1986 USFL Draft Preview

Sporting News, December 8, 1986

We are one week away from the USFL’s annual Territorial and Open Collegiate Draft and with the combination of the recent Expansion Draft for the league’s four new franchises and the highly active NFL-USFL player transfer window this past summer, there is not a team in the league who is not looking to fill gaps, improve depth, or find that one special player who can make their season. Whether it is attempting to replace an all-league player lost to free agency, or build up a weak roster group, every team is looking ahead to this draft with great anticipation. Here is our breakdown of the needs each team might be looking to fill in this year’s draft, with the team’s listed by order of their Open Draft Selections

ARIZONA WRANGLERS (1st pick from SAN)

Territorial Schools: Arizona, Az. State, UNLV

Top Needs: QB, WR, CB, DT

Prediction: While the deal to trade Rick Neuheisel to San Antonio brings the Wranglers the #1 pick in the Open Draft, it clearly also means that they are putting a lot of trust in untested Robbie Bosco. Expect the Wranglers to go for a 2nd QB early in the draft. They also need to replace the loss of both Aubrey Matthews and Wamon Buggs. Expect them to look closely at Arizona State’s Bruce Hill. On defense, the losses were not as great, but the need is still there for a tougher run defense. DT and maybe LB are key positions there.

MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS

Territorial Schools: Tennessee, Arkansas, Memphis St.

Top Needs: OL, WR, QB

Prediction: Memphis’s losses this offseason were very evenly spread across the roster, and while the biggest hits might have been losing CB Jeff George and QB Damon Allen, the real need for the Showboats, even before the offseason, was an upgrade across the offensive line. Walter Lewis just takes too many hits, and the difference in outcomes for Marcus Dupree in Memphis vs. in New Orleans just proves that the Showboats need an improved line. Tennessee has two solid tackles available to Memphis in the Territorial Draft, Bruce Wilkerson and Daryle Smith. They need to make a play for one or both.

ORLANDO RENEGADES

Territorial Schools: Miami, Clemson, Wake Forest

Top Needs: Everything

Prediction: The Renegades have a starting QB and HB in Collier and Bledsoe, but beyond that their roster looks like a mishmash of talent. Expect the Renegades to look at the defense as the best spot where rookies can become immediate starters. In the Territorial Draft, expect them to focus on Miami stars like LB Winston Moss. The signing of Collier and Tampa’s Jimmie Jordan likely means they will not make a run at Hurricane QB Vinny Testaverde, but they will need to shore up almost every position on the team.

PITTSBURGH MAULERS

Territorial Schools: Pitt, Ohio State, Marshall

Top Needs: DB, T, WR

Prediction: The Maulers lost Dave Duerson to the NFL, but their biggest concern might still be the lack of depth in their receiving corps. John Jefferson cannot do it alone. Looking at their Territorial schools, we like Ohio State CB Sonny Gordon as a good pick, and, after losing 2 tackles in the expansion draft, they may take a run at Pitt tackle Randy Dixon as well. In the open draft, a wideout is key, and then picks to improve their truly shaky defense, perhaps focused on the D-line and defensive backfield.

OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS

Territorial Schools: Oklahoma, Ok State, Kansas

Top Needs: Everything

Prediction: Signing Doug Williams made a huge splash for this team, but all eyes are on Oklahoma LB Brian Bosworth. Will the Outlaws make a serious effort to sign the best Sooner player available and put themselves on the sports map in the state? They would be foolish not to. Expect them to also try to improve their O-line and to add depth to their defense across the board.

NEW JERSEY GENERALS

Territorial Schools: Rutgers, Syracuse, Boston College

Top Needs: DB, T, LB, DL

Prediction: The resigning of Herschel Walker means that New Jersey does not have to shoot for a marquee name in the draft. This year what they need more than anything is to improve their defense and to restock the positions hit in the expansion draft. Of course, to make hay in the Atlantic, they will need to improve across their roster, so the Generals could go any direction. Their Territorial schools do not offer them much this year, so they will need to be shrewd in the Open Draft.

