Barstool Chicago Christmas Song Draft Grades

Barstool Chicago is back with another snake draft. This week the Barstool Chicago crew was joined by Rico Bosco to draft Christmas songs. 

                                

Round 1, Pick 1:"Christmas"-Darlene Love, Chief

Chief is known to slip up in the first rounds of drafts, taking both Burrata Salad and Exchange rates in the first round. This selection can be added to the list. I mean there was a clear and obvious first pick and he blew it. Hats off to him for not pandering. Despite this, he still got one of the better picks of the first round.

Grade: C+

Round 1, Pick 2: "All I want for Christmas is You"- Mariah Carey, White Sox Dave

After having a weak stretch of drafts, Dave has a steal of the century selecting All I want for Christmas is you with the second overall pick. There isn't much to say, Dave got the best song.

Grade: A+

Round 1, Pick 3: "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays"- *NSYNC, Carl

This was a bit of a head-scratcher. Don't get me wrong, this song is an absolute banger, but it was a bit of a stretch. In all honesty it probably could've fallen to the third or fourth round. I understand the logic behind the pick, but this situation could've been handled better. 

Grade: C-

Round 1, Pick 3: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"- Frank Sinatra, Eddie

This wasn't the best pick from the commissioner right here. While the song is an all-time classic, it probably wasn't a first round pick. The song isn't as versatile as the other selections, however is has stood the test of time. 

Grade: C

Round 1, Pick 2: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"-Bruce Springsteen, Rico

This wasn't the best song selected in the first round, but it is solid. I've never met someone outwardly dislike this song, and it isn't overplayed in the malls or on the radio. A solid value pick.

Grade: B

Round 2, Pick 1: "Mistletoe"- Justin Bieber, Rico

I was stunned by this pick. Like what the hell was Rico thinking?! In all honesty, the song isn't bad but this was a hell of a reach. This reminds me of the Bears trading up for Trubisky, when he probably wasn't even being taken in the fist round. This was a terrible pick and it doesn't help that the second round was absolutely loaded.

Grade: F

Round 2, Pick 2: "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"- Andy Williams, Eddie

Eddie makes up for his first round blunder by selecting a solid song. This song is an absolute classic and is underrated in my opinion. It doesn't have the eye appeal and didn't light it up at the combine, but this song has all the intangibles. It is also a very good song to listen to when you decorate your house.

Grade: B+

Round 2, Pick 3: "Run Rudolph Run"- Chuck Berry, Carl

This song is always a nice change of pace at Christmas time. It's not too traditional but not too "poppy" and is a good balance in the playlist. It also gets bonus points for being in the airport scene in Home Alone.

Grade: A-

Round 2, Pick 4: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"- Brenda Lee, White Sox Dave

Talk about a steal. How this gem fell to number nine is absolutely absurd. This song easily could've been second overall. According to my personal preference, Dave has two of the top five Christmas songs ever. What a pick, Dave is out to an early lead.

Grade: A+

Round 2, Pick 5: "Merry Christmas Baby"- Otis Redding, Chief

Chief wanting to be true to himself has cost him yet again. While this song isn't bad, it has absolutely no name recognition whatsoever. This is like selecting an FCS quarterback in the late first round. Nobody knows who it is or if they're even good. This pick could've made it to the fourth or fifth round and would've looked better on the graphic.

Grade: D

Round 3, Pick 1: "Do You Hear What I Hear?"- Whitney Houston, Chief

This was a complete 180 from Chiefs first two selections because this was an absolutely wonderful pick. This song is always great in the playlist and is a great modern rendition of a classic. Houston has great range on the song and it is very underrated.

Grade: B

Round 3, Pick 2: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"- The Jackson 5, White Sox Dave

White Sox Dave must've been very upset with his recent draft performances because this another home run pick. Although this song might be a bit overplayed, it has held the test of time as an elite Christmas song. 

