2053 1st round draft review

Welcome to the 33rd annual 1st round draft review. I've made my own top 32 players that I would consider 1st round talents but I'm sure there are some quality talent that I've missed. My list is led by 7 LBs, 2 QBs and 1 elite TE with very few elite DBs available.

****annual disclaimer****

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

I don't claim to know it all and I don't consider myself the best ever or the GOAT! I just call it like I see it and try to have some fun with it.

Please don't take anything I say here as an insult! The only thing I know for sure about MFN is that I don't know much of anything! I'm often wrong and have and will share when Im completely wrong about a draft review.

Don't take anything I say personal! This is a game and the review is something I do for fun so please treat it accordingly.

****annual disclaimer****


MULTIPLE PICKS
Randolph ×4
Vegas ×2
Atlanta ×3

NO PICKS
Vancouver
Buffalo
Cincinnati
Daytona
Dakota
Washington


1.1
Texas
TE Roger Rodriquez 40/90
Vol 30
6' 5" 262 lbs
Texas Tech

Texas wasted no time selecting the Mackey award winner and All World TE out of local Texas Tech. Scouts have him one of the highest draft grades in recent memory as Rodriquez is considered by most experts: "The Perfect TE!". He has the full package of size, speed, quickness, intelligence & discipline to go along with elite potential as a pass catcher & willing blocker along with ball carry skills. As close to a cant miss draft pick as you can find in any draft.

Grade A+++

1.2
Carolina
QB Neil Anderson 26/93
Vol 28
6' 0" 217 lbs
Appalachia State

Carolina jumped at the chance to take the best QB in the draft in Anderson out of a division II program. He is a pure pocket passer with elite accuracy, vision and ability to look off Defenders to go along with elite football IQ which makes him a solid candidate to become a quality starter in the XFL. Carolina lost last year's starter Stroud to free agency so the job is open to Anderson in day 1 if he shows enough in TC and the preseason.

Grade A+

1.3
Vegas
QB James Porter 36/82
Vol 68
6' 0" 229 lbs
Cincinnati

Vegas has an aging QB in Larry Scruggs plus they have two 1st round picks so they used the 3rd overall pick to select the second highest rated QB in this draft. He has the potential to become a francise QB and drafting him now when Scruggs can still start means they don't necessarily have to rush Porter into the starters job. On one level it's kinda a reach but with the other 1st rounder, it feels like a sound football decision which could pay huge dividends down the road.

Grade A

1.4
Houston
SS Steven Million 36/81
Vol 58
6' 2" 214 lbs
Kansas

Houston hit rock bottom last season going 3-13 but the francise was bought late in the season by a veteran owner in the XFL. He used his first pick draft pick to select a DB outta Kansas in a draft class with very few potential starting DBs available. Million was definitely rated a 1st round pick but most scouts saw him going somewhere in the teens. The veteran owner knows what he is doing so he will get the benefit of the doubt since he took Philadelphia to 13 straight postseasons (2038-2050) during his last stint as an XFL owner. Million has elite speed and decent size for safety plus he has solid but not exceptional cover skills. He was considered a sure tackler and hard hitter in college.

Grade A

1.5
Philadelphia
SLB Kenneth Pugh 37/77
Vol 2
6' 1" 238 lbs
North Carolina State

Another XFL veteran owner returned when MWD65 bought Philadelphia after owning Oakland from 2045-2048. He made his first selection with his new team by selecting the deepest position group in this draft at LB. Surprisingly, they chose Pugh who was ranked 5th best LBer in the draft. Pugh has near elite speed at LBer but is a bit undersized for the position at 238 pounds. He is above average at tackling and stuffing the run, average in pass defense and is considered an elite pass rush specialist who could play on the line more then anyone off the ball LBer.

Grade A-

1.6
Miami
C Peter Manes 32/93
Vol 54
6' 4" 286 lbs
Syracuse

This draft has 3 elite OL and Miami takes the Rimington award winner for college Center with the 6th overall pick. Manes is possibly the strongest player in this draft and maybe the entire XFL as he set numerous strength records at the combine. While Manes is built to play at Center, he could easily play Guard and even Tackle if the need arose. This pick may not be the sexiest addition but it is a foundational pick which instantly improves the entire offense.

