JFLANland 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Welcome, friends, to NFL Draft week!  For some of you draft nerds like me, this is one of the best weeks of the year: speculation, rumors, teams getting better, mistakes, and Mel Kiper's hair.  There is nothing better!  Below is my humble attempt at Round 1 of this mock draft.  I did not project any trades, though I am sure there will be some.  I just took the players I thought may be the best fit for the given team, or take who I thought a team would reach for based on need.

Check back later for Rounds 2-7!

And with that, the Cleveland Browns are on the clock:

Round 1

1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

They can't take a QB here.  They just can't.  Garrett seems to be the consensus #1 pick and #1 player in the Draft.  The Browns need help everywhere.  He has to be the pick.  Let's just hope he isn't another Courtney Brown.

2. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

This is a defensive draft, for sure, and Solomon Thomas may be just as good as Garrett.  He has risen up the ranks a bit until settling in as the potential #2 pick across most mocks, and I don't disagree.  Again, the 49ers need everything, so why not start with a workhorse D-Lineman?

3. Chicago Bears: Jamal Adams, S, LSU

An amazing safety is hard to find (I know. I am a Redskins fan. We still haven't replaced Sean Taylor). Jamal Adams may be the best overall safety in the draft.  Chicago needs quality guys in the secondary to play against Aaron Rodgers and Matt Stafford, after all.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

Back to back LSU players go.  I think this may be the biggest no-brainer outside of the #1 pick.  The Jaguars need to know what their offense can really do, and that means it has to have some balance.  Their rushing attack isn't great, and Fournette would instantly be their top back.  Doug Marrone was the coach of the Bills when they had the #1 rushing attach in the NFL.  He will bring that to Jacksonville.

5. Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

The Titans sprint up to the podium with this pick.  Their biggest need is for a true shut down corner, and Lattimore is the best in the draft.  Easy pick.

6. New York Jets: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, UNC

Oh, Jets.  You have no QB.  That isn't to say that I like Trubisky that much.  I much prefer Deshaun Watson.  And I could definitely see another team that likes Mitch trading up to the Jets, which I am sure they would love.  But for now, it is their biggest need, and Trubisky seems to be everyone's top guy.

7. LA Chargers: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama

Another team that needs a bit of everything.  Allen's value here is too much to pass up. I just won't get used to calling them the LA Chargers anytime soon.

8. Carolina Panthers: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

For some odd reason, folks seem to be saying that Dalvin Cook is falling.  I have no idea why.  I have said for two years that I think Cook must cover himself in non-stick spray or something, cause he is impossible to bring down.  If Christian McCaffery is the pick instead, I wouldn't be surprised.  The Panthers need another weapon to take some pressure off Cam.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

Bill Polian hates him because he is slow.  I counter with the argument that he broke Reggie White's sack record, which means he can play.  The Bengals add another weapon on that defense to team with Vontaze Burfict.

10. Buffalo Bills: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

I've seen just about every position mocked to the Bills, from passer to pass rusher to receiver.  But, Malik Hooker has better ball skills than Jamal Adams, and would instantly be an impact player in a depleted secondary.  Plus, this draft is deep enough in WRs where the Bills can get a solid one in Round 2 (spoiler).

11. New Orleans Saints: Hassan Reddick, LB, Temple

Has anyone risen up the ranks since the season ended like Reddick?  He is just the type of player that the Saints need in that defense, and one they haven't had in the middle since Jonathan Vilma retired.

12. Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

Why trade up and get Trubisky when you can stay put and get a national champion QB?  As I said before, I am a Watson guy.  I think he has that "It" factor that will make him a solid QB, if not a star.  He also has the ability to keep plays alive with his legs, which he may need in that division with those pass rushers.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

Foster's talent is only overshadowed by his potential off-the-filed issues.  He got in a shouting match at a hospital at the Combine.  He apparently had a diluted urine sample, which may mask drug issues.  However, the Cardinals have dealt with these kinds of players before in Tyrann Mathieu, and it payed off.  I think it will again.

