2056 1st round draft review

Welcome to the 36th annual 1st round draft review.

****annual disclaimer****

The draft review is 100% my opinion based on my weights and my experience playing MFN!

****annual disclaimer****


MULTIPLE PICKS
Indiana ×3
Saint Paul ×2
Los Angeles ×2
Seattle ×2
Orlando ×2

NO PICKS
Buffalo
Daytona
Washington
Vegas
Randolph
Carolina

1.1
Orlando
FS John Frederick 32/93
Vol 44
6' 0" 216 lbs
Rutgers

Orlando is on a 5 year run of missing the postseason under 3 different owners and they hit rock bottom last year by going 0-16. That gave them the #1 overall pick which they used to select a DB with elite speed and intelligence who could become an ALLPRO if he develops into his full potential. Frederick could become a foundational player for the Guardians and he instantly improves the teams 29th ranked pass defense and 32nd ranked Total defense.

Great A+

1.2
Indiana
WR Orville Witten 37/87
Vol 96
5' 10" 208 lbs
Appalachia State

After back to back division Titles, Indiana fell to 8-8 in 2054 then 4-12 in 2055. They used the 2nd overall pick on a WR with elite or near elite measurables and a ton of potential but the pick comes with some risk as Witten comes from a smaller college program. If he reaches his potential, he could easily become an ALLPRO talent which means he has a very high ceiling but scouts worry he also has a very low threshold as his floor.

Grade A

1.3
Vancouver
SLB Bryan Lister 43/85
Vol 10
6' 0" 237 lbs
Dubuque

Vancouver has only won 10 games combined the last 4 seasons and but they had the 9th ranked pass offense last season so they drafted defense to improve their 27th ranked defense. They added a LB with elite intelligence and a legitimate 3 way backer with skills at run defense, pass rusher & pass coverage. He does only have average speed but the hope is his skill set and intelligence overcome his lack of high-end speed.

Grade A

1.4
Houston
RG Alan Lowe 30/92
Vol 8
6' 3" 313 lbs
Notre Dame

Houston has gone through 6 different owners in the last 8 seasons and Johnwaynecowboy enters his first full season with a tried and true beast OL to be an anchor on their offensive line for the next decade. Lowe should become a RG but can easily play all 5 positions on the line if needed.

Grade A

1.5
Seattle
CB Billy Walsh 38/86
Vol 76
6' 0" 216 lbs
Penn State

The defending Champs have the 5th overall pick and they select a CB to add to the league's #1 defense and 3rd ranked pass defense. Walsh has elite speed coupled with elite potential so the rich get richer despite this be a sorta risky pick where their is a high ceiling and low floor. Walsh could play anywhere in the secondary or even play LB if needed.

Grade A

1.6
Saint Paul
TE Mark Turner 34/85
Vol 62
6' 4" 255 lbs
Jackson State

Saint Paul hasn't won more than 5 games the last 17 seasons while going through 5 different owners. They use the 6th overall pick to select a college TE who has immense potential. Scouts see him playing anywhere from TE, FB to RB or WR depending on how he handles his first pro camp. He has one weakness and that's his speed witch is average for his size but he could get faster if he dropped some weight.

Grade A

1.7
Indiana
WR Glenn Moreno 37/80
Vol 78
6' 0" 190 lbs
Oregon

Indiana had the 27th ranked pass offense and 30th ranked Total offense last season so they drafted a WR with the 7th overall pick. QB Jeffrey Lowell was the #1 overall pick in 2054 and has lacked a true #1 WR his first few seasons. Moreno has world class speed and instantly gives them a homerun threat.

Grade A

1.8
Indiana
WR Robert Morrison 42/82
Vol 84
5' 11" 187 lbs
Stanford

Indiana selected back to back WRs in the draft and both have World class speed. QB Lowell instantly has 2 WRs with breakaway speed and he should finally start to show his true potential. This could go down as a francise changing draft if both these WRs reach their true potential in training camp. Great picks from Indiana and should put them back in contention for the AXC West next season.

