2020-21 USFL Offseason Report
- USFL LIVES
- 15 hours ago
- 42 min read
Hello USFL fans, a quick housekeeping message: I will be both traveling a little and celebrating the holidays in November, and this will require that I delay the start of the 2021 season on this site. My goal is to have all the offseason reports and season preview posts completed on the usual every-3rd-day schedule, which would take us to November. 28. However, after that date, I will have to postpone the first 2021 article/post until Friday, December 5 to give me time to simulate Week 1 and produce the recap. So, a short 7-day gap, but I promise the 2021 season is coming and I should be back on schedule for each week after that brief delay for 2021 Week 1.
December 7, 2020
Welcome back, USFL fans. The truncated offseason is at its halfway point, with the USFL Draft just barely over a month away and camps to open up in 2 months. We have so much news to catch you up on, as well as a draft to preview, and news about the season ahead. But we will kick it off with one of the stories of the offseason as a killer deal lures Calais Campbell away from the Arizona Wranglers for what might be his final season. We start there and then we’ll update you on the coaching news, free agency, all the USFL trades, including several QBs headed to new teams, and then prep for the 2021 Territorial & Open Drafts. It is going to be an action-packed episode, so let’s get right to it.
A Deal He Could Not Turn Down
Jaw-dropping, wide-eyed, stunned faces, that is what you saw all around Phoenix as Wrangler Nation heard the news. Calais Campbell not only was not announcing his retirement, he was announcing that he had accepted a 1-year deal to play for the Baltimore Blitz. The immediate uproar was loud and angry. Arizona had screwed up, letting Campbell’s contract lapse. They had failed to secure the greatest defensive player of this generation (greatest USFL defender ever in many eyes) because they were overconfident that if he opted to play one more year, he would do so in the desert.
But Baltimore made him an offer he could not refuse, a one-year deal that makes him not only the highest paid defender in pro football history, but actually puts him in the range of the best QBs in the game, a deal that recognizes his immense contribution to the game as a 12-time sack leader, and his potential to do so a 13th time. Campbell’s deal is a once-in-a-lifetime deal, certainly enough to put off retirement one more year, and with a chance to not only record 20 sacks for a 13th consecutive year, or to win the sack title a 13th consecutive time, but to play for a team that seems to be ascending just as Arizona may be watching its title window close, Campbell has a chance to add another trophy to his collection of honors.
For Wrangler fans, the news has to be devastating. Campbell came to the desert after 10 amazing seasons in Orlando and the Wranglers hoped they could get 12-15 sacks per year from the 33-year old DE. He outperformed every expectation, racking up 23 sacks in 2019 and 26 (in only 14 games) in 2020. If he was going to go for a 13th record year, certainly he would do it with Coach Tomsula and the Wranglers? Well, nothing speaks louder than cold, hard cash, and Baltimore pulled the Jerry Maguire, it showed him the money. And so, Calais Campbell, the greatest sack artist in pro football history, heads back east, giving it one more year, and one more chance to add to his record sack total for a team that is pulling out all the stops to win a title. Just what this means for Arizona is yet to be see, after all, they have a pretty talented protégé in Bud DuPree, but there is no way that the loss of an iconic figure like Campbell does not hurt, just as his arrival in Baltimore is sure to not only sell more season tickets, but be prepared to see a sea of blue and silver number 93 jerseys all throughout the inner harbor, the city, and the state of Maryland this year.
Landry Lands in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Vipers became the first to fill their vacancy at head coach, landing former Texas & Oklahoma Outlaw head coach Greg Landry to be the new leader for the silver and blue. Landry, who was let go by the Outlaws after the 2018 season despite a record of 84-61-1 record over 9 seasons, including a run of 5 straight playoff appearances (2011-2015) and a trip to the Summer Bowl in 2014, returns to coaching after spending two seasons in the studios of ESPN as part of their USFL coverage. Landry, a former USFL and NFL QB, comes to a Las Vegas club that has appeared in the playoffs only once since 2012 (a period spanning several years in Nashville before relocating). His task, get them back to winning ways they have not seen in a decade, and to take advantage of what many see as shifting sands in the SW Division, where Arizona has held the controls for the better part of the decade, but may now be fading.
Gruden Glory Bound
The Ohio Glory solved their Head Coach vacancy issue only 4 days after Las Vegas, making official what many had suspected for weeks, that former Atlanta Fire and NFL Redskins coach Jay Gruden would be named the new leader in Columbus. Gruden, who survived only 3 seasons with the expansion Atlanta Fire in 2006, but who found success with the NFL Redskins, taking them to the playoffs three times in a 6-year span, is expected to bring a very different energy to the Glory after 5 seasons under the iron hand of disciplinarian Tom Coughlin. Gruden is known as a player’s coach, an offensive innovator, and a pretty solid motivator.
