14-October, 2011
Two months into the offseason and we already have some wild stories to follow as we focus on teams building rosters and making personnel decisions. From the retirement of T. J. Duckett following the Outlaw’s first deep playoff run in years, to the unceremonious cutting and eventual NFL signing of Nashville QB Jay Cutler, to a flurry of early trades and, of course, free agent signings. There is a lot to talk about. We will begin with the final coaching hires to lock in all 28 clubs, and then move on to retirement news, trades, free agency, and the NFL-USFL transfer window. We will wrap it up by looking at the top needs of all 28 USFL teams ahead of this January’s USFL College Draft.
Memphis Goes With Brad Childress
In what had come to be the expected move, the Memphis Showboats have opted to hire former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress. Childress, a former RB position coach and OC, was let go by the Vikings despite 2 consecutive playoff seasons, including a 12-4 record in 2009 with the Vikings. He had interviewed with several NFL and USFL clubs after the 2010 season saw him dismissed after only 10 weeks. Memphis is, as you would expect, hoping that Childress’s experience both as an OC and as a head coach can help them revive a franchise that has yet to truly recover since the 2nd retirement of Brett Favre.
Memphis drafted Ryan Mallett last year, but the Arkansas product struggled in his rookie season and many looked at Head Coach Jim Haslett as part of the program. Bringing in an offensive-minded coach, and one with a proven track record in the NFL makes sense as the Showboats need to rebuild on defense but also need to develop an offensive personality. The Showboats have already been active this offeason, and after hiring Childress in mid-August, made their first big move, signing 7-year veteran backup and Summer Bowl hero Matt Cassel to a 3-year deal. It is expected that Cassel will serve as a mentor to Mallett, sharing backup duties with another veteran, Bob Volek, but hopefully bringing the lessons from Tampa Bay with him. If Mallett continues to struggle, we could envision Cassel getting a true chance to become a starter for the Showboats.
Chicago Surprises with Delay Strategy
Most in Chicago expected the Machine to sign a defensive coordinator to their open head coach position, with either Pepper Johnson of the Maulers or Perry Fewell of the Federals viewed as the most likely candidate. Chicago did interview both, but then announced that they would be waiting until the January window to speak with NFL coaches rather than hire one of the currently available coordinators. This, of course, puts the pressure on their GM George Paton to put together a roster without a head coach in place. It certainly is not the first time a team has opted to sign their coach late in the process, allowing the GM to build the team and then bringing in a figurehead to put a gameplan in action. Typically this means that a franchise already has an NFL coach in mind, often a coordinator, and are now forced to wait until the legal cross-league signing period.
Admitedly, the 8-8 Chicago Machine do have a lot to offer a new head coach. You have a QB in place with Brady Quinn, the base of a solid offense with Michael Turner and Donald Driver, and one of the most dominant defensive players in the league in Brian Urlacher. This is, after all, a club that has been a regular playoff contender for several years, so the new coach, whoever he is, will be stepping into a position where the holes in the team are not huge and the base of talent is pretty substantial.
T. J. Duckett Makes it Official, Retiring at 31.
In late August, Texas HB T. J. Duckett addressed the rumors and his comments following the Western Conference Final, and officially declared that he has chosen to retire. Duckett will step away from the game at only 31 years of age and after a season that saw him rush for over 1,100 yards. But, as is so often the case for running backs, Duckett cited the wear and tear on his body, the difficulty of dealing with chronic pain, and a desire to remain active later in life.
Duckett retires after 2,831 carries, 11,439 yards, and 54 career touchdowns, numbers which put him in second place in team history behind only Hall of Famer Reggie Cobb. He has topped 1,000 yards each of the past 8 seasons, but has seen his numbers slowly decrease since his massive 2008 season, a year in which he rushed for 1,521 yards, barely missing the rushing title due to a huge final week from Deuce McCallister. His departure makes halfback a prime position of need for the Outlaws, with Alabama’s Trent Richardson looking very much like a target for the club, though one they will need to deal to acquire, as they draft late in the open draft, but could make a deal with Birmingham to trade for their first round Territorial pick.