Grade A+

1.7
Randolph
WR Richard Bergstrom 35/78
Vol 16
5' 11" 193 lbs
Ohio State

The Regualtors have had back to back 4-12 seasons but the owner made significant trades the past few seasons which has all led them to this draft where they have four 1st round picks. How Randolph uses these four picks will decide their fate over the next 5 seasons. Pick #1 was used to select a top WR out of Ohio State with elite speed. He is a diminutive WR who says away from contact so he will clearly play on the outside instead of the slot unless the route takes him to the sideline and away from the middle. The very definition of a homerun threat.

Grade A+

1.8
New England
SLB Dale Williams 32/85
Vol 74
6' 0" 241 lbs
Penn State

Williams continues the legacy of Penn State being a LBer factory. Williams has elite potential to be a 3 down backer who can stop the run, defend the pass and rush the passer all at an elite level. If there are any knocks on Williams is his speed which is just below elite level for the position but still great. It will be interesting to see if New England will ask Williams to trim some weight to improve his speed or simple plug and play him directly at LB as he is.

Grade A+

1.9
Randolph
MLB Richard Vanbuskirk 39/80
Vol 20
6' 2" 250 lbs
Clemson

Randolph is back on the clock with their second pick in the top 9 and they select a LBer out of Clemson. Vanbuskirk was considered one of the top two LBers in college but some slow times at the combine seemed to hurt his draft status as he dropped in most mock drafts. Randolph seems to like what they saw on film and haven't taken his speed rating as a huge negative. Randolph has taken a playmaker on offense and now a possible future captain of the defense at MLB with their second pick plus they still have 2 more 1st round picks.

Grade A

1.10
Saint Paul
SLB Raymond Kerr 31/82
Vol 86
6' 2" 227 lbs
Michigan

Saint Paul has been rebuilding for 14 seasons now and haven't won more then 5 games in that stretch while going through 6 different owners. They select a LBer with the 10th overall pick who most scouts have as the best LBer in the draft. Kerr is undersized for a LBer but has elite speed for the position. Scouts believe Kerr has the potential to become an elite playmaker on defense at either LBer or possibly in the secondary as a safety. Some off the field issues about Kerr's work ethic have raised some concerns but if he puts that behind him in his first TC then the skys the limit for this speedy defender.

1.11
Tampa Bay
SS Eugene Garza 38/79
Vol 14
6' 0" 210 lbs
Florida

Tampa Bay takes the first player not on the consensus top 32 players list with the 11th overall pick. Garza is a hard hitting safety out of Florida. He has an average to very good set of cover skills and is considered a sure tackler who can blitz from the secondary. His draft stock fell at the combine when his speed was rated at the 78th percentile which is average to slightly above average for a DB. He will play and probably start in the XFL but it feels like better options were available at pick 11 with more upside. As always, we call it like we see it so only time will tell if we had this pick right or wrong.

Grade B

1.12
Kansas City
MLB Michael Donmoyer 34/79
Vol 18
6' 1" 259 lbs
Pittsburgh

Kansas City takes the 5th LBer in the top 12 picks and Donmoyer was ranked the 3rd best LBer in this draft class. He has great speed for the position and especially for his size. He is a true 3 down backer but scouts love his cover skills the best of the 3 skills. His work ethic and discipline are elite and he should have a solid first TC although it's never guaranteed for any rookie.

Grade A+

1.13
Orlando
MLB John Briggs 35/80
Vol 26
6' 1" 250 lbs
Washington

The run on LBers continues as the 6th LBer comes off the board at pick 13. Briggs was another elite level college backer whose scout fell at the combine when his speed was ranked at the 72nd percentile which is average at best. Orlando must have trusted what they saw on the field and on film and weren't concerned about his speed being a liability in the speed-centric XFL. Once again, time will tell if speed is king or will actual football skills matter more then raw speed.

1.14
Oakland
WR John Herbert 35/80
Vol 82
6' 1" 189 lbs
Rutgers

The run of 6 straight defensive players taken ends with Oaklands selection of a WR with elite speed. Herbert helped lead Rutgers to a Bowl appearance with his explosive speed and solid pass catching skill set. Herbert is a raw talent with the one thing you can't teach...speed. How he does in his first pro camp will determine if Herbert becomes a force in the XFL or just another player with incredible speed. Prevailing wisdom in the XFL is if you are gonna roll the dice, always bet on speed.

Grade A

1.15
Randolph
QB James Miller 23/79
Vol 72
6' 1" 216lbs
Illinois

Randolph is already selecting their 3rd pick in the 1st round and they select a QB out of Illinois. Miller has solid arm strength and pass release to go along potentially great accuracy and vision. The real concern besides developing the accuracy is Miller's command of the playback and making smart decisions with the football. At the combine he scored below average on the wonderlic test which plummeted his draft stock quite a bit.

