2019-20 USFL Offseason Report
- USFL LIVES
- 5 hours ago
- 36 min read
Welcome back, USFL fans. It has been just under 3 months since we last checked in on America’s favorite spring football obsession, and quite a bit has happened, as you would expect. We will run it all down for you, the trades, the signings, the arrivals and departures, and, of course, the 2020 expansion draft as the Gunslingers and Steamrollers start to put together their teams. We now have all 30 head coaching slots filled, and a lot of player news, so let’s get right to it, and stick around as we also preview January’s Collegiate Draft. All right here on This Week in the USFL.
Steamrollers & Gunslingers Stock Up
We start our offseason report with the two newest teams in the USFL, the San Antonio Gunslingers and the New England Steamrollers. Both clubs were active in Free Agency in August, and then September brought the 2 phase Expansion Draft process. Thanks to the original agreement made when the OKC Football Group bought the Outlaws, San Antonio had their own private selection of 8 current Outlaws who had played with the then Texas Outlaws prior to 2017. Three days later both teams engaged in a leaguewide expansion draft to add 20+ players to their early rosters. It has been a busy 2 months to say the least for these two franchises, but we will try to recap the moves made and the players brought over to start off the 29th and 30th USFL franchises.
SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS
We start with the first big move, made 3 weeks after Summer Bowl 2019, when the Gunslingers held a press conference to announce that their first head coach would come from the league champion Wranglers. As many suspected, Chuck Long, former quarterback of the Chicago Machine and Philadelphia Stars, 1994 USFL MVP, and longtime offensive coach in the league, would be the first had coach of the Gunslinger franchise. Hot off a title run and a 56-point offensive showcase with the Wranglers, Long comes to the Gunslingers with the ability to craft not only an offense from scratch, but an entire franchise. He will work with GM Ryan Cowden, formerly of the NFL Oilers to build a team that can compete in year one and which should be offensive minded like the Wranglers squad that Long has helped win a 3rd title this past year.
The Gunslingers began their roster-building in the first days of free agency, negotiating with over 12 players before eventually signing their first USFL talent. The honor of being the first official member of the reborn San Antonio Gunslinger roster goes to DE Marcus Lawrence. The former Dragon and Stag edge rusher started every game for the Stags over the past 3 seasons, amassing 17 sacks over those years. He was soon joined by San Antonio’s second major signing, guard Andy Levitre, formerly a member of Michigan’s impressive front 5.
When it was time for the new Gunslingers to announce their 8 selections of former Texas Outlaws, there were two names on everyone’s lips, and those two names were the first two players announced on the ESPN Football Network’s Gunslinger Special. Quarterback Joe Flacco was not a surprise, having been the face of the franchise in Texas and seen as a huge draw for the new Gunslingers, even after a rather shaky 2019 campaign in Oklahoma. The second choice, HB Marshawn Lynch, was more in doubt as many expected the 35-year-old back to retire this year. But, when Lynch announced that he was not only interested in returning for a 14th USFL season, but that he would love to return to San Antonio after the club’s hasty departure following the destruction of the Alamodome by tornadoes, the choice was another obvious one.
Beyond the two former Outlaw stars, the Gunslingers also tabbed 3 more offensive players along with 3 defenders. Tight End Julius Thomas, WR Marquise Goodwin, and OT Dennis Kelly rounded out the offensive talent selected, while DT D. J. Humphries, LB Casey Matthews, and CB Demetrius McKay will also now return to the Alamo City with the USFL’s newest San Antonio club.
Come the leaguewide expansion draft, San Antonio was at something of a disadvantage, as New England was given several compensatory picks to balance out the Gunslingers’ 8-man early selection. Even so, they were able to choose several players who project as Week 1 starters from across the league. Their Gunslingers focused on the secondary with their first two selections, Memphis CB Jaquawn Johnson and Express free safety David Bruton. Their 3rd round pick was considered one of the best receivers left unprotected in the expansion process, Washington Federal wideout Brandon LaFell.
With Marshawn Lynch expected to carry a reduced load in 2020 and likely to retire after 1 year, the Gunslingers added some insurance by selecting Carlos Hyde’s backup in Houston, tailback C. J. Procise, in the 5th round. Additional picks included three linebackers: Charlotte’s Gabe Miller, Portland’s Justin Hollins, and St. Louis’s Ulysses Gilbert, as well as Breaker safety Will Harris, Mauler TE Noah Fant, and several offensive linemen: Chicago center Ethan Pocic, G Taylor Morton (WSH), and G Dorian Johnson (BAL). An intriguing late round pick was at quarterback, where the Gunslingers tabbed Michigan backup and 2019 rookie Easton Stick out of North Dakota State.
The third source of potential talent was the NFL-USFL Transfer Window, which opened 2 weeks after the expansion draft. As always, the fall selection of still-unsigned NFL talent was thin, so there were not a lot of immediate impact players available, though San Antonio feels they did land one gem in signing former USFL and NFL kicker Mason Crosby to be their placekicker. The Gunslingers signed a total of 3 NFL free agents, adding WR Corey Coleman and OT Zach Banner as well as Crosby. Expect a far-more active Gunslinger squad in the always richer pool of NFL talent available in February.
With plenty of roster spots still to go, we expect more action from the Gunslingers over the next few weeks, but from the start it looks like Chuck Long is hoping to recreate the vertical and dynamic offenses he had in Arizona. In Flacco, Lynch, Procise, Goodwin, LaFell, and slot receiver Isaiah McKenzie, he has some weapons to build with.
NEW ENGLAND STEAMROLLERS
With no pipeline like the Outlaw-Gunslinger option that San Antonio had, the Steamrollers knew they would need to be aggressive in the early days of Free Agency, and the, led by HC John Fox proved not only to be aggressive recruiters from the Free Agent pool, but very effective talent acquisition closers.