14. Philadelphia Eagles: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

Well... I think that the Eagles biggest need is in the secondary.  However, Conley may be facing rape charges off the field, so his placement in the first round is now somewhat questionable, or at least would be if the NFL actually cared about women's issues at all.  They don't, so Conley stays in this spot.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky

PROTECT ANDREW LUCK!  That is the name of the game.  The Colts are nothing without him.  Lamp is the best offensive lineman in the draft.  And I do not buy into the "don't take guards in the first round" nonsense.  Take the guy that best suits your biggest need.  That's how you get better.

16. Baltimore Ravens: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

The Ravens offense hasn't really been the same since it lost Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin.  True, they haven't had a solid running game either, but going with a super-productive player like Davis to help stretch the field for Joe Flacco and that offense will help immensely.  I could also see another O-lineman here as well.

17. Washington Redskins: Christian McCaffery, RB, Stanford

Positions the Skins do not need to address with this pick: OLB, WR.  Everything is in play.  As a Skins fan, I am praying that Adams or Hooker falls to 17, but there is no way that is happening.  I think McCaffery is the guy because of what he brings to every facet of the offense.  However, if he is gone and Dalvin Cook is here, I still say the Skins go RB.  The really interesting thing will be if all the RBs are gone.

18. Tennessee Titans: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

That light blue blur you just saw whizz by was the Titans running up to the podium again.  A big, super-talented possession receiver with amazing hands is exactly what they need to pair with Marcus Mariota.  Williams may be the best wideout in the draft.  The Titans have an A+ first round adding him and Lattimore.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OJ Howard, TE, Alabama

That's right, an Alabama offensive player going with all these amazing defenders.  Jameis Winston gets the top tight end in a draft, who by all accounts is also a high-character guy.  He could instantly become a Greg Olson-level weapon.

20. Denver Broncos: Garrett Boles, OT, Utah

The Broncos need all the help they can on the O-line to protect whoever is their starting QB.  Boles may have the biggest upside of any tackle in the draft.

21. Detroit Lions: Taco Charlton, DL, Michigan

Taco Time in Detroit!  They need to be able to put pressure on Aaron Rodgers, so drafting the top pass-rusher available is the answer.  He can play any position on the line, and imagine the built in jersey sales for a Michigan player going to Detroit.

22. Miami Dolphins: Takkarist McKinley, DE/OLB, UCLA

The Fins add a great end rusher who will be able to disrupt offenses in the AFC East.  Takk has an amazing motor, and will make sure to give maximum effort.  Team him outside with Wake, with Suh inside, and you'd have quite the defensive front.

23. New York Giants: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

Erick Flowers hasn't been what the Giants thought he would be yet.  Ramczyk may not be spectacular, but he may be the safest and most consistent OT in the entire draft.  That is what the Giants need.

24. Oakland Raiders: Kevin King, CB, Washington

The Raiders are only a few pieces away from being a top notch NFL team.  They have drafted so well recently, it should be a surprise.  David Amerson is solid, but King's size and skill could make him their best CB from Day 1.

25. Houston Texans: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

First round talent, second round effort.  Seems like pick 25 may be a perfect spot for the Texans.  I don't think they go all in on a QB yet, since they like Tom Savage enough to start him.  Maybe they will learn from their past mistakes and finally draft OL to protect a young QB.

26. Seattle Seahawks: Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State

The Seahawks get the most out of their defensive players as possible.  McDowell's effort is a little touch and go.  Once he gets to Pete Carroll and that locker room, he will turn into a Pro Bowl talent.

27. Kansas City Chiefs: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida

He is Mel Kiper's top LB.  He is apparently an awesome guy.  I think he is a great fit for an aging defense.  Their linebacking corp is getting old and oft-injured.  Davis is the kind of guy to rejuvenate it.