Retirements Impact Playoff Squads
While Duckett was certainly the biggest name to declare his retirement from this year’s 12 playoff teams, he is hardly alone. Among the others who announced they were putting the pads away for good we have Washington LT Matt Stinhcomb, Oakland LB Mike Maslowski and center Jeff Saturday, Nashville LB Keith Burns and OT Jason Fabmini, LA guard Alan Faneca, and two members of the new league champions, Tampa Bay wideout Chris Doering and DE Marcellus Wiley.
Some had wondered if we could see a spate of QB retirements with Matt Hasselbeck, Jake Delhomme, and Jake Plummer all on people’s tongues, but all three have since made it clear that they expect to be back under center come March of 2012. We did, however have several players make delayed announcements in August, including 3 members of the Houston Gamblers’ defense. The Gamblers are scrambling to recover after veteran CB Ronde Barber, LB Keith Brooking, and safety Brian Dawkins all announced they are leaving the game only 1 year after celebrating a league title with the Gamblers. Others who delayed their announcement, but who have now confirmed they will not be back include LA wideout Eddie Kennison, and Chicago strong safety Reggie Tongue, both of whom were set to be free agents, but opted instead to step away from the game.
Whether through retirements or free agency, there were plenty of roster spots open once free agency began in August, but there were also a fair number of substantial trades in the early weeks of the free agent period, as teams tried to use leverage at some key positions to either obtain draft picks or pick up a player in a position of need.
Perhaps the biggest name to change hands in a trade was that of St. Louis strong safety Coy Wire. Considered one of the best at his position, Wire became expendable when St. Louis saw a lot of promise out of 2nd year player Kendrick Lewis. With Lewis developing into a very strong contributor, St. Louis felt they could offload Wire’s hefty salary cap and they found a willing buyer in the Las Vegas Thunder. Las Vegas would give up two picks to get the All-USFL safety, a 2nd rounder in both this year’s draft and in 2013 as well.
Another intriguing early trade of defenders saw New Jersey ship off DE Tamba Hali to Chicago to get some help in the secondary. Hali had rotated with Aaron Kampman since the NFL product came to the Generals, and so one of the two was viewed as potential trade material. New Jersey had issues at corner this year, and so sending Hali off to the Machine for cornerback Daniel Manning helps both clubs in areas of need.
Two interesting trades involving wideouts also hit in August, with Memphis sending former Arkansas WR Matt Jones to Atlanta for HB Anthony Allen. Memphis seems ready to use Allen to spell Cadillac Williams and preserve the big back longer into the season while Atlanta is hoping to get some deep ball capacity with Jones. Washignton dealt a young wideout, Dontrelle Inman, not for a different offensive weapon, but to enhance the D-line by adding DE Karmerion Wimberly from the Stallions. Expect Inman to start working with Cam Newton this offseason, while Wimberley will compete with Chris Long and Mathias Kiwanuka as the Feds continue to work with a rotating D-line.
It is not often you see a punter involved in a trade, but with Texas having 2 solid options on the roster they were able to pair punter Matt Allen with a 6th round pick and solve their backup QB situation by snagging veteran Luke McCown from the New Orleans Breakers. The Breakers were eager to move out of a 4-QB roster situation, and with the development of Keith Null behind both Brees and Kyle Boller, it made McCown the odd man out.
Finally, we have some player for picks deals to report as Chicago sent backup QB T. J. Yates to the Bandits for a 6th rounder. With Matt Cassel signing with Memphis, Tampa Bay was hoping to land a 3rd QB to join Culpepper and Rhett Bomar in the QB room. Philadelphia opted to deal WR lance Moore, rather than restructure his deal. They received a 3rd rounder from Jacksonville for the slot receiver. Texas also dealt one of their receivers from a very deep pool, as Ben Obamanu was traded to Conference Title Game opponent Pittsburgh for a 5th rounder in this year’s draft.
It took only 1 day for USFL free agency to explode onto the national news after the league opened their offseason market in early August. Within 24 hours of the signing period open three of the biggest names in the market were signed, sealed and delivered. The biggest name, and loudest of the free agents, WR Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, wasted no time, announcing he was signing with the Las Vegas Thunder from the floor of the MGM Grand Casino’s main gaming floor. It was the kind of brash, self-celebrating press event that both Johnson and Las Vegas love.
