This week we’ve been holding the Big 12 Imaginary Draft as we select stars with an eye on building the best team.
Today we conclude with Part III which features Rounds 15-22 (here’s a review of Part I and Part II). Several big names remain on the board, including Shock Linwood and Kolby Listenbee, as we try to fill out our lineups with the conference's best.
Keep in mind this is not a list of the Big 12’s top players. Instead, Jake Trotter, Max Olson and Brandon Chatmon are drafting current Big 12 players to put together the best teams.
Round 15
Olson: DE Jamal Palmer, Baylor
Chatmon: G Kent Perkins, Texas
Trotter: CB Nigel Tribune, Iowa State
Analysis: “I think Palmer is one of the more underrated ends in the conference. He was going to have a big year in 2014 before a season-ending injury early on in Big 12 play. He and Pete Robertson would definitely get the job done on the edge.” -- Olson
Round 16
Trotter: WR Brandon Sheperd, Oklahoma State
Chatmon: T Zach Crabtree, Oklahoma State
Olson: TE LaQuan McGowan, Baylor
Analysis: “Crabtree should lead a much improved offensive line this season. He’ll join Le'Raven Clark to give me a solid pair of bookend tackles. And, as a sophomore, he still has plenty of room to grow after a solid redshirt freshman campaign.” -- Chatmon
Round 17
Olson: LB Mike Mitchell, Texas Tech
Chatmon: LB Elijah Lee, Kansas State
Trotter: G Alfredo Morales, Texas Tech
Analysis: “Morales has 23 career starts. He’ll bring plenty of experience to my offensive line.” -- Trotter
Round 18
Trotter: G Nila Kasitati, Oklahoma
Chatmon: G Adam Pankey, West Virginia
Olson: G Blake Muir, Baylor
Analysis: “There might not be any elite offensive guards in the Big 12 this year, but I’m really happy with landing Muir and Boston Stiverson. At linebacker, I’ve got a youthful duo with major potential. Taylor Young was the AP defensive newcomer of the year in the Big 12 last season, and Mike Mitchell is going to be a star.” -- Olson
Round 19
Olson: C Jared Kaster, Texas Tech
Chatmon: WR Quenton Bundrage, Iowa State
Trotter: WR Kolby Listenbee, TCU
Analysis: “I’m surprised Bundrage lasted this long but I’m glad he did. If he wasn’t coming off an ACL injury, Bundrage goes much higher than this. My receiving corps has really come together with Sterling Shepard, James Washington and Bundrage.” -- Chatmon
Round 20
Trotter: S Kamari Cotton-Moya, Iowa State
Chatmon: RB Shock Linwood, Baylor
Olson: DT Beau Blackshear, Baylor
Analysis: “I’m grabbing the reigning Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year to man the nickelback role on my defense. Cotton-Moya can cover, he can tackle and he can make plays. He’ll fill this spot nicely. Oh by the way, I snagged Kolby Listenbee with my previous pick. He was TCU’s most impressive player over the spring not named Trevone Boykin. He might be a steal this late.” -- Trotter
Round 21
Olson: S Dravon Henry, West Virginia
Chatmon: CB Xavien Howard, Baylor
Trotter: FB/TE Glenn Gronkowski, Kansas State
Analysis: “Jake took Gronk and is very proud of that. Good for him. But let’s not forget I’m rolling with America’s favorite tight end, LaQuan McGowan, and my offense would find all kinds of fun ways to utilize him: tight end, fullback, H-back, offensive guard, goal-line running back, gunner, Wildcat quarterback. I want to see McGowan and Samaje Perine running the option together and you can’t stop me from trying.” -- Olson
Round 22
Trotter: T Brock Dagel, Iowa State
Chatmon: QB Seth Russell, Baylor
Olson: DT Desmond Jackson, Texas
Analysis: “I had no reason to draft a quarterback until my final pick yet I could easily end up with the All-Big 12 quarterback leading my offense. I’m expecting a terrific season from Russell.” -- Chatmon
