Another ridiculous grind this game makes me go through is creating my hall of fame ballot. I have to go through hundreds of no stats/minimal stats players who retired to find deserving candidates.

It's time consuming & monotonous because JDB has no filters for the stats. A simply filter for minimum games played removes a bunch of meaningless retired players to sort through.

Also when sorting stats based on average, a filter for minimum pass attempts, rushes, punts or passes defended would make the stats much easier to understand.

Catch allowed percentage is an important statistic but if you sort by lowest, it list everyone in the league who never defended a pass first at 0.0%. Really? Do better JDB !

Just an example....for the new HOF ballot, I had to look at 341 players to find 20 possible candidates.

Now I will deep dive those 20 and anywhere from 10-15 players will.finally make the ballot where our HOF committee will vote on upwards of 45 players on the ballot from these 1st year to the last chance 5th year on the ballot players.

Typically 4-6 players will get the nod

If Atlanta will get any best FA player - then - let Atlanta pay the super max contract, so franchise will reach his cap limit earlier,
to forbid super max contract is contra productive and makes Atlanta more stronger.

Anyway ... my team is not important for championship because I am weak GM. It is a little bit boring for teams with Super Bowl window.
Congrats again to championship, Atlanta.

Maybe you missed it but due to different max contracts based on what browser you use. There are no longer rules about contracts going forward.

Super max is a divider.

It'll dwindle a couple people off going for a guy because it takes 10-15 minutes of deep though time to get it all aligned for each year.

Therefore, you put in effort maybe the other guy won't and can WIN the player.

Great to know that there no restriction in contracts anymore. A little bit late for the top FA this time but not too late for next time.

Yeah, I already apologized for that but in my defense, I just learned yesterday, after almost 6 years playing MFN, that the regular max contract using sliders is different based on what internet browser you use.

If you go back a few post, I posted images detailing it.

2047 HOF released here:

https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/forums/6/1360?page=1#11099

I've sent it to our 4 man HOF Committee who have over 100 seasons combined in the XFL!!!

2047 1st round draft review

This is the 30th season of the XFL and going on starting in 2021, I've been doing a 1st round draft review. This will be my 27th annual 1st round draft review and all previous draft reviews can be found in the draft history thread located here:

https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/forums/7/1366?page=4#10676

For all the returning owners, you know the deal but for any new owners let me explain what I do here. I look at each player taken and give my opinion on the selection based on the following:

☆my player weights
☆players available at time of selection
☆team needs
☆position of player

I will repeat.....this is solely my opinion and I try to keep it fun but I also try to keep it honest. If I don't particularly like a pick, I will explain myself just as I do when I love a pick. I am not trying to attack or insult any owner and it comes down to my opinion only.

My opinions are there to be seen forever and I can point out many cases where I was absolutely right and some cases where I couldn't be any more wrong. At times, I take artistic license and give different picks college awards or name a certain college National Champs based on having multiple 1st round picks. I also give some high vol picks off the field issues to explain why it's a risky pick and the player could bust hard.

The bottom line is I do this for fun and I really want everyone to just enjoy the experience no matter if I agree with your pick or question it and by all means I hope any pick I pan becomes a future ALLPRO, Superstar or Hall of Famer and you throw it in my face.



TEAM WITH MULTIPLE 1ST ROUND PICKS
Los Angeles (2)
Cincinnati (2)
Phoenix (2)
Seattle (2)
Orlando (2)
Montana (2)

TEAM WITH NO 1ST ROUND PICKS
Buffalo
New York
Pittsburgh
Gem City
Atlanta
Memphis


2047 1.1
Daytona
QB Stephen Morales 29/85
Vol 70
6' 1" 224 lbs
Indiana

Daytona takes the best QB in the draft with the #1 overall pick. They haven't been able to find that francise QB over the years. Former QB William Powers signed with Providence last season and completely resurrected his career which leads many experts to believe its the system, not the player that is the issue. Current QB Terry Meyers has talent along with some skill position players on the roster but the play calling seems to limit the overall team success. Morales has some great qualities but his work ethic has come into question which dropped him on most draft boards. Daytona clearly is reaching here and it could work out for then but many other safer picks were there to be had and Daytona clearly needs help everywhere.

