London Ballin - The Story of the London Monarchs

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London Monarchs
@LondonMonarchs

We have signed DL Michael Bennett.

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Ronald Crump
@realRonaldCrump

I have traded the first pick to Tennessee. They gave us the fourth pick plus 1st and 2nd round picks next season. Great trade. Very smart, very shrewd. Great GM.

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MONARCHS NEWS WIRE

MONARCHS DRAFT SOUTH CAROLINA OT DEONTAY DOWNING



ROUND 1 PICK 4
DEONTAY DOWNING
OT | SOUTH CAROLINA
6'7" | 312 | 22

Downing was the top rated pass blocker in all of college football last season. He should start at LT from day one for the Monarchs. He is a big, strong, prototypical tackle. He needs some polishing but should have all the physical tools to succeed. He turned in one of the best vertical and broad jump performances for offensive linesmen at the combine and was near the top in the bench press. His 5.24 40 left something to be desired but it is likely the last time he will be asked to run 40 yards.

This pick should allow London to move Ja'Quan Lamb to right tackle, where he may be a better fit. London is expected to draft a number of offensive linesmen as last year's unit was bad and filled with stop gap players.

Pick Grade: A-, there were better players on the board but this was a really good pick at a position of need.

Combine Results
40 Yard Dash: 5.24
Vert Jump: 28.1"
Broad Jump: 10'5"
Three Cone: 7.58
20 Yd Shuttle: 4.73
Bench Press: 36

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MONARCHS NEWS WIRE

MONARCHS DRAFT WASHINGTON RB NICK GILCHRIST



ROUND 1 PICK 24
NICK GILCHRIST
RB | WASHINGTON
5'9" | 185 | 21

Nick Gilchrist is explosive. A jack of all trades at Washington Gilchrist led the team in rushing and receiving yardage last season and also led the nation in plays over 20 yards. He is a great receiver and a solid outside runner. Despite his size he still has a reasonable amount of strength and does finish runs with power when needed. Gilchrist should be a great compliment to Jordan Howard, giving the Monarchs versatility and a nice one, two punch. Gilchrist could also be used as a kick and punt returner, though he hasn't done that since his freshman season at Washington.

Gilchrist put on a clinic at the combine, finishing in the top ten among runningbacks in every category. He was top four in everything except bench press.

Pick Grade: A, this was a BPA pick all the way. Many expected Gilchrist to go in the top 15.

Combine Results
40 Yard Dash: 4.40
Vert Jump: 36.0"
Broad Jump: 9'11""
Three Cone: 6.82
20 Yd Shuttle: 4.10
Bench Press: 20

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MONARCHS NEWS WIRE

MONARCHS DRAFT EDGE ALLEN DIXON



ROUND 2 PICK 1
ALLEN DIXON
EDGE | TEMPLE
6'3" | 254 | 22

Dixon only started for one year for Temple but he put up 12 sacks and got scouts very excited with his athleticism and potential. Some felt he could be a first round pick. He was in the top five for every category at the combine except bench press.

Pick Grade: A-, Dixon looks to be a talented player but the team has some talent and depth at the position already.

Combine Results
40 Yard Dash: 4.69
Vert Jump: 33.1"
Broad Jump: 10'6"
Three Cone: 7.27
20 Yd Shuttle: 4.47
Bench Press: 25

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London Monarchs
@LondonMonarchs

We have traded R2P25 to the Saints for R3P71 and 2022 R6.

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MONARCHS NEWS WIRE

MONARCHS SELECT CMU LB ROUTT



ROUND 3 PICK 1
VERNON ROUTT
LB | CENTRAL MICHIGAN
5'11" | 249 | 22

After struggling to get on the field for his first three seasons at CMU Routt had a breakout senior campaign, posting 87 total tackles with nine tackles for loss. He also recorded and interception and a forced fumble plus a recovery.

Routt projects as a 4-3 middle linebacker and probably isn't a three down player. He hits with power and drives ball carriers backwards. He rarely misses a tackle.

Pick Grade: B, Routt should contribute in some way and he will provide much needed depth at the linebacker position.

Combine Results
40 Yard Dash: 4.86
Vert Jump: 30.1"
Broad Jump: 9'10"
Three Cone: 7.34
20 Yd Shuttle: 4.50
Bench Press: 24

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MONARCHS NEWS WIRE

MONARCHS ADD OLE MISS OL FOLSOM



ROUND 3 PICK 7
JOE FOLSOM
OL | MISSISSIPPI
6'7" | 322 | 22

Folsom played all over the offensive line during his three seasons at Ole Miss. He is a powerful run blocker but has shown some vulnerabilities in pass protection when on the outside against speed rushers. He projects as a guard despite his ideal tackle build.

Pick Grade: A, the Monarchs need to improve their offensive line in a major way. Folsom should at worst be a versatile backup and will certainly have a shot at starting somewhere on the line.

Combine Results
40 Yard Dash: 5.22
Vert Jump: 26.6"
Broad Jump: 9'10"
Three Cone: 7.87
20 Yd Shuttle: 4.95
Bench Press: 37

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MONARCHS NEWS WIRE

MONARCHS DRAFT WASHINGTON SAFETY BLACKBURN



ROUND 3 PICK 28
DWAYNE BLACKBURN
S | WASHINGTON
6'3" | 195 | 22

Blackburn is a versatile safety who can play in the box or deep. He tallied 59 tackles with two for loss last season. One concern about Blackburn is that he has not recorded an interception during his time at Washington. He is a solid tackler and chases down plays well. Aside from a 4.57 40 yard dash time he was in the top five in every category for safeties at the combine.

Pick Grade: B, if you asked all 32 teams where they had Blackburn on their board you would have gotten several different answers ranging from mid second round to priority free agent. He should be a nice depth piece and a special teams contributor who could develop into a starter.

Combine Results
40 Yard Dash: 4.57
Vert Jump: 34.5"
Broad Jump: 10'5"
Three Cone: 6.94
20 Yd Shuttle: 4.19
Bench Press: 22

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MONARCHS NEWS WIRE

MONARCHS DRAFT OT AMELL FROM MARYLAND



ROUND 4 PICK 1
COLIN AMELL
OT | MARYLAND
6'5" | 311 | 23

Amell is a great pass blocker who spent most of his time at left tackle while at Maryland. He struggles a bit moving bigger defenders in the running game.

Amell projects as a tackle in the NFL and should have a shot at being the team's swing tackle this season.

Pick Grade: A, Scouts had Amell ranked higher than this, mostly as a mid-third rounder. The team's staff felt offensive line was the biggest team need so they continue to load up at the position.

Combine Results
40 Yard Dash: 5.08
Vert Jump: 26.2"
Broad Jump: 9'7"
Three Cone: 7.63
20 Yd Shuttle: 4.71
Bench Press: 33