TRAINING CAMP NEWSI looked at all 32 teams and gave an assessment of how training camp impacted each team. I did use artistic license to add some humor to several teams so take it as such!
ARIZONAThey land 3 depth pieces in the first 3 rounds and the 2nd round DB shined and could work his way into a bigger role as his career progresses. The 1st round pass catcher should find a role in the offense.
ATLANTANo rookies in camp this season as Atlanta ownership has declared they are perfect as is and nobody can beat them anyway! Ownership can't be seen anywhere without his 2 Title trophies since he hired a 4 man team to carry them behind him everywhere he goes! His wife has raised concerns over this privately and many are wondering aloud if it could end the marriage.
BROOKLYNThey found a starting defensive end for the next 10 seasons in the 1st round and another depth defensive lineman/linebacker in the 2nd. They may have found a possible starting offensive linemen in the 3rd based on their roster but he is definately a keeper.
BUFFALOBuffalo rarely uses draft picks as they view them more as trade capital to acquire proven talent. In fact, the draft room consists of the owners nephew Bruce who plays fantasy football, the teams strength & conditioning coach Sal who benches 450 lbs and a homeless guy named "Conspiracy Joe" who lives just outside Buffalo's headquarters. They drafted 3 players who will be cut before ever reaching the facility and 1 RB out of Toledo who may find a home as a blocker. Buffalo has just 1 player they drafted on their roster and that's backup QB Francis Martinez who was drafted in the 7th round way back in the 2030 draft! Even he had been released twice, played with Houston 1 season and has signed 1 year contracts the past 4 seasons.
CAROLINAThey found a starting LB in the 1st round and 4 offensive linemen in the 2nd & 3rd rounds who could all eventually start including thus season. They added a DB in the 4th who should make the team plus had 4 more picks in the 4th-7th round who will probably be cut.
CINCINNATICincinnati is in the midst of a rebuild and this draft was all about finding a francise quarter. Remy Beaucamp was the #1 overall selection and after camp all signs point to him becoming a stud in this league. They added a serviceable RB in the 2nd round who could possibly start unless Pine or Moore is given a chance there. They had 3 picks in the 6th & 7th round which should be cuts but a DB from the 6th has a shot to make the roster.
DAKOTAThey are coming off thier 6th lose in the XFL Title game and ownership traded away all this years picks except a lone 7th rounder so they could take a sabbatical far away in a tropical climate. In fact, during the draft when Dakota was on the clock, the only person in the facility to answer the phone was Gus Riley, a janitor who used his unexpected platform to draft his Nephew, John Riley, a TE out of Connecticut. He was cut 2 hours later.
DAYTONAThey landed a solid WR in the 1st round who could be as high as WR3 this season. They had a huge swing and a miss in the 2nd round on an offensive lineman who showed up at camp looking lost and out of shape. They got a hit in the 3rd round when a slower LB impressed turning camp and may win a starting job. They took a flyer in the 4th round on an interior defensive lineman who very well could stick with the team based on depth. The 3 late picks in the 5th-7th rounds look like camp casualties except the QB taken in the 5th based purely on needing a backup.
GEM CITYThey had no 1st rounder this year, only 4 picks in the 2nd-5th round but while they didn't hit any homeruns, all 4 picks should/could make the roster including 2 LBs, a DE and an offensive playmaker. The 4 picks all need to lose weight so the conditioning coach will have his hands full.
HOUSTONHouston landed a starting CB in the 1st, a possible starting TE/WR in the 2nd and a surprise future francise QB in the 3rd round before falling flat with the 4th-7th round picks. Houston has been on the verge on winning a Title tge past several seasons and its picks like this that will keep them relevant moving forward.
INDIANAThey had no 1st or 2nd round pick this year but they may have struck gold in the 3rd with a future francise QB who exceeded all expectations in camp. They also found a fast WR in the 4th who adds great blocking and defensive linemen in the 6th who should make the roster. 3 out of 7 is great considering the highest pick was in tge 3rd round.
KANSAS CITYThey landed an elite WR/RB with the 4th overall pick. They added another RB with speed in the 2nd round which gives them a deep & versatile group of offensive playmakers. Then they scored a starting safety in the 3rd along with possible depth at TE in the 4th, SS in the 6th and RT in the 7th. Even if the late round depth pieces don't pan out, 2 starters and a rotational RB make this a great draft.
LOS ANGELESThey have 6 picks in the first 3 rounds and 9 overall which they turned into a potential starting QB, a starting CB, a quality WR, a hybrid TE/FB/RB/WR, depth at DT, possible depth at LB ×2 plus depth at OL ×2. One of the OL could possible start meaning they landed upwards of 5 starters & 4 depth players with 3 depth players on the bubble. One huge draft for LA looking to end 3 straight losing seasons.