28. Dallas Cowboys: Jabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan

Big name, super-talented, super-versatile player?  Sounds like a fit for the Cowboys.  They need help in the secondary, of course, and Peppers can cover or move up in the box and tackle.  He could also find a way to work his way into some offensive sets.  How about a fun single wing with Dak and Zeke on the goal line?  I also don't really buy his diluted sample as being a red flag, since he stated at the time he was sick and was over-hydrating.

29. Green Bay Packers: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

The Packers cannot cover at all.  Secondary is their biggest need.  Wilson is the best pick right here.  Furthermore, (spoiler alert) the player many have going here may find his way to Green Bay in Round 2.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: John Ross, WR, Washington

Best player on the board, perfect compliment to take pressure off Antonio Brown, and 4.22 speed?  If John Ross can stay healthy, that Steelers offense will be great yet again.

31. Atlanta Falcons: Charles Harris, OLB, Missouri

The Falcons were a few stops or first downs away from being Super Bowl champions.  Adding a premiere pass rusher in Harris could be that final piece to the championship puzzle.

32. New Orleans Saints: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

Another Crimson Tide defender to finish out Round 1.  I don't think the Saints are going to get Malcolm Butler from New England, so they need to add a playmaker in the secondary.  Humphrey and Reddick instantly boost an otherwise woeful defense.

Rounds 2-7 coming tomorrow!  Thanks for reading!

Coming Soon- The 2017 NFL Mock Draft

Hello there friends,

Baseball season, NBA and NHL playoffs, the NCAA Tournament, and the real world.  Too much to talk about.  So, you may continue not hearing much from me until I actually have time to finish my labor of love, my 2017 NFL Mock Draft.  I hope to have it up the weekend before the draft, so keep an eye out for it.  As always, if you want to keep up to date with my thoughts on sports (and everything else) on a more "real-time" basis, follow @JFLANland on twitter.

Official JFLANland Super Bowl 51 Prediction

The big game is finally here.  Patriots vs Falcons. #1 scoring defense vs the most explosive offense in football.  Tom Brady, possibly the greatest of all time, vs Matt Ryan, the NFL MVP.  Storylines abound, but you have had two weeks of all that.  What is my pick?

Patriots 27, Falcons 24

I don't even know who I want to win this game, to be honest.  I, like the rest of America, am tired of the Patriots being so good.  It isn't that we hate them, it is just that most of us will never see our team (in any sports) be as dominant as the Patriots have been over the past 15 years.  Yes, Brady may be the best ever.  Yes, Bill Belichick may be the best coach ever.  But every great empire has to come to an end eventually.  Will I be angry if the Patriots win?  Nope.  But I won't be thrilled either.

Then there is Atlanta.  The plucky underdog.  The only team with a player from Syracuse (go Dwight Freeney!).  I wouldn't be angry if they won either.  But, Atlanta is an awful sports town.  It is, I'm sorry.  If you can't sell out World Series games, you don't deserve a championship in any sport.  That said, the Georgia Dome sounded pretty loud during the playoffs.  I also dislike Matt Ryan, since he went to Boston College (What? I hold grudges, and they killed the Big East. Let me be angry!).  However, it is easy to overlook my grudge and admit how fantastic he and that offense have been this season.  He deserved the MVP once Derek Carr went down.  I'd be fine if the Falcons were hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the night.

In the end, I just don't think it is wise to bet against Brady and Belichick.  That said, I won't be upset with the outcome, either way.  This is the most unenthusiastic I have been about a Super Bowl in a while.  Let's just hope it is a great game, much like all the other Super Bowls these Patriots have been in.

Enjoy the game!

When the Real World Gets in the Way

Hello friends.

The past 2ish weeks have been pretty awful in America, huh?  Well, 2017 seems to be off to a pretty dismal start.  So, as you have seen, I haven't been writing.  I know I come on here every few months and apologize for it, but this time I just haven't been thinking about writing at all.  Sure, I have started looking at some NFL mock drafts.  I have some ideas for things to write this week too.  But, on the whole, I can't concentrate as much on sports as I would like due to current events. So, I will try to do a bit better as we move forward.  It is a good escape for me, and hopefully a couple of you like reading it as well.