Grade A-

1.16
Pittsburgh
WR Leo Stimpson 34/78
Vol 14
5' 11" 206 lbs
Michigan

Pittsburgh takes just the 3rd WR in the draft with the 16th pick. Stimpson has elite speed and solid pass catching skills but like WR Bergstrom taken with the 7th overall pick, he doesn't like going across the middle or making contested catches. That means he will play mostly on the outside at either WR1 or WR2.

Grade A

1.17
Vegas
RB (WR) James Stump 26/78
Vol 6
6' 2" 201 lbs
Penn State

Vegas took a QB with the 3rd overall pick and they take a WR with their second 1st rounder at pick 17. While Stump is listed as a WR from college, scouts believe his true position in the XFL is at RB. He has elite speed, ball carry and great hands to avoid fumbles should make him an elite RB. His hands in the passing game have been questioned but as a RB, he should excel catching passes out of the backfield. Great pick this late in the 1st round.

Grade A+

1.18
Los Angeles
RB (WR) Clyde Batten 29/83
Vol 84
5' 11" 204 lbs
Oklahoma State

Los Angeles had to be giddy seeing this player drop to them at the 18th pick especially since he is the 4th WR/RB taken in the last 5 picks. Batten was the top prospect to become a RB according to the scouts and LA who won 10 games last season but just missed the postseason land him. He has near world class speed with potential elite ball carry skills. Batten is still a raw talent who needs to have a good TC but as stated before, if you are gonna roll the dice, you bet on speed.

Grade A+

1.19
Toronto
LDE Daniel Curley 33/84
Vol 38
6' 3" 238 lbs
Arkansas

The first true DE comes off the board and he goes to the Titans with the 19th overall pick. Curley is a pure pass rushing DE with elite speed. He is a lock to be a double digit sack edge rusher for the next 5-8 seasons while he has great strength and run stuffing ability to seal the edge during runs. Great pick at #19 and almost a lock to start right away.

Grade A++

1.20
Gem City
RG Jeremy Wegener 27/94
Vol 60
6' 5" 318 lbs
Oberlin

Gem City takes the best non-center offensive lineman in the draft with the 20th overall pick. Wegener has the size and strength to play anywhere on the line at an elite level except maybe Center. Another pick which isn't super sexy but he is a foundational pick that could start for the Gangsters for the next decade. Scouts love him at either RG or RT in the XFL and it's a great pick at 20th.

Grade A



1.21
Indiana
RT Michael Crawford 27/81
Vol 54
6' 6" 303 lbs
Duke

Indiana takes the 3rd Offensive lineman in the 1st round but they take someone that wasn't on the 1st round list of players. Crawford has elite speed and strength while he is a road grater in the run game but scouts have serious concerns about his pass protection because he was a turnstile at times in college. If he can learn how to pass block in the XFL then he could become a starter but if he can't then he becomes limited in his usage. Odd pick with LG Kenneth Allen still on the board.

Grade B-

1.22
New York
MLB Earl Norem 32/78
Vol 78
6' 0" 236 lbs
Miami

This has quickly become the LB draft as the 7th LB goes in the first 22 picks to New York. Norem is another elite college backer who scored poorly in speed at the combine. He is a gifted 3 down backer who is elite against the run, in coverage and rushing the passer. Like the previous elite college LBers taken before him, only time will tell how Norem performs in the XFL where speed is so important.

Grade A-

1.23
Atlanta
MLB Clyde Johnson 36/80
Vol 24
6' 0" 256 lbs
Baylor

The 8th LB comes off the board to Atlanta and the last of the backers on the 1st round list. Johnson has near elite speed and rates above average at all 3 skill sets so he should become a starter on day 1. He has the versatility to play either inside or outside LB which adds value to the team.

Grade A

1.24
Brooklyn
WLB Beaver Clever 33/77
Vol 70
6' 3" 233 lbs
Clemson

Let's make it 9 LBers taken in the 1st round and the teammate of the #9 pick MLB Richard Vanbuskirk going 24th overall. The Beav is a sure tackler who loves punching the ball out of ball carriers hands. He excels as a cover LB since his pass rush and run defense are slightly below average. His speed is just below elite level for the position but he makes up for some of that with elite quickness. The 9 LBers taken in the 1st round all have varying chances to start in the XFL and most are 3 down LBers with at least slightly better then average speed. It will be interested to come back to this 1st round in five years or so to see which of the LBers were the best.