The Steamrollers not only targeted, but signed, more players than any other team, including the biggest fish in the entire free agency pool, somehow convincing DT Aaron Donald to give up the immediate hope for a league title for a chance to be the face of a franchise in Boston. Donald signed with New England after a three-week wooing tour of several clubs. He became the 4th player to sign with the Steamrollers, but certainly the biggest name and most impactful signing of the 2019-2020 free agency period to date. His deal also made him the highest paid defensive tackle in either pro league, earning an average of $18M per year for the next 4 seasons. Donald’s huge deal likely means that the Steamrollers may not be able to sign too many more big-contract players, though they did take on some more in free agency as well as in the expansion draft.
In addition to the All-USFL defensive tackle, the Steamrollers added TE Dennis Pitta as their first official free agent signing. The former Dragon had 71 receptions for 639 yards and 2 TDs in 2019 and is generally considered a Top 5 player at his position. New England also added WR Doug Baldwin, formerly of Philadelphia, safety Jaiquawn Jarrett (OAK), and QB C. J. Beathard (JAX) before the big splash of the Donald signing. But they were not done there.
Only 3 days after the Donald announcement, the Steamrollers announced another surprise addition. Halfback Matt Forte, who had already declared his intention to retire from the USFL, agreed to join the Steamrollers on a 1-year deal. Arrangements were made with the Chicago Machine to allow the move, and the Steamrollers had themselves a tailback.
When the Expansion draft came, more pieces started to fall into place for Coach Fox’s second Boston team. Job One for the Steamrollers was to secure a viable starting quarterback, as there were few options available in free agency and backup C. J. Beathard was not viewed as a potential starter. They wasted no time, using the first pick in the expansion draft to select former Miami Dolphin QB and 2019 NFL import Ryan Tannehill. The signing of the Jacksonville Bulls was expected to take on the starting job for the Bulls but was limited to a few games of mop up action when Teddy Bridgewater put together a strong season and limited Tannehill’s opportunities to show what he can do. He will now have the chance to demonstrate that he can be a steady leader on a team that will be very much in need of leadership.
Following the Tannehill pick, New England went to work on building a roster around their new QB. In round two they added a bodyguard for Tannehill in OT Kelvin Beachem (CHA). The defense got some attention with the additions of Viper DE Mario Addison, Express LB Cameron Smith, CB Sam Shields (PHI) and 2019 breakout player, CB Chidobe Owuzie of Ohio. They also added a 2nd back early in the draft, signaling that Matt Forte might again be in a 2-back rotation. Baltimore’s 2nd back, Kerwynn Williams was chosen in the 4th round and will join Matt Forte in the Steamroller backfield.
Other offensive players selected include linemen Brandon Brooks (TBY), Yodney Cajuste (JAX), Eric McCoy (POR), and Martinas Rankin (ORL); receivers Zay Jones (NJ), Will Fuller (CHI), and Devante Parker (SD); receiver/return man David Clowney (POR) and Denver TE Jack Doyle. On defense, the Steamrollers added linebackers Cameron Smith (LA), Junior Galette (OAK), and Sione Takitaki (LV), Defensive linemen R. J. McIntosh (HOU), Tashawn Bower (HOU), Deadrin Senat (NJ); and safety Deion Bush (ORL).
The latest additions to the Steamroller roster came when the NFL-USFL window opened. New England was not as aggressive in the limited NFL pool, but did make two signings, landing a former New England Patriot who could be a nice draw for fans, linebacker Jamie Collins, and filling their punter position with Atlanta Falcon castoff Matt Bosher. As with the Gunslingers, there are still many roster spots in limbo as free agency leads into the Collegiate Draft and the final NFL-USFL transfer window.
Looking over the roster right now, the obvious star for the Steamrollers is Aaron Donald, but Coach Fox is hoping to support Donald with the LB trio of Smith, Galette and Takitaki as well as the veteran leadership of safety Deion Bush and two solid corners in Shields and Owuzie. The offense, led by Tannehill, will likely use a 2-back system with Kerwynn Williams and Matt Forte splitting opportunities, and a receiver group that has reliable hands but may lack speed. That may be an area where the college draft provides a burner to complement the possession game that Baldwin, Parker, and Will Fuller provide.
Fire Hope to Stoke Offense with Elizondo
The Atlanta Fire, coming off a year in which their offense sputtered to a 19th ranking in points per game, and their run game could only muster 78.9 yards per game have decided that the way forward is to bring in a creative offensive mind, particularly one that can get HB Nick Chubb back to his rookie year form, when he hit the 1,000-yard mark. Their solution? Tampa Bay OC Jaime Elizondo. While many give Bandits HC Mark Trestman the credit for the offensive explosiveness and season turnaround of Tampa Bay, Atlanta saw in Elizondo a coach who could revive the Fire run game and help Aaron Murray find more options in the passing game.
The pick, which seems popular with Fire fans not only for what Elizondo brings to Atlanta but what his signing takes away from division rival Tampa Bay, will need to also consider a defense that had a major letdown in 2019, dropping to dead last in the league by allowing 29.9 points per game despite having a solid pass-defense. The key there will be for Elizondo to bolster a run defense that gave up over 110 yards per game, 4th worst in the league. No word yet on who Elizondo’s DC will be, but that will be a vital hire if Elizondo is going to use his considerable experience as an offensive position coach and coordinator to focus on Murray, Chubb and the Fire offense.
Five-Time All-USFL Linebacker Tabbed as Newest HC for Bulls
The Bulls opt to go with a former player, and a very good one, as their next head coach, signing former Renegade, Federal, and Bandit LB Winston Moss as their new head coach. Now, we are probably selling Moss’s resume a bit short. In addition to 15 seasons as a USFL player, including 5 All-USFL seasons, Moss has become a well-respected figure in coaching since his retirement. Moss began as a “quality control” expert for the Federals before taking on their LB position coaching duties. He moved up by moving on, joining New Jersey for a short 1-year stint as the Assistant DC before returning to Orlando with Coach John Fox as the defensive coordinator, a position that new ‘Gades head coach Ron Rivera insisted Moss keep last year. After taking Rivera up on the offer to stay on as the DC in Orlando, Moss helped the Renegades improve their defensive stats, particularly against the run, where Orlando finished 7th in the league by allowing only 81.7 yards per game. Moss also got credit for helping the Renegades develop rookie Montez Sweat after the departure of Calais Campbell last offseason.
