3.12 Tennessee Taz Devils - QB Zach Mettenberger

In the real world: The Titans got Mettenberger in Round 6; he slid that far in part because he is still recovering from a torn ACL. He had off-field issues as well, which led him to getting kicked off the Georgia football team in 2010. But he's got very good talent--Ron Jaworski of ESPN once ranked him as the #2 quarterback on his board before reports of a failed drug test knocked him out of Jaws' top five.

In the TUFF world: Finally, the Taz Devils hedge their bets on Jake Locker, who has not lived up to his 2011 first-round pick status. I was prepared to chastise the Taz Devils for passing on Blake Bortles not once, but twice in Round 2, but all they really needed was Mettenberger, Locker's handcuff for this year (and possibly beyond).

This year's host city: Indianapolis

With the TUFF Draft starting later than in previous years, the owners of the Indianapolis Hoosier Daddy's successfully convinced Commissioner Todd Hansen that Indianapolis would be a great place to hold the 2014 Draft because all of TUFF's owners could enjoy the thrills and spills of the Indy 500 road race either during or after the draft. Football seasons and auto races have a few things in common, like rallies (Detroit rallied back from a 1-4 start to get a wild card playoff spot), nasty crashes (New Orleans and San Diego had their worst seasons ever), and sometimes, surprising finishes (Houston winning the TUFF Bowl after 13 seasons without playoffs).

In May, the 16 TUFF teams' owners scrambled to their proverbial cars, jockeying for position to get the best players this year's Draft had to offer. What did Green Bay and San Diego do with their picks at the front of the pack? What did teams like Dallas and Tennessee do after they ended 2013 back in the garage? Which picks will soup up their new owners' rides as they start the road to TUFF Bowl XV? Gentlemen, start your reading--the green flag is waving to herald the start of the 2014 TUFF Draft Wrapup!

Throughout this Wrapup, you will see a few of the icons below. Here's what they mean:

	Significant improvements on a TUFF team's starting lineup, could be long-term cornerstone players for that team, and/or are great values for where they were taken.
	High risk/high reward picks (e.g. players picked relatively high because of their upside, even in spite of character, medical and/or job situation concerns).
	Either a reach and/or there was at least one specific player the team should have taken.
	"Curveball" picks that may well be good ones, but leave me asking why a team didn't take a player I expected them to take or address another need on the roster (example from 2012: Carolina passing up QB Nick Foles in Round 3).

1.01 Green Bay Ground Hogs - WR Sammy Watkins

In the real world: The Buffalo Bills arguably overpaid to get Watkins, trading a 2015 first-round to the Cleveland Browns to move up from #9 to #4. But it's understandable--he was only the fourth true freshman to be named a 1st team All American, he offers killer speed and leaping ability, and will be the #1 receiver on a team that didn't draft any other offensive skill players (although they did trade a 6th-rounder to Tampa Bay for Mike "Product 19" Williams).

In the TUFF world: Watkins is the undisputed best available player in this year's TUFF Draft, and Green Bay figures to have a terrific set of wideouts for several years to come with A.J. Green, Keenan Allen (their first-round steal a year ago) and now Watkins. But after making this pick, they still had two needs to address to get a RB (to hedge their bets on Trent Richardson, who was a big disappointment last season) and a QB (to back up Russell Wilson).

1.02 San Diego Slewage - WR Mike Evans

In the real world: Mel Kiper: "He'll draw comparisons to Alshon Jeffrey or Anquan Boldin. He has great hands. Great concentration. You can throw him open. When he's covered, he's open." Evans is a long strider with questionable speed and will have to learn how to run routes better. Gil Brandt says Evans has the best hands since Calvin Johnson. Now a Buccaneer, Evans should be the Bucs' #2 WR; a few years from now, he could be their #1.

In the TUFF world: San Diego has fallen on hard times in recent years, but with three picks in the top six, their fortunes should improve. Evans is a solid pick and figures to step into the Slewage's starting lineup right away (hence the green check mark), alongside Jordy Nelson and... Jerricho Cotchery?