Following suit, though in not so dramatic a fashion, LA announced that they had signed cornerback Marcus Truffant away from division rival Seattle, while Atlanta also announced that they landed the best linebacker in the free agent pool, former Memphis Showboat Patrick Willis. Within 72 hours the flurry of action at the front end of the free agent period was in full effect. Here is a quick list of the signings that have occurred just since August.
WR Chad Johnson—Boston to Las Vegas
LB Patrick Willis—Memphis to Atlanta
CB Marcus Truffant—Seattle to LA
C Brad Meester—Resigns with Portland
FB Vontae Leach—St. Louis to Chicago
C Chris Spencer—LA to New Orleans
SS Chad Scott—Resigns with Las Vegas
G Steve Sciulo—Tampa Bay to Pittsburgh
LB Rahim Abdullah—Atlanta to Seattle
FS Corey Hall—Chicago to Seattle
WR Keary Colbert—Denver to Michigan
WR Mark Clayton—New Jersey to Charlotte
LB Zeke Moreno—Tampa Bay to Nashville
FS Sean Jones—Las Vegas to Oakland
WR Kassim Osgood—Resigns with Arizona
WR Donte Do—Birmingham to Baltimore
DT Jarron Gilbert—Orlando to Oakland
LB Clint Kriewaldt—Seattle to Denver
QB Matt Cassel—Tampa Bay to Memphis
WR Tiquan Underwood—St. Louis to Oakland
WR Nate Washington—Jacksonville to St. Louis
WR Santonio Holmes—New Jersey to Tampa Bay
LB Bradie James—New Orleans to Ohio
DT Brandon Mbane—Denver to New Jersey
Despite the flurry of free agent signings ahead of the NFL-USFL transfer window, there were still many USFL players left in the pool when the fall league came knocking. The new timing of the NFL-USFL window in September (and February-March) has reduced the cross-league signings, but there are still several well-regarded players who have made the leap, including one who was release by his club only 1 week before the portal opened.
Having reached an impasse with their starting QB, and getting no solid offers from around the USFL, the Nashville Knights opted to eat the final cap year of bonuses for QB Jay Cutler and released the QB only days before the NFL-USFL transfer window opened in September. That sent ripples through both leagues as speculation flew wildly about where Cutler would end up. After all, it is not often that a QB who consistently took his team to the playoffs was available as a true free agent. While several USFL clubs made inquiries to Cutler’s agent, it took only 3 days of the transfer window for Cutler to find a home, and join the NFL Bears. Chicago, who had started the year with Caleb Hanie as their starter, were more than generous in signing Cutler to a 4-year deal. While the former Knight has not yet started in Chicago, it is expected that he will take the reins of the club following their Week 7 bye later this month.
Cutler was certainly the biggest name, and the biggest surprise in how his case was handled, but he was certainly not the only departure for the Fall league. Here is our list of the 15 biggest names to make the leap from spring to fall.
15—G Cooper Carlisle (PHI)
14— WR Anquan Boldin (ORL)
13—G Bill Ferrario (SEA)
12—HB LaBrandon Toefield (JAX)
11—OT Jim Backus (BIR)
10—DT Igor Olshansky (MGN)
9—CB Fred Smoot (BOS)
8—QB A. J. Feeley (HOU)
7—HB Thomas Jones (MGN)
6—LB Rocky Boiman (TEX)
5—HB Michael Robinson (NOR)
4—LB Glenn Cadrez (OHI)
3—LV Calvin Pace (NOR)
2— WR Laverneous Coles (MGN)
1—QB Jay Cutler (NSH)
Michigan takes a hit with 3 players jumping to the fall, but, of course, these were all players that were expected to move on in free agency one way or another. The biggest loss is certainly that of wideout Laverneous Coles, who finished 2011 with 67 receptions, 767 yards and 4 TDs for the Panthers. The Panthers also lose their leading rusher, Thomas Jones, who had 813 yards in shared snaps with Mike Hart, a duo system which led Jones to finally leave the Panthers and return to the NFL.