Grade A

1.9
Los Angeles
RB Aldo Bryant 29/81
Vol 30
5' 11" 218 lbs
Southern Methodist

Los Angeles has missed the postseason the last 16 seasons despite winning at least 7 games in 9 of those 16 seasons including 4 years with winning records. They had the 23rd ranked offense last season along with the 14th ranked defense so they drafted a RB with the 9th overall pick. Bryant has slightly above average speed and good acceleration to go along with near elite ability to break tackles. He is also a solid receiver out of the backfield and should help improve the offense.

Grade A

1.10
Texas
WR Van McComb 33/75
Vol 38
6' 1" 186 lbs
Florida State

Texas made the postseason back in 2053 and appeared to be on the rise after back to back 0-16 seasons in 2051 & 2052. Unfortunately, they back slid the last 2 seasons going 5-11 & 6-10. McComb gives them a playmaker with legit world class speed and should help them get over the hump offensively after finishing in the middle with the 16th ranked offense.

Grade A

1.11
Oakland
MLB Jaime Akin 33/79
Vol 16
6' 0" 228 lbs
Washington

Washington won the 2050 NXC Conference Championship and have won no more then 5 games since! They had the 22nd ranked defense last season so they drafted a LB to help improve that unit. Akin has elite speed for his position and a full set of skills at LB which should instantly pay dividends next season.

Grade A

1.12
Philadelphia
SS Francesco Johnson 40/81
Vol 90
6' 0" 205 lbs
McNeese State

Philadelphia was a perennial playoff team for 15 straight years from 2038-2051. They have missed the postseason in 3 of the last 4 seasons and had the 22nd ranked offense and 21st ranked defense last year. With their best DBs starting to age out, they drafted a young DB to play along with and replace them. Johnson has elite potential cover skills but he lacks highend speed which he augments with near elite quickness and acceleration.

Grade A-

1.13
Saint Paul
RDE Tyler Raney 44/83
Vol 66
6' 2" 279 lbs
Georgia Tech

Saint Paul uses their 2nd of 2 1st rounders to take a defensive player to couple with the offensive player they took earlier in the draft. Raney is a prototype DE with a baseline skill set geared towards being someone that can set the edge and be a legit pass rusher for the next 5-10+ years.

Grade A

1.14
Dakota
CB Franklin Story 35/79
Vol 96
5' 10" 196 lbs
St. John Fisher

Dakota missed the postseason for just the 2nd time in league history after finishing 8-8 behind rookie QB Frank Crane. They had the 9th ranked offense and 11th ranked defense so they aren't that far off from returning to cintention. They decided to add a DB since the unit is starting to age out in Story. He has elite speed but it's kinda a gamble since he is coming from a smaller program who had their first player ever to be drafted in the 1st round. The hope is Story can transition to the Pro game and utilize his speed and high intelligence and become a starter.

Grade A-

1.15
Pittsburgh
DT Eugene Jones 26/85
Vol 20
6' 2" 285 lbs
Nebraska

Pittsburgh won the 2043 & 2045 AXC Conference Championships before missing the postseason in 9 of the last 10 seasons including the last 8 straight. They have gone a combined 32-32 the last 4 seasons so they added a DT to their 10th ranked defense and 6th ranked rush defense. Jones is a big bodied run stuffer with decent pass rusher skills at DT. Solid & safe pick!

Grade A

1.16
Los Angeles
QB Raul Castillo 24/87
Vol 76
6' 0" 206 lbs
Texas

Los Angeles used their 2nd of 2 1st rounders this draft on the best QB in the draft who fell to them at #16 overall. Considering the fact they used 3 different QBs last season, it screams that they haven't found their QB yet. Castillo has high football IQ and has what most would say is the complete package but as we all know, it's way more to just having the ability and skills to become an elite QB. It's always a roll of the dice and a great time to take it when you have multiple 1st round picks.

Grade A+




1.17
Phoenix
C Terrell Mcquire
Vol 6
6' 3" 287 lbs
Georgia Tech

Phoenix missed the postseason for the 2nd straight season for the first time since having a 13 year drought from 2027-2039. They used the 17th overall pick to select the best Center in the draft to beefen up their OL and improve their 17th rated offense. Very safe if not exciting pick which should pay dividends longterm.