1.03 San Diego Slewage - RB Carlos Hyde

In the real world: A few years ago, Kendall Hunter was a possible heir apparent to Frank Gore. Two years ago, I thought LaMichael James would be that heir apparent. Last year, others had a dream that Marcus Lattimore would relegate both Hunter and James to lesser roles (third-down back and kick returner, respectively). Lattimore is reportedly still struggling in his attempt to return from the terrible knee injury he suffered in 2012 (ACL/MCL/PCL). Now along comes Hyde, who may be the most talented RB this year's draft has to offer. A powerful runner who has been compared to another ex-Buckeye from days gone by (Eddie George), he ran for 1,521 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, averaging 7.3 yards per carry.

In the TUFF world: Here, Todd Hansen turns his attention to his team's real #1 weakness: the running back corps, which is as bad as what Carolina had six years ago (the 2004 and 2005 Chicago Blaze RBs come to mind as well). San Diego's best RBs in 2013 were Reshard Mendenhall and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, both of whom had crappy YPC averages. Mendenhall has since retired. Assuming Hyde performs well--and I see no reason why he won't--he could replace the 31-year-old Gore as soon as next year.  Todd had a choice to make--Hyde's talent and long-term job situation vs. Sankey's short-term, clearer job situation.  He probably made a good choice, but no one will know for sure until Gore is finished.

1.04 Green Bay Ground Hogs - RB Bishop Sankey

In the real world: Sankey lands in arguably the best job situation in among RBs drafted this year. The Tennessee Titans had cut Chris Johnson in a salary-slashing move. Shonn Greene recently had knee surgery and will mess the remainder of offseason training activities; he might even get cut by the end of training camp. The only other running back the Titans have is free agent signing Dexter McCluster (who's better suited as a pass-catching back or a wide receiver).

In the TUFF world: Last year, Green Bay traded away RB LeSean McCoy to the Houston Tethered Swimmers for RB Trent Richardson. They also received the #1 overall pick in that trade (Sammy Watkins), so it's not like Green Bay got ripped off; still, that trade was a big reason why the Swimmers won their first-ever TUFF Bowl, while the Ground Hogs suffered their first losing record since 2004. As I said back at 1.01, Green Bay needed to hedge their bets on Richardson, and they did with a huge trade up with New Orleans (which wanted to move down anyway, and was thrilled when Sankey fell to 1.04 because the value of that pick shot up tremendously--"You moving up to grab an immediate RB is HUGE for you"). Green Bay had to cough up TE Vernon Davis and WR Robert Woods to move up in the first (and, as it turned out, biggest) trade of this year's Draft.

1.05 Dallas Junglehawgs - RB Tre Mason

In the real world: Mason capped off a stellar 2013 campaign off with great performances vs. Alabama (Iron Bowl), Missouri (SEC Championship) and Florida State (National Championship). In those three games, he racked up 663 rushing yards and 6 TDs on 109 carries. But a wrist injury, most likely sustained during the Iron Bowl, could require surgery down the road. The Rams were thrilled to land him in Round 3 because they needed depth behind last year's Round 6 steal, Zac Stacy.

In the TUFF world: The Junglehawgs needed to improve their RB depth (their best RBs last year were Pierre Thomas, who turns 30 in December; and Donald Brown, who may have to wait for another Ryan Mathews injury just to get another chance to produce). Mason's definitely got talent--had he landed in a better job situation, he might have gone #1. And besides, the 'Hawgs could take a wideout or a tight end with their other first-round pick this year (1.14). So taking Mason at 1.05 makes sense. But the wrist injury and the frankly crappy job situation are causes for concern.

1.06 San Diego Slewage - RB Devonta Freeman

In the real world: Freeman could end up replacing the aging Steven Jackson in Atlanta. This year, Jackson is going to prove that his pitiful 2013 season was the result of a hamstring pull suffered in Week 2. Last season with the national champion Florida State Seminoles, Freeman ran for 1,016 yards and 14 TDs on 173 carries (5.9 ypc).