Like Greg Landry in Las Vegas, Gruden is also a former quarterback, though his pro career was limited to a short stint with the NFL Dolphins as a backup and a pair of seasons in Canada. He turned to coaching as a grad assistant at the U. of Louisville in 1989, had some stints in the NFL (Tampa Bay), CFL (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) and the short-lived Arena Football League. He made his name with the NFL Bucs’, moving to his first head coaching position with the Atlanta Fire due to his success as an OC in the NFL. In 3 years with the expansion Fire, he had a record of 21-26-0, pulling off a surprising 7-7 season in the franchise’s first season of existence, but slipped to 5-11 by year 3. Gruden called that period of his career humbling and a cause for growth. After 6 years with the Redskins he now gets a 2nd shot to lead a USFL club, and in Ohio he will certainly get a club in transition as the Glory are fully expected to go after Ohio State QB Justin Fields, which could mean a rookie QB for Gruden to mold.
Stars Choose Dan Quinn
Philadelphia found their guy in early November, having interviewed several USFL coordinators and even former Federals’ coach Sean Payton. Their choice? Former Atlanta Falcons’ head coach Dan Quinn. Quinn came up as a defensive coach, entirely in the NFL, with stints in San Francisco, Miami, New York (Jets), and Seattle before a short stint at the University of Florida and eventually the job with the Falcons.
Quinn’s defenses have typically been solid, even helping Atlanta reach the playoffs in 2016 and 2017, but he never recovered from a total collapse against Dallas in the 2016 NFC Championship. Holding a 28-9 lead into the 4th quarter, the Cowboys, led by Tom Brady, scored 19 to tie the game in regulation and then won it 34-28 in overtime, sending Brady back to the Super Bowl for a 3rd NFL title while Atlanta took the record for perhaps the worst choke in NFL history. Quinn took responsibility for that collapse, brought Atlanta back to the playoffs in 2017, but was let go after two 7-9 seasons. He is expected to bring to Philadelphia a defensive-minded scheme and an offense that will focus on Derrick Henry as the centerpiece of the attack. With Matt Gutierrez recently traded (see below), the QB situation is very much up in the air for the Stars, but Quinn is expected to have a voice in the process, whether that means using the 1st overall Open Draft pick on a QB or signing a veteran during the NFL-USFL transfer window (several former NFL starters are looking good to be in the pool), getting a QB he can work with is likely his first order of business.
Gilbride Returns to USFL with Federals
Taking on the head coaching position with the Washington Federals will not be Kevin Gilbride’s first stint in the USFL, but he does not want to talk about his first trip through the league. The OC for the New York Giants from 2007-2013 and Buffalo Bills (2014-2019), has not been back to the USFL since the 1996 season, when, as a young coordinator, in his first pro position, he was cold-cocked by legendary hothead Buddy Ryan. That famous punch on the sideline of the Memphis Showboats would cost Ryan his job, but it would also send Gilbride to the NFL, where he had a short head-coaching stint with San Diego before returning to the familiar role as an OC for several teams.
Gilbride found success in both New York and Buffalo, but lost his position when a pretty putrid defense for the Bills caused a head coaching change that also washed out both coordinators, despite Gilbride producing a Top 5 offense for Buffalo in 2019. Gilbride, known for a pass-heavy and quarterback-friendly system, found success with Derek Carr in Buffalo, brother of Arizona’s David Carr. The two helped Buffalo become one of the best passing offenses in the league, but the team still only won 6 games in 2019 due to their defense, and Gilbride became available.
Gilbride joins a Feds team that ranked 27th of the USFL’s 30 teams in yardage last season, averaging only 62.3 yards rushing and only 225.5 yards passing. He has issues on defense as well, particularly with the loss of LB Alec Ogletree to free agency, but the clear mission for Kilbride is two-part, to find a running back who can return Washington to a more balanced offense, and then turn what should be a training camp battle at QB (see trade info below) into a solid QB situation. The Feds have a talented WR group in Keenan Allen, Tyreek Hill, and Jarvis Landry, but the lack of run game and Nassib’s inconsistency have stunted their production. Expect Gilbride to get right on that offense as his cornerstone for improvement from a 6-9-1 record for the Feds in 2019.
