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This is the first draft for the Dakota Totems new GM, Joey Buxombauer, an overweight amateur talent evaluator from New Jersey, who ran a respected scouting operation from his mother's basement where he reviewed tapes. The unorthodox choice for their new GM could backfire for the Totems this year.
1 (11) - Grant Giefeke -WR - The "Little Man from Missouri" has drawn favorable comparisons to Wes Welker, but he has also drawn comparisons to a 13 year old boy placed on a field with grown men due to his diminutive size. The #3 receiver on the Totems' board behind Julio Strickland and Charlie Ross fell to Dakota at the 11th pick, and went two picks after the incredibly fast Bart Ross who was reportedly lower on the Totems' board due to intangibles. Lee Syms was heavily considered by the Totems, but ended up going off the board 23rd - great value for Memphis. Giefeke was picked instead, as the Totems were more confident that could start immediately for a team they believe can win immediately and had a hole to fill. However, a few years down the line, the Totems may be jealous of the owners of Lee Syms and Bart Ross.
2 (15) - Kenneth Riley - OLB - The Totems hope that Riley can make the switch to MLB and become their starter there this season, continuing the trend of plugging holes in their team in the hopes to be a winner again immediately. Hopefully, the solid run stopping ability he displayed at UTEP will translate to the NFL. (G) Harvey Borders and (TE) Marco O'Neal were reportedly coveted at this spot by Dakota, despite the fact that Dakota is fairly deep at those positions.
3 (14) - Timothy Batchelor - G - The Totems fielded offers to trade down, but were afraid that Batchelor wouldn't be there if they did. They were probably right. Described as "Mean, dedicated, disciplined and incredibly fast for a hamburger eating machine," by draft pundit and professional chef, Belle Piper, Batchelor might have a hard time getting a starting job due to depth on the Dakota offensive line. In the future he may be the anchor of the offensive line, but Batchelor is still a little raw to start immediately.
4 (13) - J.T. Sandage - C - Sandage displayed some difficulties in run blocking at Delaware State, but getting an offensive lineman with such raw strength in the 4th round was difficult for the Totems to pass up. Sandage is more of a project than Batchelor, but may contribute to the Dakota offensive line in the future. He suffered from heat stroke twice during the hot Delaware summer, but frequent rehydration during games and practices have helped him stay on the field and out of the hospital.
5 (12) - Mike Clements - QB - Clements was a promising backup QB at UNLV, but was unable to crack the lineup due to talented upperclassmen. When it finally looked like he would claim the job as a senior, he was kicked off the team for accepting money from alumni. Rumors swirled that Clements had accrued a great deal of debt living the Las Vegas lifestyle as fully as he could. Clements further hurt his status in the draft by failing to show up for his combine, claiming he "had a date with Kim Kardashian." Hopefully for the Totems, what happened in Vegas will stay in Vegas.
6 (11) - Steven Graham - DT - This seems like a bit of a reach for Dakota. Graham's greatest asset seems to be his ability to find quality marijuana and be caught in possession of it. Although a fundamentally sound player, his troubled background and lack of athletic ability seem to have him projecting as, at best, a rotational defensive lineman.
7 (15) - Freddie Anderson - S - No one has ever questioned Freddie Anderson's talent, but his quarrelsome attitude with his coaches, team and opposing players has landed him in hot water more than once. He famously referred to Tim Tebow as "just another cracka' ass cracka'." However, a big safety that hits hard and can cover is hard to find late in the draft and he found his way to the Totems. Unlike Graham, he could figure prominently in the Dakota Totems defense in the future, provided his attitude matures.
1 (11) - Grant Giefeke -WR - The "Little Man from Missouri" has drawn favorable comparisons to Wes Welker, but he has also drawn comparisons to a 13 year old boy placed on a field with grown men due to his diminutive size. The #3 receiver on the Totems' board behind Julio Strickland and Charlie Ross fell to Dakota at the 11th pick, and went two picks after the incredibly fast Bart Ross who was reportedly lower on the Totems' board due to intangibles. Lee Syms was heavily considered by the Totems, but ended up going off the board 23rd - great value for Memphis. Giefeke was picked instead, as the Totems were more confident that could start immediately for a team they believe can win immediately and had a hole to fill. However, a few years down the line, the Totems may be jealous of the owners of Lee Syms and Bart Ross.
2 (15) - Kenneth Riley - OLB - The Totems hope that Riley can make the switch to MLB and become their starter there this season, continuing the trend of plugging holes in their team in the hopes to be a winner again immediately. Hopefully, the solid run stopping ability he displayed at UTEP will translate to the NFL. (G) Harvey Borders and (TE) Marco O'Neal were reportedly coveted at this spot by Dakota, despite the fact that Dakota is fairly deep at those positions.
3 (14) - Timothy Batchelor - G - The Totems fielded offers to trade down, but were afraid that Batchelor wouldn't be there if they did. They were probably right. Described as "Mean, dedicated, disciplined and incredibly fast for a hamburger eating machine," by draft pundit and professional chef, Belle Piper, Batchelor might have a hard time getting a starting job due to depth on the Dakota offensive line. In the future he may be the anchor of the offensive line, but Batchelor is still a little raw to start immediately.
4 (13) - J.T. Sandage - C - Sandage displayed some difficulties in run blocking at Delaware State, but getting an offensive lineman with such raw strength in the 4th round was difficult for the Totems to pass up. Sandage is more of a project than Batchelor, but may contribute to the Dakota offensive line in the future. He suffered from heat stroke twice during the hot Delaware summer, but frequent rehydration during games and practices have helped him stay on the field and out of the hospital.
5 (12) - Mike Clements - QB - Clements was a promising backup QB at UNLV, but was unable to crack the lineup due to talented upperclassmen. When it finally looked like he would claim the job as a senior, he was kicked off the team for accepting money from alumni. Rumors swirled that Clements had accrued a great deal of debt living the Las Vegas lifestyle as fully as he could. Clements further hurt his status in the draft by failing to show up for his combine, claiming he "had a date with Kim Kardashian." Hopefully for the Totems, what happened in Vegas will stay in Vegas.
6 (11) - Steven Graham - DT - This seems like a bit of a reach for Dakota. Graham's greatest asset seems to be his ability to find quality marijuana and be caught in possession of it. Although a fundamentally sound player, his troubled background and lack of athletic ability seem to have him projecting as, at best, a rotational defensive lineman.
7 (15) - Freddie Anderson - S - No one has ever questioned Freddie Anderson's talent, but his quarrelsome attitude with his coaches, team and opposing players has landed him in hot water more than once. He famously referred to Tim Tebow as "just another cracka' ass cracka'." However, a big safety that hits hard and can cover is hard to find late in the draft and he found his way to the Totems. Unlike Graham, he could figure prominently in the Dakota Totems defense in the future, provided his attitude matures.