In the TUFF world: The run on RBs continues--evidently, the fact that no backs were taken before the 54th pick in this year's NFL Draft did not have much on an effect on the demand for running backs in this league. As owners of three of the top six picks, the Slewage had a great opportunity to rebuild a backfield still reeling from the decline and fall of Mendenhall, as well as two recent first-round busts (Ryan Williams, 2011; and Johnathan Franklin last year).

1.07 Arizona Outlaws - WR Brandin Cooks

In the real world: Cooks, the 2013 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner, is blazing fast. The New Orleans Saints drafted him 20th overall to help fill the void left when Darren Sproles was traded to the Eagles and Lance Moore left for Pittsburgh in free agency.  Consider Sproles' receiving stats with the Saints in 2011 and 2012 (that's just receiving, not running): 161 receptions, 1,377 yards and 14 TDs. The Saints would be thrilled to get 80 receptions, 700 yards and 7 TDs out of Cooks right out of the box. As it is, he's already locked in as their #3 receiver. If the situation with the Saints' offensive line is any indication, Drew Bress will continue to throw more quick, short passes and rely on the guys catching them to do some serious damage after the catch.

In the TUFF world: Arizona had a number of needs to fill, which made it important for them to take the best available player every time. And this is a very good pick--a speedy wideout on a potent offense that knows how to use a guy like him. The Outlaws did have other needs--handcuffs for Forte and Jennings, an "heir apparent" for Carson Palmer--but those can wait. The Outlaws' wideout corps was arguably TUFF's least productive last season (the green check mark is next to Cooks' name because he will provide an immediate boost to their starting lineup).

1.08 New Orleans Chocolate City - RB Jeremy Hill

In the real world: 4.66 speed, which is fine considering his weight (233). He played just two years at LSU and has had off-field issues. Cincinnati drafted him in Round 2, which was a surprise given that they think highly of Giovani Bernard; perhaps they see Hill as a replacement for BenJarvus Green-Ellis. (The Bengals reportedly could save $2.5 million by releasing the Lawfirm, who turns 29 in July.) Hill could be the "Smash" to Bernard's "Dash".  As far as the checkered past goes, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has been able to rein in other guys with histories like that (RB Bernard Scott, LB Vontaze Burfict).

In the TUFF world: Tommy Hartdegen loves his LSU Tigers, so taking one here was no surprise. It's a risky pick, though; on one hand, he could vulture short-yardage TDs from Bernard, and he has the build and physicality to take on a greater workload; on the other, he could be facing a reduced role with Bernard as the lead back.

1.09 Baltimore Brown Clowns - RB Terrance West

In the real world: The Browns needed depth behind their free agent signing, Ben Tate, and drafted West in Round 4. NFL Network's Bucky Brooks named West one of the NFL Draft's 10 sleepers to watch: "Powerful running style and impeccable instincts. He has a natural feel for finding creases in the middle, yet is quick enough to bounce around the corner for big gains." At 5'11", 223 lb., West is relatively thick and may be hard to bring down. Given Tate's injury history, West would seem to be a few games away from having a starting job. Thing is, they also signed Isaiah Crowell (Alabama State) as an undrafted free agent.

In the TUFF world: The run on RBs continues. Baltimore is still smarting from two first-round RBs that didn't pan out (Jahvid Best, 2010; and Lamar Miller, 2012), and needed to rebuild their backfield almost as badly as the San Diego Slewage did. I would have liked West at this point except that the Cleveland Browns also brought in Crowell, who (according to Sigmund Bloom of footballguys.com) may be even better than West (Crowell's red flags notwithstanding). There was this rule change suggested back in 2011 that could have prevented teams from overdrafting RBs. It would have allowed teams with injuries or bye week issues the flexibility to start a fourth wideout or a second tight end instead of a second running back. Baltimore voted against it, as did a few of the other teams taking RBs in this round. Karma's a bitch, ain't it?

