1.12 New Orleans Chocolate City — RB Ronnie Hillman

In the real world: Hillman went pro after his redshirt sophomore season and was taken by the Denver Broncos in Round 3. Steve Muench (Scouts, Inc.) wrote on February 14: "Hillman is the kind of undersized (5-10, 192 pounds) back with durability concerns that teams normally shy away from. He carried the ball 311 times in 2011 and that kind of wear and tear will only increase concerns about him being nicked up. Hillman also had ball security issues. However, he is only 20 years old and played just two seasons at San Diego State, meaning he still has plenty of unrealized potential. Hillman is a slippery runner who could turn into a valuable third-down contributor if he can get stronger." Mel Kiper pointed out that Hillman produced like he did last year despite the fact that San Diego State no longer had Vincent Brown or DeMarco Sampson. Could he be another clone of Darren Sproles?

In the TUFF world: New Orleans made this pick to get both additional depth at running back, not to mention a potential starter (the Broncos' other RBs are Knowshon Moreno, who has been hurt in each of the last two years; and Willis McGahee, who turned 30 last October). As it is, their #2 RB (Fred Jackson) could be stuck in a timeshare.  But one caveat: Two years ago, Ken Mach mentioned that the reason he passed on Kevin Smith in 2008 was that "they burned him in college with all those carries" (referring to Smith's final year at Central Florida when he had a whopping 450 carries in 14 games). Smith has gotten nicked up every season in the pros, and he's about 20 pounds heavier than Hillman.

2.05 New Orleans Chocolate City — RB Bernard Pierce

In the real world: SI.com's Tony Pauline has compared him to Curtis Martin last summer. Kevin Weidl calls him a good fit for a zone-blocking team. Steve Muench wrote back on February 16: “He is a powerful runner who can grind out tough yards between the tackles and pick up yards after contact. However, the combine isn't a great platform for Pierce's greatest strengths: his power and determination.” He never played a full season at Temple—a series of minor injuries kept him from doing that. With the Ravens, he'll replace the retired Ricky Williams as the Ravens' #2 back.

In the TUFF world: Running backs can be found in Round 3 of the NFL Draft, like Frank Gore and Jamaal Charles. But Pierce's job situation is different than theirs in that he's stuck behind Ray Rice, one of the NFL's rare every-down backs, which means he has more value to the Indy Hoosier Daddy's than anyone else. I realize that New Orleans is rebuilding its depth at RB, just not sure about passing up WR A.J. Jenkins for Pierce. (I know, I passed up Jenkins, too, but I have an excuse.)

2.10 New Orleans Chocolate City — WR Nick Toon

	In the real world: The main reason the 6'3", 220-lb. Nick Toon wasn't that productive at Wisconsin is that the Badgers' offense is more run-heavy than ever. Steve Muench last December 27: "Toon has just average burst, but he's a crafty and physical route-runner who creates enough separation to be effective working against underneath man coverage. He excels at locating seams in zone looks and is fast enough to stretch the field. And while Toon doesn't make many defenders miss, he is a tough open-field runner who can pick up some yards after contact." He managed to run in the 4.5s at the Combine despite a foot injury (he developed plantar fasciitis in his left foot while training for the Combine), then improved to 4.43 at his Pro Day. The concern with that foot injury is that it could be a recurring issue, which could explain why he fell to the 122nd pick in the NFL Draft.
	In the TUFF world: This pick is a very good one for the Chocolate City because, in addition to his talent, he is a handcuff for one of their top WRs, Marques Colston. In fact, Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael compares Toon to Colston.
	TUFF Trivia: Toon is the son of New York Jets great Al Toon, a three-time Pro Bowl WR who also went to Wisconsin. Al Toon, who was taller and lighter (and probably faster) than his son, would probably have been a Hall of Famer if concussions had not cut his career short.

3.11 New Orleans Chocolate City — RB Terrance Ganaway

In the real world: A big (241 lb.) north-south runner but with little in the way of acceleration or speed. Scouts, Inc. on February 10: "His blend of patience, burst and size jumps out on film. He can make defenders miss or run them over when he gets into space. (But he) doesn't have a lot of experience catching the football or running routes, and his technique in pass protection was inconsistent both on film and at the Senior Bowl." Steve Muench wrote on February 14: "Ganaway is the first big back on the list, measuring 5-11 and 241 pounds. He's a former Houston transfer coming off a breakout senior season, and Ganaway's blend of size, burst and lateral mobility jumps out at times on film. He's capable of running over defenders or making them miss when he gets into space, but his ability to contribute on third down is a concern." The New York Jets drafted him in Round 7 to add another bruising back to the "ground-and-pound" attack. NFLDraftScout.com compares him to Issac Redman (Steelers).

In the TUFF world: New Orleans adds yet another running back to its stable. Three picks, three running backs so far for the Chocolate City. Ganaway may not have a great job situation now—Shonn Greene, Joe McKnight and Bilal Powell are ahead of him on the Jets' roster—but if Greene gets hurt, Ganaway might get some goal-line carries.

4.11 New Orleans Chocolate City — TE Michael Egnew

In the real world: Egnew had a breakout junior season in 2010. Mel Kiper said of him in November of that year: "He is someone who's capable of stretching the deep middle... the thing that has impressed me throughout the season is his ability to routinely make acrobatic catches." Egnew joins Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman as tight ends who produced a great deal at Missouri and got drafted into the NFL. Trouble is, Rucker and Coffman fizzled after that, making you wonder if their stats are the product of Missouri's spread offense. Now a Miami Dolphin, Egnew will compete with the smaller Charles Clay and slower seventh-year veteran Anthony Fasano for receptions.

In the TUFF world: We, the owners of the 16 teams of TUFF, have greatly tempered our expectations of Missouri tight ends, which is why Egnew falls to the sixth-to-last pick in this draft. I like his job situation in Miami for this reason (I know, I already mentioned it in Indy's pick of Ladarius Green): New Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin was the offensive coordinator at Green Bay, where he found ways to get the ball to all their receivers, including Jermichael Finley (who is similar in size to Egnew and had his best season with 767 yards and 8 TDs last year).