Post by MGB01 on Jul 7, 2023 17:39:17 GMT -5
Early free agency edition
1. Columbus: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Yep, still the big-armed, mobile thrower. Even if there is something to their pursuit of Colin Kaepernick he'll be 36 in November, not a long-term solution. Cardale Jones and P.J. Walker are the only two quarterbacks on the roster as of now, meaning there couldn't be any more of a ground floor--that and Walker just came from a team that played their first-round pick from day one and he helped lead them to a ten-win turnaround, although the Capitols are quite a ways away from that.
V2: No change
V1: Levis to Tampa
2. Birmingham: Joey Porter, CB, Penn State
The top two corners, in terms of snaps, are gone and a third, Christian Benford, probably would be joining them if he wasn't heading into his second year or couldn't play safety. So they go Porter to give them a long press corner who can also offer run support.
V1 and V2: Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
3. New York: O'Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
On the first two days of free agency, the Hitmen lost both starting guards (Ben Powers and Nate Davis), and while it won't sting like two years ago coming off a 4-12 campaign--as opposed to an X-Bowl appearance, it will change their draft strategy. What draws the Hitmen to Torrence is the potential impact he'll have on the run game, where J.K. Dobbins was last seen running the Glory out of a division title and Kenneth Walker in tow.
V1 and V2: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
4. Kansas City (from San Diego): Steve Avila, OG, TCU
The Monarchs' one weakness was up front, where they took a definite step back in their first year post-all-XFL center Rodney Hudson and Case Keenum was sacked 38 times. Avila, the best pass protecting interior lineman at this spot, can solve a whole lot of problems at guard where Ben Cleveland missed six games and the rest of the position ranged from average (Royce Newman, Willie Beavers) to running out of chances (John Simpson).
V2: Derick Hall, LB, Auburn
V1: Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
5. St. Louis: Matthew Bergeron, OG, Syracuse
Avila was far and away the Stallions' first choice so they'll pivot to Bergeron, the most flexible lineman in the draft who can play both tackle spots, good to have with the wildcard that is David Bakhtiari (missed three games in '23). Other than that, Bergeron will replace the underwhelming Ben Bredeson at left guard and give them an offensive line that, sans Bakhtiari, has all come in the first two rounds of the last three drafts.
V1 and V2: Steve Avila, OG, TCU
6. Dallas: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
It will be between Schmitz and Joe Tippmann, the Lonestars will stay with Schmitz, who will start from day one and stabilize an offensive line which could be one of the better units in the league.
V1 and V2: No change
7. San Antonio: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Mississippi
The betting is that Kaepernick winds up in San Antonio, cap issues aside, and when he gets there he'll have a wide-open offense tailored for him by new OC Tanner Engstrand, his ex-KC teammate David Montgomery, and even if Mecole Hardman leaves as a free agent they'll have a big-back sized wideout in Mingo to make plays all over the field as the Stampede try to chew up and spit out the great disappointment of 2023.
V2: No change
V1: B.J. Ojulari, LB, LSU
8. Washington: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
As predicted in May, the Glory let oft-injured Irv Smith walk, opening up a spot for Mayer, who should be the starter from day one--that the Glory haven't yet added to a group of Jaden Wydermyer, Stephen Sullivan, and Tyree Jackson pretty much telegraphs it
V1 and V2: No change
9. San Diego: Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota State
The cash-flush Mission haven't made their move yet in free agency, but even when they do they'll have a tremendous gift waiting for them here with the versatile Mauch, who can not only play from day one but can also line up wherever they need him to. After going in year one with the sub-average (now moved on) duo of Sam Tevi and Marcus Cannon they'll give Mauch a look at left tackle, though both guard spots could also be an option.
V1 and V2: Joey Porter, CB, Penn State
10. Seattle: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
Much as it was in the first two the pick will stay Benton, and after the Reign re-signed Andrew Billings they'll have one of the better defensive lines in the league with Benton joining Billings, Micheal Clemons, and DROY David Ojabo.
V1 and V2: No change
11. Orlando: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
With Deebo Samuel off to the NFL they could make a play for Jayden Reed or Marvin Mims but they go elsewhere here with Branch, giving them the ability to go three-safety in their secondary as well as use Branch at nickel corner. Also with Rayshawn Jenkins turning 30 during camp and sporting the third-highest cap hit on the team might be wise to look ahead.