1.10 Indy Hoosier Daddy's - TE Eric Ebron

In the real world: Ebron is easily the best tight end available this year, and he could be Matthew Stafford's 3rd- or 4th-best target to pass to. If you consider the Lions' wide receiver depth, where Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate are the top two but there's not much depth beyond them, you could imagine them using Ebron out of the slot. As it is, the Lions didn't draft any wideouts until Round 6 this year. But when the Lions get to the red zone, who's more likely to get the TD--Ebron, or last year's undrafted free agent steal, Joseph Fauria? Then there's Brandon Pettigrew, whom the Lions re-signed to a four-year deal in the offseason when they should have let him walk to, say, Atlanta.

In the TUFF world: This pick is a solid one considering talent. Ebron is the best available player, and on Indy's roster, he's an upgrade over Delanie Walker, part-timer Brandon Myers, and dinged-up backup Owen Daniels. A wise man said to me six years ago, "Job situations change all the time--draft for talent, not for job situation." It was one of the Indy owners who said it (I'm very sure it was Mark Lothschutz). The Hoosier Daddy's did have other needs at this point in the draft--a backup for Drew Brees, additional wide receiver depth--but they decided that those needs could wait.

1.11 Minnesota Fats - WR Kelvin Benjamin

In the real world: Benjamin is a classic boom-or-bust pick for the Carolina Panthers. He has a fantastic job situation over there because Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell are gone (Ravens and Patriots, respectively), and the only other wideout at the top of the depth chart is 31-year-old Jerricho Cotchery, who figures to be the possession receiver. But he's been known to drop passes (e.g. early on in the BCS National Championship Game). He has been compared to Plaxico Burress, who did have a string of great seasons; but also to Braylon Edwards, another big receiver who was a beast in college but who only had one season with over 1,000 yards receiving and double-digit TDs as a pro.

In the TUFF world: Benjamin is a classic boom-or-bust pick for the Minnesota Fats. They need him to succeed if they are to repeat as NFC West champs; at wide receiver, they have Megatron, a couple 49ers receivers (Boldin, Stevie Johnson), the disappointing Rueben Randle, and not much else.

1.12 Pittsburgh BIG PAPAS - WR Odell Beckham

	In the real world: The New York Giants took Beckham out of LSU with the 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft, partly because they have been disappointed with Rueben Randle.  I just don't see why the Giants drafted him so far ahead of Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, though.  He wasn't even the most productive WR on LSU last year (Jarvis Landry was).
	In the TUFF world: The BIG PAPAS traded away one Giants WR (Victor Cruz) to get the QB depth they needed; it seems fitting that they should get another Giants WR here to replace him.  Beckham's a solid pick given his job situation with the Giants.

1.13 Detroit Vipers - QB Johnny Manziel

In the real world: After 2013, it was no secret that a few teams would be looking for new quarterbacks. The Cleveland Browns have been looking for one since their return to the NFL in 1999. Enter Johnny Manziel, "Johnny Football," the first redshirt freshman ever to win the Heisman Trophy. He scrambles and improvises like no other. But in that strength lies one of his weaknesses: Discipline. Manziel has also been known for maturity issues (partying, sense of entitlement), and Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was quick to tell him, "(Cleveland) is a hard-working, blue-collar town--this isn't Hollywood." Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has worked with an athletic QB before--Robert Griffin III while in Washington--so it'll be interesting to see what he and Manziel do together.

In the TUFF world: Stunned that no quarterbacks went off the board in the first 12 picks, Detroit takes the first one here. Since 2007, the Vipers have brought in (among others) Drew Stanton, Jimmy Clausen, Brandon Weeden, Colt McCoy and Jason "Dougastalgia" Campbell, but none proved to be a reliable backup for their starter since 2006, Ben Roethlisberger. This boom-or-bust pick could shape the future of the Vipers for years to come.

1.14 Arizona Outlaws - RB Ka'Deem Carey

In the real world: The Bears drafted Carey in Round 4 because they needed a backup for their longtime every-down back, Matt Forte. He runs with physicality and grit. He's been very productive (3,814 yards and scored 44 touchdowns in his last two seasons at Arizona). But he's not very fast (he clocked a 4.69 40 at the Combine, which is fine if you weigh 230 pounds, but not 207). He's carried the ball over 730 times in the last two seasons--that's a lot of punishment, and some NFL teams may have wondered about "how much tread is left on the tires". Carey's college stats could be the product of running in Rich Rodriguez's spread offense. He's also had a few run-ins with the law.