MEMPHISThey have 10 draft picks but no 1st rounder this season. They scored possible starters at DE (2nd), OL (4th) & RB (5th) plus possible depth at RB & WR. Up to 50% could make the roster for a team that has made the postseason 2 straight seasons.
MIAMIThey drafted a RT in the 1st round which should have completed their dominate offensive line but he showed up to camp out of shape, with a triple cheeseburger in one hand and a lit Marlboro in the other hand asking where the cafeteria was! He should make the team but if he starts is still in question. They drafted a blocking FB on the 2nd round and some scouts think he is a better offensive lineman right now then the 1st round pick. In the 3rd & 4th rounds, they landed a defensive end & defensive tackle who both should be rotational depth players. They also draft a DB in the 5th would could add depth to the unit. The 3 late picks in the 6th & 7th look like cuts.
MICHIGANThey drafted a TE in the 1st round that raised eyebrows during the draft. He had a solid camp but unfortunately he doesn't have great overall talent. They did better in the 2nd & 3rd with a solid WR & RB who both had good camps and will make the roster. In the 4th & 5th they took 2 LBs who are both fringe players and 1 might transition to defensive end. The 6th & 7th saw them take a LT & C where the LT has a chance to stick while the C is cut bait.
MONTANAThey drafted a WR in the 1st round who should start immediately and a DB in the 2nd round that despite lacking speed showed elite cover skills and will get a chance to play for the team. From the 3rd-7th they drafted 3 LBs, a center and a WR/RB hyrid. The 5 players all have a chance to make the roster as depth.
NEW ENGLANDThey drafted a CB in the 1st who should start somewhere in the secondary. In the 2nd, they took a WR who will see playing time as he works into the rotation. They drafted a DB & LB in the 3rd & 4th and the DB could stick as safety depth while the LB is on the bubble. They took 2 OL in the 5th & 6th and the 6th rounder impressed in camp and may Crack the roster as depth. The 7th round DT looks like a clear cut.
NEW YORKThey took a RG in the 1st round and he will make the team and develop as depth. They took a QB in the 2nd and he will make the team as a backup and brings speed to the position. In the 3rd, 4th & 5th, they landed a LB, RB & WR who all showed enough in camp to make the opening day roster. The 6th & 7th rounds saw them take a LB & DB and while the LB has no chance to make the team, the DB opened some eyes in camp and despite lacking pro speed, he has proven he can cover.
OAKLANDThey had the 8th ranked rushing offense but only 25th ranked pass offense last year so Oakland used thier first 3 picks (1st/4th/4th) on WRs. They hit a homerun in the 1st round while going 50/50 in the 4th. The 1st rounder is a duel-threat playmaker while 1 of the 4th rounders will get some playing time and the other will most likely be cut. In the 5th, 6th & 7th they found some possible diamonds in the rough as all 3 have a shot to make the roster as depth.
PHILADELPHIAThey drafted a starting offensive linemen in the 1st round, a potential QB of the future in the 2nd and a LB in the 3rd who will make the depth chart on some level. They used their 2nd 3rd rounder on a project RB who needs time to lose weight and acclimate to the XFL. In the 4th round, they took a college DE and are transitioning him to OLB and he needs time to lose weight too. They had 4 picks in the 5th-7th where they chose a 3rd project, TE to RB, a straight DT, a slow WR and DE who will be cut. They have 59 players on tge roster and tge question will be how many projects from this draft can they keep.
PITTSBURGHThey used their 1st rounder on a DB who underwhelmed in camp but still has a chance to start. The 2nd round WR turned heads in camp and could become a star. Their other 2nd round pick, a DT looks like a steal. They had two 3rd rounders, a hybrid WR/RB who should get touches and a RG who stole the show in camp and looks like a 1st round talent. Their 6th & 7th rounders both had moments in camp and at least 1 should make the roster. All told, 7 picks, at least 6 stick with 3 possible starters, 2 solid depth and 1 project keeper.
PROVIDENCEThis was a big draft for Providence with 6 picks in the first 2 rounds and 11 Total picks. The 1st rounders include 2 starters at LB & RB and a complete bust at RB who showed up late to camp, missed meetings and thoroughly unimpressed coaches. The 2nd rounders include 2 offensive linemen and 1 defensive linemen, 1 OL should start while the other 2 2nd rounders will make the team and play. While one of the 1st round RBs disappointed, a 3rd round RB shined to ease the sting of the draft bust. The 4th-7th round picks feature a DB/LB who could stick, a quality K, a Longshot WR and a QB that won't make it.
