2043 1st ROUND DRAFT REVIEW

It's time


....for the 23rd annual 1st round draft review!!!!

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***disclaimer/warning***
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I've been doing this for a long time and I give my unbridled honest opinion on every 1st round selection. My opinion is based on my custom player weights, my 5 years of playing experience, my analysis of each teams needs plus my analysis of what players are still available to pick. I rank the top 25 players prior to the draft so any selection not in my top 25 will be questioned until we reach the end of the 1st round.

I do this to add some fun to the league and I have been wrong plenty so if I give you a bad review....don't get upset....just make that pick an undeniable talent and I will gladly roast myself for making a bad review on that player.

The bottom line is just enjoy the review and don't get upset about it because I've been known to be an idiot at times.

Enjoy

CJ


MULTIPLE PICKS
Providence ×3
Seattle ×2
Vancouver ×2
Los Angeles ×2
Texas ×2

NO PICKS
Dakota
Buffalo
Indiana
Gem City
Memphis
Atlanta

1.1 Cincinnati
QB George Beaucamp 30/92
Vol 86
5' 11" 217lbs
Louisiana State

Cincinnati is in the midst of a rebuild in one of the toughest divisions in the XFL. They are rolling the dice on this undersized QB out of Louisiana State. Beaucamp has all the measurables you want in a francise quarterback except physical size and it all will ride on how he develops at the next level. Cincinnati has relied on veteran retreads the past few seasons and this pick could solve the position for the next 10-15 years.

Grade A

1.2 Saint Paul
MLB Louis Hansen 36/92
Vol 30
6' 1" 235 lbs
Auburn

Saint Paul wasted no time in handing in their selection when Hansen was still available. This Butkus award, Bronko Nagurski trophy & Chuck Bednarik award winner is considered by most scouts as the best player in the draft. Hansen is a complete MLB with elite speed, quickness, strength and intelligence. He is projected as a future ALLPRO as should start week 1. Saint Paul hasn't made the postseason in 4 straight seasons and Hansen should immediately improve last seasons 25th ranked defense.

Grade A++

1.3 Brooklyn
RDE John Beck 31/92
Vol 12
6' 3" 285 lbs
Grambling

Brooklyn grabs this Ted Hendricks award winner for best defensive end in college. Beck is a physical specimen who scouts believe will plug and play in the XFL without much trouble. Brooklyn hasn't made the postseason the last 5 seasons and their defense ranked 32nd while they were 31st in sacks. Beck should help the team improve in both areas.

Grade A+

1.4 Kansas City
WR Earnest Underwood 41/87
Vol 40
6' 0" 205lbs
Southern California

Kansas City had a down year last season after hovering around .500 the previous 5 seasons. They select Underwood who was the Heisman Trophy winner in college. QB Leonard Thompson, the former Michigan starter should get the reigns in Kansas City this season and he will have 3 WRs with elite speed with Underwood joining Moore & Walker plus 1,000 yard rusher Gonzales in the backfield. They had the 14th ranked pass offense and 17th ranked offense last season and they should improve this season if Thompson can rekindle his career.

Grade A+

1.5 Los Angeles
QB John McCord 28/87
Vol 54
6' 1" 231 lbs
Montana

Los Angeles takes the 2nd QB off the board in McCord. There was much debate entering the draft which QB would be selected first as scouts believe McCord is a safer selection despite not having the full upside of Beaucamp. Los Angeles let QB Payne walk via free agency and they have veteran QB Christopher Armstrong on the roster but McCord will get every opportunity to win the starting job.

Grade A

1.6 Zehlendorf
WR Tommy Tackett 35/81
Vol 58
6' 1" 198 lbs
California-Davis

It's been 7 seasons since Zehlendorf last made the postseason despite having the 15th ranked offense and 12th ranked passing offense. Tackett is considered a duel-threat playmaker who can play out wide at reciever plus get some runs out of the backfield. QB Michael Hall was drafted in the 3rd round in the 2040 draft and its his team now. He will have Tackett plus last year's 1st round pick WR James Ramsey to throw to along with TE Michael Devries who was taken in the 1st round of the 2038 draft.