Grade A-

2047 1.2
Kansas City
CB John Harris 36/87
Vol 16
5' 11" 199 lbs
Iowa State

This Jim Thorpe award winner was at the top of most mock drafts based on his elite speed and well rounded coverage skills. One of the safer picks in this year's draft can play anywhere in the secondary and should instantly improve last year's 10th ranked pass defense.

Grade A++

2047 1.3
Saint Paul
WR Mike Johnston 37/87
Vol 68
6' 0" 190 lbs
Pittsburgh

Most mock drafts had Johnston in the top 2 picks and with Daytona reaching for a QB, he falls to #3 which had to make the Punishers excited. He has elite speed and receiving skills which helped him win the Fred Biletnikoff award for best college WR. Scouts love his versatility on offense where he could run the ball along with being a willing blocker. There were some concerns about his attitude after he had to sit out a game in college after breaking an undisclosed team rule in his senior season.

Grade A+

2047 1.4
Texas
CB Richard Jordon 34/76
Vol 14
5' 11" 185 lbs
Notre Dame

Texas selects the #2 CB on most draft boards but he wasn't expected to go this high so its a semi-surprise selection. Jordon played for the Notre Dame who won the National Championship in college and should be the first of 3 1st rounders who are Golden Domers. Jordon has elite speed but there is concerns he will lose some speed when he bulks up to play in the XFL. The coverage skills are solid but not elite and he needs to gain around 10 pounds to survive in the pro game which could slow him down. Despite his size, he has always been a willing tackler with a nose for knocking the football loose which could make him a candidate for safety in the XFL.

Grade A

2047 1.5
Miami
MLB Lewis Jones 41/80
Vol 30
6' 0" 254 lbs
Boston College

The draft continues to surprise as MLB Jones goes #5 overall after being ranked the 5th best LB in the draft. Jones was definately considered a 1st round pick but LBs Aviles, Warren, Rhea & Allen were expected to go in front of him in the draft. Scouts did love his size, strength & intelligence along with being a team captain for Boston College so clearly they saw something in him to take him ahead of the others. Saint needs someone to lead their 29th ranked defense from last season and Jones may be the player for the job.

Grade A

2047 1.6
Cincinnati
RB Julio Hamilton 31/78
Vol 92
5' 11" 219 lbs
Michigan State

Cincinnati selects the Doak Walker Award winner as the best college running back with the 6th overall pick. Cincinnati had the 5th ranked rushing attack last season and the addition of Hamilton gives them an incredible 1-2 punch with Derrick Moss. The hope is an additional playmaker will finally unlock QB Remy Beaucamp to reach his true potential as the team finished with the 10th overall offense last season despite Beaucamp's struggles at points in the season. A failed drug test in his junior year may have dropped him from the very top of the draft but he still was clearly a top ten pick.

Grade A+

2047 1.7
Seattle
WLB Lloyd Sanderson 37/75
Vol 50
6' 0" 220 lbs
Washington

Another top 10 shocker as the 8th ranked LB in most mock drafts goes #7 overall. Even more surprising is Seattle statement that they are moving him to DE to become an edge rusher. At only 220 lbs, they will ask him to bulk up which should cost him some speed and scouts loved his M2M coverage skills in college which would goto waste if he transitions to the defensive line. In fact, most scouts believed he would transition to DB in the XFL because he was an undersized LB in college. It's an interesting choice for Seattle and worth watching how it plays out.

Grade B

2047 1.8
New England
RDE Randy Newton 43/82
Vol 88
6' 5" 276 lbs
Brigham Young

The surprises keep on coming as New England takes the 2nd best true DE with the 8th overall pick despite the Ted Hendricks award winner LDE Alvin Moore still on the board. Newton has traditional size and elite speed at defensive end but has average strength. He showed the ability to play elite level versus both the run & pass and should help New England rush the QB which is a priority for them playing in the same division with Buffalo & New York who ranked #1 & #2 in pass offense while New England ranked 20th in pass defense.

Grade A

2047 1.9
Brooklyn
WR Rodney Webster 36/79
Vol 14
5' 11" 205 lbs
Ball State

Brooklyn lands the 3rd ranked WR on my draft board with the 9th overall pick and is the 2nd WR to come off the board as Brooklyn chose Webster over 2nd ranked WR Smith. The 2 players were essentially 2a & 2b so its not really much of a shock that Webster went ahead of Smith. Webster is the faster of the 2 WRs with elite speed but his hands aren't as good in most scouts opinions. He does have a bigger frame and is better at bringing down 50/50 ***** so its more a matter of taste then actual skill. Brooklyn had the 13th ranked pass offense last season but the 32nd rush offense so it raises the question if Webster may run the ball or is Brooklyn just making a strength stronger by adding another playmaker.

