2023

Its that time once again for my 1st round draft recap. First let me welcome evryone old and new to season 6 of the XFL. I am very excited that we enter the draft with the league full at 32 owners. Once again, I have made plenty of changes to the league, giving each team a nickname and logo that previously didnt have one. There is still time to make any changes if you arent satisfied with either the nickname or logo. Without further ado, lets begin.

1-1

TAMPA BAY FIREBALLS
CASUALCNOTE

WLB Bobby Friedman

A DB out of Auburn, Friedman scored off the charts at the combine. His speed, acceleration, strength and intelligence were at an elite level. Scouts love his size, speed and strength and project him at LB. If he can just have an ok camp, he could be special but if he booms, you are talking future hall of famer. Tampa Bay was in definate need to upgrade the LB position and this pick helps to accomplish that.

Grade A

1-2

VANCOUVER VANDALS
BHASS

FS Jeff Urban

Urban was a 4 year starter at Arizona State. He has good size at 6'1" and decent speed to play FS in the XFL. This pick, like the 1st pick is considered a high risk/high reward type selection. The measurables are stellar and scouts believe it will transfer to starting sooner rather then later. Vancouver has no other FS on the roster and Urban is only the 2nd safety currently signed.

Grade B+

1-3

CLEVELAND OUTSIDERS
TMAN0115

RDE William Fussell

The 6'4", 276 lb DE out of Texas Christian is best suited at RDE where he will seal the edge and is a great run stopper. He has good speed and shows quickness so he could become a decent pass rusher. Scouts agree, this is a cant miss prospect but taking him at #3 seems high. Considering Cleveland only has 29 players signed and on the roster, they have needs on both sides of the ball. A bit of a reach but considering he is a safe pick that should be plug and play and the fact Cleveland needs to find starters...

Grade B

1-4

WASHINGTON WARRIORS
CRM63

DT Daniel Davis

At 6'3" and 305 lbs, this DT from Louisiana State has a great combo of speed and power. Washington can pair him with DT Andrew Morton and run a dominant 4-3 defense with MLB Justin Campbell making tackles left and right while the 2 DTs eat up the blocks. Both DTs have the ability to get an inside pass rush while also dominating the line against the run

Grade A

1-5

VANCOUVER VANDALS
BHASS

WLB William McCoy

Vancouvers 2nd of 3 1st round picks has them select a LB out of Florida that scouts believe has the ability to play either inside or outside LB. While McCoy has solid speed, quickness and strength, what scouts love is his football IQ. At pick #5, this is somewhat of a reach but Vancouver obviously loves his versatility and is clearly focused on improving there defense.

Grade B-

1-6

PITTSBURGH BLITZKRIEG
ARMCHAIRQB

RB Robert Hewlett

Coming out of North Carolina, Hewlett is a 6', 201lb back with average speed but is a powerful runner with great route running and great hands. With the 6th overall pick, he may be a reach but Pittsburgh was searching for an every down RB and only time will tell if this is there man.

Grade B-

1-7

VEGAS BLACK ACES
CLAYMORE

CB Richard Scribner

Vegas makes this 6', 198 lb DB the 7th overall pick. Coming out of UCLA, scouts love his speed and ability to cover M2M but rated him low in B&R which means Scribner may be better suited at SS. Vegas already has veteran SS Steven Wildman on the roster so unless something changes look for Scribner to play CB.

Grade A- (SS) B (CB)

1-8

DETROIT EXECUTIONERS
TRSLICK

TE Charles Johnson

Johnson is a 6'2, 263 lb TE out of Arkansas. He instantly becomes the best TE on the team with his speed and quickness combined with great potential as a pass catcher and dominant blocker. He is a raw talent with amazing upside but at the 8th pick in the draft, he could be a playmaking steal

Grade A

1-9

DENVER EXTREME
PLASTEREDPICKL2

FS Conrad Werner

With the 9th overall pick, Denver selects an undersized safety out of Stanford. At 5'9", Werner has average speed and quickness. It appears Denver drafted for need as no FS was on the roster. This high risk pick will get every oppurtunity to start and only time will tell if he can compete in the XFL.