QB A.J. Feeley, who came to the USFL from the fall league back in 2008, was the starter in Portland for the first three seasons of that club’s existence, but was traded to Houston this past season when Ryan Fitzpatrick was brought in. In Houston it was thought that Feeley would back up Matt Hasselbeck, which he did, but that led to only 2 appearances and only 105 pass attempts all season. Feeley returns to the NFL with the St. Louis Rams.
Finally, after 10 seasons as a member of the Ohio Glory, LB Glenn Cadrez, who helped Ohio go unbeaten in 2002 and win two titles in back-to-back years will not be back in Columbus after signing a 3-year deal to become a Kansas City Chief. Cadrez leaves the USFL with nearly 800 tackles and 21 forced fumbles in his 8-seasons in Ohio.
As we look ahead to January and the USFL's Territorial and Open Collegiate Drafts, the complexity of how the USFL drafts comes into clear focus. Whereas the NFL clearly has Andrew Luck as the #1 prospect, with HB Trent Richardson right behind, the clubs of the USFL have to navigate the T-Draft to even have a shot at these two top prospects. Luck's rights, as a Stanford product, are held by the Oakland Invaders, while Richardson, coming out of Alabama, is potentially protected by the Birmingham Stallions. But, as so often happens, Oakland really is not looking for an immediate starter at QB, and Birmingham is quite happy with NFL transfer Joseph Addai. So, what happens, well, you get a market for those T-Draft picks, now tradable after the USFL rescinded their restriction on trading T-Draft picks. So, now teams are looking to put together trade packages not for 1st round Open Draft options, but for the T-Draft picks.
Now, we also need to add one more factor here. Teams are typically unwilling to make huge player for pick draft day deals because with the NFL Draft just 2 weeks later, and the usual 50/50 split of players between the NFL and USFL, it is very risky to trade signed talent away for the rights to bid against the NFL for a top prospect. Take Andrew Luck, for example. There is no way he makes it to the Open Draft. Either Oakland will fall in love with him, protect him and try to sign him, with thoughts of possibly trading away Harrington, or they will feel good about their current QB and opt to trade the T-Draft pick to a QB-needy team like the Knights, for example. Oakland will try to get players for that pick, but Nashville will almost certainly prefer to send them a combo of draft picks. Even if Nashville makes the deal, they now have to face the very real possibility that their highly coveted QB will be unwilling to make a deal until after the NFL draft. If the NFL team with the #1 pick is not a total disaster, or if someone who is not a total disaster trades up, then Nashville is in a bidding war. They could give away real talent and draft capital and come up with nothing.
That is the complexity of the USFL draft, some of it self-generated with their territorial picks, but part of it the drama that comes with pro football having 2 premier leagues and having to share the top prospects between them. That is the formula for a tense, and hair-greying month of offseason drama every February. We make our picks and analysis below, but we are well aware that the best strategy is more about who you can sign than who you can pick.
That said, here, in order of the 1st round, are our breakdowns of each USFL club's needs, and best options in both the T-Draft and Open Draft this January (recognizing also that free agent moves and offseason trades could fill some of the needs we list here.)
BOSTON CANNONS
Team Needs: TE, WR, DT, LB, CB
T-Draft Prospects: While there are several good options between BC and Wisconsin in their T-Draft pool, the obvious focal point is linebacker Luke Kuechly, the BC standout. Linebacker is a position of need and Kuechly would be an ideal player to slot into the middle. Boston could possibly also look at the Wisconsin battery of QB Russel Wilson and WR Nick Toon.
First Round Pick: #1
Possible First Round Targets: Wideout is a key need with the departure of Chad Johnson, so we could easily see Boston either take OK State’s Justin Blackmon #1 overall or trade down a few slots and still land Blackmon as a target for Jake Locker. If, however, they are concerned about Locker, they could potentially throw us a curve and go after either Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III with this pick, assuming either survive the T-Draft unselected.
JACKSONVILLE BULLS
Team Needs: DT, CB, LB, HB, DE, QB
T-Draft Prospects: When looking for a match between need and talent, the best option for Jacksonville is likely Clemson DE Andre Branch, but with DT being such a big need as well, they could certainly take a long look at two potentials in Clemson’s Brandon Thompson or Florida’s Jaye Howard.