Grade A

2047 1.10
Los Angeles
WLB Donn Warren 36/81
Vol 42
6' 0" 228 lbs
Iowa

The 3rd ranked LB is the 3rd LB taken in the 1st round with the top 2 ranked LBs still on the board. It's become increasingly clear that all the mock drafts and pre-draft rankings haven't come close to each team's draft board. Warren was a finalist for Butkus award and clearly seen as one of the top LBs in the draft. Warren has the complete package of speed, quickness, strength & intelligence to go along with his ability to stop the run, rush the passer and play coverage which makes him a candidate to play either inside or outside linebacker. LA had the 14th ranked defense last season but was 25th in pass defense so I expect Warren to eventually become the MLB and captain the defense.

Grade A+

2047 1.11
Oakland
SS Anthony Costello 29/76
Vol 68
5' 11" 201 lbs
Vanderbilt

The sound you hear is my pre-draft rankings going in the shredder as for the 5th time in the top 11 picks, someone ranked much lower then expected goes much higher then anticipated. My pre-draft rankings had Costello as the 11th ranked DB and only 2 DBs have come off the board. Costello has average speed & quickness but has elite strength & intelligence. His coverage skills are above average for safety and he is known as a hard hitting safety who is an average tackling with a decent nose for the football. Oakland ranked 27th in pass defense and Costello should help them but with Redmond & Mansfield still on the board with elite speed it raises questions about what they didn't see in them or maybe what did they see in Costello that those others lacked.

Grade B

2047 1.12
Indiana
SS Everett Redford 30/75
Vol 20
6' 0" 205 lbs
Florida State

Indiana lands the 3rd ranked DB despite taking the 4th DB off the board. While their division rival selected Costello ahead of Redford, Indiana wasted no time taking this safety will elite speed. Redford's coverage skills are average at best but his speed & quickness is best suited as a safety playing zone where he can run to the ball. If he can improve his coverage skills at all in TC then he could become special for Indiana's 24th ranked pass defense.

Grade A

2047 1.13
Zehlendorf
QB Joseph Sheldon 19/70
Vol 28
6' 2" 209 lbs
Stanford

I had to scramble to find info on this QB who didn't even make my top 6 QBs in the draft. Sheldon has elite level pass accuracy so clearly I missed that in my pre-draft preparation. He pass release is above average but his intelligence, arm strength, vision & ability to look off defenders is all rated below average. If he pops in TC, he could actually become a starter in the league but the question becomes wouldn't he still be available in the 2nd or possibly 3rd round? At the very least they could of traded down and gotten more bang for their draft pick Buck. Another draft day surprise which we should check back on in a few years.

Grade B-

2047 1.14
Montana
WR Ty Smith 38/82
Vol 54
5' 11" 186 lbs
Tulane

Montana lands the 2nd rated WR with the 14th overall pick. He is the 3rd WR to come off the board with 3rd rated WR Webster getting selected before him at pick #9. Smith has above average speed coupled with elite quickness and hands. Webster may have gone before him because of concerns over his weight. He may need to add some mass which may hamper his speed but he should still be above average at WR due to his elite route running skills. Montana had the 17th ranked pass offense last season so another playmaker could push them into the top half of the league.

Grade A

2047 1.15
Phoenix
FS Jeffrey Daniels 27/76
Vol 8
5' 11" 216 lbs
Southern University

Phoenix formerly Arizona takes the 8th ranked DB with the 15th ranked and he is the 5th DB to come off the board. The team had the 6th ranked pass defense last season and Daniels has elite level coverage skills but lacks elite speed. Phoenix clearly knows how to win so I won't question their pick but it does raise questions about the 4 DBs ranked higher who are still in the board.

