Welcome everyone to the 15th annual 1st round draft review for the XFL's players draft. This all started way back in season 3 of the league and has become a staple of the league.

This has always been about having fun while evaluated each teams/owners 1st round pick. I've always tried to be fair with my evaluations based on my opinion, my player weights and the overall team needs but that hasn't stopped me from embellishing when it comes to a players background or incorporating an owners comment in league chat.

The Oakland Outlaws selected this pick and Privatesnowflake made a comment about missing his pick because he was out to lunch.......

2021 1.27
TE Gregory Madison 70/70

(Draft review)
Oakland's PrivateSnowflake made a curious pick in the 1st round by selecting a TE, Gregory Madison. While Madison was one of a group of tight ends at the top of that position in the draft, most experts didn't see any Tight Ends going until the end of the 2nd or into the 3rd round. It's almost as if Oaklands war room was busy eating lunch when their pick was on the clock. With that being said, Oakland doesnt have much talent at either TE or FB and Madison could fill in at either position. Reach pick.

I've always tried to include details about the league when I can.....

2021 1.31
WR Isaiah Miller 80/80

(Draft review)
Buffalo owner Smirt211 made it to the XFL III only to fall short to Atlanta. They knocked off both XFL I and XFL II champions on there way to the big game. With the 31st pick, they select the 4th WR taken, Isaiah Miller. Miller played WR in the CFL where he signed just out of high school, this was the first year he became eligible for the XFL draft and draft experts believe his speed and pass catching ability should translate well to the league. For a team that has All World RB/WR Perry Thacker and had the #1 ranked offense last season, this is a story of the rich getting richer. Defensive coordinators around the league are already losing sleep thinking about it. Great pick.

Sometimes I get em right.....

2022 1.8
FB Richie Pritchett 44/44

The first real head scratcher of the draft. With the eight overall pick, punisher selects FB, Robert Pritchett out of Michican State. Not only was Pritchett not projected in the top ten or the first round, most experts had him as the 20th ranked FB on the board. He was projected to go in the 6th or 7th round or even possibly to go undrafted. In fact, when NY called Robert to inform him that he was the #8 pick, he hung up on them 3 times believing his friends were pranking him. Horrible pick, should instantly void his contract and save the 20 million, wasted pick.

Talk about a bust! He was released by the team before he even made it to training camp. He never played a down in the XFL and eventually retired in 2026 when he realized he wouldn't be getting any more phone calls like draft night. This has to go down as the worst pick in the history of the XFL and explains why this francise has struggled to find consistency since the inception of the league.

Right again...

2025 1.25
QB Bobby Moreira 91/92

It's a shock the Michigan quarterback fell to 25. His intelligence, big arm and exceptional ability to look off defenses should have been enough to entice teams to take a chance on this potential top ten talent. Questions about his lack of mobility and ball security have dropped his draft stock but if he progresses in camp to improve his accuracy and vision, he can be an elite starter in this league. A great pick at this point of the draft.

Grade A

He is playing in his 7th season with Brooklyn after signing a 6 year/50.0 million dollar contract extension in 2028. He has played in 94 games including 93 starts for Brooklyn where he has thrown for 24,980 yards (Team Record), 202 TDs (Team Record) and 113 INTs. He has played 7 postseason games where he has thrown for 1677 yards, 12 TDs and 14 INTs.

Sometimes I get em wrong....

2026 1.5
RB John Taylor 40/81

This is Texas's 3rd pick in the top 5 and it seems like they reached a little for this selection. Taylor was seen by scouts as the 2nd or 3rd best back in the draft and projected him to go somewhere in the middle to end of the 1st round. Also an odd choice considering the next pick, RB Melvin Shaw was still available and graded much higher across the board.

Grade C

He is entering season 6 with Texas after signing a 6 year 24.4 million dollar contract extension in 2029. He has played in 69 games including 56 starts where he has 4121 rushing yards (2nd alltime team) and 14 rushing TDs (3rd alltime team). He has added 230 receptions for 2354 yards and 15 TD receptions. He also has 44 kickoff returns for 1363 yards and 2 TDs plus 80 punt returns for 576 yards. His 8414 total yards and 31 total TDs are both team records.

And wrong again.....