Skyhawks & Generals Have Eyes on NFL
We see this every year, with some teams scrambling to get a coach in the corner office as early in preseason as possible while others line up their GMs to handle the offseason, wait out the NFL season and go after a hot coaching candidate from the fall league. This year is no different, with 4 of 6 teams finding their coaches, but the New Jersey Generals and St. Louis Skyhawks playing the waiting game. But while both teams are holding their cards pretty close to the chest right now, we have a pretty good sense what each is hoping to find come January. New Jersey is pretty clearly going to focus on defense, hoping to improve on their bottom 3rd numbers from 2020. They have talent on that side of the ball, particularly in the LB group with MLB Matt Milano, veteran Rey Maualaga and Aldon Smith, backed by Akeem Ayers and Doug Hogue. And while improvement on D has to be a priority, the other obvious need is for a new bell cow back after Maurice Jones-Drew retired. If they can also find competition for Nick Foles, there are certainly fans that would love that, but defense and the run game have to be a focal point for New Jersey, so expect them to keep an eye trained on some of the better DCs across the NFL.
For St. Louis, the situation is far more complex. On the one hand, they need a coach who is going to get the most out of QB Lamar Jackson, a QB with a unique skill set that simply does not fit well with a lot of offensive schemes. However, the Skyhawk defense has been a complete disaster for the better part of 5-6 years, consistently burnt by big plays and almost allergic to tackling. There will be a huge turnover of the roster, to be sure, as we have already seen an exodus of some of the Skyhawks’ top players, so ownership will need time to rebuild, and while they were quick to land former Arizona Wrangler GM Terry McDonough as their new General Manager and VP for Player Personnel, they are being patient in the coaching search. We think they will be going for someone with head coaching experience, which makes sense, but it may all depend on just who is let go this offseason (among head coaches) or which coordinators are ready to take on a very significant challenge with this St. Louis team.
Our Top 20 And Where They are Headed
As expected the 2020-2021 offseason has been unpredictable and unique, much like the season that preceded it. While we have had some big signings so far this fall, there is definitely a wait-and-see attitude among a lot of players, some very possibly holding on to their free market status until the NFL-USFL transfer window opens in early February. Here is our list of the 20 top free agents, including those still out on the market, and those who have found their perfect match and signed on with a USFL club for next season and beyond.
20- DE Olivier Vernon (Unsigned)
The first of 5 edge rushers on our list, Vernon spent the past 5 seasons in Balitimore, but with the Blitz’s huge signing of Calais Campbell, we think the odds that Vernon returns are slim. Still, even at 32, there will be no shortage of teams willing to add a DE who has over 30 sacks the past 3 seasons. The only question is if that suitor will be a USFL team or an NFL squad.
19- OT Russell Okong (CHA to HOU)
Perhaps the best tackle in free agency, and looking specifically for a multi-year deal and a chance to stay at LT, Okong got exactly what he sought from Houston as the Gamblers give him not only a chance to play on an elite offense, but potentially to get a shot at a title.
18- LB Donte Hightower (TBY to OKL)
We always see an exodus of talent after a team wins a title, as on-field success gives players a chance to cash in> Hightower takes his talents from the Bandits to the Outlaws, trading in a pseudo Wild West character for a real one in the heart of the plains. Expect him to play the strong side, or even possibly to shift to MLB with Oklahoma.
17- K Caleb Sturgis (NOR to SD)
Sturgis has been a mainstay of the Breakers for 8 years, but it seems he priced his way out of town by demanding some pretty solid compensation for his right foot. The Breakers would not meet his demands, but San Diego opted to give him what he asked so they could have a consistent presence in their kicking game.
16- HB Kerwynn Williams (Unsigned)
After a very strong season with the Steamrollers, Williams was expected to draw quite a market, but the demand simply has not materialized. Perhaps demanding to be a clear lead back, and not play in a halfback-by-committee has backfired for the 30-year-old back, or perhaps that despite solid YPC averages, he has never crossed 1,000 yards in a USFL season.
15- OG Brandon Brooks (Unsigned)
A very solid guard, who can help with the run game as well as protect the QB, but in a year with several quality guards in free agency and a strong draft pool as well, perhaps his timing was not ideal. Expect him to hold out until the NFL enters the picture, because then demand certainly will outweigh supply.
14- FS Micah Hyde (CHI to BAL)
Baltimore continues to add pieces to their defense, landing one of the best safeties in the game. Hyde will almost certainly be the starter on opening day, and we expect that having him in the same defensive backfield with Josh Norman will make quarterbacks very nervous about trying to go deep against Chicago.
13- DT Sheldon Richardson (STL to OHI)
There is something fun about a player going to a new team in the same division. You know he will get 2 chances every year to remind his old team what they have lost. Expect the Glory to ask Richardson to demonstrate his value every week, not just when they go up against the Skyhawks.