In the TUFF world: We now return you to our regularly scheduled run on running backs. The Outlaws saw two NFL teams draft handcuffs for their starting RBs (Carey for Forte, and Andre Williams by the Giants to back up Rashad Jennings). They moved up with the Junglehawgs to take Carey, sending their 2.07 pick and their 2015 #1 pick to Dallas. I'm not crazy about trading away a future first-rounder to get a handcuff pick, much less one with subpar speed--that trade is the main reason for the first red "X" of this year's Draft Wrapup. I don't think Arizona even needed to trade up into Round 1 to get Carey--trading the 2.07 and a future second-rounder to get the 2.01 from Dallas would have made more sense.

1.15 Tampa Bay Meat Goats - WR Jordan Matthews

In the real world: Matthews led the SEC with 1,477 receiving yards on 112 catches at Vanderbilt. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, he has a promising potential job situation. The presumptive #1 receiver, Jeremy Maclin, is on a one-year "prove it" deal (where "prove it" means both "prove you're healthy" and "prove you can be a productive #1 receiver on an NFL team, now that DeSean Jackson is no longer your teammate"). The presumptive #2, Riley "White Trash" Cooper, is an undistinguised possession receiver who benefited the most from Maclin's torn ACL a year ago. Jason Avant is also gone.

In the TUFF world: The defending NFC champs needed to improve their depth at wide receiver, where they have Victor Cruz (acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh for QB Nick Foles), Pierre Garcon, and Torrey Smith as starters, but not much else. Given how much better the Eagles' offense did under Chip Kelly last season, this is a good pick.

1.16 Cleveland Steamers - QB Teddy Bridgewater

In the real world: The Vikings, fresh off the three-headed nightmare of Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel and Josh Freeman, traded up with the Seattle Seahawks to nab Bridgewater with the last pick in Round 1 on the opening night of the NFL Draft. The last of the "Big Three" QB's to be selected in this year's NFL Draft, he was once a candidate to go #1 overall (before cooler heads prevailed and the rightful #1 best player, DE Jadeveon Clowney, was taken at #1). Matt Waldman called him "most polished quarterback I have seen in this class and the most NFL-ready option." He has great intangibles.

In the TUFF world: What. Frigging. Luck. Cleveland traded Riley "White Trash" Cooper to Houston last season for a first-round pick, and it becomes this. No trading up or anything to get that new backup for Matt Ryan. And the Steamers already had Ponder and Cassel (acquired from the Slewage in a trade last year). That's why Derek gets the green check mark, even in spite of the one reservation I have about Bridgewater: that he may wind up more like a fantasy backup (think Chad Pennington or Troy Aikman) than a Tom Brady or a Peyton Manning.

2.01 Dallas Junglehawgs - RB Andre Williams

In the real world: The New York Giants, another team looking to add depth at running back, picked up Williams to back up Rashad Jennings in Round 4. The guy who was supposed to be their starting running back a year ago, David Wilson, is coming off neck surgery (and even before then, was in coach Tom Coughlin's doghouse for fumbling problems).

In the TUFF world: Regardless of whether Jennings is the every-down back--and in my estimation, he should be because he's averaged 4.5 yards a carry in three of his four seasons in the NFL--Williams going in Round 2 makes sense. However, Dallas also has needs at wide receiver and tight end; better players than Williams were available at both positions at this stage in the Draft. Right now, their best three wideouts are an aging Roddy White coming off his worst season in seven years, the promising Terrance Williams (the team's most productive wideout in 2013) and the frustrating Michael Crabtree (who has exactly one 1,000-yard season to his credit thus far). All three of the Junglehawgs' tight ends are either part-timers or backups. Point being, I would have tried to address both needs in Round 2--say, Jace Amaro at 2.01 and a wideout later in Round 2.