2021 1.5
RT Thomas Burkley 91/91

New York (N) owner Punisher looks to turn around a team that went 3-13 last season by selecting LT Thomas Burkley. A very risky pick at number 5 with several other safer offensive lineman still on the board, Punisher selects a long shot to fill the whole he has at either RG or RT. Experts are left to wonder why a team in desperate need of plug and play starters at two positions on the offensive line, would roll the dice with such a high draft pick. Decisions like this one might explain the teams .300 winning percentage over the first three seasons.

He is entering his 11th season with Providence after signing a 6 year/21.1 million dollar contract extension in 2023 and 5 year/26 million dollar contract extension in 2028. He has played in 135 games including 130 starts where he allowed 13 sacks on 6095 pass blocks and 175 tackles on 4362 run blocks plus committed 24 penalties.

Sometimes you add to a players story...

2024 1.8
WR Luther Via 84/87

This 5'11" 201 lb receiver out of the Cumberland Boys Rehabilitation Center is a prime example of someone getting a second chance in life. As a foster child and ward of the state in Maryland, Via found himself on the wrong side of the law before being enrolled in a school for troubled youths. He has turned his life around and scouts believe he is a sure thing in this draft.

Grade A

He is playing in his 8th season with Washington after signing a 6 year/27.6 million dollar contract extension in 2027. He has played in 103 games including 79 starts where he has 408 receptions (Team Record), for 4320 yards (Team Record) and 26 TD receptions (Team Records).

Or play off a name change....

2022 1.1
WLB John Dillinger 68/87

Raidergreg packaged several 1st round picks to move up to the #1 pick. After much deliberation, he chose semi-pro LB, Martin Sims. Sims is a prototypical LB with decent speed and excellent tackling, run defense, pass rush and cover skills. Despite some off the field issues which shortened his college career, Sims should excel in the XFL with its liberal drug policies. This fills a need for Gem City and fits into the direction of the league as we enter a need era of offense. The new era will be dictated by running the ball and stopping the run as well as the increase in short passing and having LBs cover backs in the short passing game. Great pick!

Sometimes I add ownership changes...

2022 1.24
RB Cory Espinoza 71/71

Lots of upheaval with this franchise. A new owner bought the francise, uprooted them and moved to Memphis. Then a barrage of trades and draft selections had them challenging defending champs Atlanta for the division crown. After making it to the playoffs in his first season, the owner filled chapter 11 bankrupcy and now the league has assembled a committee to handle team affairs until new ownership can be determined. Despite all the distractions, Memphis selects Cory Espinoza, a Running Back out of Texas. Solid pick.

He played 5 seasons with Memphis after signing a 3 year/10.2 million dollar contract extension in 2024 before he hit free agency in 2027 where he signed a 3 year/5.6 million dollar contract with Tampa Bay then he retired after the 2029 season. He played 68 games with Memphis Including 20 starts where he finished with 2,467 yards rushing (2nd alltime team), 7 rushing TDs (3rd alltime team), 155 receptions for 1,022 yards and 4 TD receptions. He played 5 postseason games with the team and helped the team win the 2024 NXC Conference Championship

In the end....it's all in fun...so lets get the draft review started.

2035 1.1
Memphis Maniacs
RDE Gary Embree 40/90
Vol 92
6' 3" 269 lbs
Wisconsin

The draft starts off with a shocker! Memphis selects a defensive end with the #1 overall pick. There is no denying Embree has elite potential but experts expected Memphis to select more of a dynamic playmaker with the top pick. While Embree killed it at the combine with speed and strength at elite levels, questions about off the field issues in college make this a risky pick. The question is even if he has a smooth transition to the XFL, how much of an impact he can have improving a defense that ranked 31st last season.

Grade B

2035 1.2
Washington Warriors
MLB Paul Graham 36/87
Vol 2
5' 11" 255 lbs
Mississippi State

Now that everyone's mock drafts have been trashed, Washington gets us back on track with this selection. Graham is what experts believe is the surest thing in this draft. He has elite speed at MLB and has the complete package to be a 3 down linebacker. Despite finishing 32nd in defense last season, Washington has built one of the best groups of linebackers in the league by adding Graham to Stover, Cornwell, Tolle and Kistler. If the team can improve their secondary, they should improve their overall defense moving forward.

Grade A+

2035 1.3
Denver Extreme
QB Harold Townsend 34/85
Vol 88
6' 1" 221 lbs
Miami (Ohio)

Drafting a francise quarterback early in the 1st round is always risky and Townsend is no different. Denver currently have Newsome behind center but he is entering his 9th year and has just 2 years remaining on his contract. Townsend has elite football IQ and scouts love his hard count and pass release as pro level. He has average arm strength but the question remains about his accuracy and vision. If he can transition successfully to the XFL, he has the benefit of sitting a season or 2 to develop and progress.