Moss moves up the coast to Jacksonville and takes on a much larger task, becoming the Bulls’ 10th head coach and the 5th in the past decade. In addition to a 36-year record of playoff futility, Moss also inherits a team that finished with the league’s worst record at 3-13, a feat accomplished largely because of the 27th rated scoring defense, 27th rated defense in yards allowed, and a bottom 5 defense against both the pass and the run. In other words, they were a sieve. Despite a respectable passing game, led by QB Teddy Bridgewater, that helped them finish in the Top 8 in yards per game, and average 20.4 points (good enough for 12th in the league), the Bulls won only 3 games because they allowed nearly 27 per outing on defense.
So, Moss comes in, immediately loses some talent due to free agency and the expansion draft, and now must build a team that quite frankly does not believe much in itself. He has a few pieces to work with, namely Bridgewater, DE Barkevious Mingo, LB Sean Lee, and LB Jarret Johnson, but there are a lot of gaps, a lot of issues and a need not only for a talent infusion, but a faith infusion as well. This is a Bulls’ franchise that has not had a winning season since 2007 and has had 10 or more losses every season since 2010, including an 0-16 campaign in 2014. Moss is a good man, was a great player, and will need to be coach, mentor, and head cheerleader in Jacksonville.
Summer Bowl Tight Ends Announce Retirements
While there was not a significant 3rd wave of retirements following Summer Bowl 2019, both title game competitors had a player declare their intention to retire, and for both the Wranglers and Gamblers it was their star tight end. Jimmie Graham and Vernon Davis both made their announcements within 48 hours of each other and both step away from the game after multiple All-USFL seasons.
Jimmie Graham leaves the game after scoring a second championship ring with the Wranglers. Coming to the desert in 2016 after several years and a 19-touchdown season in Pittsburgh in 2015, Graham won a title his first season in Arizona, and this year won his second. Graham contributed 665 yards and 4 TDs in this, his 10th and final season in the league, also adding 3 catches for 60 yards and a score in the Wrangler’s division win over San Diego, 1 catch for a 20-yard TD against Denver, and 4 catches for 77 yards and a pair of scores in the Wranglers’ Summer Bowl Victory.
Vernon Davis had hoped to add a 3rd title to his resume this year, but was thwarted by the Wranglers. The 14-year veteran played his entire career with the Gamblers, racking up some impressive numbers, including 652 receptions, 7,274 yards and 68 career touchdowns, including 5 this season. In the 2019 playoffs Davis had a total of 10 receptions and 223 yards. A 3-time All-USFL selection at tight end, Davis won titles with the Gamblers in 2010 and again 8 years later with last season’s Summer Bowl Victory.
Others who announced retirement plans after the end of the 2019 season include Denver safety DaJuan Morgan, San Diego DT Henry Melton, Atlanta fullback Marcel Reese, Michigan DT Kevin Vickerson, and two members of the 2019 Tampa Bay Bandits, CB Trumaine McBride and WR Ted Ginn Jr.
Did Expansion Slow Down Free Agency Signings?
Despite the fact that newly-signed free agents were designated “unselectable” during the Expansion Draft, there still seemed to be a chilling effect on the early Free Agent period, as we saw far fewer signings than in most years. It appeared that teams, concerned about potential player losses in the Expansion Draft, were not ready to commit big money to sign free agents ahead of San Antonio’s and New England’s picks. There were, of course, some significant signings, but compared to a typical August-September period, the number of players signed was about 20%-25% lower than what we have typically seen, a reality that also meant that when the NFL-USFL transfer window opened, there was more USFL talent on the table for the NFL than we typically have seen.
We will discuss the NFL signings in a moment, but first we should acknowledge those free agents who have found new homes within the USFL. We already cited the impressive signings of the New England Steamrollers (DT Aaron Donald, TE Dennis Pitta, WR Doug Baldwin, and S Jaiquawn Jarrett) as well as the somewhat less “splashy” additions to the San Antonio Gunslinger roster (OG Andy Levitre and DE DeMarcus Lawrence). So, what other stories emerged out of the early weeks of free agency?
Cooper Flies the Coop
Despite resigning Cam Newton for the 2020 season and beyond, the Stallion offense did take a hit this offseason as their leading receiver, former Alabama product Amari Cooper, came to the end of his rookie contract, tested the free agency waters, and found a new home with the Seattle Dragons. Cooper is primed to step into the lead receiver position vacated with Mike Wallace’s earlier retirement. His new deal, a 4-year deal, will significantly increase his annual salary, while joining the Dragons means a greater possibility of topping 1,000 yards consistently, after seeing his receiving numbers negatively affected the past two years by a heightened focus on the Stallion run game and Cam Newton’s tendency to quickly shift from being a passer to a runner, something Cooper will not face in QB Jacoby Brissett.
Outlaws Sign 3 in Effort to Bolster Roster
Well aware that they would be losing 8 veteran players to the expansion draft, the Outlaws were one of the more aggressive teams among the 28 returning franchises. Within the first weeks of free agency the Outlaws made offers to 6 different players and were able to secure deals with three potential starters: WR Nick Toon from San Diego, OT Joe Haeg from the Seattle Dragons, and HB Jawan Jamison from the Breakers. Of course this does not make up for the 8 players lost to the Gunslingers early in September, but it is a start as the Outlaws try to remake their roster.
The theory on the Bob Stoops-led Outlaws is that they are giving OSU product Mason Rudolph a solid chance to become the heir to Joe Flacco, and that another young player, HB Justice Hill, will lead the run game in Oklahoma. With Mark Clayton retiring and Marquise Goodwin headed to the Gunslingers, the signing of Nick Toon makes sense for the receiver-short Outlaws, but we also expect they will add another receiver or two to help fill the group in around DeDe Westbrook. On defense, the toughest replacement may be LB Casey Matthews, though it is expected that either Greg Lloyd Jr. or a reinstated Vontez Burfict may be asked to step into Mathews’ role.