12- CB Brandon Carr (Unsigned)
The best of the remaining corners still out there, Carr is a good candidate for a 1-2 year deal at age 35. Last season he had 73 tackles, 13 passes defended, but his interceptions dropped to only 1 after averaging over 3 each of the past 3 years.
11- WR Stevie Johnson (Unsigned)
Now 33 years old and coming off his lowest productivity in over a decade, it was a bad time for Johnson to hit the market. But with Ohio very much in transition and likely to start a rookie at QB, Johnson could end up with a better situation even if it takes him the entire offseason to find a taker.
10- LB Patrick Willis (Unsigned)
Patrick being unsigned right now truly surprises us. Yes, he is 35, but he looked good last year with the Fire, racking up 94 tackles, including 22 TFL and 2 sacks. Maybe his agent is hoping for an NFL transfer, or maybe he is just asking for too much, but we are somewhat surprised to see him still here as December opens.
9- DT Ndamukong Suh (Unsigned)
Another solid defender who might have been snapped up quickly in a regular offseason, but who is lingering in the pool because the pressure to sign players before the NFL enters the picture is much less this year than in a year with a September-October transfer window. Suh is 35, so it may only be a 1-year deal, but we expect someone to pull the trigger on a deal.
8- DE Vic Beasley (NJ to PIT)
Beasley’s production has slid a bit over the past 2 years, but there are many who believe a change of venue could be just the thing to get him back in range for 15-20 sacks per season. Certainly Pittsburgh is hoping that.
7- HB Ryan Williams (Unsigned)
Yes, with Williams turning 32 this offseason, there is a risk here, but we are talking about a back who has topped 1,000 yards 7 times in the past 8 years. He wants a 3-year deal, which feels unrealistic, but if someone could get him to look at a front-loaded 2-year deal, something likely could get done.
6- FS Xavier Woods (TBY to CHI)
With Micah Hyde off to Baltimore, Chicago prioritized the free safety position and may have gotten as close to an equal in the position as possible. Woods is more physical than Hyde, but perhaps a bit less reliable in man coverage. He certainly fits in with Chicago’s desire to be a team that is not afraid to lay down the lumber on defense.
5- DE Dante Fowler (HOU to BIR)
This is what we call a double whammy, not only does Fowler leave the Gamblers very shallow on the D-line, but the edge rusher goes to a division rival, bringing with him 5 consecutive years of double-digit sacks and a lot of knowledge of Coach Phillips’s defensive schemes to the Stallions.
4- CB Eric Wright (OAK to HOU)
Houston finds a great complement to Leodis McKelvin in Wright, one of the savviest corners in the game. Wright does not have the speed to stick with a team’s deep threat, but can be incredibly effective in underneath coverage or against anyone’s possession receiver.
3- DE Justin Tuck (Unsigned)
Rumors have the 34-year-old Tuck possibly considering retirement, which would be surprising after one of his best career years (19 sacks in 2020). He is certainly capable of playing at least another year, but if his heart is not into it, then it is the time to step away. Of course, all the talk of possible retirement means fewer teams come calling to try to sign him.
2- HB Eddie Lacy (STL to NE)
The Steamrollers beat out New Jersey, Orlando, San Diego, and Washington to land the bruising back. Coming off an injury, Lacy is motivated to get back to being among the league’s elite rushers. The 5-time 1,000-yard rusher has set his goal on 1,500 yards, and no one would be happier to help him get there than Head Coach John Fox.
1—DE Calais Campbell (ARZ to BAL)
We won’t belabor the point, since we already talked this out in our Big Story, but Wrangler fans, already uncertain about David Carr, concerned about Victor Cruz, and wondering if the team is falling out of its window as a dynasty, have to be completely verklempt about Campbell jumping ship.
Three Free Agency Winners & Two Losers
While the league’s revenue sharing and salary cap systems, innovations that the fall league has since taken on, have certainly helped create a sense of parity among USFL franchiese, they do not remove the inequities entirely, though most of those inequities are due primarily to the decisions of each franchise’s player personnel offices. Cap space issues, paired with the scouting and signing philosophy of each team can greatly affect how a team enters free agency and how well they fare. And while being a free agency “loser” does not doom a team (perhaps they are very draft-savvy or have a solid core already), being a free agency “winner” can certainly help a team get over the hump, stay on top, or change their fortunes. We looked over the free agency signings of the past 2 months and picked 3 teams that seem dialed in, along with 2 others that have had more talent leaving than coming in. Here is who we see as the mid-offseason winners and losers in the free agent market.