V1 and V2: O'Cyrus Torrance, OG, Florida
12. Los Angeles: Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
The Xtreme were expecting to re-sign Greg Gaines but surprisingly lost him to Dallas. So in a continued retooling of their three-man front, which swapped retired Jurrell Casey for Zach Allen, they get the lean Dexter, who despite his smallish frame can play nose tackle, and most importantly for the Xtreme can take care of business up front so Drake Jackson, who many feel should have been DROY over Ojabo, can continue to do his thing.
V1 and V2: Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota State
13. Chicago: Derick Hall, LB, Auburn
Not only was the pass rush one of the weakest of Rex Ryan's time in Chicago but only two sacks came from the edge (Tashawn Bower), embarrassing enough that the Ryans began mixing in more four-man fronts towards the end of the season. Boye Mafe was underwhelming on both fronts as a rookie so he'll lose snaps at the very least to Hall, Auburn's sack leader the last two years.
V1 and V2: Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame
14. San Francisco: Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech
White goes around the same size as the departed Zach Allen, which would make him the perfect replacement (although the Demons are also flirting with Charles Omenihu), but Justin Houston will be 35 in January so it's time to look at him as well.
V1 and V2: No change
15. Carolina: Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
Kyle Trask made a lot of waves in getting first-team all-XFL nod over Case Keenum (before paying for it in the X-Bowl), and his fleet of receivers were a big reason why. Mims' arrival means someone has to go, and with Hunter Renfrow getting his money and Tee Higgins on deck it'll be either Tyler Johnson or Diondre Overton.
V2: No change
V1: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Mississippi
16. Kansas City: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Much like Orlando, the Monarchs watched a star wideout hop off to the NFL this week too. Instead it reinforces their fixation at TE, where the combination of Harrison Bryant and Jake Ferguson gave them 42 catches for 626 yards and no touchdowns, well behind Kelvin Benjamin in San Diego (57-791-9). Combine that with the misses at Isaiah Likely and Cade Otton last summer and it's not hard to see where they're going here. LaPorta is primed to be the next guy from the Iowa tree (George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, and Noah Fant of late) and already made a name for himself with Iowa's QB deficiencies the last few years, imagine what he can do with XFL all-timer Case Keenum.
V1 and V2: No change
1. Columbus: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Yep, still the big-armed, mobile thrower. Even if there is something to their pursuit of Colin Kaepernick he'll be 36 in November, not a long-term solution. Cardale Jones and P.J. Walker are the only two quarterbacks on the roster as of now, meaning there couldn't be any more of a ground floor--that and Walker just came from a team that played their first-round pick from day one and he helped lead them to a ten-win turnaround, although the Capitols are quite a ways away from that.
V2: No change
V1: Levis to Tampa
2. Birmingham: Joey Porter, CB, Penn State
The top two corners, in terms of snaps, are gone and a third, Christian Benford, probably would be joining them if he wasn't heading into his second year or couldn't play safety. So they go Porter to give them a long press corner who can also offer run support.
V1 and V2: Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
3. New York: O'Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
On the first two days of free agency, the Hitmen lost both starting guards (Ben Powers and Nate Davis), and while it won't sting like two years ago coming off a 4-12 campaign--as opposed to an X-Bowl appearance, it will change their draft strategy. What draws the Hitmen to Torrence is the potential impact he'll have on the run game, where J.K. Dobbins was last seen running the Glory out of a division title and Kenneth Walker in tow.
V1 and V2: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
4. Kansas City (from San Diego): Steve Avila, OG, TCU
The Monarchs' one weakness was up front, where they took a definite step back in their first year post-all-XFL center Rodney Hudson and Case Keenum was sacked 38 times. Avila, the best pass protecting interior lineman at this spot, can solve a whole lot of problems at guard where Ben Cleveland missed six games and the rest of the position ranged from average (Royce Newman, Willie Beavers) to running out of chances (John Simpson).
V2: Derick Hall, LB, Auburn
V1: Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
5. St. Louis: Matthew Bergeron, OG, Syracuse
Avila was far and away the Stallions' first choice so they'll pivot to Bergeron, the most flexible lineman in the draft who can play both tackle spots, good to have with the wildcard that is David Bakhtiari (missed three games in '23). Other than that, Bergeron will replace the underwhelming Ben Bredeson at left guard and give them an offensive line that, sans Bakhtiari, has all come in the first two rounds of the last three drafts.
