2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Northern Lights

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. Third in the order are the Northern Lights, who were the Cardinals in 2016. Under new ownership in 2016, the Cardinals made the semifinals of the playoffs. Can they repeat the feat?

2017 Keepers

QB Dak Prescott DAL
RB Melvin Gordon LAC
RB Lamar Miller HOU
WR Sammy Watkins BUF
WR Allen Robinson JAC
WR Davante Adams GB
WR Tyrell Williams LAC
TE Rob Gronkowski NE
K Matt Bryant ATL
D/ST Kansas City Chiefs KC

2017 Draft Picks

1.11
3.07
3.09
5.07
6.07
7.07
8.07
9.06
10.06
11.05

Preview

Looking back at 2016, the results for the Northern Cardinals tell a tale of two extremes. On a weekly basis the Cardinals seemed to be either very unlucky or very lucky based on the Fleaflicker luck meter. Only three regular season games had a luck status of over or under +10/-10. That is living on the edge. There were highs of beating Gem State twice, and lows of losing to Range Lonestars once and Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors three times. Still, the Cardinals made it all the way to the semifinals despite a 1-4 start to the season. What is in store for 2017?

To be frank, it's hard to tell. Now the Northern Lights, big upgrades have been made this off-season by acquiring Melvin Gordon and Rob Gronkowski. That moves Lamar Miller to RB2, giving the Lights balance at a position where it is hard to find that quality. The real question for this team is the WR corps, one that includes Davante Adams, Sammy Watkins, Allen Robinson, and Tyrell Williams. All four of these WRs are capable of posting low-end to maybe even high-end WR1 numbers. They're also capable of underwhelming through injuries, lack of production, etc. A roll of the dice

At QB, Dak Prescott shocked the fantasy world by finishing Top 5 at his position as a rookie. With Tom Brady gone, Prescott is now the Lights unquestioned starting QB. Will he thrive again, or get hit with the sophomore slump some 2nd year QBs endure? The Lights would be wise to find a solid backup in the draft.

For 2017, the sky is the limit for the Lights, but could also struggle if key players don't come through. Armed with a few superstars, a balanced draft, and several toss-ups at WR, the Lights are a true wildcard. They remind me of Brucey's crew: I could see them winning the conference. I can also see, with a dash of bad luck and failed potential, finishing 4th in the Basin. Either way, the Lights will roll the dice and see where they fall.