Cheers!

The Importance of Sports as a Temporary Escape

Hello friends.

It has been almost exactly 3 months since my last post.  In it, I discussed how the sporting achievements of the Rio Olympics (and there were many amazing ones) may have blinded us from the very real concerns about Rio as a viable host, the IOC selection process, and Ryan Lotche being a moron of epic proportions.  Since then, I have been distracted by the real world.  Sure, I have still been following sports.  I got to enjoy my Nationals playoff push before they lost in the first round... again.  Both my fantasy football teams are doing well.  The Skins are being competitive, and have a winning record at the moment.  Syracuse football, while probably not going to a bowl this year, at least has been more exciting to watch, and NCAA football has been quite compelling.  NCAA basketball, the NHL, and NBA are all underway. Hell, the friggin Cubs won the World Series! So, sports have been there while I have been busy with work, and the election, the depression from that result, and trying to push forward.  I have missed writing, but haven't really had much to say.  I think that may change in the coming months.

You may not have the same political or world views as me (though you should, cause I'm awesome), but I think we can all agree that having sports as a means of escapism is exactly what the world needs right now.  The entire Washington DC area, my home, has been walking around in a daze for the past week.  The only things that seem to have snapped anyone out of it were the Skins' win over the Vikings this past Sunday, and the very exciting game between Georgetown and Maryland last night.  It has helped us restore a bit of normalcy in what we fear may become increasingly frustrating and dark times.  Sports are something familiar, with happy memories, even in cities like DC that haven't won anything since 1992.  They are a security blanket that we can rely on to shield us from the Boogey Man of reality, even if just for a few hours.

This isn't to say that sports cannot play a very important part in the real and political worlds.  History has given us many examples of how sports can be ahead of the curve when it comes to social issues, even when it lags further behind on some others.  Recently, stories like the protests during the National Anthem, the gender pay gap in US Soccer, and leagues failure to act with immediacy regarding domestic violence issues have all been part of our national sports discussion.  This is a good thing, because it means the conversations about these issues are at least being had in a wider forum, as they should be.  What makes sports so special, though, is that after the off-field issues are discussed, there is still the on-field product to enjoy.  We can sit back in our chair and yell at the refs instead of at each other.  We can be united, temporarily, in the love of the game.

We shouldn't ignore the very real issues facing our country and our world.  Lord knows there are a lot of them.  We shouldn't accept the (my opinion) upcoming potentially-awful administration and the abhorrent platform it represents as the new normal.  Americans, especially those in my generation and younger, should stand up and help make change whenever and however we can.  But that can be exhausting, and sometimes we need a break.  That is where sports can come in.  We can rest, relax, recharge, and enjoy the games we have loved our entire lives.  We can come together, with thousands of strangers, and actually agree on something for a while.  And who knows, maybe we can even be inspired.  That Cinderella team making the Final Four can show us nothing is impossible if we work hard enough.  That improbable comeback in the final minutes can remind us nothing is over as long as we keep persevering.  That cursed franchise that finally wins it all can prove to us that no matter how impossible it may feel, no matter how many times we are beaten down, we can still be victorious in the end.  Sports can give all of this to us, and that is why it is such an important escape.

I'll be writing more soon, and I hope that my posts may help momentarily take your mind off your troubles.

The Cubs managed to get through 108 years of troubles.  I bet we can make it through the next 4.