By the time the NFL-USFL window opened in mid-September, the larger free agent pool provided a lot of options for NFL teams. What we saw in the signings by NFL clubs was a clear preference for veteran players who could come in, spend a few weeks adapting to a new system, but step in and provide a mix of veteran leadership and late-season support to teams in need of depth or talent at key spots. While some younger players were selected, the clear pattern was the preference for shorter 1-2 year deals offered to players in their 30’s. Here is a quick run-down of the signings from the spring USFL to the fall NFL:
DE Lamar Houston (31) Thunder to Chicago Bears
CB Antonio Cromartie (33) Stallions to New York Jets
WR Demaryius Thomas (32) Express to Denver Broncos
FB Kyle Juszczyk (29) Panthers to San Francisco 49ers
SS Glover Quin (32) Stars to Detroit Lions
CB Derek Cox (32) Monarchs to Jacksonville Jaguars
LB Jarret Johnson (33) Bulls to Baltimore Ravens
FS Donte Whitner (32) Seattle to Buffalo Bills
LB D’Qwell Jackson (32) Federals to Indianapolis Colts
DE Greg Hardy (33) Stallions to Carolina Panthers
OG Kevin Zeitler (33) Machine to New York Giants
HB C. J. Anderson (31) Express to Denver Broncos
C Peter Konz (33) Invaders to Atlanta Falcons
WR Dwayne Bowe (32) Renegades to Kansas City Chiefs
HB Zac Stacy (28) Stars to Philadelphia Eagles
LB Carl Ihenacho (32) Dragons to Las Vegas Raiders
LB Jonathan Moulton (34) Outlaws to Houston Oilers
DT Jerel Worthy (31) Renegades to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QB Dan LeFevour (31) Gold to Jacksonville Jaguars
USFL Teams Seek Roster Depth with NFL Signings
As we so often see each fall, the NFL talent still unsigned 1-2 weeks into their fall season is not much to get excited about. USFL teams sign some practice squad or unsigned depth players but not much star power is available. That was the case again this fall, with only a few signings of note to present:
Eagles’ CB Ronald Darby went unsigned in the NFL but found a new home with the USFL Monarchs.
HB Jordan Howard left the Bears to sign with the Atlanta Fire as Nick Chubb’s understudy.
DE Emmanuel Ogbah had 3 sacks with the Browns last fall and will now join the Gamblers.
HB Ty Montgomery will reprise his 3rd down role for the Renegades after playing both in Green Bay and Baltimore in 2018.
LB Hassan Reddick, who had 80 tackles for the Arizona Cardinals last fall held out for a big money deal and got what he wanted from the Oakland Invaders, who lost Junior Galette in the Expansion Draft.
And, of course, there were the signings by San Antonio (OT Zach Banner, K Mason Crosby, WR Corey Coleman) and New England (P Matt Bosher and LB Jamie Collins) already discussed.
Other NFL players making the leap include S Justin Simmons (ORL), DT Timmy Jernigan (PHI), and LB Danny Trevathan (WSH).
While the free agent market has been noticeably underutilized in the early weeks of the offseason, there certainly has been no lack of action on the trading block as teams try to fill gaps left by retirements and free agency or to simply upgrade areas of weakness. There will surely be more trades to come as we build up to the draft, including a lot of pick swapping, but the first few months of the offseason have kicked off with significant movement from team to team. Here are the most noteworthy of the deals cut this fall.
The trading block opened up with a 2-for-1 deal involving the Ohio Glory and Tampa Bay Bandits as the Bandits sent veteran DE Tank Carradine to Ohio for two offensive linemen, guard Travis Bond and tackle Jack Mewhort. Carradine has had 6 sacks each of the past 3 seasons in Tampa Bay and now will line up opposite Robert Quinn in Ohio’s front four.
New Orleans added a speed back to their RB room by trading OT Rob Haverstein to the Dallas Roughnecks for 2019 rookie Myles Gaskin. Gaskin had 404 yards rushing for the Roughnecks in 2019. Haverstein started all 16 games for the Breakers in 2016 and 2017 but had been demoted to a swing position for the past two years, getting only 2 starts in that time.
Jacksonville added some heft to their offensive line, bringing in veteran center Russell Bodine in a deal that send HB Andre Williams and a 6th round pick to the Generals. Bodine started 4 games for the Generals in 2019, subbing for the injured Owen Phillips, and must have impressed the Bulls in that span. New Jersey adds Williams, who spent the 2019 season on Jacksonville’s practice squad, most likely to assist with special teams and with concern still for Kiero Small’s injury recovery.
When neither expansion team took a Portland QB, the stags, hoping to relieve a logjam in their QB room found a willing suitor in Orlando. The Renegades offered up center Greg Mancz for the rights to QB Kyle Lauletta, with the two clubs also swapping 5th round picks in the upcoming draft.
The biggest swap, in raw numbers, came as the Blitz worked to improve their defensive line and Arizona sought to fill a gap on offense. In a 4-man swap, both teams moved an offensive and defensive tackle, with starting DT Grady Jarrett leaving the Wranglers for the Blitz, while Arizona acquired OT Mitchell Van Dyck. Arizona also got DT P. J. Hall in the deal while Baltimore added OT D. J. Humphries.
Following the loss of FS David Bruton in the Expansion Draft, LA addressed the gap by sending slot receiver Willie Snead IV to Memphis (along with a 4th round pick in 2020) in return for safety Lonnie Ballentine (and a 6th rounder).
A shocking post-Expansion Draft move came from the Pittsburgh Maulers who shipped off a 1,200 yard receiver, NFL import Jarvis Landry, after a very successful first season in the USFL. Landry had 79 receptions for 1,219 yards and 7 touchdowns, all very solid numbers, but was shipped to the Washington Federals in trade for CB Tre Herndon. Herndon started 18 games for the Federals over the past 2 years, but with only 2 career picks, it seems the Maulers may have either overvalued the young corner or had a significant issue with their leading receiver from 2019.
