2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Gem State Bruins

The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away! In the mean time, I'll be doing a preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. Next up on our list of previews is the Gem State Bruins, the most underwhelming team of the 2016 season. Can they stay healthy enough to succeed?
2017 Keepers

QB Andrew Luck IND
RB Ezekiel Elliott DAL
RB Todd Gurley LAR
RB C.J. Prosise SEA
WR Odell Beckham NYG
WR Julio Jones ATL
WR A.J. Green CIN
WR DeAndre Hopkins HOU
WR Tyler Lockett SEA
D/ST Seattle Seahawks SEA

2017 Draft Picks

1.02
2.05
4.05
4.08
6.03
6.08
7.08
8.08
9.07
10.07

Preview

The 2016 season for Gem State was in some ways a success, but also a massive failure. Despite a strong start to the season and seeing the growth of a future superstar in Ezekiel Elliott, the Bruins were bitten by the injury bug and flamed out in the wildcard round. Julio Jones and A.J. Green, combined with Todd Gurley's bust of a 2016 season led to a shocking early exit for the Bruins. Was it bad luck, or a sign of things to come?

Possibly both. Julio Jones and A.J. Green, for all their dominance, seem to be unavailable for the fantasy postseason on an annual basis. The Bruins acquired DeAndre Hopkins in the off-season to take some pressure off relying on those two, but in the process leaves a huge hole at TE.

Todd Gurley was a huge disappointment in 2016. He might rebound under new head coach Sean McVay, but the Bruins aren't leaving it to chance. Conceding their 2018 1st round pick, the Bruins have once again ascended up the draft board, this time to 1.02. They'll likely select a RB there in the hope that this selection will give the Bruins another option should Gurley continue to struggle.

Finding a solid TE and depth will be a challenge for Gem State, but ultimately health is the team's biggest obstacle. If they can stay healthy, another CRFL title is possible. If they can't stay healthy, another unlucky campaign might be on hand.