First Round Pick: #2
Possible First Round Targets: The Bulls have a lot of needs, but the lack of production from C. J. Spiller has to have them interested in Alabama’s Trent Richardson. With a pick this early they would have a good shot at Richardson, because we do not see Birmingham going for a HB this year, not with the success Joseph Addai had in 2011.
MEMPHIIS SHOWBOATS
Team Needs: DE, LB, G, DT
T-Draft Prospects: While Coach Childress is an offensive guy, the needs on defense cannot be ignored. They could find quite a bit of help in the T-Draft with U. of Memphis DT Dontari Poe and Arkansas DE Jake Bequette both available. The Razorbacks are also graduating 3 wideouts who are expected to be mid-round picks, so don’t be surprised if the Showboats select at least one, with either Joe Adams or Jarius Wright the most likely targets.
First Round Pick: #3
Possible First Round Targets: If Poe gives off “NFL vibes” to the Showboats, they will likely jump on another DE in the open draft to hedge their bets. We like Fletcher Cox from Mississippi State or Bruce Irvin from West Virginia as options at #3.
PORTLAND STAGS
Team Needs: WR, LB, T, SS, C, DE
T-Draft Prospects: This is one of the deepest T-Draft classes the Stags have seen in their short existence. We expect a halfback to be one pick, either Boise State’s Doug Martin or Oregon’s LaMichael James. With the other, they should look at either DE Tyrone Crawford or Boise State’s Shea McClellin, two good prospects in a position of some need.
First Round Pick: #4
Possible First Round Targets: Wideout is a position of true need, but one not likely to be solved in the T-Draft. So, if Justin Blackmon is there at #4, they should jump at him. If he is not, then either Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd or Baylor’s Kendall Wright are the next best options.
NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS
Team Needs: LB, T, G, C, TE, C, K
T-Draft Prospects: The Breakers have a lot of need, but their T-draft does not line up particularly well for those needs. We expect they will take a shot at DE Michael Brockers from LSU, despite it not being a high need position. O-line is the real prominent need, and there just are not great prospects among LSU, Tulane, and La Tech this year.
First Round Pick: #5
Possible First Round Targets: The Breakers have to get a lot of help for their line, and we think a big piece of the puzzle will be here. If LA does not snap up USC LT Matt Kalil, we think New Orleans will. If they do, then the next best option is Riley Reiff of Iowa.
OHIO GLORY
Team Needs: DE, LB, FS, G, SS, K, HB
T-Draft Prospects: The Glory are looking at a lot of areas of concern and one of the thinnest Ohio State graduating groups we have seen in a decade. They may actually do better going after some Cincinnati prospects like HB Isaiah Pead, or OT John Hughes. Safety Nate Ebner could be a developmental prospect at safety, but not an immediate help.
First Round Pick: #6
Possible First Round Targets: Several good options at DE, which is a very high need for the Glory. They should take a long look at Brockers if he is available, then Bruce Irvin or Syracuse’s Chandler Jones, again all assuming they are not sucked up in the T-Draft, which we really don’t expect.
HOUSTON GAMBLERS
Team Needs: CB, DT, LB, QB
T-Draft Prospects: We are intrigued by Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill. He played only 1 year at QB for the Aggies, but showed a lot, which is prime for him to be a possible developmental project for 1-2 years as Matt Hasselbeck gets on in age. Just seems a good fit, right?
First Round Pick: #7
Possible First Round Targets: If the QB position is more urgent, we could see Houston taking a shot at Robert Griffin III, but we think they are still expecting Hasselbeck to stay put for at least 1-2 years. If that is true, then cornerback is a priority after Ronde Barber’s retirement, so we say they should look long and hard at LSU’s Morris Claiborne and South Carolina’s Stephon Gilmore as 1st round options.
NEW JERSEY GENERALS
Team Needs: WR, T, TE, SS, LB
T-Draft Prospects: A classic question of Best Player Available or drafting for need. Syracuse DE Chandler Jones is a clear talent, but not a position of need for the Generals. Do they select him anyway? If not, then expect quite a few Oklahoma prospects among their 3 picks. We like WR Ryan Broyles and OT Donald Stephenson as picks to fill need.