And, finally, in the only player-for-pick swap so far this offseason, St. Louis, having named Tyrod Taylor as their 2nd string QB behind Lamar Jackson, traded veteran Kyle Boller to the Charlotte Monarchs, where he will now likely step in as the 2nd option behind Mitchell Trubisky. In return, Charlotte provided the Skyhawks with an additional 4th round pick this year and a conditional 5th rounder in 2021.
Here we go! Time to start looking at the Collegiate Draft for 2020 and this could be a complicated one. Once again there appears to be a strong QB class, but with nearly all the top-rated quarterbacks protected by teams that may not be urgently seeking help at the position, it opens up the door to pick-for-pick trades, or for surprises. Who deals with Birmingham to get a shot at Tua Tagovailoa? Does Portland spend big for Oregon’s Justin Herbert or do they stand pat with Mariota? Will the sudden but impressive rise of Joe Burrow cause New Orleans to bow to local fan pressure? And what about the one QB not on anyone’s protected list, Utah State’s Jordan Love? Does he suddenly become a hot commodity for several QB-needy teams? Of course, the QB position is not the only one of interest, but once again, it is likely to be a huge water cooler topic as the 2019 NCAA season continues and as both the USFL and NFL prepare for their 2020 draft season.
Here is our look, in the order of the 1st round picks, at all 30 franchises, their needs, T-Draft options, and our thoughts on what their 1st round strategy should be in the Open Draft.
JACKSONVILLE BULLS
POSITIONS OF NEED: WR, DT, CB, LB, QB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: With needs at both CB and LB, Jacksonville could find some help in the T-Draft with LB Isaiah Simmons of Clemson, and CBs C. J. Henderson (Florida) and A. J. Terrell (Clemson), but inside sources say the team is infatuated as well with WR Tee Higgins of Clemson, and they do certainly need more explosiveness on offense.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: The Bulls have so many needs that they could honestly use their 1st overall pick on a pure “Best Player Available” pick and almost certainly hit a position of need. Based on what we think will happen in the T-Draft, the two most likely top-graded players who could be at the top of the draft are OSU edge rusher Chase Young and Georgia OT Andrew Thomas. But, would Jacksonville take a shot on a QB? Burrow? Tagovailoa? Herbert?
PORTLAND STAGS
POSITIONS OF NEED: DE, DT, LB, TE, G
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: The Stags are likely looking for a trade for the rights to QB Justin Herbert, and certainly can get some draft capital in exchange for the Ducks’ QB. As for who they would pick with their 2 remaining choices, a good fit for need would be Oregon LB Troy Dye.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Portland is more likely to go defense than add a QB to compete with Mariota, so if Jacksonville does go QB, we absolutely see Portland praying that Chase Young escaped the T-Draft. If not, Auburn DT Derrick Brown may be an option.
OHIO GLORY
POSITIONS OF NEED: LB, DT, TE, QB, WR
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: A bad year for Ohio State to produce few top talents in key positions for the Glory. They could take a run at DE Chase Young, though that is not a position of deep need. More likely they scout out the DT position,with both Jashon Cornell and DaVon Hamilton potentially becoming eligible this January.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: If Brown is there (likely if Young goes to Portland), then the glory jump on that, if not, they likely look for the best LB available, which could be Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons or Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray.
ATLANTA FIRE
POSITIONS OF NEED: DT, WR, LB,OT, FB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Two outstanding tackles should come out of UGA this year, with both Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson likely to be available, so it is a question of whether Atlanta selects both or just one they like better.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: No knock on Aaron Murray, but the Fire should give real thought to the QB position, especially if either Tagovailoa or Herbert are sitting here waiting to be picked.
NEW ENGLAND STEAMROLLERS
POSITIONS OF NEED: DE, OT, CB, WR, FS
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: So many needs, so few good players from BC, UConn or Purdue. The league has given them a 4th school and they chose Minnesota. Does this mean that they are looking at safety Antonio Winfield Jr?
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Almost any player they pick here would be helpful for them, but their top need is DE, so we look at LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson. If the Breakers locked him up, then we go OT, where there are more options: Andrew Thomas (UGA), Jedrick Wills (Bama), or Mekhi Becton (L’ville).
SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS
POSITIONS OF NEED: DT, CB, HB, DE, LB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: With all the needs of an expansion team, the Gunslingers have to look long and hard at both immediate impact and depth. We really like a trio of TCU players as potential help at key positions: DT Ross Blackhart, WR Jalen Reagor, and CB Jeff Gladney could be good options.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: There is a reasonable chance that Ohio does not protect CB Jeff Okudah, and if that is the case, he could drop to the Gunslingers at pick 6. If that happens, they should definitely try to add the versatile DB.
WASHINGTON FEDERALS
POSITIONS OF NEED: LB, HB, G, DE, WR
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: The Feds also got a 4th school in 2020 because of a lack of prospects from their main 3 protected programs (UVa, Va Tech, and James Madison). They selected Appalachian State, which almost certainly means either HB Darrynton Evans or LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, both positions of need for the Federals.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: So many fans, upset with Ryan Nassib’s first year in DC, want the Feds to snag a QB here, but they have so much money invested in Nassib’s contract that we just don’t see it happening. How about replacing Brandon LaFell with a solid rookie option at WR, like either of the Bama products, Ruggs or Jeudy.
ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS
POSITIONS OF NEED: OT, LB, WR, DE, QB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: With OT a definite need area, the Skyhawks have to love having Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs under their scope. We also like Hawkeye DE A. J. Epenesa as a possible target of attention.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: OT is a need. We listed 3 above (New England), so there is a shot that one of those three makes it to pick 7 and the Federals.
OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS
POSITIONS OF NEED: LB, QB, TE, WR, HB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: We are fascinated by the possibility that QB Jalen Hurts is in the Outlaws’ pool. Would selecting Hurts cause issues for Mason Rudolph, or do they get their young QB some help with OU wideout C. D. Lamb?
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: We do like Oklahoma to possibly take a QB, though for Mason Rudolph’s sake, they may wait until Round 2. If not, then they could have a competition from Day 1. If they do hold off, they could go TE with the best option being Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet.
