Coming off their best season since 2026 at 10-6 and just missing the playoffs, the Phantoms still have a couple areas of need (can you say WR!) but depth can now be built through the draft.
Ralph Myers
CB – Alabama – 5’ 9” – 172 lbs
1st round. Pick #1-21. #21 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 6.20
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 6.40
Key Combine Scores: Solecismic 35, 40 Time 4.44, Bench Reps 21, Position Drill 47
Actuals: 27/43
Thanks to the 10 win season, ACI had to wait a lot longer than usual to make their first selection. It is no secret that the Phantoms need a better talent at QB to get to the next level. While there didn’t appear to be a franchise QB in the draft, Thurman Crane and Gerald Griffith were #1 and #2 on the ACI draft board for QB’s at their selection. And as usually happens, both were selected immediately before the #21 pick. This left the team scrambling a bit and led to the selection of Myers. With Leo Pasquarella leaving in free agency and Dennis Porter entering his 11th season, cornerback was a need. Although small at 5’ 9” and 172 pounds, Myers had the most bench reps of all cornerbacks by 5. Hopefully the run defense numbers are better than the initial bars indicate.
Donald Kruger
WR – Arizona – 6’ 0” – 198 lbs.
2nd round. Pick 2-20. #52 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 5.10
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.30
Key Combine Scores: Solecismic 24, Agility 7.07
Actuals: 32/63
After the disastrous selection of Trevor Heneghan in the second round last year, you would think that ACI would avoid taking a risk on a WR early in the draft. However, when your best WR is 33/33 you have to take a chance. Hoping to have learned from the Heneghan pick (great combine and low bars), ACI went for a player with a good combine and high bars. What makes the pick easier to digest are the excellent return skills which make Kruger a key player regardless of his receiving numbers. Fingers are crossed in Atlantic City.
NOTE - Kruger rejected the initial contract proposal. However, both sides feel a day will be made in the near future.
Amos Bradford
QB – San Jose State – 6’ 1” – 209 lbs.
3rd round. Pick 3-24. #88 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.70
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.90
Key Combine Scores: 40 Time 4.62, Position Drill 80
Actuals: 9/68
Bradford joins a group of 3rd / 4th round selections at QB for ACI. Starter Rico Firth and 3rd stringer Kent Kampman were taken in the 4th round while backup Todd Nelson was a 3rd round pick. As mentioned earlier, the QB’s in this draft class appear to be good but not great. Bradford didn’t wow you at any one skill but had the best average scores across the board. A work in progress at only 11%, he is the definition of a project.
Marvin Wayne
S – Notre Dame – 6’ 0” – 209 lbs.
4th Round. Pick #4-23. #119 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.90
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.60
Key Combine Scores: Solecismic 39, Bench Reps 18, Agility 7.22
Actuals: 21/56
Here is some inside information from the ACI draft room: Wayne was very close to being the team’s selection in round 3. Was it luck that he lasted until the fourth round or just a sign about how bad the Phantoms draft brain trust is? Like Porter at CB, FS Dwight Ross is approaching the end of his career and a future replacement is needed. Wayne is smart, strong and an excellent run defender that should fit very well in the ACI secondary.
TRADE
ACI traded their 4th round pick in 2037 to New Orleans for picks 5-21 and 6-20 in 2036. The hope is to add some quality backups to round out the roster.
Curtis Borders
DE – California – 6’ 1” – 265 lbs.
5th Round. Pick #5-21. #149 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.90
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.40
Key Combine Scores: Agility 6.97
Actuals: 15/42
The ACI defensive coaches fell in love with Borders agility scores at the combine, which was the best for all defensive linemen. If the agility score turns into the run stopper that the team anticipates than Borders will be a perfect right defensive end in their 3-4 for years to come.
Edgar Terrell
WR – Holy Cross – 6’ 1” – 210 lbs.
5th Round. Pick #5-22. #150 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.20
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.40
Key Combine Scores: Solecismic 24
Actuals: 27/48
The extra 5th round pick allowed ACI to take a flyer on a WR. Terrell had good, not great, combine numbers across the board and looks like he should be a sure handed, deep threat who can make the clutch catches needed to move the chains. If not, he will join a long list of failed WR draft picks for the Phantoms.
Justin Hoover
RB – Mississippi – 5’ 8” – 210 lbs.
6th Round. Pick #6-20. #180 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.90
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 5.20
Key Combine Scores: Position Drill 25
Actuals: 28/39
At draft time, ACI had only one RB on the roster so getting at least one in the draft was a must. Hoovers skillset fits as a 3rd down back with very good receiving numbers. His combine numbers were all good so the talent appears to be there.
Donovan Hines
G – TCU – 6’ 3” – 289 lbs.
7th Round. Pick #7-20. #148 Overall
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.40
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.20
Key Combine Scores: Dash 5.17
Actuals: 12/43
With their last pick in the draft, ACI went for a road grader on the offensive line in Hines. Hines had an excellent 40 yard dash time which should combine with his initial run blocking bars to provide a strong situational run blocker.
Rookie Free Agents
Clyde Gonzalez
G – Kansas St. – 6’ 1” – 300 lbs.
Rookie Free Agent
Pre-Draft Grade: 4.50
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 4.30
Key Combine Scores: Agility 7.79
Actuals: 15/51
At pick 7-20, the ACI war room actually flipped a coin to see if they would draft Donovan Hines or Gonzalez. Hines ended up being the choice but Gonzalez was the first rookie free agent the team went after and a deal was quickly made. A switch to Center might be on the table for Gonzalez as the only Center on the roster is Shepard.
Carl Redding
G – Alabama – 6’ 2” – 301 lbs.
Rookie Free Agent
Pre-Draft Grade: 3.90
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 3.70
Key Combine Scores: Solecismic 40, Broad jump 8’ 4”
Actuals: 15/51
While talking to the coaches at Alabama regarding future 1st round pick Myers, ACI was told to give a look at guard Redding. Redding has only played football for 2 years (5% developed) but his combine numbers included recording the third highest numbers in Solecismic, 40-time and Broad jump. He is a project but a chance worth taking in free agency.
Russell Franz
WLB – Iowa – 6’ 1” – 244 lbs.
Rookie Free Agent
Pre-Draft Grade: 3.60
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: 3.40
Key Combine Scores: None
Actuals: 3/44
Franz had a very poor combine with poor scores in four of the drills. However, he is excellent against the run and can play bump and run defense. Look for a switch to WILB where his skills are a better fit.
Barry Babka
DT – Florida – 6’ 3” – 307 lbs.
Rookie Free Agent
Pre-Draft Grade: 3.80
Pre-Draft Adjusted Grade: Solecismic 30, 40 Time 4.98
Key Combine Scores: None
Actuals: 21/39
Babka has excellent pass rush technique and strength who isn’t a very good run defender. As is often done with rookie free agents, ACI is going to experiment and move him to LDE where his pass rushing skills can be utilized in certain situations.
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