Grade A-

1.18
New York
TE Patrick Brayton 33/79
Vol 94
6' 3" 232 lbs
North Carolina

New York just missed the playoffs after going 9-7 in the ultra competitive AXC East which sent 3 teams to the postseason. They selected a super versatile college TE with a wide set of skills and could easily transition from TE to FB, RB or even WR. He has good speed for a TE but might ne better served as either a back or receiver due to his size. Brayton had off the field issues which makes this sort of a gamble since he could bust in camp but if he booms he becomes a solid addition to last years 18th ranked offense.

Grade B+

1.19
Kansas City
LG James Coats 31/91
Vol 90
6' 2" 315 lbs
Memphis

Kansas City won the AXC West division Title last season despite finishing 8-8. With the division up for grabs next season, KC selected an offensive lineman with highend potential. Coats can play guard or tackle and it's all about how he transitions to the Pros in training camp.

Grade A

1.20
Seattle
CB Curtis McKenna 29/71
Vol 44
6' 0" 216 lbs
Louisiana State

The defending XFL Champs uses their second 1st round pick on another defensive back with elite speed. Last years #1 defense and #3 pass defense gets some reenforcement as they look to win back to back Titles for the first time since Atlanta won 8 straight Titles from 2041-2048.

Grade A

1.21
Gem City
WR Robert James 33/76
Vol 44
6' 0" 221 lbs
Tennessee State

Gem City has reached the playoffs in 17 of the last 19 seasons in large part to the draft. They hovered near the middle with the 16th ranked offense and 18th ranked defense last season. They selected a versatile offensive playmaker with very good speed that can play WR or possibly RB. James has high football IQ and a solid set of receiving skills which probably means his primary usage could be on the outside with occasional chances behind the QB.

Grade A

1.22
Toronto
RDE Charles Haman 30/68
Vol 20
6' 2" 270 lbs
Southern California

Toronto started last season 8-0 and looked poised to win the AXC North for the first time since 2040 before going 3-5 in the 2nd half of the season which landed them a Wildcard for the 4th time in the last 5 years. They had the 13th ranked defense and 5th best pass rush last year along with the 25th ranked offense. Surprisingly, they selected a DE with the 22nd overall pick to strengthen a strength from last season. Haman has elite speed and strength and a full set of high level measurables so Toronto is hoping he can improve overall from his college skills in the Pros.

Grade A-

1.23
Miami
CB Lindsey Cole 31/82
Vol 98
6' 0" 193 lbs
Carson-Newson

Miami broke a 20 year playoff drought last season by going 11-5 along with rival division opponents New England and Buffalo which landed them a Wildcard spot based on division record. They had the 7th ranked offense and 2nd ranked defense last year and they selected a defensive back to improve their biggest strength. Cole has near elite speed and potential to become a starter but coming from a smaller program it's a real gamble he improves during TC. At pick 23 in the 1st round, it's a reasonable gamble because his speed makes him a viable candidate to make the team in some aspect.

Grade A-

1.24
Memphis
LT Ralph Crose 36/78
Vol 20
6' 5" 298 lbs
Utah State

It's nice to have Timreesejr back in the XFL because he was one of the founding owners who owned Seattle for the first 21 seasons of the XFL. He is entering his 7th season as owner of Memphis and has reached the playoffs in 5 of his first 6 seasons. He had the 6th ranked offense and 7th ranked defense last year and selects an offensive lineman with the 24th overall pick. Crose has elite speed and strength and is a solid run blocker out of the gate. If he just remains at his potential, he can become a starter on day 1.

Grade A

1.25
Montana
RDE Christopher Spivey 31/82
Vol 98
6' 2" 259 lbs
Louisiana State

Montana missed the postseason it's first 17 seasons before making the postseason 10 times in the next 21 seasons. More recently, Montana has made the postseason in 4 of the last 5 seasons and had the 12th ranked offense and 8th ranked defense last season. They selected a DE with the 25th overall pick after ranking 9th in sacks last season. Spivey was a draft combine stud who scored in the 96 percentile in strength, intelligence and discipline. He also has elite speed and his ceiling is the moon! If he can successfully transition to the XFL, we may be looking at a future ALLPRO/HOF type of player. Very nice pick at #25

Grade A+

1.26
Brooklyn
RT Kevin Owens 23/86
Vol 64
6' 5" 328 lbs
Auburn

The grandson of the HOF WWE wrestler goes 26th overall to Brookyln in the 2056 draft. Brooklyn snapped a 4 year streak of making the postseason last season by finishing 7-9. They had the 10th ranked offense and 6th ranked defense last year so it was a bit of bad luck last season. Owens is the 5th OL player taken in the 1st round and his physical size and potential makes him a viable starter in the XFL.