DALLAS ROUGHNECKS
POSITIONS OF NEED: TE, C, G, WR, QB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Not a lot of matches between immediate needs and protected school talent, except at WR where the Longhorns could offer 2 options in Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Dallas certainly hopes Oklahoma goes with a QB pick, because they love Kmet. If either Chicago (T-Draft) or Oklahoma snaps him up, then the next best option is to nab an interior lineman, with either Cesar Ruiz (Michigan) or guard Robert Hunt (La-Monroe) as the best case scenarios.
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
POSITIONS OF NEED: DE, WR, FS, CB, DT
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: The resigning of Cam Newton to a lucrative deal means that Tua Tagovailoa has to be off the table. Expect Birmingham to trade his rights to a Western team just to ensure that he does not come to town in a southern rival’s uniform. As for who they should pick, how about a replacement for Amari Cooper. Bama provides 2 great options, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: If I were the Stallions, I would be waving Tua Tagovailoa at the Bulls or Atlanta Fire, hoping to move up and get some shot at Chase Young. They could also make a deal with Ohio to swap T-Draft picks, which makes sense. Birmingham could get the DE they covet and the Glory could land either Tua or one of those Bama wideouts.
PITTSBURGH MAULERS
POSITIONS OF NEED: HB, G, TE, DT, DE
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: A week class from both Pitt and WVU puts Pittsburgh in a bad spot here. We don’t see a single prospect who grades out as anything earlier than a 4th round pick, so it looks like roster depth is the route here. Maybe, just maybe the Maulers trade to get someone else’s 1st round T-Draft talent.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: We have not taken a HB yet, and the Maulers could certainly use an upgrade there (sorry, Samaje Perine). We don’t think the Breakers lock up LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire, or that Atlanta goes for D’Andre Swift (not with Chubb on the roster), so Pittsburgh could have their choice of two quality backs.
CHARLOTTE MONARCHS
POSITIONS OF NEED: DT, LB, SS, OT, WR
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Another team that might want to try trading for someone else’s picks, because we see no 1st-3rd round talent in their pool from UNC, NC State, or Wake Forest. OT Charlie Heck from UNC and DT Larrell Murchison from NC State are in positions of need but both grade out as depth players only.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Defensive Tackle is a deep group, but Charlotte would love to address the position in the first round. That could be Auburn’s Derrick Brown, South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw, or TCU’s Ross Blacklock.
CHICAGO MACHINE
POSITIONS OF NEED: C, HB, WR, G, TE
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Notre Dame could come to the rescue for Chicago, as they always seem to. TE Cole Kmet would be a need pick as would WR Chase Claypool. And don’t overlook LB Julian Okwara even if LB is not a position of immediate need.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: The Machine likely go for an impact player in the offensive skill positions here. That could be a wideout (Jeudy, Ruggs, Lamb, Justin Jefferson) or a halfback (Edwards-Helaire, Swift, or Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor).
LOS ANGELES EXPRESS
POSITIONS OF NEED: LB, OG, OT, HB, QB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Ever since the Thunder moved to San Diego and snagged UCLA away from the Express, their T-Draft has been much weaker, and that is true this year as well. We still like USC’s Austin Jackson as an option at OT, but beyond that, the needs don’t match the small pool of talent the Express have to draw from.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: With needs along the offensive line, that seems the best early round option for the Express. The tackle group, in particular, could offer several immediate starters, including Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Alabama’s Wills, Louisville’s Becton, or Iowa’s Wirfs.
MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS
POSITIONS OF NEED: DE, DT, CB, OG,WR
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: With D-Line at the heart of Rex Ryan’s wish list, the Showboats are sure to look at both Tennessee’s Darell Taylor and Arkansas Nose Tackle McTelvin Agim. They could also scout out Volunteer WR Jauan Jennings.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: It may be tough for Memphis to get either a DE or DT who will bring the impact they want, but at cornerback they may have some good options. One player to watch is Clemson’s A. J. Terrell. Ohio State’s Damon Arnette could also be available here.
LAS VEGAS VIPERS
POSITIONS OF NEED: FS, TE, WR, DE,CB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: A perfect fit for the Vipers is Utah safety Julian Blackmon, a talented player who could slot right into their need at the Free Safety position. We also think Utah HB Zack Moss would be a nice addition, though not a position of immediate need.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Is free safety a first round option? It is if Alabama’s Xavier McKinney is on the board. Another, perhaps riskier pick this early comes from unprotected Lenoir-Rhyme, a young dynamic athlete named Kyle Dugger.
ORLANDO RENEGADES
POSITIONS OF NEED: DT, OG, LB, WR, QB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: There is some talent out of “The U”, as always, but our favorite fit is actually from up the coast in South Carolina, where Gamecock DT Javon Kinlaw could be a perfect fit for the Renegades’ need to beef up the run defense.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Best player available could land the ‘Gades a player in any one of their top 4 areas of need. They won’t go QB in the first round, since they are looking for a 2nd-3rd stringer to develop, but everything from DT to WR is an option here.
OAKLAND INVADERS
POSITIONS OF NEED: DT, C, CB, SS, QB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Not a very deep pool, but a couple of names that pop out to us are safety Ashtyn Davis of Cal and Stanford LB Casey Toohill.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Oakland’s strategy could be one of the most interesting. Will they be in the QB hunt? And if they are, who do they like? Tua? Herbert? Utah State’s Jordan Love? What about OU’s Jalen Hurts? Or do they give up on the QB position because signing a 1st round rookie adds even more chaos to their situation?
NEW JERSEY GENERALS
POSITIONS OF NEED: SS, DE, TE, WR, DT
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: With the shift in protected schools caused by the arrival of 2 new expansion teams, the Generals reclaimed Wisconsin as a school, and not a moment too soon. How about HB Jonathan Taylor? LB Zack Baun? Maybe C Tyler Biadasz?
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: If McKinney is here to fill the safety position, that will be the pick. If not, the Generals could shift to DE or even DT. The other option is to trade down and still have a good shot at Dugger, LSU’s Grant Delpit or Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield Jr.