Olympic Tunnel Vision

In lead up to the Olympics, Rio's health risks, crime risks, lack of infrastructure, funding, and competency all over shadowed the athletics. Then Russia's entire team was almost kicked out, but was allowed to compete because the IOC is corrupt and has no spine.  Since the games started, the athletes made us forget all of that.  Team USA has looked amazing.  Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky may as well be merpeople, they swim so fast.  Simon Manuel made history.  Kerri Walsh-Jennings got yet another Olympic medal.  The Final Five stole our hearts.  When you are in a bar and Jamaica's Usain Bolt runs in a final, the entire room stops what they are doing to watch the fastest man alive.  Then these moronic uber-jock swimmers "got robbed" and we looked at crime again.  Oh no!  Ryan Lochte says he was robbed at gunpoint.  Rio is the worst place in the world!

 It turns out they were just drunken idiots who vandalized a bathroom, and were held by a security officer (with a gun) until an agreement was made to pay for the damages.  Now that has overshadowed everything, from the awesome athletics to the genuine concerns that should still exist about Rio, such as the British athlete who legitimately was mugged, or the severed leg found floating on the sailing course.  The later is particularly disturbing, because the police's response that "It was probably someone murdered by the drug gangs, who was dumped in one of the rivers that flows into the bay," seems rather nonchalant.

 Why is it so impossible to be able to talk about or concentrate on more than 1 thing at once with the Olympics?  Surely, we as logical, thinking creatures can comprehend the following ideas all together:

 - Locthe et al are idiots; 

- Rio still has a lot of crime, legitimate infrastructure concerns, and health risks; 

- Not all people in Rio are criminals. A majority are great hosts, though some of their fans have no exactly acted in a welcoming or sportsmanlike fashion at times; 

- The IOC is still extremely corrupt;

- Olympic athletes are amazing and awe-inspiring.

 It has been an interesting two weeks.  Hopefully, we will look back on the Rio Olympics as both a triumph of sport and a cautionary tale about idiocy, crime, or corruption.  We should always be able to concentrate on more than one thing.  When our worldwide tunnel vision latches on to one hot-button issue, or one TMZ-esque story, we miss everything else that could tell us so much more.  Whether they be inspiring or disturbing, these things are still important parts of the entire scene.

WWE Raw/Smackdown Mock Draft

Hello friends.  I am back.  It has been a while, I know, but the real world got in the way for a while.  I've missed the Stanley Cup finals (bah), and missed the NBA finals (well done LeBron), and most of the first part of the MLB season, but let's be honest:  The biggest sports and entertainment news of the recent weeks has been the brand split for the WWE!

That's right, WWE is going back to Raw and Smackdown will have exclusive rosters, titles, and PPVs.  Within the wonderful kayfabe (scripted) world of pro wrestling, Vince McMahon's two children will run the respective brands and compete with each other, hopefully making wrestling fans like me very happy.  This upcoming Tuesday, on the premier of Smackdown Live (finally being shown live on the night it happens, instead of recorded for Thursday or Friday broadcasts), we will have the return of the WWE Draft.  New storylines, new talent, new feuds: Everything is possible now!  Because I am obsessed with all sorts of drafts, I decided to recruit my wrestling smart mark (or smark, which just means a fan obsessed with wrestling, the backstage stuff, etc) padawan Colin to conduct a draft.  I will be representing Smackdown, and Colin will be in charge of Monday Night Raw.  Just a quick note- we kept almost all of the talent at NXT off limits.  There are a few people taken, but they are about to be called up to the main roster anyway.  He let me have the #1 pick, and we've got 30 rounds to go through.  Due to the depths of the draft, I will not analyze all the picks.  Plus, if you don't like WWE, you don't care.  So, let's get to it!

Round 1

Smackdown- Seth Rollins
Raw- John Cena

No surprises here.  I take possibly the best wrestler and best overall talent on the roster.  Rollins will be the face of Smackdown for years to come.  Colin takes the overall face of the company for over a decade, John Cena.  He gets to stay on the flagship show, appeal to the kids and the public at large, and continue to be Mr. WWE.

Round 2

Smackdown- AJ Styles
Raw- Brock Lesnar

I am thrilled, because AJ Styles and Seth Rollins are the two best wrestlers in the world.  Visions of them headlining Wrestlemania are running through my head.  Raw again goes with the biggest name, the crossover star Brock Lesnar.  His appeal is undeniable, since his headlining fight for UFC 200 drew the biggest PPV buyrate the company has ever had.  Even if he only appears 5 times a year, he is worth the pick.