Grade C

1-10

MILWAUKEE BUZZSAWS
MARDN22

LT Curtis Holland

The 1st offensive lineman selected, Holland played at Florida State, the 6'3", 325 lb OT is rated the best O-lineman in the draft. Scouts see him as a plug and play tackle that should start day 1 and play around 10-12 years.

Grade A+

1-11

SEATTLE BARBARIANS
TIMREESEJR

SS Royce Rogers

The 6', 183 lb safety out of Colorado has great speed and quickness plus potential for plus M2M and B&R skills which should translate into him converting to CB. Seattle is in need of a slot corner and Rogers should fill that void.

Grade A (CB) B+ (S)

1-12

NEW YORK EMPIRE
BROHL

RT Steven Hanson

The 2nd highest rated OT in the draft, Hanson played 4 years at Notre Dame. His size at 6'3", 324 lbs give him the potential to start. New York has needs at both LT and RT so Hanson should fill one of those positions.

Grade B+

1-13

BROOKLYN HITMEN
AMALRIC7

WLB Lonnie Pearson

Pearson comes out of small college Mid. Tennessee State. Scouts project him at OLB with his great speed, solid tackling and decent cover skills. He was ranked in the top 5 LBs in the draft. The Hitmen have solid starters at all 3 linebacker positions so Pearson will have time to progress as he adds depth to the roster.

Grade B+

1-14

PHILADELPHIA SLAYERS
WAYNE110

SLB James Purdy

Purdy is a 6'1", 235 lb LB from Baylor. Scouts see him as a cant miss OLB in the XFL with his great combo of speed and strength. He is a real run stopper with decent cover skills. The possibility exists that Purdy could bulk up and play DE.

Grade B+

1-15

NEW ENGLAND CRUSADERS
BUENOBOSS11

SLB Ryan Bickford

The run on linebackers continues as New England selects Bickford out of Illinois. At 6'1" and 250 lbs, scouts project Bickford to bulk up and play a run stuffing RDE. He could play MLB but his cover skills may not play at the next level.

Grade B

1-16

CARLINA COBRAS
JON75

WLB Jimmy Stephens

16 picks into the 1st round and 12 defensive players have been selected. Stephens is also the 6th LB taken thus far. At 6'1" and 238 lbs, Stephens has the size, speed, strength and quickness to play OLB. Scouts believe he also has the potential to develop great cover skills.

Grade B+

1-17

KANSAS CITY CHAOS
ARJONA16

SS Ben Schell

Coming out of Missouri, Schell is listed at 6'1", 238 lbs. Scouts view him as a tweener that can play both safety or linebacker.

Grade B

1-18

DAYTONA BEACH BULL SHARKS
FITPTA12

CB ROY CRAVEN

A CB coming out of Texas A&M, Craven has great speed, high football IQ, great M2M and good B&R. The Bull Sharks have a definate need at FS and CB since veteran CB Glenn Miller is an 11 year vet.

Grade A-

1-19

PITTSBURGH BLITZKRIEG
ARMCHAIRQB

WLB Grady Briggs

The 7th LB taken in the first round, Briggs came out of Louisville with the reputation as a hardworking over achiever. Scouts view him as a depth player with little upside. Dont tell him that because he is the type to out work and out hustle everyone on the field.

Grade B-

1-20

LOS ANGELES CHALLENGERS
VICKSR2009

WR Curtis Moore

With the 20th pick, LA selects the first true WR in the 1st round. At 5'9", 187 lbs, Moore is an undersized reciever which dropped him in the draft. Despite his size, Moore has elite speed on the outside with great potential as a route runner and pass catcher. His ceiling is high as he projects as a true WR1.