SEATTLE DRAGONS
POSITIONS OF NEED: FS, TE,CB, WR, LB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: No help at key positions of need, at least not immediate help, but some interesting prospects for depth, including UW quarterback Jacob Eason and Boise OT Ezra Cleveland.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Seattle is also in the safety hunt, so what New Jersey does will be essential. They could even trade up just a couple of spots to get the player they covet if they fear New Jersey will snatch that player out from under them.
BALTIMORE BLITZ
POSITIONS OF NEED: WR, FS, QB, LB,CB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Last year Baltimore made the big move to trade for Josh Jacobs. They may need to do something similar this year because neither Maryland or Louisville have strong groups, well, aside from a pretty nice OT prospect in Cardinal LT Mekhi Becton.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Baltimore has to replace a superstar in Darrius Heyward-Bey, so WR has to be a priority. For star power, speed, and big play potential, we love either LSU’s Justin Jefferson or OU’s CeeDee Lamb here, assuming both escape the T-Draft.
NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS
POSITIONS OF NEED: OG, SS, QB, DE, LB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Fans in the Bayou State are hoping that the Breakers jump on LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, who has been looking like a quick mover up the draft grade charts so far this fall. The other obvious player of interest, also from the Tigers, is DE K’Lavon Chaisson.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: The Breakers’ pick here depends on how deep they think the safety pool is. If they see a drop off after the first few names, they may try to trade up. If not, then they sit here and see who falls to them.
PHILADELPHIA STARS
POSITIONS OF NEED: WR, CB, SS, DT, C
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: We really like Penn State DE Yetur Gross-Matos, but we are just not sure Philly is in the market for the position. They are more likely going deep into scouting CB John Reid, as well as a pair of prospects in their own back yard, Temple center Matt Hennessey and CB Harrison Hurd.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: We do know the WR group is deep, so even if there is an early run, the Stars could do well this late in the round. They will want to scout a deep pool, considering players like ASU’s Brandon Aiyuk, TCU’s Jaelen Reagor, or Colorado’s Laviska Shenault.
SAN DIEGO THUNDER
POSITIONS OF NEED: OG, DT, WR, C, FS
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: We lamented the loss of UCLA from the LA talent pool, but this year the Bruins are not aligning their talent with San Diego’s needs, though the Thunder could still take a look at TE Devin Asiasi. They may want to look at their other 2 in-state options, Fresno State and San Diego State, particularly for the O-line depth they are hoping to add.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: So close to the end of the round, San Diego has to avoid honing in on just one position. There may be a guard who slips, a DT who escaped, or they too dip into the deep WR pool.
MICHIGAN PANTHERS
POSITIONS OF NEED: WR, DT, QB, LB, HB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: What do the Wolverines and Spartans offer to the USFL Panthers this year? How about a top flight center in Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz, a strong OLB candidate in Josh Uche, and, from MSU, a solid CB option in Josiah Scott.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: We know that Coach McDermott likes Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool, but this feels too soon for him, so do the Panthers trade into the early part of the 2nd round to get their man at the price they want and also pick up a later pick from someone who wants to move up?
DENVER GOLD
POSITIONS OF NEED: DE, CB, TE, HB, FB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: While we are intrigued by Buffalo WR Laviska Shenault, it is not a high-need area. The Gold are more likely to be exploring some depth options with this year’s crop from the Buffs, Huskers, and Cowboys.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Trying to figure out if Denver goes for a DE or if they make a deal with Von Miller between now and January is near impossible. They would be in deep need if Miller moves on, so we look at the entire DE group. The big names won’t be here at this pick, but some talent is there, like Auburn’s Marlon Davidson and possibly Tennessee’s Darrell Taylor.
TAMPA BAY BANDITS
POSITIONS OF NEED: CB, C, WR, OG, HB
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: FSU Halfback Cam Akers is an interesting prospect, but does he fit Coach Trestman’s offensive style? Notas well as FIU CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver might help out the Bandit secondary.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: The Bandits are confident that a CB they like will be on the board at pick 28. There are many to choose from, so they may be right. Players like Utah’s Jaylon Johnson and Alabama’s Trevon Diggs are considered 1st-2nd round tweeners, so this may be the spot to find the corner they want for their rebuilt Bandit defense.
HOUSTON GAMBLERS
POSITIONS OF NEED: TE, HB, WR, DT, C
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: The Eastern Conference Champs won’t get help at TE in the T-Draft, but might be able to add another outside threat in Baylor WR Denzel Mims. That and some D-Line help from either A&M’s Nnamdi Madubuika or another Baylor product, DT James Lynch.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: We are going to assume that Cole Kmet is not falling this far. So, who is the next best TE, and is he worth a late 1st round pick? On our boards we would put either Devon Asiasi of UCLA or Josiah Deguara of Cincinnati as the 2nd best TE, and we have both with 3rd round grades. So, if we were Houston, we might trade to get a TE and look at another position here.
ARIZONA WRANGLERS
POSITIONS OF NEED: TE, WR, LB, DE, DT
BEST T-DRAFT FIT: If the Wranglers are looking for even more weapons for David Carr, they could do a lot worse than Sun Devils Brandon Aiyuk (WR) and Eno Benjamin (HB). Other than those two, the pool is not a very promising one for the Wranglers.
POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Arizona also needs a TE, but they would likely be happy to nab a WR here and get their TE elsewhere. If they feel good that they can sign Brandon Aiyuk, they may even go for a LB here, and we would love to see someone like Michigan’s Josh Uche or Notre Dame’s Julian Okwara get a chance to show their stuff in a Jim Tomsula defense.
Miller Sells Home, Demands a Move
If you wanted a sign to indicate how the talks between edge rusher Von Miller and the Denver Gold are going, we think the real estate listings in Denver just gave it to us. The $3.3M home formerly owned by Miller in Denver’s exclusive Belcaro neighborhood went on the market in September, and was off the market only 2 weeks later. That seems a pretty clear message from Miller that he does not expect to be returning to Denver for the 2020 season. Still under contract for another 2 seasons, Miller has demanded a trade after having his demands for a Calais Campbell range contract extension declined by the team.