Round 3

Smackdown- Bray Wyatt
Raw- Kevin Owens

Entirely possible that my current 2 favorite wrestlers went this round.  I chose Bray Wyatt because he needs to be away from the Raw writers.  With so much potential, Bray could be the new Undertaker.  He just needs to be let loose, which is what I will let him do.  Colin takes KO, who is on par with Rollins and Styles in terms of work rate.  He is beloved by smarks everywhere, and could be the top heel on Raw forever.

Round 4

Smackdown- Cesaro
Raw- Dean Ambrose

I get another indy darling and an amazing worker.  Raw gets the current WWE Champion, so Smackdown will have a tournament for our new title.

Round 5

Smackdown- Roman Reigns
Raw- Charlotte

I get Vince's favorite guy coming off of a wellness suspension.  He will no longer play the good guy character Vince wants him to be.  He isn't the next John Cena.  He isn't the next Rock.  But he can be the best villain in the world.  Raw gets the WWE Women's Champion.  Charlotte is fantastic, so no issues with that pick there.

Round 6

Smackdown- Finn Balor
Raw- Sasha Banks

Both are super popular, with more potential than anyone in the company.  Both are future champions.

Round 7

Smackdown- Sami Zayn
Raw- The Miz

The kings of the midcard have started.  Everything that Zayn can do in the ring, Miz does on the mic.

Round 8

Smackdown- The New Day
Raw- Enzo & Cass

Excellent tag teams, extremely over with the crowd, extremely entertaining. Plus, I get all 3 members of the New Day.  Points for Smackdown!

Round 9

Smackdown- Becky Lynch
Raw- Randy Orton

I have started my Women's division with the Irish Lasskicker.  I think her ring work is extremely underrated, so she will be given a chance to shine on Smackdown.  Raw gets the 2nd most consistent WWE talent behind John Cena.  Randy Orton is a no-doubt Hall of Famer, can fit anywhere on the card, and can be face or heel.

Round 10

Smackdown- Bayley
Raw- Dolph Ziggler

My Women's division foundation continues with the former NXT champion.  We now each have 2 of the "4 Horsewomen" who made women's wrestling relevant again.  In Ziggler, Raw gets a top wrestler who can put over anyone, and may finally get another shot at the WWE title with half of the roster out of the way.

Round 11

Smackdown- Rusev (with Lana)
Raw- Paige

Another female wrestler gone in Paige to Raw, and Rusev, who has a ton of potential, comes to Smackdown.

Round 12

Smackdown- Natalya
Raw- Alberto Del Rio

I think I get THE BEST female wrestler on the roster in Nattie.  Raw gets a solid top-to-midcard guy in ADR, who gets to stay on the same show as his real life girlfriend Paige.

Round 13

Smackdown- Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows
Raw- Chris Jericho

AJ Styles' running mates, Anderson and Gallows aka The Club join the Phenomenal One on Smackdown.  Chris Jericho, when he is around, is still an amazing talent who can work with anyone on the roster.

Round 14

Smackdown- Baron Corbin
Raw- American Alpha

Baron Corbin is the prototypical WWE superstar in size and stature.  He has shown some promise in his short time on the main roster.  American Alpha, while still on NXT, will be on the main roster very soon.  The combined athletic ability and pedigree of Chad Gable and Jason Jordan cannot be overstated.

Round 15

Smackdown- Neville
Raw- Mauro Ranallo

The first big surprise of the draft!  Announcer Mauro Ranallo drafted to be the voice of Monday Night Raw.  His UFC/non-WWE background has been a welcome departure from Michael Cole's overselling, and he has been one of the best announcers on WWE TV since his arrival.  In Neville, I get a high flyer with big match ability.  While he is on the smaller size, his move set could make him a huge star.