WINNER: Houston Gamblers
Departing: DE Dante Fowler
Arriving: OT Russell Okong, CB Eric Wright, TE Tony Moeaki (Re-signed)
TBD: LB Pat Angerer, OT Sebastian Vollmer, CB Janoris Jenkins
Losing Fowler is no small loss, and Houston will need to find some help on the edge to be sure, but they landed two All-USFL players in Okung and Wright. The secondary looks as deep as anyone’s with McKelvin, Wright and Siran Neal at corner, with the dynamic safety duo of Kenny Vaccaro and Budda Baker making it as formidable a group as anyone can boast. Adding Okung at LT allows Ereck Flowers to shift to the right, his natural position, and putting Okung next to All-USFL guard Jon Asamoah and All-USFL center Shaq Mason gives Houston the best left-side of any team in the league. Expect Carlos Hyde to love this line and Colt McCoy to rebound after a bit of a rough year.
LOSER: St. Louis Skyhawks
Departing: HB Bobby Rainey, TE James Casey, SS Chuck Clark, DT Sheldon Richardson,
HB Eddie Lacy
Arriving: DT Geno Atkins, WR Jakobi Meyers
TBD: WR Stevie Johnson
A bad team with an uncertain future and no head coach on board is going to produce a bit of an exodus of talent, but the hits the Skyhawks took this year are almost certain to make life really difficult for whoever signs on as the new head coach. They lose a 1,000-yard rusher, two of their best defensive players, and could also lose their lead receiver. Atkins is a solid DT, but he is no Sheldon Richardson, and the Skyhawks now have even more holes to fill in the draft and late in free agency if they want to put together a competitive roster.
WINNER: Baltimore Blitz
Departing: None
Arriving: DT Quinton Jefferson, OG Dan Feeney, FS Micah Hyde, DE Calais Campbell, CB Ken Webster
TBD: TE Andrew Quarless, FS James Sample, C Sam Mustipher, TE Dion Simms,
OG Andy Alleman, DT Grady Jarrett, DE Olivier Vernon
Hard to believe, but none of the 2020-21 free agents from the Blitz have actually signed with another team yet, so every one of them could come back. We don’t think they will, not all of them, and it certainly seems Baltimore has upgraded already, particularly on defense where Campbell replaces Vernon, Hyde replaces Sample, and Jefferson replaces Jarrett. Those are all significant upgrades on a defense that was not too shabby last year. Expect the Blitz to be better than before, in a division that may well be worse.
LOSER: Washington Federals
Departing: QB Tajh Boyd, FB Greg Jones, LB Alec Ogletree, HB Jahvid Best
Arriving: None
TBD: LB Danny Trevathan
The Federals have lost a few solid contributors, including Ogletree and Best, but have signed no one as of yet. Yes, they may have improved at the key position of QB thanks to a trade (see below), and they have the draft ahead of them, but they will need to spend something in free agency and as of yet they have not been able to pull the trigger on a deal. Losing out on Eddie Lacy very likely means that they either settle for HB by committee or they need to catch a break in the draft to land a top prospect there.
WINNER: New England Steamrollers
Departing: DT Quinton Jefferson
Arriving: OG Jon Feliciano, HB Robert Foster, OG Long Howell, HB Eddie Lacy
TBD: LB Travis Goethel, WR DeVante Parker, CB Sam Shields, OG Brandon Brooks, HB Kerwynn Williams
It is normal to see a significant turnover in the roster of an expansion club as they head into season 2, and yet, to date, only Jefferson is gone. The Skyhawks are hoping to bring back Shields and Goethel, but not only planned for the departure of Kerwynn Williams, but have introduced a better inside run game option with both Eddie Lacy and Robert Foster, two backs who can pound the rock down a team’s throught. In other words, this club is beginning to take on the look of some of John Fox’s former playoff teams. Now, if Tannehill can play like Bledsoe did with the Boston Cannons, the Steamrollers will be on the right track.
Quarterbacks on the Move
With several teams unhappy about either the present or the future of their QB situation, and with only so many potential franchise QBs available in the draft (each of them a crapshoot not only to sign after competing with the NFL, but to develop afterwards), it is no surprise that one of the stories of this offseason was the movement of quarterbacks across the league. In some cases it was about moving on, removing a pricy QB contract from the salary cap formula, for others it was about creating competition, thinking about the future, or landing a backup that will be able to help when called on, but not distract or diminish the starter. Three big trades involving QBs produced three very different situations, but will the “buyers” get what they hoped for? That is always the risk.
Brissett Joins Federals to Challenge Nassib
We went into the offseason somewhat confident that the Federals were going to do something to either motivate Ryan Nassib towards improvement or to find another option if he could not step up. Meanwhile, Seattle had, for the 2nd time in 3 years, spent the entire season with a backup impressing fans and owners alike while their supposed starter recovered from an injury. In 2018, that backup was Matt McGloin, playing in a contract year, and he solved the QB issue for Seattle by moving on. This year it was Brett Hundley who impressed everyone in the Emerald City, but with him now asking for a new deal, and Week 1 starter Jacoby Brissett still under contract and sitting on a significant cash deal, something had to give.