CHICAGO MACHINE

Territorial Schools: Illinois, Notre Dame, Purdue

Top Needs: Everything

Prediction: Joe Bugel wants to run the ball, but after selecting Albert Bentley in the expansion draft, the Machine has their bellcow back. So, what else is a priority? Winning the up front line battles is key, so expect Bugel to prioritize OL and DL positions. Don’t be surprised if the Machine select Notre Dame kicker John Carney in the Territorial Draft, as they passed on several solid kickers in the Expansion Draft.

LOS ANGELES EXPRESS

Territorial Schools: USC, UCLA, San Diego St.

Top Needs: HB, LB, WR, DL

Prediction: The Express losing Kevin Mack to the NFL was a significant hit. Look for them to target RB early in the draft. They also need to restock their LB corps after losing two players in the expansion draft. We like the odds that they will target USC’s Sam Anno in the territorial draft, but may also look for help in the open draft. But, first round has to be a halfback for the Express.

HOUSTON GAMBLERS

Territorial Schools: Texas A&M, Houston, Texas Tech

Top Needs: WR, OL, CB, DE

Prediction: After losing both Richard Johnson and Gerald McNeil in the Expansion Draft, the Gamblers have to be thinking of restocking the wideout position, but may opt to do that in the later rounds as they also need to replace DE Coy Bacon, who left for the NFL. In the Territorial Draft the best prospects may be at LB, where Texas A&M is graduating two quality players in Johnny Holland and Todd Howard.

BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS

Territorial Schools: Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss

Top Needs: HB, S, OL, C, QB

Prediction: Birmingham has only 1 halfback on the roster, but that back is Joe Cribbs, so expect them to spend some mid-round picks to fill in his backups. They also might take a flyer on a QB since backup Bob Lane is not getting any younger, but their biggest need might be along the offensive line, to help keep Joe Cribbs moving the ball. In the Territorial Draft, Alabama and Auburn offer a lot of solid players. The question is whether or not Birmingham will take a shot to grab Auburn HB Brent Fullwood or wait until later in the draft to get a backup to Cribbs.

WASHINGTON FEDERALS

Territorial Schools: Virginia, Va Tech, West Virginia

Top Needs: HB, DT, CB, LB

Prediction: The Federals were tantalizingly close to a playoff spot in 1986, and they are hoping that the signing of Neil Lomax gives them the leader they need on offense to get over the hump. In the draft they will need to find a solid backup for Craig James, and their defense, while better last year, needs to replace lost pieces like DTs Bennie Smith and Ike Readon, and LB’s J.D. Fuller and Eric Wilson, all lost to offseason moves. There is not a lot of blue chip talent in their 3 territorial schools this year, but they likely will pick Hokie LB Curtis Taliaferro, who fits well into the 4-3 system preferred by Coach Rutigliano.

DENVER GOLD

Territorial Schools: Colorado, BYU, Nebraska

Top Needs: WR, HB, DB, LB

Prediction: Denver has always won through defense and gritty ball-control on offense. The problem is they have never had playmakers to turn a 10 yard play into a 40 yard play. They need to find that type of talent at both HB and WR to keep pace in this offense-heavy league. They are more likely to get more of the same type of gritty, blue collar help from their 3 territorial schools, so it will be in the open draft where they look to find the game breaking players. Expect them to seek a receiver to replace Vic James and a back to replace Scott Stamper, both lost to the expansion draft.

OAKLAND INVADERS

Territorial Schools: Cal, Stanford, Washington

Top Needs: HB, DL, S, LB

Prediction: Just like Birmingham, Oakland finds itself with only one serviceable HB in Whittington. They need to look for backups to relieve their workhorse. They should also be hoping to improve on a run defense which was too generous last year. Some help at DT and DE is needed. Cal and Stanford cannot really help there, but perhaps the Invaders will take a look at Washington Husky DT Reggie Rogers for a territorial pick to help solidify the D-line.