V1 and V2: Steve Avila, OG, TCU
6. Dallas: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
It will be between Schmitz and Joe Tippmann, the Lonestars will stay with Schmitz, who will start from day one and stabilize an offensive line which could be one of the better units in the league.
V1 and V2: No change
7. San Antonio: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Mississippi
The betting is that Kaepernick winds up in San Antonio, cap issues aside, and when he gets there he'll have a wide-open offense tailored for him by new OC Tanner Engstrand, his ex-KC teammate David Montgomery, and even if Mecole Hardman leaves as a free agent they'll have a big-back sized wideout in Mingo to make plays all over the field as the Stampede try to chew up and spit out the great disappointment of 2023.
V2: No change
V1: B.J. Ojulari, LB, LSU
8. Washington: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
As predicted in May, the Glory let oft-injured Irv Smith walk, opening up a spot for Mayer, who should be the starter from day one--that the Glory haven't yet added to a group of Jaden Wydermyer, Stephen Sullivan, and Tyree Jackson pretty much telegraphs it
V1 and V2: No change
9. San Diego: Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota State
The cash-flush Mission haven't made their move yet in free agency, but even when they do they'll have a tremendous gift waiting for them here with the versatile Mauch, who can not only play from day one but can also line up wherever they need him to. After going in year one with the sub-average (now moved on) duo of Sam Tevi and Marcus Cannon they'll give Mauch a look at left tackle, though both guard spots could also be an option.
V1 and V2: Joey Porter, CB, Penn State
10. Seattle: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
Much as it was in the first two the pick will stay Benton, and after the Reign re-signed Andrew Billings they'll have one of the better defensive lines in the league with Benton joining Billings, Micheal Clemons, and DROY David Ojabo.
V1 and V2: No change
11. Orlando: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
With Deebo Samuel off to the NFL they could make a play for Jayden Reed or Marvin Mims but they go elsewhere here with Branch, giving them the ability to go three-safety in their secondary as well as use Branch at nickel corner. Also with Rayshawn Jenkins turning 30 during camp and sporting the third-highest cap hit on the team might be wise to look ahead.
V1 and V2: O'Cyrus Torrance, OG, Florida
12. Los Angeles: Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
The Xtreme were expecting to re-sign Greg Gaines but surprisingly lost him to Dallas. So in a continued retooling of their three-man front, which swapped retired Jurrell Casey for Zach Allen, they get the lean Dexter, who despite his smallish frame can play nose tackle, and most importantly for the Xtreme can take care of business up front so Drake Jackson, who many feel should have been DROY over Ojabo, can continue to do his thing.
V1 and V2: Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota State
13. Chicago: Derick Hall, LB, Auburn
Not only was the pass rush one of the weakest of Rex Ryan's time in Chicago but only two sacks came from the edge (Tashawn Bower), embarrassing enough that the Ryans began mixing in more four-man fronts towards the end of the season. Boye Mafe was underwhelming on both fronts as a rookie so he'll lose snaps at the very least to Hall, Auburn's sack leader the last two years.
V1 and V2: Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame
14. San Francisco: Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech
White goes around the same size as the departed Zach Allen, which would make him the perfect replacement (although the Demons are also flirting with Charles Omenihu), but Justin Houston will be 35 in January so it's time to look at him as well.
V1 and V2: No change
15. Carolina: Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
Kyle Trask made a lot of waves in getting first-team all-XFL nod over Case Keenum (before paying for it in the X-Bowl), and his fleet of receivers were a big reason why. Mims' arrival means someone has to go, and with Hunter Renfrow getting his money and Tee Higgins on deck it'll be either Tyler Johnson or Diondre Overton.
V2: No change
V1: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Mississippi
16. Kansas City: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Much like Orlando, the Monarchs watched a star wideout hop off to the NFL this week too. Instead it reinforces their fixation at TE, where the combination of Harrison Bryant and Jake Ferguson gave them 42 catches for 626 yards and no touchdowns, well behind Kelvin Benjamin in San Diego (57-791-9). Combine that with the misses at Isaiah Likely and Cade Otton last summer and it's not hard to see where they're going here. LaPorta is primed to be the next guy from the Iowa tree (George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, and Noah Fant of late) and already made a name for himself with Iowa's QB deficiencies the last few years, imagine what he can do with XFL all-timer Case Keenum.
V1 and V2: No change