Grade A

1.7 Washington
WLB Carlos Kirby 31/84
Vol 4
6' 1" 241 lbs
Montclair State

Washington went 13-3 in 2040 and seemed poised to become a perennial contender but the francise was sold to new ownership in 2041and they have won just 12 games combined the last 2 seasons. The strength of the team last season was their defense which ranked 20th and the addition of Kirby should improve that side of the ball. Scouts had few concerns about Kirby coming out of such a small college program based on his elite speed combined with his prototypical LB size. Scouts love his innate ability to cover man 2 man and feel he has a chance to be a future ALLPRO talent.

1.8 Montana
WR Francis Mulroney 25/86
Vol 70
5' 11" 209 lbs
Alcorn State

After 7 straight seasons where Montana never finished under .500, the team had a down season last year going 4-10-2. Ironically, it was the defense which ranked 30th last season that let them down but Montana chose to strengthen their strength as they added another playmaker to their 18th ranked offense & 13th ranked passing offense. Mulroney's combine was tremendous as all his measurables were either elite or near elite but scouts wonder if this receiver out of a small program can transition to the XFL. One thing is for certain, his speed and quickness should translate and it will all depend on how well he does in training camp.

Grade A

1.9 Michigan
TE James Gray 32/71
Vol 14
6' 4" 261 lbs
Boston College

It took just 9 picks before we got our first head scratcher of the 1st round. Gray wasn't on my radar as a top 25 pick based on his speed which is graded slow. He has the requisite size to play TE or even FB but his speed, blocking and pass catching skills are all average at best. The team had hovered around .500 for 7 of the last 10 seasons but only had 9 wins combined the past 2 seasons. This pick won't move the needle much and seems like a missed opportunity for the francise.

Grade D

1.10 Seattle
CB Michael McCoy 32/78
Vol 98
5' 10" 221 lbs
Washington

Seattle hasn't finished over .500 for 7 straight seasons, 4 of those seasons under new ownership. The team had the 27th ranked defense and 22nd ranked pass defense last season. They used this pick to select this college LB who they have plans to transition to CB. Scouts love his speed and if he loses some weight, he should reach near elite level speed at cornerback. His coverage skills project as good to great and it will all depend how he transitions from college to the XFL and from linebacker to defensive back.

Grade A-

1.11 Tampa Bay
DT Joshua Johnson 28/84
Vol 4
6' 3" 294 lbs
Maryland

Tampa Bay has gone 5-11 the past 3 seasons after 3 straight division Titles. They have watched Atlanta & Memphis rise from the ashes while Carolina has always been a perennial contender. They had the 21st ranked defense and 20th ranked Rush defense last season and they added this enormous defensive end to the defense. Scouts see him more as a nose tackle in the XFL. He has the size, strength and unique speed to become a 3 down defensive tackle in this league.

Grade A

1.12 Miami
LT Henry Smit 33/96
Vol 94
6' 5" 315 lbs
Towson State University

Miami selects this offensive linemen who many scouts had ranked the 2nd best prospect in the draft. All his measurables at the combine were elite level and it's only a matter of if he can successfully make the transition from small college program to the XFL. His potential is perennial ALLPRO & Hall of Fame possibility. He played LT in college but he could play anywhere on the offensive line except Center. Miami has had 5 owners since their last winning season in 2034 but the current owner is entering his 5th season which has brought some stability to the francise. The selection of Smit makes 3 1st rounders used to build what is becoming a dominant offensive line.

Grade A+

1.13 Carolina
WLB Steven Houston 32/78
Vol 78
6' 1" 229 lbs
Georgia Tech

Carolina takes somewhat of a flyer at pick 13 since scouts didn't have him ranked in the top 25 but he was ranked in the top 40. Houston lacks elite speed and is a bit undersized at linebacker which dropped his draft stock. What's not in question is Houston's intelligence as he graduated from Georgia Tech with an Electrical engineering degree with honors. The question is will Houston fully commit to playing in the XFL since he has a bright future ahead of him in his field of study.

Grade B

1.14 Daytona
WR Gary Rusch 32/80
Vol 22
6' 1" 193 lbs
Jackson State

Daytona had its best season since 2029 when they went 6-10 last season. They add WR Rusch to the 22nd ranked pass offense. QB William Powers is entering his 7th season with Daytona and the addition of Rusch along with last seasons #1 overall pick RB Colunga gives him some solid playmakers in addition to WR Patterson, WR Hobbs & TE Maxwell. The Daytona faithful hope this is the season they finally make tge postseason.