First Round Pick: #8
Possible First Round Targets: If the Generals don’t like Broyles as a fit for their offensive scheme, they could use the first round to go after a wideout. Assuming Blackmon is gone by pick 8, they have several options to look at, including Notre Dame’s Floyd, Baylor’s Wright, and Illinois wideout A. J. Jenkins.
SEATTLE DRAGONS
Team Needs: WR, HB, TE, SS, G, LB, FS
T-Draft Prospects: No plug & play option to replace David Boston in the T-Draft pool, and, honestly, no 1st or 2nd round talent from UW, Wash. State or Montana this year. Looks like the T-Draft will be mostly about adding depth.
First Round Pick: #9
Possible First Round Targets: The Dragons could look to the draft to try to deal with David Boston’s retirement, but they have many other needs as well. They are very interested in upgrading the run game, so Trent Richardson could be a target, but they could also use a safety valve for Byron Leftwich, so how about TE Coby Fleener of Stanford? Maybe not this early, but they could trade down and still get their TE of the future.
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
Team Needs: T, WR, SS, FS
T-Draft Prospects: The Stallions hold the rights to the clear #1 HB in the draft, but they really like what they got from Joseph Addai last year, so we could easily see them trade away their #1 T-Draft pick for some more open draft options. They could also jump on defense with some good prospects in CB Dre Kirkpatrick, safety Mark Barron, and LB Dont’a Hightower.
First Round Pick: 10
Possible First Round Targets: Tackle is a position of immediate need. Kalil could be gone by 10, but there are other solid options like Iowa’s Reiff and Cal’s Mitchell Schwartz.
DENVER GOLD
Team Needs: FS, CB, WR, LB, K, P
T-Draft Prospects: A pretty light pool for the Gold this year, though we do like LB Lavonte David as a potential target.
First Round Pick: 11
Possible First Round Targets: Safety is a key need, but at #11, that seems early to go after anyone other than Alabama’s Mark Barron. If Barron is there, he is the pick, if not, they could look at WR or Corner.
ATLANTA FIRE
Team Needs: G, T, LB, SS
T-Draft Prospects: Tackle Cordy Glenn is perhaps the best prospect that aligns with Atlanta’s needs, but we could also see them go after C Ben Jones from the Bulldogs, with the thought of playing him at guard.
First Round Pick: 12
Possible First Round Targets: O-line is a big need for the Fire, but so is linebacker. If South Carolina LB Melvin Ingram is available, we could see the Fire jump at the Gamecock as a plug and play option on the strong side.
CHICAGO MACHINE
Team Needs: C, G, HB, LB, WR
T-Draft Prospects: While there are higher rated players in their pool, the best fit may be Illinois guard Jeff Allen, a position of need and a solid Big 10 player to put in that slot.
First Round Pick: 13
Possible First Round Targets: There are no true centers who have 1st round grades this year, so guard may be the way to go. We like David DeCastro of Stanford or Kevin Zeilter from Wisconsin here.
ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS
Team Needs: DE, TE, LB, G, WR
T-Draft Prospects: While OT is not a need position, will St. Louis pass up the shot at Riley Reiff of Iowa? If they do, they could land the TE they need in Missouri’s Michael Engrew, or go for O-line help with Adam Gettis, Reiff’s line mate on the inside.
First Round Pick: 14
Possible First Round Targets: There is no clear DE option in the T-Draft for St. Louis, and that is their most glaring need. Can they make a deal to get a top prospect like Michael Brockers (LSU), Bruce Irvin (WVU), or Quinton Coples (UNC)?
ORLANDO RENEGADES
Team Needs: HB, T, DT, DE, QB
T-Draft Prospects: As always, it is the U of Miami who will likely feed Orlando with their best options, whether that is DE Olivier Vernon, LB Sean Spence, or HB Lamar Miller. None are 1st round talent, however, so they will need to focus more on the Open Draft.
First Round Pick: 15
Possible First Round Targets: We are assuming that Trent Richardson is out of reach for the Renegades, who are looking for a short yardage back to spell Knowshon Moreno. For that style of runner, the next best option is likely either Isaiah Pead (Cinci) or Lamar Miller (T-Draft), so this may be the first true BPA selection of the draft.