Grade A

2035 1.4
Daytona Beach Bull Sharks
WLB Glenn Myers 41/84
Vol 54
5' 11" 235 lbs
Wyoming

Myers was clearly the 2nd best linebacker in the draft. He has all the great attributes that #2 pick Graham has to play either inside or outside linebacker but while very fast, he isn't quite as fast as his fellow draft pick. Daytona had the 31st ranked defense and experts see Myers moving inside to play MLB and eventually captain this defense.

Grade A

2035 1.5
Los Angeles Challengers
C O'Dell Brannon 40/86
Vol 8
6' 4" 301 lbs
Texas A&M

Despite playing center in college, scouts view him as a tackle in the XFL. In fact, he was rated the 3rd best center in the draft but rated the best tackle or guard in the draft. His size, speed and blocking skills are move suited to playing LT or LG in the XFL.

Grade A-

2035 1.6
Atlanta Dominators
SS Dominick Marsh 39/86
Vol 40
5' 11" 215 lbs
Brigham Young

The first defensive back goes #6 overall to Atlanta. The team had one safety on the roster before this selection which means Marsh should start at SS on day 1 opposite 4th year FS Joyce. Now the team needs to add cornerbacks to create a dominant secondary.

Grade A

2035 1.7
Philadelphia Slayers
CB Darryl Pugh 33/84
Vol 62
5' 11" 204 lbs
Acorn State

Pugh played cornerback in college and while scouts believe he can transition to CB in the XFL, they also believe you would make a better safety at the next level. Given the fact, Philly only has one safety on the roster, that may be the direction the team heads. Whatever direction the team takes with him, Pugh's speed and quickness will play in the XFL.

Grade A

2035 1.8
New York Empire
RB Mario Peacock 38/83
Vol 48
5' 10" 224 lbs
Texas A&M

The 1st offensive playmaker is selected with the 8th overall pick. Projected to go top 5, New York wasted no time handing in their pick to the commissioner. Peacock has prototypical size and speed coupled with ideal ball carrying and pass catching attributes to become a starting running back in the XFL. New York had the 9th ranked rushing attack last season but RB James Warren retired so this was a definate team need.

Grade A+

2035 1.9
Arizona Wranglers
C Michael Wright 43/92
Vol 60
6' 2" 272 lbs
Appalachian State

The best center in the draft goes #9 overall to Arizona. This pick was surprising since most experts thought if one of the top QBs fell to them, Arizona would take them but apparently none of the quarterbacks seemed like much of an upgrade over last years journeyman starter Ryan Ohare. Instead of either a quarterback or offensive playmaker, Arizona decided to build in the trenches. The team has been on a slide since winning it all back in 2025, 9 years of losing has led to needs up and down the roster. If this is simply a matter of best player available then I have no problem with that.

Grade A

2035 1.10
Montana Grizzlies
MLB Edwin Smith 44/79
Vol 28
6' 3" 235 lbs
Kentucky

In 17 seasons, Montana's best record has been 8-8 back in 2019. However, the team has been on an upswing since going 1-15 in back to back seasons in 2029 & 2030. Since then they have shown important to 2-14, 5-11, 4-12 and finally 6-10 last season. The teams biggest needs heading into the draft were a playmaker WR and a MLB. They may have filled one of those needs with Smith. While his coverage skills aren't his strong point, adding his speed to the middle of this defense could improve them from last seasons #9 finish on defense. Experts see this team maybe 1 or 2 seasons away from being a playoff contender.

Grade A-

2035 1.11
Tampa Bay Fireballs
MLB Ruben Commander 36/80
Vol 50
6' 1" 264 lbs
Minnesota

Despite the 27th ranked offense and the 5th ranked defense, Tampa Bay went defense with the 11th overall pick. While Commander can play linebacker, scouts see him more as a RDE with his size and speed and Tampa Bay's roster which has plenty of talent at linebacker but no clear cut defensive end opposite aging LDE Healey.

Grade A

2035 1.12
Seattle Barbarians
RB Robert Cady 31/86
Vol 8
5' 11" 222 lbs
Ball State

Seattle injects some youth into the RB room with this selection. He lacks the speed to unseat Broughton and Taylor as the starting duo. He has the size to
Phelp as FB but can also be used outside as WR depth.