Grade A

1.15 Seattle
RB John Parker 22/58
Vol 58
6' 4" 278 lbs
Louisiana-Laffeyette

Seattle selects this giant college TE and they have plans to convert him to a RB/WR hybrid. It's a gutsy decision and Parker wasn't ranked in the top 25 prospects but if it actually works, it could be a success. The question becomes how much weight can Parker lose with his enormous frame and will he adjust to becoming a ball carrier or will he end up a big receiver with elite speed. This is the type of selection & transition typically made in later rounds and Seattle has 2 players changing position already selected. It will interesting to see how both players pan out over the next few seasons.

Grade A-

1.16 Providence
CB Tristan Alatorre 31/78
Vol 14
6' 0" 221 lbs
Albion

Providence has been under new ownership for 4 years now and is coming off back to back 10 win seasons. In addition, they have 3 1st round picks in this draft and they have a chance to take a giant leap forward. They had the 12th ranked offense and 9th ranked defense last season and their biggest weakness was their 21st ranked pass defense. They use the 1st of 3 picks to select this defensive back who scouts view as a safety in the XFL due to his size. He does have the coverage skills to play CB but much will depend on what Providence drafts with their next 2 1st round picks. Providence has plenty of speed in their secondary but very few players with the cover skills of Alatorre.

Grade A

1.17 New England
CB Jerry Gibbs 27/87
Vol 16
6' 0" 193 lbs
Louisiana State

This draft doesn't have elite speed corners but it does have some great cover skills corners and Gibbs is one of the best. New England has spent the last 5 seasons hovering right around .500 and have to play perennial contender Buffalo twice a season with their top passing offense. They had the 13th ranked pass defense last season and that just improved with the addition of Gibbs.

Grade A

1.18 Pittsburgh
SS Tommy Olsen 24/84
Vol 34
5' 9" 209 lbs
Syracuse

Pittsburgh gets this top 25 defensive back who scouts view as a safety in the XFL. Pittsburgh went 9-6-1 last season and just missed the postseason. They had the #11 ranked offense and #8 ranked defense last season but their pass defense ranked 17th. They had a weakness at SS and Olsen could become an upgrade at that position.

Grade A

1.19 Vegas
C Reginald Crosby 33/83
Vol 8
6' 2" 288 lbs
Kansas

Crosby was the Remington award winner for best Center in college. Vegas has reached the postseason in 10 straight seasons despite finishing 8-8 last season. Vegas does have former ALLPRO Center Chamberlin on the roster but he is entering his 13th season so Crosby will have a chance to ease into the lineup while learning from a great. Vegas had the #2 rush offense and they put importance on their offensive line.

Grade A

1.20 Oakland
WR James Kight 33/81
Vol 86
5' 11" 218 lbs
Florida

Kight has the size and versatility to play both WR & RB in the XFL. Oakland has reached tge postseason in 4 of the last 5 seasons and they had the 16th ranked offense, 8th in rushing but 25th in passing. So it seems Kight will be asked to help improve that passing attack while he can help maintain the top 10 rushing attack.

Grade A

1.21 Providence
TE Mark Morgan 33/84
Vol 100
6' 4" 258 lbs
Southwest State

Providence uses their 2nd of 3 1st rounders for a TE with good size and all-around good to great potential in most every attribute with the major exception being speed. Scouts had him going somewhere around 20th so it's a good value for this draft at 21st. Morgan did get suspended for his junior season due to off the field issues and it does raise questions about his commitment and work ethic as he turns Pro.

Grade B+


1.22 Texas
QB Robert Williams 29/82
Vol 36
6' 2" 224 lbs
Nebraska

The third of three 1st round QBs goes #22 to Texas out of Nebraska. Texas had hovered right at .500 for 6 seasons before finally breaking thru and winning 10 games last season. They had success despite having the 32nd ranked pass offense as the team relied on defense and the 10th ranked rushing attack. Texas QB Wesley Taylor had success managing the game but only threw for 1,500 yards but had a solid 12/4 TD/INT ratio. The hope is Williams will open up the passing game based on improved arm talent.