LAS VEGAS THUNDER
Team Needs: FS, TE, SS, LB, DE
T-Draft Prospects: The Thunder are almost certainly going to appeal the league for a 4th T-Draft option, because there are only 2-3 potential mid-round options available from their standard 3 schools. We just don’t see much here except perhaps Utah G Tony Bergstrom. Expect them to get more options once the league rules on the pool expansion.
First Round Pick: 16
Possible First Round Targets: With the big signing of Chad Johnson, WR comes off the board for the Thunder draft. That leaves safety as the biggest hole in the roster. If Mark Barron of Alabama is off the table, the next best option is likely Notre Dame’s Harrison Smith, though we also like Illinois safety Tavon Wilson as a possible riser.
MICHIGAN PANTHERS
Team Needs: HB, DT, TE, WR, C, CB
T-Draft Prospects: No immediate help at HB in the Panther’s pool, though they may still select MSU’s Edwin Baker just for insurance. The best option, in a position of need, is Jerel Worthy at DT, but could the Panthers surprise us and select Spartan QB Kirk Cousins? Brian Griese is no spring chicken anymore.
First Round Pick: 17
Possible First Round Targets: The first of the playoff teams is yet another club hoping to find a solution at HB after Thomas Jones left for the NFL. Problem is that this is a very weak HB draft. They may have to try free agency or the NFL-USFL transfer window to find a true starter. If not HB, then perhaps DT, where there are some top names like Fletcher Cox (Miss St) or Derek Wolfe (Cinci) who could be here at 17.
NASHVILLE KNIGHTS
Team Needs: QB, LB, T, DE, DT, P
T-Draft Prospects: After releasing Jay Cutler (now in the NFL), Nashville is the most QB needy team in the league, but there is no hope here unless the Knights have fallen in love with Tennessee’s Matt Simms, which seems risky to us. They can help their OT situation with Ole Miss’s Bobby Massie, or go DE with Malik Jackson of the Vols.
First Round Pick: 18
Possible First Round Targets: We fully expect Nashville to throw everything they can at Oakland to obtain the rights to their #1 T-Draft pick and take a shot at Andrew Luck. The cleanest QB prospect in several years, Luck could even tempt Oakland to trade Joey Harrington as an option, but a risky one since he is also likely a #1 pick for the NFL as well.
CHARLOTTE MONARCHS
Team Needs: G, TE, QB, DE, WR
T-Draft Prospects: DE Quinton Coples seems an easy option for Charlotte to fill a need. They could also look at LB Zach Brown as a potential upgrade at weak side LB, but Coples is a surer choice.
First Round Pick: 19
Possible First Round Targets: Jake Delhomme came on at the end of the year, but we still see Charlotte in the QB market. Maybe not pushing to get Luck or Griffin, but they could be seriously looking at options like Tannehill, OK State’s Brandon Wheedon, or ASU’s Brock Osweiler.
OAKLAND INVADERS
Team Needs: G, TE, DE, LB, WR
T-Draft Prospects: We can just hear Oakland singing Willy Wonka’s “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket” as they consider what to do with the rights to Andrew Luck. They could select Luck, and if sign him then trade away Harrington, but that seems very risky. The better option may be to trade their T-Draft pick for players already under contract or for a boatload of picks in the Open Draft.
First Round Pick: 20
Possible First Round Targets: With QB not a priority, Oakland has several options. There should be top flight TEs and guards on the board. We love the idea of adding a faster outside LB as well. How about Melvin Ingram or Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw?
BALTIMORE BLITZ
Team Needs: FS, LB, WR, T, DE
T-Draft Prospects: Another club who could petition for a 4th T-Draft club as their options from Maryland, Kentucky and Louisville are pretty limited. We do like WR Josh Bellamy, but he is a mid-to-late round prospect at best.
First Round Pick: 21
Possible First Round Targets: With little to go on in the T-Draft, it all comes down to the Open Draft for the Blitz. They need to hit on at least 3 picks to fill needs. We think LB is the deepest of their need positions in the first round talent. Dont’a Hightower of Alabama would be a perfect fit for them if they can pry him away from the Stallions.