JACKSONVILLE BULLS

Territorial Schools: Florida State, Georgia, Ga Tech

Top Needs: QB, LB, S, G, LB

Prediction: Quarterback, Quarterback, Quarterback. With the trade of the disgruntled Doug Williams to expansion Oklahoma, the Bulls become one of the easiest predictions in the league. They need a QB because spending the year with Ed Luther at the helm is not likely to win over many fans in north Florida. We all know who the fans want, Miami Heisman Winner Vinny Testaverde. Do they trade with Orlando to get a shot in the Territorial Draft or do they hope Orlando passes on Testaverde and then hold their breath that he will drop to them in the open draft. If Vinny is not an option for them, they will need to look at other top-rated QB’s such as Colorado State’s Kelly Stouffer, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh, or Oregon’s Chris Miller. But you all know who the folks in Florida want to see in a Bulls uniform.

BALTIMORE BLITZ

Territorial Schools: Maryland, UNC, NC State

Top Needs: DE, CB, FB, QB

Prediction: Baltimore is a very solid team that retained a lot of their top players this offseason, so their situation is not particularly dire. They do need to replace some talent on the D-line, after losing 3 players there, but we all know they are simply not going to find a replacement for Junior Ah You in this year’s draft. Look for them to wheel and deal, possibly moving down in the draft to obtain a 1st round pick next year, as we hear they already have their eyes on Nebraska DE Neil Smith in the ’87 Draft. That might make a trade with Denver (who have always held Nebraska as a territorial school) a must.

NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS

Territorial Schools: LSU, So Miss, Tulane

Top Needs: LB, WR, T, S, G

Prediction: The top focus for the Breakers has to be at outside linebacker. After losing both Garth Jax and Jaime Kimmel in the expansion draft, they need to find a starter at LB, maybe two. The good news is that LSU’s Michael Brooks has shown interest in playing close to home, so he could be a prime T-Draft pick. While losing Frank Lockett was a blow, the performance of Charlie Smith last year (when Nolan Franz was hurt) tells us that wideout may not be an early round emphasis for the Breakers. Expect more picks on the O-line as they try to help Marcus Dupree continue to flourish in the Big Easy.

TAMPA BAY BANDITS

Territorial Schools: Florida, So Carolina, Duke

Top Needs: DB, DE, LB, TE, QB

Prediction: Tampa lost 4 members of its secondary to the NFL or the expansion clubs. That is a huge hole in their roster that this draft will need to help fill. The DE position is another area that needs attention as it has never produced the kind of pressure Tampa needs. On offense, the trade for TE Sam Bowers may alleviate that need, but depth will still be needed there. Expect the Bandits to use their Florida link in the T-Draft to shore up some key positions, possibly at LB or O-Line.

PHILADELPHIA STARS

Territorial Schools: Penn State, Temple, Kentucky

Top Needs: WR, S, HB, LB

Prediction: The Stars did not protect their wideouts in the expansion draft and ended up losing three, including Willie Collier. Will they consider the signing of Mike Quick enough or will they look at some top wideout talent such as NC State’s Haywood Jeffires, Florida’s Ricky Nattiel, or Michigan State’s Mark Ingram? All three would have to escape the T-Draft to be available. In their own T-Draft, expect a lot of Penn State names to be selected, as neither Temple nor Kentucky has top tier candidates this year.

MICHIGAN PANTHERS

Territorial Schools: Michigan, Michigan State, Toledo

Top Needs: QB, DL, C, HB

Prediction: We don’t think Michigan will seek out a top tier QB in this year’s draft. They are very likely to give Jack Trudeau, or the recently signed Jeff Kemp, a shot to prove themselves and focus on other areas of need. With both Michigan and Michigan State in their territorial pool, there is a lot of talent to consider. We also expect the Panthers to make a run at a top tier defender, but it could be at any line of the defense. Does Michigan take a shot at a Cornelius Bennett at LB, or Jerome Brown at DT, maybe even CB Rob Woodson?

SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS (Round 3)

Territorial Schools: Texas, Baylor, UTEP

Top Needs: Everything

Prediction: San Antonio gave away the farm to get the QB they wanted, Arizona’s Rick Neuheisel, so they do not have a pick in the Open Draft until round 3. There are some good players within their territorial rights, so they will need to max out the quality of those picks. In the Open Draft they may want to consider using their first few picks on what are normally lower priority positions such as FB, TE, or safety, since they are unlikely to have a shot at top skills players or at CB or DE studs.