Seattle opted this time to make the switch. Having seen Brissett miss the better part of two complete seasons due to injury, they opted to go with Hundley as their guy. That meant finding a trading partner for Jacoby Brissett, and in the Washington Federals, they found an eager one. Washington agreed to take on Brissett’s deal, which extends through 2023. They bring in the talented, but somewhat fragile, QB, as direct competition for Ryan Nassib. In return, they send to Seattle a 3rd round draft pick and backup center Luke Bowanko, a solid player who may get a chance to start for the Dragons. Seattle now has their starter settled with Hundley, while Washington sets itself up for a very interesting camp battle for new head coach Kevin Gilbride.
Invaders & Monarchs Swap QB Questions
This was an interesting one. In both Oakland and Charlotte we had a former starter who had fallen out of favor, and a team hoping to find a ticket out of town for him so that they could move on. Oakland moved on after 2019 by signing 43-year-old Tom Brady for one last turn in the USFL. Brady is expected to return for the 2021 season after a somewhat shaky return to the league that made him a star. But they had no interest in retaining Jimmy Garoppolo as the protégé. That ship had sailed.
Meanwhile, in Charlotte, things had gotten so bad that the Monarchs had benched Mitch Trubisky mid-season, going with veteran backup Kyle Boller, himself acquired via trade, as the starter for the final 7 games. Boller played well enough to get a new deal with the Monarchs, but they are still hoping to have a QB competition this year, but not with Trubisky. So, what you had here were two teams hoping to move a player on and go a different direction. The two found each other and a deal was cut.
Jimmy Garoppolo, who started in Oakland for two seasons, but averaged only a 70.7 QB Rating over that time, heads to Charlotte, while Mitch Trubisky, who spent 3.5 seasons as the starter in Charlotte before being pulled this year, now heads out to the Bay Area. The deal makes sense. Both QBs had lost the faith of their coaches and their teams, both needed a change of location to start fresh, and both now have very interesting situations in front of them. Trubisky will almost certainly spend 2021 as the understudy to Tom Brady, learning from one of pro football’s best and perhaps preparing to step in for the 2022 season as a wiser, better, and more focused passer. Garoppolo gets what he wants, which is a chance to compete for the starting job. Boller, at 33, is not a long term solution for the Monarchs, but either he or Garoppolo could be in place until the Monarchs can land a franchise guy. We all know that Carolina had eyes on Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, but with his rights owned by Jacksonville, that was never going to happen, not within the division, to be sure. So, the Boller-Garoppolo swap helps both teams get what they want, a solid backup who could be mentored by Brady for Oakland and a QB competition in 2021 for Charlotte as they look at the rookie class of 2022 for an option.
Stars Find Taker for Matt Gutierrez
Much like what we saw with the Invaders, Monarchs, and Dragons, Philadelphia had already made a decision that veteran Matt Gutierrez was not the future for their team. The former All-USFL QB (2012, 2017) was a shadow of his former self, apparently having fallen off the production cliff after the 2018 season. Ten games into the 2020 campaign the Stars switched to Ryan Lindley, and now they were looking for someone eager to get a veteran backup. They fished Gutierrez to several teams, including Seattle and Charlotte, but found a taker in the LA Express.
Philadelphia made a deal that sent Gutierrez and the next 2 years of his contract, to the Express, along with a 2nd round pick they had acquired from Dallas, to the Express. In return they get a solid option at safety, with LA parting with disgruntled FS Jalen Mills, and they get back a pick in the 5th from the Express. So, we get why Philly did this. But why did LA take on Gutierrez?
The answer is in the issues they have seen with their starter, Kyler Murray. Murray has flashed some real talent, made some very exciting plays, but his consistency has been pretty poor, with more bad days than good days. The hope is that Murray will be the starter and that Gutierrez will step in as a veteran of more than 10 seasons, a player with less natural ability but a real eye for the game, to help Murray grow into the position. We honestly would not be shocked if the Express promoted Cole McDonald, the 2020 rookie, to the 2 spot, leaving Gutierrez as the emergency 3rd QB but as a primary mentor and pseudo-coach for Murray.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Stars remain in the hunt for their answer at QB. Ryan Lindley is not the answer, evident in his 4 starts for Philly in 2020. He is a solid backup, and we think Philadelphia will retain him in that role, but they are absolutely in the hunt for a starter. Since they have the 1st pick on the Open Draft, that starter could be unprotected rookie Trey Lance of NDSU, the only top tier QB prospect likely to escape the USFL’s Territorial Draft. Of course, if they truly like another prospect, they could use that 1st overall Open Draft pick to woo another team for their T-Draft selection. We could see Las Vegas being willing to let Philly select BYU’s Zach Wilson, and even Trevor Lawrence could be on the table if Philadelphia is willing to sweeten the pot a bit. But, what we know for now is that Gutierrez’s tenure as the QB in the City of Brotherly Love is over.