LOS ANGELES EXPRESS
Team Needs: G, DE, DT, LB, CB, T
T-Draft Prospects: A solid crop of talent for the Express, beginning with LT Matt Kalil from USC, but continuing with another Trojan, LB Nick Perry. How about LB Miles Burris from SDSU, or even a QB prospect for the future in Ryan Lindley?
First Round Pick: 22
Possible First Round Targets: Let’s assume the Express select Kalil for their O-line, then the next thing they need could be a DE. By this late in the round, and after the T-Draft, we think the best option on the board may well be either Whitney Mercilus (great name!) from Illinois or possibly Vinny Curry of Marshall.
ARIZONA WRANGLERS
Team Needs: CB, FS, G, DT, FS
T-Draft Prospects: As weird as it sounds, Arizona may draft 2 QB prospects in the T-draft, just to have a young up and comer behind David Carr. Either ASU’s Brock Osweiler or Arizona’s Nick Foles could be a prime candidate to replace Carr in a few years, if either is willing to sign and then wait.
First Round Pick: 23
Possible First Round Targets: Thinking about need here, and that is in the secondary, so we look at late 1st round options like safety Harrison Smith (NDame), CB Janoris Jenkins (North Alabama), or safety Tavon Wilson of Illinois.
WASHINGTON FEDERALS
Team Needs: DT, LB, DE, T, CB, HB
T-Draft Prospects: We fully expect the Feds to select HB David Wilson from Va Tech as a security blanket behind Deuce McCallister. Beyond that they could go a lot of different ways, though we expect that CB Jayron Hosley, also of the Hokies, will be one of those picks.
First Round Pick: 24
Possible First Round Targets: D-line is a core need if the Feds are going to get back to a Summer Bowl. But, who will be left by pick 24? How about either Chandler Jones (DE-Syracuse) or Shea McClellin (DE-Boise State)?
TEXAS OUTLAWS
Team Needs: HB, C, G, LB, QB
T-Draft Prospects: No replacement for T. J. Duckett coming out of Texas this year, so expect the Outlaws to look to the line and the defense if they can. We like LB Keenan Robinson as a prospect out of Baylor. Not 1st round talent, but could develop into a solid player.
First Round Pick: 25
Possible First Round Targets: As with Nashville and Andrew Luck, we expect Texas to trade anything short of the deed to the ranch to try to get their shot at Alabama HB Trent Richardson. He is in the Duckett mold as a solid inside runner with enough burst to make big plays. Failing that, they do need to address the LB position as well as the O-line.
PHILADELPHIA STARS
Team Needs: LB, G, DT, OT
T-Draft Prospects: Penn State has let the Stars down this year. Linebacker U usually provides plenty of options, but not this year. So, they will almost certainly look at guard and DT, with the best option being Temple nose tackle Devon Still, a solid 2nd rounder.
First Round Pick: 26
Possible First Round Targets: It has to be linebacker, and we are looking at players like Hightower, Nick Perry (USC) or Courtney Upshaw (Alabama) as the best players potentially falling this far into the round.
PITTSBURGH MAULERS
Team Needs: FS, G, DT, WR, HB
T-Draft Prospects: The Maulers don’t really need DE help, but they would be foolish to not take a shot at either Bruce Irvin of WVU or Vinny Curry of Marshall, both protected players. Beyond that, the talent dips quite a bit.
First Round Pick: 27
Possible First Round Targets: Safety and DT could be the pick in round 1. If Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith drops this far, the Maulers would feel very fortunate.
TAMPA BAY BANDITS
Team Needs: DT, LB, WR, QB
T-Draft Prospects: With the retirement of Chris Doering, expect the Bandits to draft at least 2 receivers. We expect South Carolina’s Alshon Jeffery to be one of them. With LB also a position of need, another Gamecock, Melvin Ingram, could also be a T-Draft diamond.
First Round Pick: 28
Possible First Round Targets: Looking at late 1st round WR options, how about Brian Quick of App State? We also like the size and hands of Rueben Randle of LSU as a possible late 1st round option.
We will be back in January with our full draft recap, along with all the USFL offseason news ahead of camps opening and the late NFL-USFL transfer window. Until then, enjoy your Fall football season, and we will be here to keep track of all the spring football news.
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