Round 16

Smackdown- Emma
Raw- Nikki Bella

Round 17

Smackdown- Apollo Crews
Raw- Luke Harper

Round 18

Smackdown- Breezango (tag team of Tyler Breeze & Fandango)
Raw- The Dudley Boyz

Round 19

Smackdown- Corey Graves
Raw- The Undertaker

The legend that is the Undertaker may only wrestle once a year, but his impact will always be felt.  As for my pick, I could not let the best color analyst in WWE join the best play by play guy, so I took for NXT superstar turned announcer Cory Graves.  Undertaker, Graves.  Get it?

Round 20

Smackdown- Braun Stroman
Raw- Mark Henry

Round 21

Smackdown- The Lucha Dragons
Raw- Sheamus

Round 22

Smackdown- Zack Ryder
Raw- The Big Show

Round 23

Smackdown- Dana Brooke
Raw- Naomi

Round 24

Smackdown- The Social Outcasts
Raw- Jack Swagger

Round 25

Smackdown- Renee Young
Raw- Darren Young

A history-making round, perhaps?  I choose Renee to be the 1st ever female play-by-play announcer in WWE history.  She has done it before on NXT, and has shown her skill hosting the PPV preshows.  Raw gets Darren Young, most famous currently for publicly coming out of the closet last year.  His brave decision and talent could allow him to be a trailblazer for equality in the industry.

Round 26

Smackdown- Summer Rae
Raw- Erick Rowan

Round 27

Smackdown- The Vaudvillans
Raw- Titus O'Neil

Round 28

Smackdown- Eva Marie
Raw- Golden Truth (tag team of Goldust and R-Truth)

Round 29

Smackdown- Daniel Bryan (GM)
Raw- Paul Heyman (GM)

Vince McMahon decided that each of his children would have to pick a GM to run their brand on a day-to-day basis.  I chose former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, who is rumored to actually be the Smackdown GM that will be announced on Monday.  Colin chose Paul Heyman, an ingenious way to keep the founder of ECW and possibly the best talker in the company around when his client Brock Lesnar is not.

Round 30

Smackdown- The Usos
Raw- Kane


Supplemental Announcer Free Agent picks (each show needs announce team of 2, plus backstage interviewer)-
Smackdown- JoJo for backstage
Raw- Byron Saxton for color commentary, Cathy Kelly for backstage


Rosters:

Smackdown                                 Raw
Seth Rollins                                  John Cena
AJ Styles                                       Brock Lesnar
Bray Wyatt                                    Kevin Owens                      
Cesaro                                           Dean Ambrose
Roman Reigns                              Charlotte
Finn Balor                                     Sasha Banks
Sami Zayn                                    The Miz
The New Day                               Enzo & Cass
Becky Lynch                                Randy Orton
Bayley                                          Dolph Ziggler
Rusev (with Lana)                        Paige
Natalya                                         Alberto Del Rio
Anderson & Gallows                   Chris Jericho
Baron Corbin                                American Alpha
Neville                                          Mauro Ranallo
Emma                                           Nikki Bella
Apollo Crews                                Luke Harper
Breezango                                     Dudley Boyz
Corey Graves                                The Undertaker
Braun Stroman                              Mark Henry
Lucha Dragons                              Sheamus
Zack Ryder                                    Big Show
Dana Brooke                                  Naomi
Social Outcasts                              Jack Swagger
Renee Young                                  Darren Young
Summer Rae                                  Erick Rowan
Vaudvillans                                    Titus O'Neil
Eva Marie                                      Golden Truth
Daniel Bryan (GM)                      Paul Heyman (GM)
The Usos                                      Kane
JoJo                                             Byron Saxton/Cathy Kelly



So there you have it!  Almost every wrestler on the current WWE main roster was taken.  I think that these shows would both thrive with their new talent.  I'd like to thank Colin for participating in this little endeavor, and thank you for taking the time to read it.