Grade B

2035 1.13
Pittsburgh Blitzkreieg
RB David Whitener 25/72
Vol 6
5' 11" 217
Purdue

Pittsburgh is going through a transition from a longterm stable owner to being in flux and searching for someone to lead them. As a result, they have real leadership team and this pick is the result. Whitener is a running back expected to go in the late 2nd round, early 3rd round. He had a good college career but just lacks the speed to be anything more then a special teamer/4th running back if he even makes the 53 man roster.

Grade D

2035 1.14
Michigan Wolverines
CB Kyle Daves 32/83
Vol 44
5' 9" 189 lbs
Jackson State

One francises lose is another's gain as Michigan selects this cornerback with elite speed. Scouts worry his coverage skills are not as polished but his speed will play in the XFL were he will be a great asset in the slot if nothing else.

Grade A-

2035 1.15
Toronto Titans
WR Joseph Davis 37/87
Vol 18
5' 10" 194 lbs
Texas A&M

The 3rd player from Texas A&M is taken with the 15th overall pick. A Center, running back and now a wide receiver from the explosive College offense. Davis has all the talent to be a top receiver in the game and has great if not elite speed. Considered a top ten pick, to fall to 15th is a boon for Toronto.

Grade A+

2035 1.16
New England Crusaders
C Greg Strauch 37/90
Vol 44
6' 2" 260 lbs
Arkansas

New England takes the 3rd Center of the draft in the 1st 16 picks. Strauch was rated 1a and 1b with fellow 1st round pick Michael Wright. His incredible combination of strength and speed will make him a force to be reckoned with in the XFL.

Grade A

2035 1.17
Cincinnati Defenders
WR Edward Montes 35/78
Vol 46
5' 11" 185 lbs
Southern University

Considered by many scouts as the fastest player in the draft, this diminutive receiver will bring big play potential to the Defenders every time he is on the field.

Grade A

2035 1.18
Oakland Outlaws
WR Allen Celentano 41/87
Vol 16
6' 0" 197 lbs
Penn State

The run on wide receivers continues with this polished gem from Penn State. He may lack the elite speed but more then makes up for it with complete route concepts and great hands.

Grade A

2035 1.19
Gem City Gangsters
WR Marion Hooper 38/85
Vol 6
5' 11" 195 lbs
Notre Dame

The Gangsters selection is a Golden Domer wide receiver. He is a very polished player with elite speed and as an added benefit is also a returner. Hooper instantly injects some youth to an aging reciever room as Gem City attempts to bounce back from back to back seasons missing the playoffs and missing them 4 out of the last 5 seasons.

Grade A

2035 1.20
Texas Hold'em
SS Benjamin Sanders 39/85
Vol 16
5' 11" 206 lbs
Tallahassee State

Texas adds some speedy youth to its aging secondary in the form of this safety. He has a solid chance to play day one as the starter Fair is entering his 10th season.

Grade A

2035 1.21
Carolina Cobras
CB Hyman Baratta 31/87
Vol 74
5' 10" 182 lbs
Jackson State

Carolina takes only the 4th defensive back taken in the 1st round. Baratta is a highly intelligent corner with good speed and advanced cover skills whose only downside is his diminutive size. Carolina hopes he can make the transition to the XFL and help improve their 26th ranked pass defense from last season.

Grade A

2035 1.22
Houston Roughnecks
CB Michael Avila 38/77
Vol 28
6' 1" 203 lbs
Colorado

Another cornerback is selected by Houston to help their 18th ranked pass defense. Avila has prototypical size and elite speed but needs to develop his overall coverage skills as he transitions to the XFL.

Grade A-

2035 1.23
Providence Islanders
SLB Donald Harrison 36/79
Vol 40
6' 2" 252 lbs
Nebraska

Harrison is the 4th linebacker taken in the 1st round. He goes to Providence who boasted the 6th best defense in the league last season. He is a big linebacker who has the strength to play defensive end if he can gain some weight. Either way Providence decides to use him will help the team maintain its top ten defense next season.

Grade A-

2035 1.24
Cincinnati Defenders
RB John Mitchell 30/74
Vol 62
6' 1" 200 lbs
Nebraska

The 2nd straight Cornhuskers goes to Cincinnati with their 2nd 1st round pick. They add running back Mitchell to their 17th selection of wide receiver Montes. The pair add much needed speedy playmakers to their 21st ranked offense. Mitchell can be used as a 3rd down back or even split wide as a receiver.