SAINT PAULThey used the 2nd overall pick to take an elite LB who should lead this defense for the next 5-10 seasons. In the 3rd & 4th, they took 2 more LBs to add depth to the unit and 1 may stick on the roster. The last picks (5th-7th) had them take a DB, RB & C and only the RB did anything in camp to have a shot at making the roster.
SEATTLEThey had 11 picks including 7 in the first 3 rounds. They used both 1st rounders on a DB and a TE/RB/WR hybrid. The DB underwhelmed in camp but is still good enough to start. The hybrid is losing weight and has shown elite speed and its all a matter of how Seattle uses him. In the 2nd round they took a TE who wowed coaches in camp plus a QB who may just be a future starter. They had three 3rd rounders and selected another QB, a defensive end and a LB/DE tweener. The 2nd QB showed flashes and the tweener should make the roster but the defensive end fell flat in camp. The last four picks were two WRs, a 3rd QB and a DE. One of the WRs had a great camp and should make the roster, the 3rd QB did pretty good but it's a numbers game at this point so he is probably cut but I wouldn't be surprised if he landed somewhere else. The DE & 2nd WR are most likely cuts with the DE on the bubble.
TAMPA BAYThey used their 1st rounder on a dominate, prototypical edge rusher and he showed in camp that he is the real deal. In the 2nd, they took a LB who dominated in camp and showed he could start in this league. The 3rd & 4th had them take a DB & RB where both add speed to their units and should easily make the roster. The 5th-7th round picks were LG, WR & TE. The LG pleasantly surprised in camp plus the WR has decent speed which gives him a chance but the TE will most likely be cut.
TEXASThey had 11 picks including 5 in the first 3 rounds. They took a QB & DE in the 1st, a DT in the 2nd and a DB & WR in the 3rd. All 5 will make tge roster with upwards of 3 starting including the DE immediately and possibly the DT & QB eventually. They took a WR & LB in the 4th and the LB with make the depth chart while the WR will most likely be cut. They had four picks late (5th-7th) including a DB, DT, RB & TE where only the DB seems likely to make the roster and the other 3 will be cut but the DT is on the bubble.
TORONTOThey took DBs with their first 3 picks (1st/2nd/4th) and all 3 should make the roster with the 4th rounder making it mainly for his speed and special team ability. The three late picks (5th-7th) were WR, DB & LT and all three seem like future cuts but the DB has a little speed which might sneak him onto the back end of the roster.
VANCOUVERThey had 9 picks including 5 in the first 3 rounds. They had two 1st rounders which they used on a CB & WR. The CB is the real deal and will start week 1. The WR "Salty Talty" had off the field issues in college which dropped his draft stock but he showed up to camp in great shape and all business. He has rewarded Vancouver's faith in him and will be a starter on opening day. In the 2nd & 3rd they took two WRs and a LT. One WR is more of a TE/WR and should also start quickly while the other WR should make the roster and see time on the field while the LT was a disappointment in camp but might still make the roster. They took a LG in the 4th who outperformed the 3rd round LT and has a chance to be a backup with occasional starts. The late picks (5th-7th) were LB, K & QB where the LB
is on the bubble to make the roster but the Kicker seems like a stud and the QB makes the roster based on need for a backup. Great draft!
VEGASThey had 9 picks but only 2 in the first 3 rounds. In the 1st round, they took a Center who will start for them for the next 10-15 years. They took a LB in the 2nd round who showed great leadership and skills in camp and the team may use him as a edge linemen/outside linebacker hybrid. They had three 4th rounders which they used on a DB & 2 LBs. The DB and 1 LB should make the roster as depth while the other LB gets cut. The late picks (5th-7th) were LB & 2 DBs and all 3 appear to be cuts.
WASHINGTONA tradional draft for Washington with 7 picks, one in each round. The 1st was a LB who should become a starter quickly. The 2nd rounder was a TE who while not spectacular, will easily make the roster with starter potential. The 3rd was a DB with elite speed which should guarantee he makes the roster and sees the field at times. The 4th & 5th saw them take 2 playmakers, a RB & WR ans the 4th rounder will make the roster based on his speed and the 5th rounder has a chance to Crack the 53 man roster. The 6th & 7th saw them take a C & QB and while tge QB will be cut, the Center turned eyes in camp and has a solid chance to stick on the 53 man roster.
ZEHLENDORFAlso a tradional draft for Zehlendorf with 7 picks, one in each round. The 1st rounder was a WR who struggled at times in camp but will still start. They took a FB in the 2nd round and he looks like a battering ram on offense so the team should be using a FB more this season. The 3rd & 4th rounders were WR & LB and clearly the team has focused on improving team speed. While the WR is on the bubble, the LB will not only make the roster but could start. The late picks (5th-7th) were WR & 2 LBs where the WR has elite speed which gives him a chance but the 2 LBs were cuts.
