With the NFL draft lingering in our minds we decided to bring the Big 12 Imaginary Draft back to the Big 12 blog.
Last year saw hits and misses in the 2014 Imaginary Draft with Jake Trotter looking like a genius with his linebackers (Kansas' Ben Heeney, TCU's Paul Dawson, Oklahoma's Eric Striker), Max Olson building his defense around Baylor's Andrew Billings and Shawn Oakman and my team featuring the Big 12's only Outland Trophy finalist in Texas' Malcom Brown and the Big 12's top sackmaster in Texas Tech's Pete Robertson.
Meanwhile, none of us picked West Virginia receiver Kevin White (oops!).
Well, we're giving it another shot. Olson gets the top pick overall followed by myself and Trotter in a snake-draft format. To be clear, this is not a ranking of the Big 12's top players. Instead, we're picking the best possible teams from the pool of current Big 12 players heading into 2015. Today we kick things off with Rounds 1-7:
Round 1
Max Olson: QB Trevone Boykin, TCU
Brandon Chatmon: LB Eric Striker, Oklahoma
Jake Trotter: DE Shawn Oakman, Baylor
Analysis: I can't think of a better defender to build around than Striker. He's one of the best pass rushers in the nation and sets the tone with his active nature and intensity. Opponents have to build game plans with Striker in mind, which makes him the ideal No. 2 overall pick. -- Chatmon
Round 2
Trotter: DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State
Chatmon: DT Andrew Billings, Baylor
Olson: T Spencer Drango, Baylor
Analysis: With the notable drop-off between Boykin and the other QBs, and given the depth in the league at running back and receiver, I opted to grab a pair of elite pass-rushers with my first two picks. Oakman and Ogbah combined for 22 sacks and 37 tackles for loss last year. Imagine the damage they could inflict playing together. -- Trotter
Round 3
Olson: RB Samaje Perine, Oklahoma
Chatmon: T La'Raven Clark, Texas Tech
Trotter: S Karl Joseph, West Virginia
Analysis: I selected arguably the three best players in the Big 12 with my first three picks, establishing the foundation for one unstoppable offense. The pairing of Perine and Boykin makes for a thunder-and-lightning force in the run game, and nobody can protect Boykin better than Drango. -- Olson
Round 4
Trotter: QB Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
Chatmon: WR Sterling Sheperd, Oklahoma
Olson: DE Pete Robertson, Texas Tech
Analysis: Striker, Clark and Billings provide great players to build around, so it's time to go for a playmaker. Shepard fits the bill as a four-year starter who has shown he can carry a passing game on his own. I can't think of a better receiver to carry my passing attack. -- Chatmon
Round 5
Olson: CB Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma
Chatmon: CB Daryl Worley, West Virginia
Trotter: WR Corey Coleman, Baylor
Analysis: Coleman is the best overall receiver in the league and one of the best in the country. To get him in the fifth round is highway robbery. With him on board, I can afford to address positions other than receiver over the next few rounds. — Trotter
Round 6
Trotter: DT Davion Pierson, TCU
Chatmon: DT Hassan Ridgeway, Texas
Olson: WR K.D. Cannon, Baylor
Analysis: I really did want to take Pierson and/or Ridgeway, but that's OK. Instead I'm going with a receiver who would have a lot of fun playing with Boykin. Cannon averaged 62 yards per reception on his eight TDs last season and might be the Big 12's most dangerous vertical threat. — Olson
Round 7
Olson: OL Cody Whitehair, Kansas State
Chatmon: S Dante Barnett, Kansas State
Trotter: S Jordan Sterns, Oklahoma State
Analysis: I need an experienced leader in the secondary and Barnett is the guy. And, unlike others, he rewarded me for making him a part of my imaginary team a year ago. A key performer in K-State's defense since his sophomore season, Barnett should be even better as a senior and can impact a game in several different ways. -- Chatmon