Grade A-

1.27
Cincinnati
CB John Seay 31/75
Vol 92
5' 10" 179 lbs
Stanford

Cincinnati has made the playoffs 11 straight seasons including 4 trips to the XFL Title games and 2 XFL Championships. 6× League MVP QB Gary Fielding retired and Cincinnati enters a new era without the future HOFer. They didn't select a QB with their 1st rounder but instead drafted a DB with the 27th overall pick. Seay is a very undersized player with near elite speed who will slow a bit because he needs to gain some weight to survive the rigors of the Pro game. His coverage skills are currently ranked as average but their is hope for improvement. Training camp will be crucial to this players future.

Grade B+

1.28
Atlanta
LT Robert Williams 41/88
Vol 80
6' 5" 305 lbs
Adams State

Atlanta has made the postseason in 14 of the last 15 years including their incredible streak of 8 straight XFL Titles from 2041-2048. They recently have won 5 straight NXC South division Titles under their current owner Dangalanti. They selected the 6th offensive linemen with the 28th overall pick. Williams has elite speed for the position and is known as a tremendous pass blocker who allowed zero sacks his senior year in college. He has the potential to become an elite player in the XFL but coming from a smaller program means their is some doubt. I love this pick for a number of reasons.

Grade A+

1.29
New England
WLB Ralph Witham 34/77
Vol 8
6' 0" 234 lbs
Fresno State

New England has won back to back AXC East division Titles after 16 straight seasons where they missed the postseason. They are under brand new ownership in TheRevelator and his first draft pick is a LB. Witham has about every average speed for the position and is known for the pass coverage and pass rush much more then stuffing the run which leads me to believe he is better suited for being a conditional player based on passing downs versus being a 3 down LBer. He could transition to defensive back where his speed would increase with the lose of weight.

Grade B

1.30
Providence
WR Timothy Menendez 25/59
Vol 96
6' 0" 262 lbs
Pittsburgh

Providence has made the postseason for 15 straight seasons including winning and XFL Title in 2053 all under current owner Brxnivy. They selected a college TE who they want to transition to WR in the XFL. Menendez is probably best suited to become a FB in the XFL because he wont lose enough weight or gain enough speed to become a legit WR. However if he loses enough weight to get his speed to very good, his run blocking and pass blocking skills combined with his ball carrier and pass catching skills would make him an elite level FB. It's a gamble but Providence has proven they know what they are doing so it's a solid roll of the dice.

Grade B+

1.31
Orlando
WLB Andrew Jerrods 40/74
Vol 28
6' 0" 226 lbs
Penn State

Orlando took a DB with the #1 overall pick and they added a LB with the 31st overall pick. Jerrods has near elite speed for a LBer but his pass coverage skill set is average at best. He may better be suited as a DE because he is very good at run stopping and he is a sure tackler and has highend ability to strip the ball.

Grade A-

1.32
Tampa Bay
RB Bobby Bender 23/71
Vol 16
6' 0" 236 lbs
Notre Dame

Tampa Bay snapped a 4 year playoff drought by landing a Wildcard by finishing 9-7. They had the 13th ranked offense and 12th ranked defense so they selected a big bodied FB with near elite speed. If he loses some weight, he could reach elite speed. Depending on how TC goes for this player will dictate if he becomes a RB or remain a FB. For pick #32, its a great pick with enough upside to make him a starter.

Grade A


I gotta say this 1st round had absolutely no head scratchers. I can honestly say each and every pick was well done which is a clear sign how competitive this league has become. Great job guys, it's you that makes this league great, not me!

Well done everyone and good luck in TC!

CJ