The 2021 Bantha Skull Vintage Collection Draft

In honor of the NFL Draft, Bantha Skull is conducting our own Vintage Collection version. As we all know, the deeper you go through any draft, the picks get a little weaker (but you can still find a Hall of Famer in the 6th Round). So here's how the rounds will work.

Round 1: Never before made background character
Round 2: 100% newly tooled figure update (no restrictions)
Round 3: 100% newly tooled PT alien
Round 4: Original 96er
Round 5: 100% newly tooled core character update
Round 6: Repaint
Round 7: Repack

Also, this is a pre-merger draft. Chris represents the AFL and Bret represents the NFL. They can each draft the same figure. Finally, we will have guest analysis of the picks by K’el Ripem and Shae Mc’Todd. Ready? Chris is on the clock...

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Chris: Senni Tonnika

Shea Mc’Todd: Chris clearly went for a figure of need here. The left side of his cantina display is pretty sparse. Great pick and a potential All Pro.

Bret: Bob Hudsol

K’el Ripem: Bret may have reached here with this pick. He is clearly looking to fill a void in his Yavin Medal Ceremony diorama, but there may be limited sales potential. As a relatively plain human character, the coaching staff is going to have to make the most out Hudsol's award-winning facial hair. Also, Hudsol has multi-positional skills and can easily be repainted and retooled to play other roles. But it remains to be seen if all of this will be enough to make this selection worthwhile for the franchise.

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Bret: Bib Fortuna

Shea Mc’Todd: After the Jets just sent their fans into a murderous rage by selecting Shirtless Kylo Ren, Fortuna falls right into Bret's lap. There's no way he was thinking this was a possibility when he was mulling his pre-draft options, but adding this overdue character update to the roster is going to make an immediate impact in any display featuring Jabba the Hutt's gang.

Chris: Snowtrooper

K’el Ripem: WOW! No one saw this coming. It's well known this guy loves background characters. Most mock drafts projected EV-9D9 here. This is a case of a copy cat league. Chris clearly saw what Hasbro did with the VC140 - Stormtrooper and wants to bring that to Hoth.

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Chris: Ki-Adi-Mundi

Shea Mc’Todd: No surprise here. It's well known in league circles that Chris was high on this guy. It's not a flashy pick, but it's a safe one. Like drafting an Offensive Guard.

Bret: Ki-Adi-Mundi

K’el Ripem: Alert the presses. We have a Billy Cannon situation. Let's hope Ki-Adi-Mundi doesn't sign a contract with both leagues like Cannon did. This one may need to be settled by the Jedi Council, on which Ki-Adi-Mundi sits. Talk about a conflict of interests. What a nightmare.

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Bret: Episode IV Luke Skywalker

Shea Mc’Todd: This might be a reach. Episode IV Luke would probably be available in Round 5. It's a shock with Sim Aloo still on the board. I guess it shows you what the league thinks of Sim Aloo.

Chris: Tessek (Squidhead)

K’el Ripem: This guy drafts Jabba's Palace denizens like Matt Millen drafts wide receivers. This pick makes sense because Chris' action figure team has some glaring weaknesses in Sail Barge formations.

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Chris: Princess Leia (Ewok Village)

Shea Mc’Todd: Total reach here. How do you go with Ewok Village Leia when Episode IV Leia is on the board? This is clear a case of Chris thinking that he can pick up Episode IV Leia in free agency. Risky move.

Bret: Emperor Palpatine

K’el Ripem: Every team needs a rat. An instigator. The trash talker who gets under the other team's skin. Palpatine once provoked a father and son into dueling to the death. This is a great sneaky pick up by Bret.

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Bret: Ahsoka Clone Trooper

Shea Mc’Todd: This guy drafts characters out of the 501st like Belichick drafts safeties form Rutgers. Lets hope this pick has the longevity of Devin McCourty. Something tells me it will.

Chris: Shoretrooper Captain

K’el Ripem: Again going with a safe pick here. The Shoretrooper is popular with fans, and this will definitely sell jerseys in the Pro Shop. Some analysts expected an Animated Debut Boba Fett here, but that would probably require some slight retooling. Chris is in "win now" mode, and there's no time for that.

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Chris: Echo Base Trooper

Shea Mc’Todd: This is the steal of the draft. This is the best 7th Round pick since Julian Edelman.

Bret: ARC Trooper Jesse

K’el Ripem: Again with the 501st. Bret hoards 501st like Gruden hoards QB's, but this pick is much better than giving Marcus Mariota a lot of money in free agency. He's not Echo or Fives, but he'll fight dirty in the trenches. His only real negative is that time he picked up the fumble and rumbled [Order] 66 yards the wrong way. It's something he'll have to overcome, but still a nice 7th rounder.

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Well that's a wrap for the 2021 Bantha Skull Vintage Collection Draft. There were some solid selections, a few surprises, and a questionable pick or two added to these collections. It's going to be an exciting season, unless you're the Jets...

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