Grade A

1.23 Vancouver
CB Brain Marrero 29/78
Vol 42
6' 0" 185 lbs
Boston College

Vancouver lands one of the fastest DBs in this draft at #23. Vancouver is entering year 2 under new ownership and they broke through last season to win the division with an 11-5 record. The key was their defense which ranked #3 overall including the #7 pass defense so Marrero should be a solid addition to a great unit.

Grade A

1.24 Los Angeles
CB Jonathan Kimbrough 33/84
Vol 30
6' 0" 187 lbs
Miami, Ohio

Los Angeles took their potential future francise QB with their first 1st round pick so they go defense with their second in DB Kimbrough. He has elite cover skills and lacks the elite speed to become a lockdown corner in the league. He still has all the talent to start in the XFL at corner or safety.

Grade A-

1.25 Toronto
CB Sydney Hicks 32/79
Vol 40
5' 11" 184 lbs
Miami, Florida

Toronto has made the postseason the last 6 seasons in a very tough AXC North division. They look to improve their 25th ranked pass defense with the selection of Hicks who scouts view as one of the best all around CBs in this draft.

Grade A

1.26 Vancouver
WR David Talty 35/79
Vol 100
5' 10" 199 lbs
Idaho

Vancouver uses their second pick in the 1st round to go offense after going defense with their first pick. Talty is a top 25 talent with great speed and solid potential but his draft stock fell when he faced criminal charges in college for sexual assault. His case grew in notoriety when he was tagged "Salty Talty" in the Argonaut, Idaho's college newspaper and the story went viral. It didn't help that Talty leaned into it and changed all his social media platforms to the new name. Drafting Talty comes with some risk but if he can put his legal problems behind him and keep his focus on football, he could make it in the XFL.

Grade B+

1.27 Providence
RB Scott Turner 31/76
Vol 16
6' 0" 215 lbs
Purdue

Providence 's 3rd pick in the 1st and somehow they land what many scouts felt was the 2nd best pure RB in the draft. Turner has decent size and near elite speed which could make him Providence's primary back. They finished 14th in rush offense with Delatorre nearly rushing for 1,000 yards so he should slot behind Turner which makes them dangerous next season.

Grade A+

1.28 Arizona
RB Lee Lytton 27/62
Vol 68
5' 10" 228 lbs
Lehigh

Arizona had 3 straight seasons with double digit wins and capped it off last season with a 15-1 season and a first round bye. It didn't go as planned in the postseason despite having the #4 offense and #2 defense. They add to their offense with this hybrid player out of Lehigh. He has solid speed and should lose some weight and become a receiver in their potential offense.

Grade A-

1.29 Houston
CB Roger Trimmer 30/82
Vol 26
5' 11" 189 lbs
Ohio State

Houston is on a 12 year run where they haven't finished below .500 including 8 postseason appearances during that stretch. They went 14-2 last season and earned the #1 seed but the weakness of the team was their 27th ranked pass defense. Their DBs had a combined 55% catch allowed percentage so they need to improve their coverage skills. Trimmer has the potential to be an upgrade in the secondary despite have good but not great speed.

Grade A

1.30 Philadelphia
LG David Haney 36/87
Vol 14
6' 2" 305 lbs
Louisiana State

In 2038, Philadelphia was bought by their current ownership and its been smooth sailing ever since with 5 straight double digit wins seasons and 5 straight division Titles. With the 30th pick, they land this top 15 talent and Outland Trophy winner Haney who will work his way onto an offensive line that blocked for the 6th ranked offense and 4th ranked run offense.

Grade A+

1.31 New York
RT Thomas Cooper 26/87
Vol 24
6' 3" 321 lbs
Oklahoma State

New York has one of the longest tenured owners (23rd season) but they have struggled in the AXC East with just 2 winning seasons in the last 7 years. They had the 32nd ranked offense and 32nd ranked Rush offense last season so they select college RT Cooper with the 31st pick who will join an offensive line with 2 former ALLPROs.

Grade A+

1.32 Texas
LDE Michael Eubanks 31/76
Vol 60
6' 3" 265 lbs
Penn State

Back to back defending Champs, Atlanta trades the 32nd pick to Texas who takes the last top 25 ranked prospect remaining. Eubanks has a good combination of size, speed and strength to join the league's #15 ranked defense.

Grade A