Grade A+

1-21

GREEN BAY ENFORCERS
REESESKING

RDE Charles Powers

The first true surprize in the 1st round has GB selecting semi-pro RDE Powers with the 21st pick. Not projected as a 1st rounder, Powers has a hugh frame at 6'4" and 264 lbs. A decent run stopper in semi-pro ball, powers is a lumbering giant with average pass rush skills. His claim to fame is his plus tackling and his uncanny ability to strip the ball when he wraps up the ball carrier.

Grade C

1-22

CINCINNATI DEFENDERS
FHUNT3

WR Rene Nieman

The 2nd WR to come off the board, Nieman has good size at 6'0" and 197 lbs. He has good speed but shows great quickness with a high ceiling for route running, pass catching and avoiding being jammed at the line. Projects to be anywhere from WR3 up to a WR1 depending on his development at the next level.

Grade B+

1-23

GEM CITY GANSTERS
RAIDERGREG69

CB Timothy Williams

The 7th DB and 17th defensive player taken in the first 23 picks. Williams played at Michigan and although undersized at 5'10", he has great speed with good potential to develop the cover skills needed at the next level.

Grade B+

1-24

MIAMI NEMESIS
GRIDIRONFAN

C Johnny Werth

The top rated center in the draft, Werth was an all american at Arizona. At 6'2" and 279 lbs, he combined great strength with quick feet and a high football IQ to dominate at the college level. Already an accomplished road grater, he has the potential to become great at pass blocking and projects as a possible All-Pro center.

Grade A+

1-25

BUFFALO SKULL CRUSHERS
SMIRT211

WLB Pedro Garcia

The 2nd semi-pro player taken in the 1st round. A typical pick by Smirt211, a highly versatile player that can play LB, DE or even possibly cut weight and play safety. He has decent speed and will definately add depth at several positions.

Grade B

1-26

PROVIDENCE ISLANDERS
REDNU

DT Leroy Morelli

At 6'1" and 292 lbs, Morelli played DT at Oregon. Scouts project him to cut weight and play RDE. He can seal the edge and is a good run stopper. He has decent speed which may improve by cutting weight and improve his pass rushing ability.

Grade B

1-27

BIRMINGHAM THUNDERBOLTS
FROSTY96

DT Brandon Yates

At Southern Methodist, Yates played DT at 6'3" and 279 lbs. In the XFL, he should be moved to LDE where his speed and quickness could translate into a premier pass rusher.

Grade A-

1-28

VANCOUVER VANDALS
BHASS

RB Jeffrey Marker

Vancouvers 3rd selection in the 1st round is Arizona States's RB Jeffrey Marker. At 6'0" and 215 lbs, Marker has good speed combined with a power running style.

Grade B+

1-29

SEATTLE BARBARIANS
TIMREESEJR

QB Jonathon Trainer

A 6'2", 215 lb QB from UCLA is the 1st quarterback to come off the board. Trainer has a cannon for an arm with good vision and scrambling skills. He rates at least above average for potential in all QB ratings. Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to QB success. At the minimum, Seattle is looking for a quality backup to push and challenge their starter.

Grade B

1-30

OAKLAND OUTLAWS
PRIVATESNOWFLAKE

FS Edward Burns

At 5'11", Burns is a little undersized but playing at Mississippi State, he showed good speed with potential to develop good M2M and B&R skills at the next level. Projects as a slot corner.

Grade

B+

1-31

DAKOTA BLIZZARD
CJFRED68

WLB Michael English

The run on defensive players amd linebackers continues with Yates, a linebacker from Brigham Young. He has great speed with decent cover skills and should add depth to an aging LB corp.

Grade B-

1-32

PITTSBURGH BLITZKRIEG
ARMCHAIRQB

MLB Aaron Marro

The 10th LB taken in the 1st round. Marro played at Oregon State where he was a great run stopper. He has good speed, quickness and tackles hard. Scouts believe he is a run stopper that must blitz on passing downs because he lacks cover skills.

Grade B