the way the board fell he actually gets to solve one area of need   Pick OG Dominick Puni 

1.28 Seattle - The Prescott injury is going to be tough on this team as the fans do not have much faith in backup Skylar Thompson. The rest of the team is solid with the exception of CB depth and the RB position. With only Ty Chandler on the roster the Seahawks pick the best RB available   Pick RB Tyrone Tracy 


1.29 LA Rams  - The Rams made it to the Big game but came up just a little short. With all the injuries at CB that's where this team turns its attention. Pick CB Renardo Green  


1.30 New England -  New England added its 6th trophy all time last year and has won 4 of the last 5. This is a dynasty and until someone proves otherwise they should be a favorite to make the Super Bowl again and win it . . Pick S Calen Bullock
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