Grade A-

2047 1.16
Toronto
TE Lester Litchfield 32/85
Vol 60
6' 3" 261 lbs
Iowa

The Iowa Hawkeyes lost the National Championship game to Notre Dame and they reached that game on the back of the John Mackey award winner for best college TE. Litchfield is the complete package at TE and the only question is how will his speed play in the XFL. He is big enough where he could lose some weight and still be a dominate TE in the league which would make him a little faster. Regardless, he is a talented player with some versatility and an absolute steal at pick 16 of the 1st round.

Grade A+

2047 1.17
Orlando
RG John Chan 28/92
Vol 12
6' 3" 305 lbs
North Carolina State

Orlando selects the Outland Trophy winner for best interior lineman in college with the 17th overall pick. It's the first offensive lineman taken and was the highest ranked offensive lineman in the draft. Chan is considered a "can't miss" type player who you pencil in anywhere on the offensive line except maybe center and let him play for the next 10-15 years before sizing him for his HOF jacket. That's a ton of pressure for a draft pick but Chan appears to have the makeup to handle those high expectations.

Grade A+

2047 1.18
Tampa Bay
WLB William Allard 36/77
Vol 2
6' 2" 227 lbs
Louisiana State

Tampa Bay takes the 4th LB selected in the 1st round but he is the 12th ranked LB in the pre-draft rankings. In fact, the first 4 LBs taken were ranked 5th, 8th, 3rd & 12th from the pre-draft list. With the top 2 LBs still on the board (Aviles/Rhea) plus the 4th (Allen), GMs and experts alike are scrambling to understand why they were skipped and what did they miss in their evaluation. In goes to shoe that ranking players is never an exact science and there are several players in the green room nervously calling their agents with concerns & questions. Allard is an undersized college LB with average speed and elite strength, intelligence & discipline. He is a sure tackler with above average cover skills so he can play inside or outside LB in the XFL. His speed & physical size dropped him on some draft boards but he is a solid football player overall.

Grade B+

2047 1.19
Los Angeles
SLB Joseph Rhea 39/81
Vol 74
6' 0" 224 lbs
Tennessee

Los Angeles doubles up with their 2nd pick of the 1st round taking another LB who was ranked 2nd best LB in most mock drafts. Rhea has elite speed at LB but is a bit undersized which leads most experts to believe he will transition to DB in the XFL. He showed above average M2M skills in college along with pass rush and the ability to play zone defense. This means his best position might be safety or outside linebacker in pass coverage. Concerns about his work ethic cropped up during interviews which might of been the reason he slipped in the draft and will something to monitor in TC.

Grade A

2047 1.20
Cincinnati
CB Eric Kimmel 32/72
Vol 86
5' 11" 207 lbs
McNeese State

Cincinnati addressed the defense with their 2nd 1st round pick after taking the best RB with their first 1st round pick. They selected a DB with elite speed out of a smaller college program and are hoping they can get his coverage skills up to the XFL level. His speed will play in the XFL and if his M2M cover skills don't show improvement then he can always move to safety where his ability to play zone and tackle the ball carrier shined in college.

Grade A-

2047 1.21
Dakota
WLB Richard Bell 35/73
Vol 78
5' 10 237 lbs
Morgan State

Dakota takes the 6th LB inbthe first round and the 6th ranked LB in the draft. Bell has elite speed and experts see him transitioning to CB in the XFL. Like Kimmel, selected before him, his speed with play in the XFL and Dakota views him as a CB first with outside LB/edge rusher being a fall back position since he showed incredible strength for his size.

Grade B+

2047 1.22
Montana
RDE Justin Brooks 46/77
Vol 66
6' 3" 269 lbs
California

Montana traded back into the 1st round and used their 2nd 1st rounder on defense after landing the 2nd best WR in the draft with their first 1st round pick. Brooks is a solid DE with solid speed & quickness plus a knack for stuffing the run, rushing the passer, sure tackling and the ability to strip the ball loose on occasion. Scouts believe he has the ability to transition to LB where he could lose some weight, gain some speed and showcase his M2M cover skills which he used rarely in college.

Grade A+

2047 1.23
Philadelphia
RG Jack Stone 29/95
Vol 36
6' 3" 321 lbs
Utah

Philadelphia selects one of the best 2 remaining OL after Chan went off the board at pick 17. Some scouts viewed Stone as haver a higher upside then Chan but regardless he should start from day 1 and play the next 10 years on the line for the Slayers. It will be fun to look back in 10 years and see if Stone or Chan had a better career but it's almost certain both will be solid starters for years to come.