Other Early Trades
While certainly QB deals were the biggest stories of the early Free Agency tradewire, they were not the only deals cut as teams with depth use that to swing moves for positions of need, unhappy vets are given a new home, and picks start to move around ahead of the 2021 draft. Let’s start with the trades where current USFL players were at the center, and then we can look at the early draft maneuvers.
Memphis and Pittsburgh opted to strengthen areas of concern by trading away some depth. The Maulers sent DT Kendall Reyes off to Memphis as a tradeoff to acquire some quality at the lead position of the line, center. Memphis gave up starter T. J. Johnson to the Maulers because they simply needed help at DT behind Dan Williams. Coach Ryan loves a 46 defense, and you just need a strong 2nd and 3rd DT to make that system work. For all the success of his defense this year, the lack of a solid 2nd option at DT was noticeable. So, we get a need-for-need swap from these two up & coming teams.
Another DT deal was cut by the Wranglers, as they sent a 6th round pick and DT Ryan Carrethers to Portland for cornerback A. J. Bouye. Arizona felt confident that they could lose Carrethers after seeing the development of NFL import Snacks Harrison over the 2020 season. Not only did Harrison bring a great name to the game, he also brought some solid play as a swing tackle and now will get the chance to see far more snaps in Coach Tomsula’s 3-4 scheme. For Portland, A. J. Bouye, who was pretty vocal about his role in the secondary, was expendable thanks to strong seasons from Taron Johnson and Dale Luong. With Ndamukong Suh a free agent and Raekwon Davis their only other proven commodity at DT, the trade for Carrethers, a 6-year veteran with a strong track splitting snaps with Jason Hargrave, was a pretty solid option.
Those two moves are the only ones we can point to which are more about moving veterans than changing draft position. While some veteran players were included in these next offseason deals, it seems pretty clear that the focus, at least for 1 of the 2 trading partners, was on the draft board and not the depth chart.
St. Louis, in the midst of a major overhaul and a mass exodus of players, opted to part ways with another starter as they sent DE Adrian Clayborne to the Jacksonville Bulls for two draft picks. Initial reports that the Bulls had traded away their 1st T-Draft pick, widely recognized as the “Trevor Lawrence” pick, proved to be premature. The deal actually sent St. Louis the 2nd pick in Jacksonville’s T-Draft as well as a 5th rounder in the Open Draft that Jacksonville had acquired from the Vipers.
So, what is this about? St. Louis has been pretty mum about it, but most rumors circle around one of three players that are part of a deep T-Draft pool for the Bulls. The first is Clemson HB Travis Etienne, who would make sense after we saw Skyhawk HB Eddie Lacy fly the coop. The second is University of Florida WR Kadarius Toney, though many believe that if Jacksonville is sitting put with Teddy Bridgewater as their QB, it may be Toney who they target in the T-Draft, and the third is another gator, TE Kyle Pitts, a rare talent at TE who could be more of a wideout in TE clothing. St. Louis certainly could use an upgrade at any of these offensive positions, so it is just a matter of which player they like most. As for Jacksonville, they get themselves a DE who nabbed 12 sacks in 2020, his 3rd 10+ sack season in the past 5 years. Expect him to shift to RE opposite Bull DE Barkevious Mingo on the left side. Jacksonville still owns that all-important 1st T-Draft pick, and that means they control the destiny of Trevor Lawrence. They can keep him for themselves, or they can rake a lucrative deal with one of several QB-hungry teams if they decide to let him go.
Philadelphia, only 4 days after landing Dan Quinn as their new head coach, made themselves a deal to acquire some talent in the T-Draft, sending OT Donavan Smith to Birmingham for the Stallions’ 3rd of 3 T-Draft choices. What makes this interesting is that we have often seen teams make a deal for the 1st overall T-Draft pick, which always points to a specific target (often a QB or other skill player), but to trade for the 3rd pick means you have options, not one player who is the must-have. That is certainly true for a Stallion pool that includes anywhere between 8-11 potential “1st Round” talents. Even with 2 picks ahead of them for the Stallions, there will be at least 5 more blue chip options.