Grade: B+

Round 3, Pick 3: "Baby it's Cold Outside"- Dean Martin, Carl

This song reminds me a lot fo Laremy Tunsil. It's a great pick even though it has some controversy. Carl got a solid selection, even though some people might not like it. If you look at this song with his other picks, Carl is building a very versatile draft.

Grade: B

Round 3, Pick 4: "All Alone on Christmas"- Darlene Love, Eddie

So this was a whiff by Ed. A decent song, but it has absolutely no name recognition. I don't think it will play well on the graphic whatsoever despite it being a decent song.

Grade: D

Round 3, Pick 5: "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing"- from It's a wonderful life, Rico

Rico seems to have learned from his mistakes with taking a solid third round selection. It's a good traditional pick and will appeal to the church-going listeners. 

Grade: B

Round 4, Pick 1: "Dominic the Donkey"- Lou Monte, Rico

And just like that, Rico is back to a bad pick. The song isn't that bad, but certainly not top 25. It's pretty funny and catchy. It's nice to listen to at the bar, but probably doesn't make most playlists.

Grade: C-

Round 4, Pick 2: "The Twelve Days of Christmas"- Frederic Austin, Eddie

Another below average pick for Eddie. While I don't hate the song, it's simply just too long. However I'm not sure it is an outwardly disliked song. I think it will play well on the graphic, but the song overall isn't anything special.

Grade: C-

Round 4, Pick 3: "Underneath the Tree"- Kelly Clarkson

This is the Tom Brady of the draft. Underneath the Tree is an absolute banger. Up to this point Carl had a pretty pedestrian draft and this kinda turned it around. I think this song probably could've went in the second round. It is a great song to listen to while shopping, while decorating, and during parties. It is very versatile.

Grade: A

Round 4, Pick 4: "Baby It's Cold Outside"- Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé - White Sox Dave

Not all of your picks will be home runs and this was probably a hard hit ground ball. I don't think this song makes too many playlists and is just kinda meh. This is WSD's second "copycat" pick, which is picking an already selected song with a different artist. However the drop off in quality for this version of "Baby it's Cold Outside" is much more significant than the drop-off between the two selected versions of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Not a great pick.

Grade: C-

Round 4, Pick 5: "Please Come Home for Christmas"- The Eagles, Chief

This was a good value pick for Chief. This is a great Christmas song to relax to. It is much more relaxed than most songs, and is a very good modern song. Not the prettiest selection, but pretty good.

Grade: B-

Round 5, Pick 1: "I'll be Home for Christmas"- Bing Crosby, Chief

After starting the draft off pretty weak, Chief ends with three pretty good selections which I thin will keep him on the graphic. This is one of the better non-religious traditional Christmas songs, and Bing has a beautiful voice. Great move by Chief and a great value pick.

Grade: B

Round 5, Pick 2: "White Christmas"- The Drifters, White Sox Dave

This was a safe pick from WSD. The song won't win the draft, but it certainly won't lose it. I'm not sure there is anyone that dislikes this song and it is a great caroling song. A solid end to a very strong draft.

Grade: B-

Round 5, Pick 3: "Carol of the Bells"- Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Carl

A good pick by Carl to end this draft. This definitely wasn't Carl's best draft, but it was good. I think the only thing deterring this pick is the fact that you can't sing along to it. Although it has lyrics, nobody knows them. Despite that, it was a solid pick.

Grade: B

Round 5, Pick 4: "Silent Night"- God, Eddie

This was probably Eddie's best pick. His draft was not very good, but this was the one bright spot. Silent night is always a classic and is great sing-a-long carol.

Grade: A-

Round 5, Pick 5: "Christmas in New York"- Shilelagh Law, Rico

This drafts Mr. Irrelevant was appropriately named because most people probably have never heard this song. The song is decent, but it has absolutely zero recognition and will definitely not play well on the graphic(if Rico is even on it).

Grade: D+

I'm not sure there is any draft that stands above the rest, since most of them are solid from top to bottom. With that being said, both Eddie and Rico's draft will probably be fighting for a spot on the graphic.

My Predicted Winner: White Sox Dave

My Predicted Loser : Eddie