Grade A

2047 1.24
Phoenix
SS Anthony Mansfield 33/75
Vol 96
6' 0" 212 lbs
Notre Dame

With Arizona changing the team name to the Phoenix Predators, it's become apparent that they plan to sure up their secondary heading into the 30th season of the XFL. They took a cover cover with their first 1st rounder then took a DB with elite speed & quickness with their second 1st round pick. Mansfield has something that can't be taught and that's incredible athletic ability which should play at safety in the XFL. Phoenix (Arizona) had the 6th ranked pass defense last season and the top 7 players who defended a pass return this season which gives them even more depth at area of strength.

Grade A

2047 1.25
Vegas
WLB Kenneth Allen 35/80
Vol 50
6' 2" 239 lbs
Brigham Young

Vegas takes the 7th LB off the board in the 1st round and he was ranked the 4th best in most mock drafts. After 4 straight seasons where Vegas finished around .500, they finally broke through with 11 wins last seasons thanks to their top 7 offense. Allen is a very versatile LB that can play all over the field as Vegas looks to improve on last seasons 16th ranked defense.

Grade A

2047 1.26
Seattle
MLB Garrett Lansberry 31/81
Vol 82
6' 0" 249 lbs
Maryland

Seattle doubles up taking a 2nd LB with their second 1st round pick. It's the 8th LB to come off the board and ranked the 9th best according to pre-draft evaluations. Lansberry is a complete MLB but he lacks the elite speed most teams look for in a starter. He could drop some weight & gain some speed if the team wants him too which can make the selection a much better pick in the long run.

Grade B+

2047 1.27
Vancouver
CB David Hooks 33/75
Vol 4
6' 0" 207 lbs
Air Force

The 8th DB taken is the 1st round goes to Vancouver and they land Hooks who was ranked as high as 6th in some pre-draft publications. He has near elite speed and specialized in jammer receivers at the line of scrimmage. The hope is he improves his M2M skills in TC and becomes a starting CB for the team for years to come.

Grade A-

2047 1.28
Washington
WLB Ervin Jackson 31/75
Vol 62
6' 2" 246 lbs
Texas

The 9th LB comes off the board in the 1st round at pick #28 and he wa ls ranked the 10th best is pre-draft lists. Jackson has the prototypical size & speed to play LB in the XFL but he lacks cover skills and is more of a run stopping/pass rushing linebacker which is why his stock fell on most draft boards. If he can drastically improve his pass cover skills in TC, he becomes.a steal this late in the 1st round.

Grade B

2047 1.29
Orlando
MLB Dustin Aviles 34/80
Vol 70
6' 1" 230 lbs
Mississippi

Orlando landed the top offensive lineman with their first 1st round pick and with their second 1st rounder, the top LB in the draft according to some scouts falls to them as the 10th LB taken. What scouts loved about Aviles was his elite speed & pass coverage skills in college while leading his defense in college at MLB. He plummeted in the draft after allegations popped up over social media about police being called to his address for a domestic dispute. Details are sketchy at this point but the uncertainty was enough for 9 teams to pass on him after winning the Butkus award in college his senior year.

Grade A

2047 1.30
Providence
TE John Holm 31/77
Vol 50
6' 3" 261 lbs
Penn State

Providence selects the 2nd best TE in the draft with the 30th pick. On the field, Holm is a big pass catching TE with great run blocking skills. His speed is well above average but short of elite while he is incredibly smart & disciplined. Off the field, Holm gained infamy when he and his girlfriend started an onlyfans and posted NSFW videos of the two of them. You can find it yourself but let's just say his teammates gave him the nickname Johnny Holmes.

Grade A

2047 1.31
Houston
DT Alan Edwards 45/76
Vol 72
6' 2" 297 lbs
Utah State

Houston made it to the Title game for the first time this past season and they used their 31st pick to take a DT to add to their top rated rush defense. Edwards has great speed for his size and will man the middle.of their defensive front.

Grade A-

2047 1.32
Carolina
DT Arthur Keck 49/81
Vol 82
6' 2" 310 lbs
Washington

Carolina has the last pick of the first round and they took a DT to help improve their 32nd ranked Rush defense. Keck has a great combination of size, strength and speed to go along with high level discipline & intelligence to become an anchor on their defensive line for years to come.

Grade A-