2.02 San Diego Slewage - RB Isaiah Crowell

	In the real world: The Cleveland Browns overhauled their backfield this offseason, signing Ben Tate (formerly of the Texans) as a free agent, then drafting Terrance West in Round 4 of the NFL Draft. But Sigmund Bloom likes Isaiah Crowell, signed as an undrafted free agent by the very same Browns, even better. Bloom calls him "a bigger DeAngelo Williams". The reason Crowell went undrafted has to do with disciplinary problems and 2012 felony weapons charges, which led to his dismissal from the Georgia Bulldogs football program.
	In the TUFF world: And we have a new world's record--the first ever time that an undrafted free agent has been drafted in the first 20 picks! If the Slewage made a movie about their draft this year, it might be called "Rebuild the Backfield Or Die Trying."
	Chatter: San Diego: Asshole Cleveland. All the way. (Cleveland had taken QB Teddy Bridgewater of Todd's hometown Vikings.) Baltimore: Got ya so frazzled you went for a UDFA San Diego: UDFA = Ultimate Dynasty Freakin A-bomb Dallas: Todd, got to admit. I said "who the F&%* is that guy?"

2.03 Tennessee Taz Devils - WR Davante Adams

In the real world: Adams had 131 receptions and 24 touchdowns with Fresno State last year. Question: how much of that was him and how much was it a product of the Fresno State passing offense? The Green Bay Packers are the ones who will find out the answer. They may need to find out fast--James Jones already departed via free agency, and Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb become free agents after this season.

In the TUFF world: Nice pick there, Lonnie--after all, Adams has the first shot at replacing Jones in the Packers' high-powered offense.

2.04 Dallas Junglehawgs - WR Donte Moncrief

In the real world: The Colts drafted Moncrief in Round 3 out of Ole Miss. He's talented (66 rec/979 yds/10 TDs in 2012) with a nice size-speed combo (6'2", 221, 4.40 40), but needs to be more consistent with route-running and hands.

In the TUFF world: Another boom-or-bust pick. Dallas traded up with Green Bay to get this pick, sending two lower second-rounders for 2.04, 3.05 and WR Kenbrell Thompkins. I already mentioned that the Junglehawgs needed wide receiver depth, but I'd like to find out why Mike Scott picked him over Marqise Lee and Cody Latimer (I mention them because they both went a round before Moncrief did in the NFL Draft). The reason isn't going to be anything like "I coached against him in high school," because Moncrief never played for a Texas school (born and raised in Mississippi).

2.05 Tennessee Taz Devils - RB Storm Johnson

In the real world: The Jags drafted Johnson in Round 7 to provide depth behind their newly-anointed starter, Toby Gerhart. Summary: Nice skill set, but had too many fumbles (8 fumbles in 335 career carries).

In the TUFF world: To paraphrase a line that a local radio station used back in my childhood: And the backs just keep onnnnnn goin'! Johnson has an interesting job situation--in front of him are Toby Gerhart, who I thought would have been a great fit for the New England Patriots in 2010, but was stuck in a backup job with the Vikings and therefore is unproven as an NFL workhorse back; and Denard Robinson, who is raw as far as playing running back goes.

2.06 Pittsburgh BIG PAPAS - WR Marqise Lee

In the real world: Lee could be the Jaguars' #1 receiver as soon as this year. He was extremely productive in his sophomore season at USC (1,721 receiving yards and 17 TD receptions), but declined in his junior season due to injuries and inconsistent QB play (it's possible the departure of Robert Woods a year ago meant Lee got double-teamed more, too).

In the TUFF world: Credit the BIG PAPAS for not reaching to fill a need (which, in their case, is depth at RB--they have Chris Johnson and Darren McFadden, but not much else; Johnson will be 30 next year and oft-injured McFadden is in a timeshare with Maurice Jones-Drew). They already have a deep group of young wideouts including Michael Floyd and Kendall Wright (both 2012 first-round picks), Odell Beckham (taken earlier in this draft) and Antonio Brown. They also have Golden Tate. They're not sweating bullets over Josh Gordon's season-long suspension (for a second violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy).