2018 Offseason Report: Post-Draft Edition

-February 5, 2018

Welcome back, USFL Fans, or I guess we should say that we are back, as we suspect you never really left. It has been a whirlwind in the USFL offseason since our last report in October, but we are here to run through all the big stories, major moves, and all the surprises of the USFL offseason. With camps opening up and the season only 6 weeks away, it is an exciting time around the league. We are still waiting for many of this year’s draft picks to make their final decision between the spring and fall leagues, and we still have the second offseason USFL-NFL Transfer Window coming up (opening in only 9 days), but teams are coming together, training camp is kicking off, and soon we will be back to regular season USFL action. We will start this 2nd Offseason Report with a look back at the action leading up to the 2018 College Draft, a flurry of trades that impacted both the territorial and open drafts. We will review the Open Draft’s first round as well as some selections in later rounds that could be impactful, review all the mid-winter free agent signings, the latest coaching news, and then preview the upcoming transfer window to see what final pieces the 28 USFL clubs may be adding as they break camp and prepare for Week 1. It is going to be a jam-packed edition of This Week in the USFL.

Quarterback Prospects Fuel Wild Draft Weekend

It was no surprise that there was a lot of activity surrounding the USFL Draft and the prospect of teams chasing after no fewer than 7 potential first-day quality quarterbacks. We started to see the impact of the 2018 QB Class even before the 2017 playoffs concluded, when Chicago made a deal with LA to acquire the opportunity to select USC’s Sam Darnold. Then, just weeks later, a second deal was made, granting the Washington Federals the same opportunity with OU quarterback Baker Mayfield, acquiring the territorial pick held by the Outlaws. We had a feeling the trades would not end there, and they did not. What was a surprise is just who made deals and for which picks.  There were a lot of deals, and even some draft day chutes and ladders as teams moved up and down the draft board, but we will start with the situation surrounding 4 of the remaining quarterbacks in this year’s class.

Lamar Jackson (Louisville)

Jackson accepting the 2016 Heisman.

The third of the 2018 QB Class to have their draft day future locked in was Louisville QB and 2016 Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. His T-Draft rights were held by Philadelphia, which was already sitting pretty at quarterback with Matt Gutierrez having an outstanding 2017 campaign. The Stars were clearly and openly shopping their top 2 T-Draft positions, hoping to garner significant value for the opportunity for teams to select either HB Saquon Barkley (Penn State) or Jackson. But as we got closer and closer to the opening of the Territorial Draft, it was clear that their asking price was too high. Jacksonville, considered a clear favorite to go after Jackson as a QB option, bowed out of the hunt only 3 days before the T-Draft was to begin, specifically citing the high cost asked by Philadelphia. Rumors also had both Tampa Bay and Oakland inquiring about the pick, but choosing not to provide Philadelphia with the high picks or the players they were asking for.

Something clearly changed in those final days before the draft began, because suddenly a new team emerged in the hunt, one we had not anticipated being a QB-hungry team, the St. Louis Skyhawks. Despite having former league MVP Josh Freeman under contract through the 2019 season, and having just re-signed late 2017 addition Kyle Boller to a new deal, the Skyhawks seemed very much interested in Jackson. Philadelphia initially replied to their interest by asking if a swap that would bring the Stars the 1st overall pick in the draft was a possibliity. That was a deal-breaker for the Skyhawks, however, they did offer their 2nd round pick (29th overall) to the Stars, and with a bit of hemming and hawing, the Stars would end up taking that deal. It would be the only deal they would get, with no teams coming forward to make a second swap for exclusive access to Saquon Barkley’s draft rights. That was a bit of a shock to the Stars, and to us as well, and would eventually lead to Barkley being chosen by a team within Philadelphia’s division, something we are sure they would have liked to avoid.

So, the end result was that on the day of the T-Draft, it was St. Louis that had the Stars’ first pick and, as expected, they quickly submitted the name of Lamar Jackson as their choice. Barkley would be picked 5th overall in the Open Draft just 5 days later, by Stars’ rival, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia would use the 1st pick of the Open Draft’s second round to select DT Justin Jones of NC State.

Josh Rosen (UCLA)

UCLA's Rosen

As with Jackson and the Stars, Josh Rosen’s rights were held by a team that was not considered a QB contender. San Diego has UCLA as one of its protected schools (something that still irks the LA Express, who had the LA-based school as one of their own until the Thunder relocated from Las Vegas). The Thunder seemed somewhat non-commital on what to do with the pick, with some speculating that they would hold onto it, select Rosen and then make a deal with a QB-hungry team for backup Christian Ponder, signed away from the NFL just last year. That did not materialize, but neither did a swap. Rosen, it seemed, was not getting the attention that many expected. When the T-Draft came, San Diego still held all 3 picks, and with them chose three UCLA teammates of Rosen: OT Kolton Miller, C Scott Quessenberry and LB Kenny Young. All three were positions of need for the Thunder, so there was no surprise that they made these picks, but that no last-minute swap was made for Rosen, and that a QB valued as a possible top 10 pick in the Open Draft would not get more interest was certainly surprising.

So, Rosen did slip into the Open Draft, which, it seems, most GM’s were not prepared for. His presence, along with the two QBs not at a territorial draft protected school (Allen and Lauletta), meant that teams who had balked on a high-cost trade to acquire T-Draft rights now had 3 options to choose from, two of whom were considered sure-fire first rounders. Jacksonville played a patient game, realizing that with 3 quarterbacks, they could get a quality option with their 11th pick in the draft. Many suspected that pick would be Kyle Lauletta from FCS Richmond, but with Rosen still on the board at 11, the Bulls selected their QB and may have gotten a steal, without having to depart with any trade capital at all.

Josh Allen (Wyoming)

Wyoming's Josh Allen

The highest rated QB not to be available in the Territorial Draft, due to Wyoming’s status as an unprotected program, Josh Allen was an enticing target for many teams. Yes, there were major questions about his accuracy, about the level of competition in the Mountain West, and about his short tenure at Wyoming (having first played at junior college before receiving a scholarship in Laramie), but there was also a physicality to Allen’s play that intrigued many teams. The expectation was that someone was going to move up in the draft to try to land the Cowboy QB. With St. Louis making a deal to draft Lamar Jackson in the T-Draft, that meant that the 1st overall pick was not going to be Allen. Portland started getting a lot of attention, sitting at pick 2, and having Marcus Mariota almost certainly locked in for a 2nd season as the Stag starter.

While Portland got inquiries from Jacksonville, Oakland, and others, it was an unexpected party that got the deal signed. Denver, who were not at all considered a player in the QB derby, but who had front row access to Allen’s college output, made a proposal to Portland that was more lucrative than anything offered by Jacksonville, and certainly more attractive than offering the pick to a division rival like Oakland. The Gold offered Portland two second rounders, both Open Draft picks, one this year and then next year’s as well. The move would drop Portland out of the first round, which is always risky, but would give the Stags two picks in the 2nd for two years in a row.

The Stags jumped on the deal, and suddenly Denver was sitting pretty with the draft’s 2nd and 18th picks. They would select Josh Allen at 2 and still get a defender later in the round. For Gold fans, there was a mixed reaction. What did this mean for Matt Leinart, who has helmed the Gold offense for the past 13 years? Did Denver’s front office have a plan to transition away from Leinart, or did the QB notify the team that 2018 would be his final season? There were questions about whether or not Allen was the right choice if QB was a priority, and questions about whether a 2-pick trade made sense. But at the end of the day, Allen was going to be in negotiations with the Gold, along with whichever NFL team would draft him 10 days later.

Kyle Lauletta (Richmond)

Richmond's Lauletta

Before we discuss Kyle Lauletta’s draft journey, a quick word about Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph. As expected, with the Outlaws having traded away the draft rights to Baker Mayfield, they did use a T-Draft pick to select Rudoph, who many consider to be a player poised to learn behind Joe Flacco for the next 2-3 years before possibly getting a shot to take over when Flacco moves on, much as we saw Colt McCoy do with Houston. Rudolph was also selected by the Steelers this week, so there will be some battle there to sign the OSU QB, but it was very much an expected pick by the Outlaws.

As for Lauletta, considered by some to be a low-first round option, and by others to be no better than a 3rd round pick, the pre-draft process was far less complex. At Richmond, he was not protected by any team’s territorial rights. He would be available in the Open Draft, but just where he would go was anyone’s guess. By the first day of the Open Draft Lauletta had been interviewed by more than 10 USFL teams, including some of the teams viewed as being in immediate need at the position (Oakland, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and Chicago). He could end up as a “double down” pick from a team that already had the rights to a higher-ranked QB, he could be chosen early by a team that saw him as a potential 2019 or even 2018 starter, or he could drop into the mid-rounds as a potential backup.

Lauletta waited anxiously as team after team made their picks on Day One. He was not taken in the first round, which he seemed to expect. But by the end of the 2nd round, his name was still on the board. There had been some hope that Jackonville would use their 2nd pick to lock in a QB option, but that did not materialize. Oakland also passed him up in the round. It was becoming clear that the consensus in the USFL was that Lauletta was a developmental prospect, a possible backup who could grow into a starting job, and not a Year One starter. That meant watching and waiting as teams made picks on Day 2.

Lauletta would clear the 3rd round without being chosen, but then, early in the 4th, his name was finally chosen, and again it was a surprise. The Portland Stags, having used their two 2nd round picks on areas of immediate need (CB and G), chose to sign Lauletta as a backup to Mariota, and a potential replacement should the young Oregon QB continue to struggle as the starter. Lauletta’s style of play was somewhat similar to that of Mariota, with less mobility but good football IQ and pocket presence. The last of the 7 “possible 1st round QBs” had slid into the 4th round, but he now had a team interested and talking with him and his agent. The QB Class of 2018 was done, well, at least the higher profile QBs, several more would be selected in later rounds, but the frenzy was over.

In the public’s and very much the media’s discussion of the 2018 USFL and NFL drafts, 2018 was all about the quarterbacks, and yet, for the teams, it was about much more. After all only 7 teams would snag a “high profile” QB, meaning that the other 21 teams had other priorities. As we review the 2018 USFL Drafts (T- and Open) there are a lot of names in this year’s pool who could very well go on to become stars in the spring. Of course, we also know that the NFL will have more than a small say in who plays in the spring league and who stays in the fall. We are going to run through the draft in the order of the Open Draft’s first round, highlighting the first pick of each club, the deals, and the NFL competition, but we will also speak to each club’s T-Draft pick as well as some potential gems found later in the Open Draft. Where teams had two picks in the first round, we will discuss both in the slot reserved for their first pick. For teams who traded out of the round, we will include them at the end of our rundown. So, as with the Draft itself, we kick this off with St. Louis holding the top spot.

ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS

First Round Pick: LB Roquan Smith (Georgia)—NFL Pick 8: Chicago Bears

Having made the deal with Philadelphia to gain the rights to Lamar Jackson in the T-Draft, it was well-known that this pick would be on defense, but would it be NC State DE Bradley Chubb or Georgia LB Roquan Smith? Both had escaped the T-Draft somehow, and both were considered Top 5 talents. The Skyhawks opted for the mobile and hard-hitting linebacker and chose Smith with the first overall pick, a move they likely expect will give them a slight negotiating advantage over the NFL Bears, who chose him with the NFL’s 8th overall pick.

Later Round Gem: Rutgers HB Gus Edwards (3rd Rnd)

The Skyhawks love to run inside, and that puts a lot of wear and tear on lead back Eddie Lacy. They needed a big bruising runner to back Lacy up and they think they found one in Edwards.

Territorial Picks:

Lamar Jackson is, of course the big name here, available thorugh the deal with Philadelphia. The Skyhawks will need to compete with the NFL Ravens, who made Jackson the final pick in the first round of their draft. The Skyhawks’ picks in their own Territorial pool were Iowa CB Josh Jackson, another Hawkeye in LB Josey Jewell, and Missouri guard Ike Boettger.

Outlook:

The Skyhawks have two major fights on their hands, for both Smith and Jackson. In both cases there is a slight advantage based on how and when each player was picked by St. Louis vs. where they went in the NFL’s Open Draft format, but signing both would be a major accomplishment for the Skyhawk GM.

DENVER GOLD (Traded from POR)

First Round Pick(s): (2) QB Josh Allen (Wyoming)—NFL Pick 7: Buffalo Bills

(18) LB Harold Landry (BC)—NFL Pick 41: Tennessee Copperheads

The big move by Denver to get into Portland’s 2nd pick gave them a shot at Wyoming QB Josh Allen. Now they need to convince Allen that staying local is better than shuffling off to Buffalo. With their 2nd pick they went for something of a reach, BC linebacker Harold Landry, but sometimes a reach can benefit a USFL team as the financials for being the 18th player taken in the USFL are going to be more attractive than for being the 41st pick by the NFL Copperheads.

Later Round Gem: Oklahoma OT Orlando Brown Jr. (4th Rnd)

A fourth round pick by Denver, Brown could be a nice addition to the Gold line, likely starting off as a swing lineman but hopefully moving into the RT position in a year or so. However, the Gold could be hard pressed to sign him since he was taken in the NFL 3rd round by the Baltimore Ravens.

Territorial Picks:

As we have come to expect, Denver used a depth-first approach to the T-Draft, opting to bypass their highest profile option, CB Isaiah Oliver, and instead selecting some mid-round talent, including CSU wideout Michael Gallup, HB Phillip Lindsay from CU, and long snapper Trent Sieg from the CSU Rams.

Outlook:

It was a bold move to make the deal with Portland and select Josh Allen, especially for a team that did not have an immediate vacancy at the position, but if Denver can sign Allen, and if Allen can work on some of his fundamentals as he learns from Matt Leinart, he could be ready to step in if Leinart retires in 2019 as many are now speculating.

WASHINGTON FEDERALS

First Round Pick: NC State DE Bradley Chubb---NFL Pick 5: Denver Broncos

The Gold moving into Portland’s spot was music to the ears of the Feds, who were very much afraid that either the Hawks or Stags would snap up NC State’s dynamic edge rusher before their 3rd pick. They will have to win a tough recruiting battle with the NFL Broncos, but new Feds’ coach Gus Bradley has to be licking his chops at the prospect of bringing in the draft’s most physical edge rusher to his defensive rebuild project.

Later Round Gem: Illinois State CB Davontae Harris (5th Rnd)

While not a household name by any stretch, and with competition at Illinois State not being exactly the SEC, Harris tested well, has strong instincts, and his film shows good coverage skills. He may find the USFL game a bit fast at first, but if he signs with the Feds, he could find himself as the nickel in his rookie season.

Territorial Picks:

The Federals have a good track record of signing their T-Draft picks, and they are certainly hoping that is the case this year, especially in the case of LB Tremaine Edwards of Va Tech. They also picked another Hokie in DT Tim Settle and, as expected, are taking a flier on Vanderbilt CB Tre Herndon as well.

Outlook:

We love Chubb to the Feds, in part because he would play the role in Gus Bradley’s defense that Anthony Hargrove has had in Philly, but Chubb is a quicker, more explosive rusher than Hargrove, which could prove very effective. If they can also sign Edmunds, they could have two very solid rookie starters on their defense this year.

TAMPA BAY BANDITS

First Round Pick: Arkansas center Frank Ragnow—NFL Pick 20: Detroit Lions

A clear need pick for the Bandits, who seem to have abandoned any thoughts on landing a QB and will likely go into the year with Dak Prescott back under center. Ragnow is a potential Week 1 starter at center, and should help Tampa Bay’s run game in particular. Good news for 2nd year back Dalvin Cook.

Later Round Gem: Mississippi State FS J. T. Gray (7th Rnd)

It is not often you find a potential need position in the final round of the draft, but Tampa Bay believes that Gray could be a strong candidate to back up Xavier Woods at free safety. He has played against top competition in the SEC, and while he needs to improve on some fundamentals, he has the physicality that the Bandits like in their safeties.

Territorial Picks:

The safety position was a focus for the Bandits well before the 7th round. They went after one of the best in the draft with their first T-Draft pick, selecting FSU safety Derwin James, a hard hitting, ball-tracking safety who would likely be a Week 1 starter in Tampa Bay, if, that is, they can keep him from going to the NFL Chargers. Their other picks were FSU tight end Ryan Izzo and HB Ito Smith from Southern Miss.

Outlook:

Between the T-Draft and Open Draft, the Bandits have two early first round NFL picks to try to sign. Ragnow and James are both in “lower profile” positions, so that may help, but the Bandits will likely have to overpay a bit if they want to land both. That is the one advantage the USFL has over the NFL, no locked-in rookie contract caps.

PITTSBURGH MAULERS

First Round Pick: Penn State HB Saquon Barkley—NFL Pick 2—New York Giants

As happy as the Maulers were to see Barkley slip out of the T-Draft and down to them at pick 5 in the Open Draft, they had to be devastated when Barkley went 2nd overall to the NY Giants. Now they are up against both the relative draft position of the two picks, but the glitz of playing in NY vs the lunchpail culture of Pittsburgh. The Maulers are hoping that staying in Pennsylvania has appeal for Barkley, because NYC certainly offers more options for marketing deals and celebrity endorsement contracts.

Later Round Gem: Georgia HB Sony Michel (2nd Rnd)

The Maulers, perhaps knowing that the competition for Barkley would be tough, doubled down, going with another solid HB option in round 2. Michel does not have the explosiveness of Barkley, but we could see him getting plenty of carries in Pittsburgh. Now the question is if they will delay negotiations with Michel until they have a good sense of Barkley’s position. A delay could cost them both backs.

Territorial Picks:

Getting Northwestern as a 4th school (due to low output from their 3 assigned schools) gave Pittsburgh the option to select OT Brian O’Neill from the Wildcats. They did just that, adding him to Pitt Panther safety Jordan Whitehead and a bit of a wild card, Iowa State WR Allen Lazard, who was not even named in the NFL Draft.

Outlook:

It is such a weird feeling to see your team pick the same position back-to-back, but with the dynamics between the USFL and NFL, it is a proven strategy that can help avoid a total draft disaster. Now Pittsburgh is in the weird position of having to woo two players in the same position without either feeling like they are second best. Easier to make that case to Barkley than Michel, but the Maulers cannot afford to go 0-for-2 on signing.

OAKLAND INVADERS

First Round Pick: Notre Dame OG Quenton Nelson—NFL Pick 6: Indianapolis Colts

When Chicago let Nelson go unclaimed in the T-Draft it rearranged Oakland’s entire draft board. Yes, they need a QB, but without trading up it was going to be a question of priorities, and they opted to go with a clear need and a pro-ready prospect in Nelson. They may regret that later, as they never did find a QB in the draft, but perhaps that was their plan all along. In the meantime, they have a pretty even battle with Indy, since both clubs chose Nelson 6th overall. That said, if I were choosing to play in either Indianapolis or the Bay Area, I think I would be wearing sky blue and athletic gold by March.

Later Round Gem: UCLA DT Jacob Tuioti-Mariner (5th Rnd)

While we all expected Josh Rosen to perhaps be the San Diego protectable player that Oakland went for, they bypassed Rosen, but late in the draft returned to UCLA to select Tuioti-Mariner. He will almost certainly make the roster in a depth position as part of Oakland’s rotation, having already signed after turning down an offer from the Atlanta Falcons.

Territorial Picks:

The Invaders went for need, picking players in positions that needed added depth. They went with Stanford safety Justin Reid, another Cardinal player in TE Dalton Schultz, and then finished up with LB DeVante Downs of Cal.

Outlook:

With no QB taken in the draft and no clear options in the USFL free agent pool, everyone is expecting Oakland to try to land either a trade (Freeman? Fitzpatrick?) or an NFL free agent (there are a few who could be good fits), but landing Nelson away from the NFL Colts has to be job one right now. The Invaders have plenty of needs, but better protection for whoever their QB ends up being is one of the most pressing.

LOS ANGELES EXPRESS (Traded from CHI)

First Round Pick: Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey—NFL Pick 9: San Francisco 49ers

Looks like it will be a mini-version of a California Derby as the Express battle with the NFL 49ers to try to land the Notre Dame tackle. McGlinchey would help shore up the Express front five, which would make both Sam Bradford and Reggie Bush happy. It is a need pick, to be sure, but it will be a tough battle with the Niners to land the big man.

Later Round Gem: USF WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (3rd Rnd)

Fans want to see more deep balls in the LA arsenal, and this pick can certainly help that happen. MVS is a speedster with enough height to go up for those 50/50 balls and by all accounts, he is leaning towards SoCal over chilly Green Bay as a destination.

Territorial Picks:

We are always shocked when the 3 LA picks are not all USC Trojans, but this year they did take a flyer thanks to a 4th team being added to their pool. Toledo QB Logan Woodside was an interesting pick with their final T-Draft selection. Earlier they had taken their usual Trojan contingent with DE Rasheem Green and LB Uchenne Nwosu, two pieces that could find plenty of snaps in LA’s highly-rotational defensive scheme.

Outlook:

The Express had a solid draft up and down the week, going with need repeatedly. Whether 1st rounder McGlinchey or 2nd rounder Ole Miss DE Breeland Speaks are going to excite the somewhat cynical LA fanbase is yet to be seen, but from a football perspective, these picks made a lot of sense.

MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS

First Round Pick: UTEP guard Will Hernandez—NFL Pick 34: New York Giants

Hernandez is considered something of a stretch, going in the Top 10 in the USFL draft but only early 2nd round in the NFL. That said, with Nelson off the board, and a clear need at the guard position, this pick makes a lot of sense for Memphis. What is more, by going with a bit of a stretch this early, the odds are in Memphis’s favor that Hernandez will take their first round money over New York’s 2nd round cash.

Later Round Gem: South Dakota State TE Dallas Goedert (2nd Rnd)

While we have questions about their first round pick, we are all in on Goedert being a Showboat. He would be an ideal safety valve for Paxton Lynch, who needed more help than he got from the position last year. He was also a 2nd round pick of the NFL Eagles, but we think Memphis is a better fit for him, with more potential to earn a starting gig early on.

Territorial Picks:

We are still scratching our head over why Memphis did not protect Arkansas center Frank Ragnow, who could also play guard or tackle in a pinch. But, they opted instead to use their first pick on Tennessee CB Rashaan Gaulden and then follow that up with HB John Kelly (also Tennessee) and double down with HB David Williams of Arkansas as well.

Outlook:

When you combine both the T-Draft and Open Draft, Memphis has a lot of picks we like, from Hernandez and Goedert to later selections like Syracuse LB Zaire Franklin and K-State CB D. J. Reed. Now, can they sign most of them? That is always the challenge.

ORLANDO RENEGADES

First Round Pick: Georgia OT Isaiah Wynn—NFL Pick 23: New England Patriots

With Josh Rosen still on the board, Orlando apparently fielded plenty of calls about the pick but they stood fast and took the player they wanted, a potential blindside protector for their own QB, Russell Wilson. They may well have lucked out as a trade in the NFL ended up with New England, one of the league’s worst managed teams, dropping from 5 to 23 and picking Wynn. Again, better position in the draft order, a better situation for a rookie lineman, and certainly better weather will all play in Orlando’s favor.

Later Round Gem: Florida safety Marcell Harris (3rd Rnd)

The Renegades stayed in the state with this pick and filled a definite need. Harris could play either position but likely slots in as a possible candidate for the starting CB position, if not this year (Orlando signed Corey White to a 1-year deal) then perhaps in 2019.

Territorial Picks:

While it wasn’t the usual treasure chest of Miami prospects this year, Orlando still found some doubloons from their 3 protected schools, selecting OT Martinas Rankin from Mississippi State, along with two Hurricanes, HB Mark Walton and TE Chris Herndon.

Outlook:

A very utilitarian draft from the Renegades. No real splashy selections, light on “skills” positions, and heavy on need. It is not the kind of draft that will build a lot of excitement, but it could help build a roster that can return to competing for a division title.

DALLAS ROUGHNECKS

First Round Pick: Ohio State CB Denzel Ward—NFL Pick 4: Cleveland Browns

While there was some speculation among the ESPN Football Network analyst table that Dallas could be worried about Johnny Manziel, and that they might take UCLA QB Josh Rosen at 10, they opted instead to go for the best cover corner in the draft pool. But now they face a problem. Denzel Ward was also chosen by the in-state Cleveland Browns, giving him a very nice Columbus to Cleveland transition as an option. The Roughnecks could not have known this at the time they picked Ward, but now it is looking more and more like a lost pick.

Later Round Gem: Stanford DT Harrison Phillips (3rd Rnd)

A big but agile interior presence, Phillips could be a nice addition to the Roughneck roster. He is at his best when he is shedding blockers and penetrating into the backfield, but he can also hold up against run blocking. He comes out of a 4-3 system at Stanford, which aligns well with his role in Dallas’s similar system, likely rotating with Star Lotuleilei and Domato Peko to form a very nice trio of big men. All this assumes, of course, that the Buffalo Bills don’t provide a better offer.

Territorial Picks:

Dallas must love that the Outlaws moved to Oklahoma and gave up UT as one of their schools. The Longhorns often provide a nice T-Draft pool, and this year Dallas snapped up a very solid player from Austin, OG Connor Williams. They also protected TCU center Austin Schlotmann and SMU wideout Courtland Sutton. Of the three, Sutton should be the priority. Dallas’s WR group is a bit thin and a bit slow, and Sutton would be an immediate impact player.

Outlook:

While prospects to land their 1st pick, Ward, don’t look great, this was a pretty deep draft for the Roughnecks. We think Courtland Sutton, Connor Williams, and Harrison Phillips would be a very good haul, and they have already landed one player, with 4th round pick, SJSU corner Jermaine Kelly already inking a 3-year deal.

JACKSONVILLE BULLS

First Round Pick: UCLA QB Josh Rosen—NFL Pick 10: Arizona Cardinals

Jacksonville’s patient, wait-and-see approach to the QB derby results in them getting the chance to select Josh Rosen from UCLA, with Kyle Lauletta also available at this time. What will be interesting to see is if that same patient approach in any way impacts Rosen’s interest in the Bulls. Will it be seen as a lack of commitment or interest, which could send him to Arizona in the NFL instead. Of course all parties will be saying the right things until a deal is agreed upon, but we wonder if Jacksonville could have done more to show that Rosen was their man.

Later Round Gem: Wake Forest DE Duke Ejiofor (3rd Rnd)

After selecting Notre Dame wideout Equanimeous St. Brown, the Bulls doubled down on winning the “best names in the draft” competition by using their pick from Arizona later in the same round to select Ejofor. Ejiofor’s performances at Wake Forest were up and down, but when he was on, which often was against the ACC’s best teams, he was dynamic. He could be a steal for the Bulls, assuming he does not take the deal from the NFL Oilers instead.

Territorial Picks:

The Bulls split their 3 picks between the two strongest programs in their pool, taking Clemson LB Dorian O’Daniel, along with UF DT Taven Bryan and CB Duke Dawson. All three were defenders, but when you add in the Open Draft picks, Jacksonville went 6-6, balanced between offense and defense (and with 2 extra picks this year.)

Outlook:

The Bulls have quantity, hoping to sign as many of their 12 picks as possible, but also quality. In addition to the players already mentioned, Jacksonville also chose Louisiana-Lafayette safety Tracy Walker, Nebraska CB Chris Payton-Jones, and Richmond LT Alex Light, all of whom would add nice depth at key positions.

ATLANTA FIRE

First Round Pick: Washington DT Vita Vea—NFL Pick 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A true space-eater who can play the 3-4 as well as the 4-3, Vea would likely rotate with Nick Fairley at the nose, or allow Fairley to go outside as a pseudo DE, especially on early downs. He was the 12th pick in the NFL draft and the 12th in the USFL open draft, so there is no financial advantage in Atlanta’s favor. The key for Atlanta may be Bruce Arians’s ability to convince Vea of his role in the defense. The Buccaneers have a clear need, so that could be a hard pitch to make if he will share time with Nick Fairley on the Fire line.

Later Round Gem: Louisiana Tech HB Boston Scott (6th Rnd)

The Fire need some pop in their run game. Neither Chris Ivory or Kenyan Drake has proven to be able to provide big plays in the run game very consistently. Scott is a classic double-down pick, with Atlanta having selected Georgia back Nick Chubb in the first round. We like that option, and if by some chance the Fire are able to sign both, the two can both be part of a 3- or even 4-back rotation until someone proves they are a step ahead of the rest.

Territorial Picks:

In addition to Nick Chubb, the big inside rusher for the Bulldogs, Atlanta also chose DT John Atkins and LB Lorenzo Carter, a UGA trifecta. Sorry Georgia Tech & State. Of the three, we think Chubb is the player they truly need to focus attention on, though, signing Atkins would be a nice security blanket if Vita Vea heads to the NFL.

Outlook:

Atlanta’s draft was very strategic, using the double-down on key positions (DT and HB) while also going for value, often choosing the Best Player Available, especially in the mid and late rounds. One last name to keep in mind is Ohio State DE Tyquan Lewis, Atlanta’s 2nd rounder and a player who could easily see plenty of snaps with the Fire if he signs on.

OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS

First Round Pick: Nevada OT Austin Corbett—NFL Pick 33: Cleveland Browns

No surprise that the person most happy with this pick is Outlaw QB Joe Flacco. The most sacked QB in the game over the past 3 seasons (partially due to his tendency to hold the ball a long time), Flacco needs as many bodyguards as he can get and the former Wolfpack LT could be an immediate upgrade on the right side, with Rodger Saffold at LT, or the two could even swap positions. If he signs, he could quickly become Flacco’s best friend.

Later Round Gem: Florida kicker Eddie Piñeiro—(7th Rnd)

Oklahoma’s last pick in the draft is the one player likely guaranteed a starting gig. Piñeiro may have to adapt to the swirling winds of the prairie, but he was about as good a kicker in college as we have seen in recent years. He is almost certain to replace Kai Forbath, who got the yips last year and who has struggled on kicks inside of 40 yards.

Territorial Picks:

After trading their first Territorial pick to Washington, so the Feds could pick Baker Mayfield, the Outlaws used their two remaining picks to select QB Mason Rudolph from OSU and TE Mark Andrews from OU. We love both picks. Andrews will be a great drop down or safety valve target for Flacco and Rudolph can step in as protégé under the former MVP starter. Give Rudolph a year or two to learn under Flacco and he could be a 10-year starter for the Outlaws, at 1/5th the price that Mayfield would have garnered.

Outlook:

“Shrewd”, that is the word we would use for Oklahoma’s strategy. They got a potential QB of the Future, added weapons and protection for Joe Flacco, and reinvented their kicking game by drafting a kicker and a punter in late rounds. They even doubled down at QB by drafting Houston Cougar QB Kyle Allen with the hopes of having him on the practice squad this year.

CHICAGO MACHINE (Traded from LA)

First Round Pick: So. Carolina State LB Shaquille Leonard—NFL Draft Pick 36: Indianapolis Colts

The Machine moved from the 7 pick to the 14 thanks to the trade that allowed them to choose Sam Darnold in LA’s Territorial Draft. So, moving down 7 spots took them out of the running for several top defenders, but landing Leonard was still a pretty solid pick. Yes, he played at an HBCU and that means he has not faced consistently strong opposition, but the natural skills are there and his 1st round status in the USFL gives Chicago an advantage over the NFL Colts, who picked Leonard early in the 2nd round.

Later Round Gem: Alabama C Bradley Bozeman (5th Rnd)

As tempting as it would be to highlight another kicker (Auburn’s Daniel Carlson, also picked by Chicago), choosing Bozeman in the 5th was the better pick. He is going to need a bit of time to work on his footwork, but the Bama pivot is used to high pressure, big stakes, and very good DTs lined up across from him. He could see some snaps this year in Chicago.

Territorial Picks:

Trading for Sam Darnold’s rights was the highlight of the draft for Chicago, a clear swing for the fences moment. They will be competing with the New York Jets to see if they can land the USC product, which means it is Chicago v. New York, just like a pizza war. With their own picks the Machine passed on guard Quenton Nelson and OT Mike McGlinchey, the two sure-fire first round talents out of Notre Dame, instead landing on TE Durham Smythe, HB Josh Adams, and then picking Northern Illinois WR Chad Beebe, only to send his rights to New Jersey as part of a late round swap in the Open Draft. An odd strategy all around, but with limited cap space, maybe Chicago was simply not wanting to lock up too much money before Darnold signed, if he signs.

Outlook:

This is one of those drafts where if the Machine lose out on one player, Darnold, it won’t matter how good the rest of the draft is. That worries us, as USFL fans first and foremost, because losing out to a pretty dysfunctional Jets franchise is a black eye in such a high profile battle of the two leagues. What is funny, of course, is that both the Machine and the Jets have reputations as places talented college QBs go to become bad pro quarterbacks. With both Trevor Siemian and Ryan Fitzpatrick still under contract, Chicago won’t impode without Darnold, but missing out on this pick could certainly put a sour taste in the mouths of many Windy City fans.

OHIO GLORY

First Round Pick: UTSA DE Marcus Davenport—NFL Pick 14: New Orleans Saints

This was honestly a bit of a surprise pick. Not that Ohio does not need help on the edge, or that Davenport is not a solid pick, but all the talk around the league was that the Glory were going for a wideout, possibly D. J. Moore, but they zigged when we thought they would zag. This is likely the influence of Coach Tom Coughlin, who would rather win games 13-10 than 35-33.

Later Round Gem: Western Kentucky LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe (2nd Rnd)

Ohio went for quite a few “small school” players, including Iyiegbuniwe, Prairie View WR KhaDarel Hodge, and Southern Illinois safety Ryan Neal. We are not sure all of these were good value where they were picked, but Iyiegbuniwe certainly seems like he has the stuff to be a solid 2nd rounder. Impossible to say his name 3 times fast, but a solid ballplayer.

Territorial Picks:

The parade of Buckeyes continued with the Glory’s selection of center Billy Price and DE Jalyn Holmes. Shockingly, they did not go after the top Buckeye in the draft, DE Tyquan Lewis, instead selecting Cincinnati FB Mike Boone with their final pick. We know they met with Lewis, maybe there was something said to them that sent them looking for another option. Hard to say.

Outlook:

The Glory were thought of as a team that wanted to upgrade their skill positions, adding weapons for QB Christian Hackenberg, but between both drafts they added only 1 wideout (Hodge) and a fullback (Boone). Every other pick was either defense or O-line. That strikes us as a bit counter-productive, though, the Glory did add WR Eric Weems and TE Jared Cooki in free agency.

 

BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS

First Round Pick: Maryland WR D. J. Moore—NFL Pick 24: Carolina Panthers

When Ohio passed on D. J. Moore, Birmingham quickly ran their card up to the podium to nab Moore, a shifty receiver with good break-away speed. He could work on his route efficiency a bit, but that is something that can be coached. Birmingham would love to pair Moore with Amari Cooper and really let Cam Newton go wild in the vertical game. They will need to outbid the Carolina Panthers to make that happen.

Later Round Gem: Alabama HB Bo Scarbrough (7th Rnd)

It was a bit of an odd double-down, but the Stallions added two more in-state halfbacks between the two drafts, selecting Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson in the T-Draft and then adding Alabama’s Bo Scarbrough in the final round of the Open Draft. We see Scarbrough carving out a niche in special teams and maybe even as a short-yardage back, certainly more fitting for him than for either T. J. Yeldon or for Johnson.

Territorial Picks:

In addition to Kerryon Johnson, the Auburn back, Birmingham also added WR Robert Foster and LB Rashaan Evans, both from Alabama. These were good picks, but still a bit surprising in that the obvious number one talent coming out of the state’s two big schools this year was Bama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. But with Will Allen (brought in trade from Tampa Bay) and Baccari Rambo already forming a solid 1-2 safety punch, we think we understand why they let Fitzpatrick slip into the Open Draft.

Outlook:

We like Moore as an option for Birmingham’s offense. We are less sold that the backs they drafted are going to truly challenge T. J. Yeldon. And, if Fitzpatrick turns out to be the pro many think he can be, Birmingham’s decision to pass on the Alabama safety could look like a foolish one in a few years.

BALTIMORE BLITZ

First Round Pick: Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick—NFL Pick 11: Miami Dolphins

We keep doing this, talking about a player with the team that did not pick him, only to have the next team be the one to pick him. Fitzpatrick falls to the Blitz in what could be considered an odd, unplanned swap. Moore was Birmingham’s pick because Baltimore passed on the Maryland receiver in the T-Draft, and Fitzpatrick becomes Baltimore’s pick because Birmingham passed on him in the same way.

Later Round Gem: Clemson WR/KR Ray-Ray McCloud (6th Round)

Not that Baltimore needs any more speedy receivers, but the addition of McCloud could be an immediate upgrade to the return game. He is an explosive return man and that should land him a spot on the Blitz’s active roster, unless Buffalo can offer him more of a role as a receiver in addition to a returner, something McCloud seems to value.

Territorial Picks:

The Blitz passed on D. J. Moore, as we stated earlier, and instead opted to go for defense with all three selections: Maryland LBs Jermaine Carter and Josh Woods, followed by safety Raven Greene from James Madison, the 4th team added to their pool due to the limited players available from the Terrapins, Blue Devils, and ECU Pirates.

Outlook:

Fitzpatrick is the key to this draft. We are honestly not all that inspired by any other pick this year. If the hard-hitting safety goes to Miami over Baltimore, which feels very possible, this could be a lost draft for the Blitz, which is tough to take when you are in such a competitive division.

DENVER GOLD 2ND PICK (See above)

CHARLOTTE MONARCHS

First Round Pick: Alabama LB Daron Payne—NFL Pick 13: Washington Redskins

We have our first “lost pick” of the draft, at least officially. Charlotte picked Payne, hoping to see him on the Strong Side, next to Rolando McClain in their 4-3 alignment, but when the NFL Redskins picked him 6 picks higher in the NFL Draft, it immediately meant that Washington could potentially outbid the Monarchs, and that is what they did. Payne signed with Washington only 3 days after their draft, scuttling the hopes Charlotte fans had of Payne joining their club.

Later Round Gem: Army OG Brett Toth (6th Rnd)

We love when teams don’t shy away from taking players from the service academies. Yes, it can be tricky to work out a deal where their required military service does not impact their ability to play pro ball, but more and more it is possible for these players and servicemen to do both. Toth is unlikely to start for the Monarchs, but adding a bit of discipline and commitment to the O-line could be a benefit to the team even if Toth’s on-field time is limited.

Territorial Picks:

The Monarchs telegraphed that they were not going to invest big time money in trying to draft NC State DE Bradley Chubb in the T-Draft. Instead, they let Chubb go to the Open Draft and focused on signability with their T-Draft picks: DT B. J. Hill, HB Nyheim Hines, and WR Austin Proehl, all players who could make the 53 and all players that combined will ask less than Chubb’s sticker price.

Outlook:

Our bullpen was split on the Monarch draft. Some were still shocked they did not take a stab at the Wolfpack DE Chubb, Others felt they found good value in picks like Hines, Proehl, and TE Tyler Conklin out of Central Michigan. But, once Payne signed on with the Redskins, it certainly dampened any enthusiasm that Charlotte could muster with the rest of their picks.

SAN DIEGO THUNDER

First Round Pick: Penn State TE Mike Gesicki—NFL Draft Pick 42: Miami Dolphins

This one was the first true and absolute head scratcher. Not only was South Carolina’s Hayden Hurst a higher rated prospect at the same position, but tight end was on no one’s need board for the Thunder, since they already have very good 1-2 depth with Owen Daniels and Luke Wilson on the squad. With other more obvious roster needs, someone must have seen something in Gesicki that they think is special. It is the only way this pick makes sense.

Later Round Gem: Florida State DE Josh Sweat (5th Rnd)

We may have big questions about San Diego’s first round pick, but we think they got an absolute steal by choosing Josh Sweat in the 5th round. Projected as a 3rd round pick, somehow Sweat fell all the way to the later 5th round before San Diego reminded us he was here. Now, the big question is can they land him when he was also taken in the 4th round by the NFL Eagles?

Territorial Picks:

The Thunder made some odd choices all across the draft, one of which was not taking the late bids for their first T-Draft pick so another team could nab Josh Rosen. They held onto all three picks, perhaps because they saw three other prospects they truly wanted exclusive rights to select. Those three were all UCLA Bruins, linemen Kolton Miller and Scott Quesenberry, and LB Kenny Young. Passing up on even Aztec HB Rashaad Penny to try to land the three Bruin targets.

Outlook:

While San Diego’s overall draft was solid, that first rounder, paired with their odd hesitancy to trade away Territorial picks, means they have a small margin for error. They need to sign as many of their 9 picks as possible, and hope that some work out as true contributors, especially Gesecki.

SEATTLE DRAGONS

First Round Pick: Virginia Tech safety Terrell Edmunds—NFL Pick 28: Pittsburgh Steelers

We are honestly a bit surprised that Edmunds fell this low (21st) in the USFL Draft, and even more shocked that he was available to the Steelers at the 28 pick in the NFL Draft. Whichever team signs the Va Tech safety is likely to be very happy with their newest defender. Edmunds is not afraid to play the run, is fast enough to stay with most receivers, and will absolutely be a player worth watching the next few years.

Later Round Gem: Kansas State CB D. J. Reed (5th Round)

A bit of a raw talent, but we think Reed can develop with the right coaching and could be a real steal in this draft. Add to that the fact that if he comes to Seattle instead of the 49ers (who drafted him in the NFL’s 5th round) he will be mentored by two of the game’s best corners right now, Seattle’s Richard Sherman and Xavien Howard.

Territorial Picks:

Like so many teams in the T-Draft, Seattle avoided the one player who was the clear Top 10 draft pick, DT Vita Vea. It is a strategy teams have adopted over the years as a way to avoid the huge pricetag of those picks, since they almost always end up in tough negotiations with the NFL club raising the pricetag. Instead, Seattle went with some pretty solid talent in positions of need, including UW wideout Dante Pettis, fellow Husky receiver, TE Will Disley, and finally added possible depth in the QB room with Washington State’s Luke Falk.

Outlook:

A pretty solid draft from the Dragons, especially if Dissly and Pettis work out as Seattle hopes they can. If they can land Edmunds, they could have the best young defensive backfield in the league. That could prove to be a very good adjustment in a league that throws the ball the way we see it in the USFL.

NEW JERSEY GENERALS

First Round Pick: South Carolina TE Hayden Hurst—NFL Pick 25: Baltimore Ravens

John Carlson is not getting any younger, and Matt Spaeth is a fine blocker but not the kind of receiver the Generals need. Hurst would provide a great option for Nick Foles as he takes on the full time position as the starter in East Rutherford. Hurst could be a solid blocker if he gets a bit more help with his hand positioning, but as a receiver he is already pro ready.

Later Round Gem: USF DT Deadrin Senat (2nd Rnd)

We honestly struggled to find a player lower than Round 2 to pick, as we are not seeing much value in the Generals’ later rounds. So, despite being only a few picks out of the first round, we are going to have to pick Senat as their best non-1st round pick. He is a solid space-eater, and can get penetration, especially if lined up over the center instead of the guard.

Territorial Picks:

With three Northeastern schools in their pool (Rutgers, Syracuse, BC) it is rare that New Jersey has more than 3 solid picks to make. That was the situation this year, where there was again not a single anticipated 1st rounder to choose. The Generals ended up opting for two CBs from BC (that was fund to say), choosing both Isaac Yiadom and Kamrin Moore. They added Rutgers DT Sebastian Joseph-Day, but in the future they may want to petition for a 4th school, as they certainly miss the days when they had either Oklahoma or Wisconsin protected.

Outlook:

In a word, “meh”. No clear groaners among the picks, but nothing that will sell tickets or put fans in the seats. That may be OK if the Generals can continue to play good complementary football, but there is some value to adding a bit of sizzle to your roster each draft day.

PHILADELPHIA STARS

First Round Pick: Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch—NFL Pick 19: Dallas Cowboys

Thanks to a pair of trades made in the days before the draft, Philadelphia ended up with both the 23rd and 26th picks in the first round. They used their fist on Vander Esch and then came back just a few minutes later to pick Iowa center James Daniels. Both are quality value picks this late in the first round, and both could be good additions to a pretty solid Stars roster.

Later Round Gem: Miami WR Braxton Berrios (4th Rnd)

In a very meat & potatoes draft by the Stars, Berrios is a splash of Tabasco. We don’t see him busting in to the starting lineup, at least not this year, but don’t be surprised if the Stars don’t create some packages where Berrios’s quick cut ability and good hands come into play. Could be some bubble screens, quick slants, or reverses. Add to that the return options in the punt and kickoff games and we are loving this fit for the Stars.

Territorial Picks:

Philadelphia was open to trading away both of their top 2 territorial picks. They ended up sending their first pick to St. Louis (Lamar Jackson) but could not get a buyer (at a price they liked) for the 2nd pick targeting HB Saquon Barkley. So, Barkley went into the Open Draft and Philadelphia ended up with 2 T-Draft picks. With those picks they chose another high-value Louisville product, cornerback Jaire Alexander, who could see a lot of snaps for Jim Harbaugh’s defense, and another wideout, Penn State’s DeeSean Hamilton.

Outlook:

Alexander could be a huge addition to the Stars’ secondary if they can keep him from going to Green Bay, while both Berrios and Hamilton add nice skill sets to the receiving corps. The Stars would have liked to get something in trade for the rights to Saquon Barkley, but they have to be happy with this draft, and what may really be 3 first round talents with Alexander, Vander Esch and Daniels.

ARIZONA WRANGLERS

First Round Pick: UCF cornerback Mike Hughes---NFL Pick 30: Minnesota Vikings

Hughes is a strong zone coverage guy who needs to work a bit on his bump & run skills and deep ball coverage, but when you pick 24th in the draft, you expect the players selected to need a bit of coaching to get pro ready. Arizona had so many defensive needs that we expected more moving and swapping picks to try to add more selections, but the Wranglers largely stood pat and made the picks that came to them.

Later Round Gem: Washington center Coleman Shelton (6th Rnd)

Shelton is definitely a project, even after playing 2 seasons of Pac 12 ball, but he is a project with a lot of upside. If he can get his footwork right, and add just a bit more bulk, he could be a very good find in the 6th round.

Territorial Picks:

With no early round talent coming out of ASU, Arizona, or New Mexico this year, but enough talent that the Wranglers did not qualify for a 4th school as some others did, the Wranglers had to resign themselves to using the T-Draft to build depth. They did that with their 3 picks, selecting Wildcat corner Dane Cruikshank with their first pick, then following up with Sun Devil HB Kalen Ballange and, filling a need for sure, New Mexico punter Corey Bojorquez.

Outlook:

The Wranglers stayed focused on the defense for the most part, selecting Hughes in the first round, then following that up with Texas LB Malik Jefferson and Alabama DE Da’Shawn Hand in the third. If they can sign all three, they will at least have some warm bodies in camp, and bodies that could turn out to be good contributors for what is going to look like a very new defense in Glendale.

LAS VEGAS VIPERS

First Round Pick: San Diego State HB Rashaad Penny—NFL Pick 27: Seattle Seahawks

Penny is an interesting choice. We thought he might go higher, but based on the NFL selection at 27, Vegas’ pick at 25 seems about right. Penny is not going to be a bruising inside presence, but could be a solid inside-outside back with some potential in the passing game as well. Paired with Montario Hardesty, Las Vegas has two very similar backs, so they can swap them without major limitations to the offense. The Vipers just need to convince Penny to skip the damp, cold falls of Seattle for the dry and very hot deserts of Nevada in the summer.

Later Round Gem: Ohio State tackle Jamarco Jones (3rd Rnd)

A human bulldozer, Jones is very effective in the run game, something he excelled at while in Columbus, and something the Vipers could definitely exploit. He needs to work on his balance and footwork as a pass blocker, so he is likely not going to start consistently in his first year, but few 3rd rounders do.

Territorial Picks:

Vegas gets uneven production from their 3 standard schools, BYU, UTAH, and UNLV, but every once in a while, they get some real talent there. This year, the clear 1st choice was BYU linebacker Fred Warner. Las Vegas could certainly use the sure-tackling Warner as part of their LB rotation. They used the 4th school added to their pool due to low numbers to select Western Kentucky, apparently to draft QB Mike White, which is just what they did. Their third and final pick was a Utah talent, DE Kylie Fitts, who could play a role in special teams until he is ready to rotate into the D-line.

Outlook:

Penny is an intriguing prospect, as is Fred Warner. Beyond that we are not seeing a lot of immediate impact in this draft by Las Vegas. They may find that they need to look at the free agent list and the NFL pool before settling on their 53-man roster for 2018.

PHILADELPHIA STARS 2ND Pick (Traded from NOR, see above)

HOUSTON GAMBLERS

First Round Pick: Auburn guard Braden Smith—NFL Pick 37: Indianapolis Colts

Smith is a solid guard, better in pass protection than run game motion, but he has some nice physical traits. Houston is still a pass-first club, so it makes sense that they would gravitate to an interior lineman who has shown he can hold up against SEC pass rushers.

Later Round Gem: Wake Forest safety Jessie Bates (2nd Rnd)

We had Houston going for a skill player here, but the choice of Bates is a clear BPA selection. Not a vital need for a team that has both Budda Baker and Kenny Vaccaro ensconced into the starting positions, but a good addition nonetheless. Bates could swing between Free and Strong safety, though the former is his best true fit.

Territorial Picks:

Another team gifted a 4th school, Houston made a unique choice, selecting Jacksonville State over another Texas school. That choice seems to have been made so that they could draft CB Siran Neal, and that may have been their best move of the week. Their other two picks were a bit more traditional, grabbing another safety in A&M’s Armani Watts, but also going for a possible return man and slot receiver in Texas Tech’s Keke Coutee.

Outlook:

As you would expect of the Eastern Conference Champion, Houston did not have a lot of pressing needs. This draft was largely about adding some depth, especially in the secondary, and trying to find some diamonds in the rough.

MICHIGAN PANTHERS

First Round Pick: Alabama WR Calvin Ridley—NFL Pick 26: Atlanta Falcons

This is going to be a tough choice for Ridley. Both Michigan and Atlanta have strong QB play (Cousins in Detroit and “Matty Ice” in Atlanta) and pretty decent run games (Bell is better than pretty decent, but Atlanta’s Tevin Coleman is solid too.) The difference between NFL pick 26 and USFL pick 28 is not enough to make this likely a financial decision, so for Ridley it may come down to how Sean McDermott and Atlanta’s Dan Quinn showcase the receivers potential role. Could be a down-to-the-wire decision, honestly.

Later Round Gem: Southern Miss safety Tarvarius Moore (2nd Rnd)

This one was tough, because Michigan pulled a classic double dip, following the pick of Moore with West Virginia safety Kyzir White in the 3rd round. Honestly, we think the two both have potential to get a lot of snaps and see a lot of action, but the odds that Michigan can sign both are not great. They would love to, since they have needs at both safety positions, but the sheer mathematics of NFL-USFL drafts shows that a 50% signing rate is about the best you can hope for.

Territorial Picks:

Not the strongest pool ever out of the Wolverine State, with neither Big Blue or Big Green producing any 1st round talents this year. Michigan quickly picked (and subsequently signed) their first pick, not from either flagship school, but Western’s Chukwuma Okorafor, a swing tackle who could see action on either side of the line. They then went for more line help, picking MSU center Brian Allen as well as Wolverine DT Maurice Hurst.

Outlook:

When you draft 28th in a 28-team league, you are not going to get players that excite the fans, but you can get players who fill gaps left by offseason departures or who offer depth in key positions. Michigan’s draft is not high energy, but it is the kind of backfilling that a league champion needs to avoid a drop off.

NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (1st pick in 2nd round in trade from STL via PHI)

First Round Pick: None—Ohio State LB Jerome Baker (Pick 1 of Rnd 2)—NFL Pick 73: Miami Dolphins

The Breakers traded out of the first round, giving Philadelphia a 2nd pick in the round. Doing so gave them 2 picks in each of the next 2 rounds, but with their first pick in the 2nd round they went for a player many had projected as a 3rd rounder, someone they likely could have gotten at the end of the round. So, we are not sure what the mindset in N’awlins was here.

Later Round Gem: LSU CB Donte Jackson (3rd Rnd)

The Breakers’ final pick of their 4 picks in rounds 2-3 may have been their best. Yes, they could have drafted Jackson in the T-Draft, but chose to fill other needs. When they saw he was still there at pick 82, they rectified that situation and added Jackson as an Open Draft pick.

Territorial Picks:

So who did New Orleans take ahead of the LSU corner in the T-Draft? Some pretty good choices, honestly. First was Ole Miss guard Rod Taylor, who is very solid against tough SEC defensemen. Then they added Tulane corner Parry Nickerson, who we think they saw coming off the board before Donte Jackson. And finally, adding another target for Drew Brees, they added LSU wideout Russell Gage. All solid picks that should make the final 53.

Outlook:

The one player we have not mentioned is New Orleans’s 2nd pick in the 2nd round. That was Purdue LB Ja’Whuan Bentley, a thumper of a linebacker, perhaps not the fastest, but a very good run stuffer. That is a good fit for what the Breakers want to do on defense, shut down the run early and force teams to be one-dimensional.

PORTLAND STAGS (2nd pick in 2nd round)

First Round Pick: Weber State CB Taron Johnson—NFL Pick 121: Buffalo Bills (2nd pick in Rnd 2)

Portland fans were not happy at all to see their Stags trade out of the 2nd overall pick, even if it did mean they would have 3 second round picks (cheaper and easier to sign, but not exciting picks for fans). They were even less enthused when the Stags announced Johnson as their first pick, a player from little-seen Weber State and who would not be chosen until the 4th round by the NFL Bills. Yes, they had 2 more picks in the round, but this was a stretch for a team that simply cannot afford to whiff on the draft.

Later Round Gem: Richmond QB Kyle Lauletta (3rd)

The last of the Big 7 QBs comes off the board in the 3rd round. Lauletta is not expected to challenge Mariota for the starting job, but may well be motivation for Mariota to work on improvement, because Lauletta’s game is similar enough that Coach LaFleur could pull the Oregon star if the Stags continue to stag-nate.

Territorial Picks:

The disappointment for Stag fans started even before they swapped their Open Draft 2nd overall pick to Denver. Many expected Portland to lock in Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch, but instead they picked two players from Northwestern, a school added to their pool for this year only. They took HB Justin Jackson and NT Tyler Lancaster, neither of whom were seen as anything but late round camp bodies. They also picked Boise State wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr, another late round talent. Now, it is not as if they had a ton of options ,but Vander Esch would have made sense, so we get why fans are shaking their heads at the direction taken by their 3-13 club.

Outlook:

Confusion and disappointment in Portland as the Stags just don’t seem to be maximizing the value the draft can give them. Now, they did get 3 2nd round picks, but the choice of Taron Johnson was not a big win for them. Their other two picks, Washington State guard Cole Madison and Fort Hays State DT Nathan Shepherd may be fine players, but when everyone who is not in the war room has to google them to see who they are (and google Fort Hays State to see where the heck it is [central Nebraska]), you can understand why fans think the Stags are not playing with a full deck.

Before we continue with the player moves that impacted both the 2018 Draft and the season to come, we should highlight that both Oakland and Dallas, the two teams without a head coach in October, have found their new coaches and in time for each to have an influence in the draft and the final roster moves to come. For Oakland, the hire came midway through the NFL season in mid-November, while for Dallas, the club had to wait until late December to make their move official.

Oakland Pulls Kubiak Away from Denver

He was named on Dennis Green’s short list of candidates, chosen for his ability to develop quarterbacks (as a former NFL QB himself) and his willingness to take on something of a rebuild for an Oakland team that missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade in 2017. Gary Kubiak, who had transitioned from a backup QB in Denver to the Head Coach of the Broncos, agreed to a 3-year deal to take the lead in Oakland, following in the footsteps of legendary Invader coach Dennis Green.

Kubiak, who had spent 2017 on hiatus after being released by Denver after a rough 2016 campaign, signed on in November after a back and forth with Oakland about GM responsibilities. Officially Kubiak will be the Head Coach and the Head of Player Personnel, a position that still allows GM Tom Gamble to retain his role with the club. The deal gives Kubiak considerable input into the roster building process, a process that is almost guaranteed to be focused on acquiring a new quarterback over the next month, either through trade or perhaps the NFL-USFL Transfer Window.

Dallas Finds Their Man in Lubbock

It was well known that the Roughnecks were looking for their coach primarily from the two NFL clubs in the state as well as the college ranks. That meant that they were forced to hold off a decision until December, during the “down time” between college football’s regular season and the bowls, or even until January, after the conclusion of the NFL season. When an announcement was made in late December that the Roughnecks would announce their new head coach, it became clear that they had gone for one of their two primary targets out of Texas universities. The choice was between Kevin Sumlin at Texas A&M and Kliff Kingsbury from Texas Tech. The decision was for Kingsbury, an offensive guru who had turned the Red Raiders into a spread-based team and sent QB Patrick Mahomes to the NFL.

Kingsbury would be charged with developing (and to a degree “maturing”) QB Johnny Manziel as well as developing a more aggressive offensive scheme. The defense would be handled by new DC Emmit Thomas, as Kingsbury worked with the offense. Kingsbury arrived from Lubbock with an emphasis on the passing game, particularly spread formation, short-route passing, which worked well for undermanned Texas Tech and may help a Dallas squad short on big name talent at the wideout position. In no surprise, Kingsbury was instrumental in the team’s decision to pursue Courtland Sutton, the speedy wideout from SMU, in the territorial draft, but also worked with the GM to bring in free agent DE Mathias Kiawanuka.

This USFL offseason has been one of the most active on the trading block in recent memory, largely due to the deals that saw teams either claiming territorial picks or moving within the Open Draft to locate quarterbacks. These deals shifted the destinations of 3 of the top 5 quarterback picks, with LA providing Chicago with the opportunity to draft Sam Darnold, Oklahoma sending access to Baker Mayfield to Washington, and St. Louis obtaining the same access to Lamar Jackson from Philadelphia. We also saw Denver, a surprise player in the QB chase, move to the 2nd overall pick in the Open Draft, a position which allowed them to select and draft Wyoming QB Josh Allen. But even beyond the media and public focus on the QB chase, this was an offseason that saw more trades, and particularly trades of high profile players, than most.

As you will recall from our October edition, the offseason included several big “cap purge” trades, with teams looking to free up salary space by dumping off high-salary players, including some of their best players. We saw this early on, with Portland trading away both TE Jordan Cameron and WR A. J. Bouye in two separate deals. It was also the obvious motivation for Denver to part with All-USFL cornerback Aqib Talib, sent to New Jersey in a deal that freed up nearly $4M for the Gold to use in their pursuit of Josh Allen. We saw Las Vegas send WR DeVante Parker to San Diego. Jacksonville sent DT Grady Jarrett to Arizona, and St. Louis swapped DE Kony Ealy to the Breakers for TE Crockett Gilmore.

But the trades did not end there. The November-January block, often a bit of a down time in the league’s transactions, did not show the same slow-down this year. Teams continued to make major deals, some tied to the cap, others to deal with disgruntled players, and others still to try to fill roster needs that the draft might not address. Looking at the pre-draft period, these trades stood out to us as significant talent transfers. The six deals we highlight represent about half of the deals that impacted rosters in a meaningful way (skipping any mid-draft position swaps and focusing on deals involving regular contributors to each team). Here are six deals that will certainly have an influence on the 2018 season.

HB Jeremy Hill: LV to CHI

The Vipers continued to clear cap space by sending former Breaker HB Jeremy Hill to Chicago. Hill gained nearly 500 yards with the Vipers, backing up Montario Hardesty, but his backloaded contract would increase his cap hit by nearly $1M next year. Las Vegas opted to send the back to Chicago, where he will likely sub in for Matt Forte, and in return received help for their line in the form of Chicago guard Michael Dunn. That move both added needed depth at guard and helped increase Portland’s capacity to sign free agents by freeing them from the bubble payment in Hill’s contract.

C Phillip Blake: OKL to SEA

The Oklahoma Outlaws were one of the teams struggling to find even the minimum cap space needed to successfully sign a rookie class, much less make a splash in free agency. They had been seeking deals on several fronts but found their first taker in the Seattle Dragons. Seattle, looking to add greater versatility to their offensive line play, more pulling and more consistency, made an offer for Oklahoma’s starting center, Phillip Blake. It took a bit of back and forth, but eventually a deal was cut, and Blake was traded to the Dragons for nickel back Richard Crawford. The deal helps Oklahoma save cap space while bolstering a secondary that had some issues last year.

SS Kendrick Lewis: STL to BAL

The Skyhawks needed more cap room, the Blitz needed to try to address the gap left when Adam Archuleta announced his retirement. In mid-November both teams agreed to a deal that helped each with their concerns. Baltimore would obtain Kendricks, who had started every game for St. Louis at strong safety since 2012, racking up an average of over 70 tackles per season, while St. Louis would free up nearly $1.5M in cap space and obtain Baltimore’s 4th round picks both this year and next, draft capital much needed by a 3-13 squad that has many needs across the roster. Lewis, 29, has only 2018 left on his contract, so expect Baltimore to start working on an extension right away.

WR Steve Breaston (WR) and OT Kyle Murphy (OAK) swapped.

The Federals and Invaders both got help in key positions with the swap of Breaston and Murphy. Washington, trying to return to a run-heavy, ball control offense, brought in an athletic OT who excels at zone blocking, while Oakland continued to rebuild a WR group that was decimated last year and clearly lacked playmakers outside of Davante Adams. Breaston will likely play in the slot, though at this point we are very much unsure who will be throwing him the ball.

HB Rashard Jennings: OHI to ORL

Six frustrating seasons in Ohio end for Rashard Jennings as the Glory agree to a deal that sends the back to Orlando for CB Syd’Quan Thompson and a 5th rounder. Jennings, unhappy that despite solid production he remained mired behind Isaiah Pead in Columbus had made it pretty well-known that he wanted a shot at a true lead back position. His production this year, particularly when Pead was out with injury, certainly showed he could handle a heavy workload. Used mostly as a 3rd down back, Jennings still rushed for nearly 800 yards in 2017, but wanted a shot to do more. Enter the Orlando Renegades, having lost Knowshon Moreno to free agency and looking to shift to a 2-back rotation with Latavius Murray. It took some work, with Orlando hesitant to let Thompson go, but eventually a deal was cut. Jennings now gets the chance to prove he is a true lead back, while Ohio adds a strong cover corner who could find himself starting opposite Chimdi Chekwa in the Glory secondary.

WR Marques Colston: OKL to SD

In our mind this was the biggest move of the past three months, and one of the biggest for both teams involved. We had reported earlier that Oklahoma was fishing for takers for either Joe Flacco or Colston, their two offensive stars, but many thought the move was nothing more than a leverage issue with these players’ agents. Well, the Thunder called Oklahoma’s bluff, and it turned out not to be a bluff. For only a 6th rounder this year and a 2nd in 2019, San Diego was able to fill the huge WR gap left when Chad Johnson retired and immediately bring in another future Hall of Famer to be the primary target for Joe Webb. This has to be considered a huge loss for the Outlaws and for QB Joe Flacco, but for San Diego, this could be the piece that helps them get over the hump and make a deep playoff run.

While trades often make the headlines, and certainly in the case of the Colston deal, can radically alter the prospects of a team, the free agent market is the true meat and potatoes of each team’s offseason, providing each team with the chance to reimagine their rosters. The cap certainly plays a role in a team’s success and failures over the offseason, but so too does making the case to key free agents, and evaluating just who the best fits are for a team’s needs and their scheme. Every year we see player find better fits, where they can see their success skyrocket, the best example being Jordy Nelson’s move to New Orleans last year, but we also find players who take the big deal to join a new team but never quite find their groove in the new system. It is something of a crapshoot, but the teams that work free agency well can see rapid improvement. So, who are those teams? Here is our pick of the teams that have had the best free agency haul so far this offseason.

CHARLOTTE: WR Justin Blackmon, SS Shaun Schillinger, OT Kelvin Beachem, LB Randy Gregory

The Monarchs came out of their corner swinging in August, filling two immediate needs with a quality receiver and one of the better safeties available in the market. The additions of Beachem and Gregory are not going to make headlines, but both will be solid contributors.

DALLAS: CB Patrick Peterson, DE Mathias Kiawanuka, LB Brandon Spikes

Defense has been a huge issue for the Roughnecks for several years, but it seems that management is finally taking major steps. The signing of Peterson is a slam dunk for Dallas and adding Kiawanuka could be a boost to their pass defense as well. Spikes is not a big play guy, but is a consistent presence in the LB group. Coach Kingsbury and his DC are likely going to mix up the scheme as well, so don’t expect the same results that we have seen last few years.

OHIO: WR Eric Weems, G Brandon Brooks, TE Jared Cook

The Weems signing is major for the Glory. After losing Justin Blackmon, the Glory needed a player who could step in and make an impact right away. Weems proved in St. Louis that he could be the go-to target, and his speed makes him a better deep ball option than Blackmon.

SEATTLE: HB Knowshon Moreno, FS Donte Whitner, HB Wendell Smallwood

The Dragons surprised us in 2017, making a run from 0-5 all the way to the Divisional Playoffs. In 2018 they are not going to sneak up on anyone, but by adding Moreno as their lead back, they will have more firepower. Smallwood also gives them a good 3rd down option, and adding Whitner will be a nice plus for the secondary.

WASHINGTON: G Kyle Long, HB Anthony Allen, CB Brandon Boykin, TE Kellen Winslow Jr

The Feds had to restructure several contracts, and did lose some talent in free agency, but they also addressed the type of team they want to be, bringing in both a grind-it-out halfback in Allen and the best pulling guard in the pool with Long.

Not all teams did as well as these five, losing more than they gained. Here are the clubs we think have come out on the losing end of Free Agency so far.

ARIZONA: Lost CB Brandon Flowers, DE Quentin Groves

Losing 2 players from one of the league’s best defenses may not seem like a big hit, but we have to remember that the Wranglers also lost LB Karlos Dansby, DT Glenn Dorsey, LB Demorrio Williams, and DE Adam Carriker to the NFL, technically more free agent losses. That is a huge hit. Basically the vultures are picking over the carcass of Arizona’s defense and Coach Tomsula is going to have to basically build his defense all over, from scratch.

HOUSTON: Lost OT Willie Colon, WR Johnny Knox, DT John Jenkins, HB Kiero Small, TE Donte Rosario

The Gamblers knew this would be a tough year for departures, and while most of these players had bit roles, supporting the stars on the Gambler roster, losing LT Willie Colon will be a big hit for the Gambler offense. Their only signing so far being TE Tony Moeaki, which means they still have gaps in the depth chart to deal with.

JACKSONVILLE: Lost FS David Bruton, DT Henry Melton, TE Kellen Winslow, LBK. J. Wright

Coach Flores wants to build on a pretty solid defense, but losing three key players from their starting 11 is not going to help. Bruton in particular is a big lost, but combining that with Wright and Melton also leaving will be an issue.

NEW JERSEY: Lost DT Amobi Okoye, CB Brandon Boykin, HB Delone Carter, QB Charlie Whitehurst, C Jon Cooper

So far only Boykin has found a home, and New Jersey remains interested in re-signing Amobi Okoye. They have already brought in Kiero Small to be a backup for Maurice Jones-Drew, but they still have some gaps to fill, including at center and that CB slot that Boykin left vacant.

ST. LOUIS: Lost WR Eric Weems, QB Ricky Stanzi, TE Tony Moeaki, WR Terrance Williams, HB Jay Finley, CB William Gay

Technically, only 3 of these 6 players have signed on with another team, but it does not seem that St. Louis is close to resigning Gay, Finley, or Williams, so they could lose all six. While the signing of Stevie Johnson certainly takes the sting away from losing Weems, the Skyhawks still have a lot of gaps to fill.

After a pretty nasty September transfer window that saw the NFL sign a ton of quality USFL players, with a strong emphasis on the D-line. But, as always, with the NFL season ending in January, the February-March window will be the USFL’s opportunity to flip the story and raid NFL rosters for last-minute talent infusions. Looking over the current status of USFL rosters, there are certainly some obvious needs still to be addressed across the league, and this year’s pool of NFL free agents may well provide answers. Here is our list of the 15 top NFL talents available for the Transfer Window, and where we think the best fit would be in the USFL.

15  K Chris Boswell (Steelers)

Several teams still don’t have their kicker position set, and Boswell, along with Cleveland’s Zane Gonzalez and Carolina’s Graham Gano could get solid offers from several of them. We like St. Louis for Boswell, but Birmingham or Charlotte could also be possible destinations.

14  TE Eric Ebron (Lions)

Ebron is the best receiving tight end available from the NFL Pool. While Houston is a possible contender, Ebron wants to be the number one guy wherever he goes, which won’t be the case with Vernon Davis a Gambler, so we are going to send Ebron to either Birmingham or Memphis.

13  LB Zaire Anderson (Broncos)

An aggressive tackler and solid in pass coverage, we think the former Bronco could be a good fit in Oakland, San Diego, or Las Vegas, all teams looking for an outside backer who can cover tight ends.

12 HB Jerrick McKinnon (Vikings)

A bit of a workhorse type, McKinnon is not likely going to be a lead back, but could be a very good contributor to a dual-back system or a strong short yardage player. So, who is in that market? Charlotte, Arizona, Denver, or Memphis could all be in the market for a player like McKinnon or Cleveland’s Isaiah Crowell.

11  S Eric Reid (49ers)

Reid could be a popular pick since so many USFL clubs had safety as a priority need. We could see Reid signing on with any number of teams, but for us the best fit might be in Ohio, where the Glory need his mix of speed and aggressiveness.

10  G Luke Joeckel (Seahawks)

Joeckel was a high draft pick for Seattle but never panned out the way the Seahawks had hoped. Can a USFL team get from him the type of dominance we saw in college? And who would like to take a shot at finding that player? Of the clubs looking at the interior line, the natural fit would be the Dragons, allowing Joeckel to stay in the Emerald City but work in a very different offensive scheme.

9  WR Sammy Watkins (Rams)

A lot was expected of Watkins when the Buffalo Bills picked him in the 2014 draft, but only 4 years later he is leaving his 2nd team and looking to reawaken the player the Bills saw at Clemson. He has good hands and can escape coverage, but his consistency has been an issue. No shortage of teams needing another target for their QB, but at the top of the Watkins list we see Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Dallas as the teams most in need of adding some quality in the receiving corps.

8  DE/OLB Trent Murphy (Redskins)

Where Murphy goes depends a lot on who wants to have him line up with a hand on the ground in the 4-3 or standing up as an OLB in a 3-4. We think Murphy prefers the more straightforward role of a DE over that of a linebacker. If that is true, then the best fits may be in either New Orleans or Oklahoma, both of whom are hoping to find more edge pressure.

7 QB Teddy Bridgewater (Vikings)

Our first of two back-to-back potential starters at QB who are in the market. The two are very similar, Bridgewater and Garappolo. Both have good mobility but are not running QBs. Both throw a nice ball, with Bridgewater having a bit more arm strength, and both have struggled a bit with consistency. No surprise who the teams are in this market, Oakland, Jacksonville, St. Louis, Washington, and pretty much any other team that chose a 1st round rookie QB if that rookie signs with the NFL.

6  QB Jimmy Garappolo (49ers)

There really is a mixed rating for both Bridgewater and Garappolo. Some teams have one much higher in their rankings than others. We even saw one team that had Geno Smith above both of them. We think Teddy and Jimmy are the top two prospects, though we understand the interest in Geno as well. When we look at systems, we think both can be successful in any number of teams, but perhaps the best option would be Oakland for either, just because he would have a solid run/pass option in HB Christian McCaffrey and a QB-friendly coach in Gary Kubiak.

5   HB Kareem Hunt (Chiefs)

This one is going to be tricky. Yes, Hunt has undeniable talent and can turn a short screen, sweep, or swing pass into an 80-yard score, but the reason he is in the market in the first place is because Kansas City did not want to deal with the possibility of both league sanctions and public outrage after a video showing domestic abuse by Hunt came to light. Signing Hunt could be a major upgrade or a major headache. Who might take that chance? Honestly we don’t know, but we somehow expect that at least 1 USFL team will play the odds and take a chance on the talented back.

4  WR Jarvis Landry (Dolphins)

Our 2nd rated wideout, but a good option if speed is what you are looking for. Landry has had some run-ins with his coaches in Miami, so he likely is not going to go to a team with a disciplinarian at the helm (sorry, Ohio and Coach Coughlin), but in the right place, he could be an instant contributor. What if the right place is a team like Michigan, who won a title this year without a deep receiver group? Scary, right?

3   HB Isaiah Crowell (Browns)

While some backs, like McKinnon, would have a particular role in an offense, or others, like Kareem Hunt, bring a lot of baggage, in Crowell, you might just be getting a player who, with time to rest early in the USFL season, could emerge in the season’s second half as a legitimate lead back. Our best guess here is that he could be very attractive to the Maulers, if they miss out on Saquon, or with Atlanta if Chubb goes to the Browns (an interesting swap of talent in that last case.)

2  WR Dez Bryant (Cowboys)

Bryant’s talent is undeniable, his ego is also bigger than life. If you sign him, you either have to be ready for a lot of drama or you have to dedicate a lot of effort to keeping him happy, but you will get a true number one and a possible All-USFL talent if you can get him to maximize his talent. Our best guess is that Bryant will be happiest in a big market and with a solid QB in place. How about LA with Sam Bradford? Philadelphia with Matt Gutierrez, or Michigan with Kirk Cousins?

1   S Tyrann Mathieu (Cardinals)

That’s right, we are putting the Honey Badger at the top spot. He is everything you want in a safety, fast, strong, aggressive, but smart at the same time. We see Matthieu having the kind of role that we saw with Archuleta in Baltimore and that we see with Polamalu in Arizona. Who wants him? How about half of the league, maybe more? Who can realistically get him? We think there are 3 teams in the running, just due to cap space, scheme, and coaching. Those three, who likely will enter into a bidding war with a good number of NFL teams as well, are the Dragons, Maulers, and Renegades, but we could see an outlier make a winning case as well. The desire is certainly there across most of the league.

So, what is next for the league and for our report? Well, camps are opening up, and that means we are only about a month away from our double issue USFL Season Preview. In our annual guide to the season ahead we will review all the big camp moves, the rookie signing battle between the NFL and the USFL, the NFL imports and USFL defections, all the last-minute Free Agent signings, and take a look at each teams’ depth chart, prospects, and potential impact. We will make our usual mixed bag of picks, looking to assess who has a shot to take the title away from the Michigan Panthers, and who has a chance to take home an award at the USFL Gala next July. It will be a jam-packed report, which is why we are going to divide it into two sections, so we don’t miss a thing. So, just a few weeks away, let’s get ready for some Spring Football, USFL-style!