Grade A-

1.25
Seattle
TE Brent Mera 31/75
Vol 40
6' 3" 259 lbs
North Carolina State

Seattle takes the second TE in the draft and first since the #1 overall pick. Mera has good size, speed and run blocking skills but his pass catching skill set is average to below average. If he can improve as a pass catcher, he has a chance to become a starter in the near future. If he can't improve in TC then he easily becomes TE2 for Seattle.

Grade B+

1.26
Memphis
LG Kennett Allen 33/92
Vol 56
6' 2" 305 lbs
Arkansas

Memphis selects the 4th Offensive lineman taken in the 1st round and last of the three OL on the top 32 picks list. They get a player which advanced pass blocking skills and above average speed but he has average strength with good run blocking potential. He is easily the 3rd best OL in the 1st round and with a solid TC, could become even better. I'm still shocked he wasn't taken before Crawford at pick 21 but as the saying goes....different strokes for different folks!

Grade A-

1.27
Montana
DT Bobby Sheppard 29/82
Vol 90
6' 1" 310 lbs
Kansas State

The only true DT on the top 32 lost goes 27th overall to Montana. Sheppard has elite speed for a 300+ pounder to go along with great strength. He is a run stopper by trade but hus speed and pass rush ability will get him some sacks at DT. It's rare to find a 300 pound DT who ranks in the 77 percentile in speed which is higher then 3 of the 9 LBers taken before him which really puts it into perspective. A great pick near the end of the 1st round and should become a starter for maybe the next decade with the Grizzlies.

1.28
Atlanta
WR John Denison 37/73
Vol 32
6' 1" 193 lbs
Texas

Atlanta uses their second 1st round on a WR after selected a LB with their first pick. Denison has great hands and the ability to get off the line of scrimmage but his route running needs alot of work and he doesn't do well on 50/50 throws. It's the end of the 1st round and the choices are limited so each team must chose the best player available based on their own preferences. It's a solid pick at this point of the draft.

Grade A-

1.29
Providence
SS Felix Hunt 37/81
Vol 22
5' 11" 221 lbs
Rice

Providence takes the last DB on my top 32 list in SS Hunt at pick 29. He is a big safety at 221 pounds and his speed is above average for the position. There is a chance he can shed some weight and improve his speed but his real value comes with his complete 4-pack skill set in pass coverage which is all great with his M2M at an elite level. He adds high football IQ along with elite pass rush skills but scouts are concerned with his tackling. It's to be expected at this point of the draft since you won't find many players without a weakness.

Grade B+

1.30
Atlanta
FS Jeffrey Hamilton 34/79
Vol 46
6' 0" 216 lbs
Brigham Young

This is Atlanta's third pick in the 1st round and after taking a MLB & WR with the first two picks, they select a FS with their third selection. Everyone is the league hopes Atlanta's picks all bust because nobody wants to see that train gain any traction ever again. Unfortunately, Hamilton is a decent pick with above average skills, speed and quickness in a big frame for a safety and might very well pan out for the Dominators. The rest of the league can still hope a few of their 1st rounders get caught on tape beating their girlfriends or pop dirty for PEDs since nobody wants to see Atlanta win another Title for the next 20+ seasons after they ran off 8 straight from 2041-2048.

1.31
Randolph
FS James Sanders 32/72
Vol 48
6' 0" 230 lbs
Southern California

Yes, Randolph is back on the clock with their 4th pick of the 1st round and after taking a QB, WR & MLB, they take another college LB who they plan to convert to FS. He has good speed at 230 pounds and will improve that if he can drop around 30 pounds through TC and the preseason to near elite speed. He also has elite M2M potential which could make him a sleeper pick in this draft. Randolph hasn't made the postseason since 2036 (16 straight seasons) and hasn't won a Title since 2034. This draft could propel them towards breaking that playoff drought in all 4 players have a good camp which makes this draft a francise maker or breaker!

Grade B+

1.32
Phoenix
LDE William Apple 37/80
Vol 46
6' 4" 259 lbs
Tennessee

The defending Champs take a DE who was on the top 32 player list. Apple is a little undersized for DE but has great speed, quickness, strength and intelligence to go along with elite run stopping potential and good pass rush skills. It's a great pick at #32 and improves one of the teams weaknesses since they were 23rd in the league in sacks last season on way to the Title. Great news for everyone chasing the defending Champs since they have improved this season.

Grade A