Miller’s contract does not give him much leverage within the USFL structure, but, as we have seen with other players over the years, the “Favre Option” is always on the table. Miller could declare his retirement from the USFL and immediately become eligible to join an NFL team, without requirement to be cut by the Gold or to wait on the next NFL-USFL transfer window. It is a move that has been used only a handful of times over the past 20 years, but it is one that is always on the table for a top talent like Miller, if that talent is willing to risk a major hiatus between games. If Miller made that move, he would almost certainly need to prove the authenticity of his retirement by delaying an NFL signing until the 2021 season, essentially “red shirting” himself. To do otherwise would be to risk throwing his deal, his retirement, and his new NFL contract into legal litigation which could prove very costly. And so, for now, we have some surface-level gestures, like the home sale, to express his distaste for Denver’s offers, but no retirement and no imminent NFL signing. How long the stalemate lasts is largely up to Gold management, who have said that they have every desire to have Miller return to the club in 2020, but who are also well-known around the league for their hard-nosed approach to player compensation and demands for renegotiation.
Machine Offer Fans Opportunity to Reinvent Look
An interesting development on the team marketing side of the USFL as the Chicago Machine have decided to give the fans a say in their 2021 Under Armour redesign. The Pritzker family, owners of the Blitz for the past 5 seasons, have been hinting at a major shift in the club’s look for several years now. When they bought the club, they commented on the oddity that Chicago and their closest rivals, the Michigan Panthers essentially shared 2 of their primary colors (maroon and sky blue). And while design “nerds” will argue that the Chicago maroon has typically leaned more towards the red spectrum, while Michigan’s “plum” version is a deeper, almost purple tone of burgundy, the reality is that in many cases the two colors are too close to separate without perfect lighting.
Well, apparently the Pritzkers, the Machine, and Under Armour are ready to move to a new look. They have offered up three different designs and are taking the choice on Chicago’s new look to the fans in an online poll that will help decide the look Chicago will bring to the field in the 2021 season, or, depending on the Machine’s 2020 output, possibly as soon as the 2020 playoffs. Fans can vote on the team’s website, with the results expected to be revealed early in the 2020 regular season as part of UA’s season long reveal of 2021’s six redesigned clubs (in addition to Chicago, that group includes Charlotte, Denver, Portland, San Diego, and Seattle.)
The three options being presented and now visible on the Machine homepage include a team logo, wordmark, and, in a unique twist, a mockup of the home jersey. In the past, these kinds of votes have often used a helmet mockup to provide a glimpse of the look, but it appears that UA did not want to differ to Riddell or Schutt, so they are offering us a glimpse of the jersey instead. So, here is the link if you would like to take part in Chicago’s “Design the Machine” contest, and here are the three options available to choose from.
OPTION 1: Navy Pier Edition
Of the three options, this is the closest to the current look, retaining maroon as a dominant color, and the color of the jersey presented. It appears that with this look Chicago may return to its roots, bringing back a stylized “M” as the helmet logo rather than a steampunk “C”. the metalwork “M” is not a new logo, but what is new is that it appears that sky blue is out and a combination of navy blue (hence the “Navy Pier” reference) and gunmetal grey is in. Chicago has never had navy as a color in its palette before, pairing a dark grey with sky blue in the past, but this new look appears to go for dark on dark on dark with only a small pop of bright red from the city flag’s ubiquitous red stars to brighten up a very serious maroon, navy, and grey design. We also note that the wordmark for this design features strong block letters in a slightly skewed perspective, with a navy blue strip between the city and team name and the red star atop the wordmark.
OPTION 2: Red Star Edition
Again, some new and some old combined in a new way. The Red Star version of the look retains the same three colors currently in use, maroon, scarlet red, and sky blue, but very obviously shifts the priority of the three, using red as the dominant color, sky blue as the secondary, and retaining maroon, but only with minimal use in the jersey. The current logo which combines the steampunk “C” with the iconography of the city flag remains, but the red jersey, with sky blue block letters is a major departure from the current look. The jersey also features bold white and sky blue striping, while maroon is seen only in the wordmark, sleeve cuffs, the UA logo and a small swatch beneath the league logo on the collar. With the logo retaining maroon as a strong color, we have to wonder if this look will include a red helmet as well, or will Chicago combine the red jersey with either a maroon, sky, or white lid?
OPTION 3: City Blue Edition
Now we are clearly leaning into the city flag, something the Pritzkers have already done with several ancillary marketing and stadium décor elements. The City Blue edition features a new logo, far simplified form the current steampunk “C”. This one features a sky blue “gear” and a more prominent red star. Missing entirely is maroon from the logo, though it does appear in the team’s updated wordmark, which now includes a strip of gear-inspired maroon at the base of the angled block lettering. The jersey revealed with the look is sky blue, with flag-inspired sleeve stripes, and white block numbers outlined in red. If you look hard, you can see that maroon is not entirely absent, used as a shadow effect on the numbers and as a thin piping on the outside of red, sky, and white sleeve stripes. This look also begs the question as to what the helmet might look like. Will it be sky blue, red, possibly white? It seems with so little maroon in the design, the prospect of Chicago keeping its traditional maroon helmet is least likely with this third of the three options.
The voting is now open and is expected to continue through the winter. Which design connects best with Chicagoans and Machine fans, we can only guess. In all likelihood we will see a mix of traditionalists who want to retain the maroon emphasis, and those who seek a new direction for the club, one perhaps tied with the city’s iconic flag. In the end the final decision will almost certainly lie with the Pritzker family, but the votes of Machine fans will have a lot of leverage in how the Pritzkers view the options in front of them.
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We hope you have enjoyed our Fall Edition check in on the USFL. We will be back again in late January, just as camps open, to provide all the player news, updates on each club as they enter camp, and, of course, our run-down of all the trades, moves, surprises, and selections from the upcoming Territorial and Open Collegiate Drafts as the USFL, now sitting at 30 clubs, prepares for the 2020 season ahead.
No Covid?