Grade A

2035 1.25
Seattle Barbarians
MLB Cody Decker 35/76
Vol 70
6' 2" 246 lbs
Christian Southern

Seattle adds another linebacker to a group that already boasts LBS Little and Dupree to form a trio of linebackers with sideline to sideline speed. This should help improve a defense that ranked 20th last season. Decker brings that speed along with decent run and pass defense skills.

Grade B+

2035 1.26
Kansas City Chaos
LT Scott Friend 33/84
Vol 14
6' 3" 309 lbs
Pittsburgh

While Friend played LT in college, he is more known for his run blocking skills so scouts see him transitioning inside most likely to RG in the XFL. There he can utilize his strength and get help during passing Downs. Experts believe current right guard Adams should be finally moved to LT to replace aging Boucher to give KC the best possible offensive line.

Grade B

2035 1.27
Miami Nemesis
WR John McDanial 34/72
Vol 74
6' 0" 185 lbs
Southern California

Entering the draft, 8 wide recievers were given 1st round grades and McDanial was one of those. Scouts love his speed and quickness but his size is a concern along with his route running, ability to get off the line during bumps and a lack of winning 50/50 *****. Regardless, his speed will play in the XFL and if he can improve, the skies the limit for him.

Grade B

2035 1.28
Vegas Black Aces
QB James Henry 37/75
Vol 58
6' 2" 220 lbs
Texas

Henry was 1 of 3 quarterbacks given a 1st round grade and he fell to #28 overall to Vegas. They are searching for an heir apparent to QB John Hammack. Hammack was a late bloomer who finally became the starter in 2033 despite being drafted in 2026 by Seattle and after being released signed with Vegas in 2027 where he was the backup for 5 seasons. Henry is a highly intelligent, disciplined competitor with a quick release and decent accuracy. If he can develop his vision and ability to read defenses he can become a true starter in this league.

Grade B+

2035 1.29
Dakota Blizzard
WR Keith Watts 35/84
Vol 52
5' 11" 202 lbs
Nebraska

Watts becomes the 3rd Cornhusker taken in the 1st round. His speed is near elite and scouts believe if he can transition to the XFL can become a top receiver especially in Dakota's top ranked passing offense. He may have to wait his turn as the Blizzard are stacked at wide receiver but several are aging out over the next few seasons and Watts should be fully developed and ready to step in.

Grade A-

2035 1.30
Saint Paul Punishers
WR John Burke 35/74
Vol 38
6' 0" 192 lbs
Kansas

Burke is the 6th wide receiver taken in the 1st round by the Punishers. Saint Paul had the 4th ranked passing offense last season and is loaded with talent at wide reciever but Burke injects some young legs into the group and may have to wait his turn as players begin to age out of the league.

Grade B+

2035 1.31
Texas Hold'em
CB Paul Bernabe 32/77
Vol 18
5' 11" 194 lbs
Louisiana State

Bernabe is a press corner who attacks the football during 50/50 ***** plus is a great open field tackler. Scouts are concerned about his lack of speed and man to man coverage skills on the outside. He will have to prove he can cover and keep up with some of the elite speed in the league or he may become a special team/dime corner.

Grade B-

2035 1.32
Zehlendorf Zecken
RB John Knapp 27/74
Vol 12
5' 11" 219 lbs
Washington

After Zehlendorf was taken over by new ownership at mid-season last year, things began to look up for the recently proud francise. They made a late push and won the NXC Conference Championship before rumors of rules violations and a doping scandal surfaced. The league was forced to move fast after what at the time was a historic NXC Championship game and remove the ownership group. Despite mounting evidence brought to light by the commissioners office, the ownership continued to deny any wrong doing other then accidently not following the rules. The players rallied and won the XFL Title but it may have been the teams last hurray. The front office staff and scouting department all took their Championship rings and left the sinking ship and a group of minority owners was put in charge while the owners shares were held in escrow. An attempt to fill all the front office and scouting vacancies but few chose to climb aboard the floating vessel. So the jobs were filled by black balled former staff or green interns which is where we ended up on draft day.

Zehlendorf selected RB Knapp with the 32nd pick and draft experts were left speechless as most had him as a 3rd round selection. The pick is even more bizarre because at least 9 players with 1st round grades were still available. Knapp may have a solid XFL career but most don't see him as anything other then a 3rd or 4th back with his high-end being a solid number two running back.

Grade D