But who does Philadelphia covet? Could it be QB Mac Jones? Seems unlikely as Jones almost certainly would survive until the Open Draft. More likely it is a wideout, either Jaylen Waddle or DeVonte Smith. Fully expecting that Birmingham will protect HB Najee Harris with one of their 2 earlier picks, at least 1 of the 2 wideouts would be left available no matter what the Stallions’ other pick would be. Receiver is a pretty obvious area of need for Philadelphia, and while OT Alex Leatherwood or CB Patrick Surtain could also be targets, we think the Stars are trying to find some weapons for their as-yet unknown QB.
Finally, the Stags and Monarchs made what we are calling a “need-for-need” swap. Neither team has a particularly deep pool of talent in this year’s T-Draft, so when the two swapped their 1st overall T-Draft picks in a one-for-one deal, the choices seemed pretty obvious. Charlotte needs help on the line, to protect either Kyle Boller or Jimmy Garoppolo, and to help their 2-headed run game prove even more dangerous. They absolutely have their eye on Oregon’s Outland Trophy winner at LT, Penei Sewell. As for Portland, they are looking at their lead back, Doug Martin, turning 32 in the offseason and, 3 seasons away from his last 1,000-yard effort, quite frankly not having the same push as before, and they need a back to take up the slack. Enter UNC halfback Javonte Williams, a slashing back who put up 933 yards on only 166 carries for the Tarheels last year and seems to be on pace to top 1,000 in 2020. Williams averaged 5.3 yards per carry behind a shaky UNC line last year and Portland sees him as a potential 1,400-yard back in the pros. So, a deal with absolutely no mystery to it.
That leaves one big mystery yet to solve. What will be the fate of Trevor Lawrence. Will the Bulls wave off all suitors for their pick and draft the highly touted Clemson QB? And if they do, what does that mean for 2020 starter Teddy Bridgewater? And what if they don’t go that route? The offers are certainly coming. We feel quite certain that they won’t make a deal with Charlotte (which explains the Garoppolo deal) as a division foe, but the list of potential teams is pretty long, including Oakland, Arizona, Ohio, Philadelphia, San Antonio, New England, and quite possibly Washington, Baltimore, New Jersey, Las Vegas, Chicago, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and maybe even a surprising option like Michigan or Portland.
The Bulls have choices to make. They need to decide if they believe they can compete with whoever holds the 1st pick in the NFL draft, right now looking like either the NY Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, or their fall stepbrothers, the Jacksonville Jaguars. If they think that Lawrence would prefer to be a Bull than a Jet, Eagle, or Jaguar, they may well hold the pick, select the QB and build for the future around him. But if they get a really strong offer, or if they hear the NFL rumors from the Lawrence camp, well, they could let the pick go, stick with a pretty solid option in Bridgewater, and reap the rewards of the haul that Lawrence certainly will garner from a QB hungry USFL team. We have had no indications yet of which way Coach Moss or the Bulls’ front office wants to go, and that mystery, along with the constant online chatter, is just killing us. We love the buildup, but we hate the suspense.
PHILADELPHIA STARS
NEED POSITIONS: QB, LB, TE, DE
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: Three players really stand out, all Penn Staters, as players that the Stars should be targeting: LB Micah Parsons, DE Odafe Oweh, and TE Pat Freiermuth. All three are in positions of need and all three could Top 50 talents.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: The Stars have the 1st overall pick, so a lot of their strategy will be tied to how that pick sets them up to get a QB. Do they go for North Dakota State’s Trey Lance? Do they trade the pick to get a line on Trevor Lawrence or Zach Wilson? They have options, but for certain they need to choose a top tier QB in the draft because there is no guarantee that anyone available in the NFL-USFL Transfer Window will be a real option for them.
ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS
NEED POSITIONS: HB, SS, LB, C
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: We think St. Louis will look at Mizzou safety Joshua Bledsoe, but he is not a 1st selection guy. No one in St. Louis’s pool really is, so we could see them try to trade for another team’s 1st T-Draft pick, likely to find a HB. Beyond that, we could see them take a runner at either Mizzou HB Larry Rountree or Iowa LB Nick Niemann, both low risk pick sin positions of need.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: With the 2nd pick in the draft, St. Louis should be able to find either a halfback or a 5-star linebacker, both truly positions of immediate need. Their other option is to trade down some slots if there is a QB-hungry team trying to snag Trey Lance if Philly (or whoever holds Philly’s pick) does not go for him.
SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS
NEED POSITIONS: FS, HB, WR, K
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: The only potential Top 50 pick in San Antonio’s pool is TCU safety Trevon Moehrig, which does fit nicely with their need at free safety. We think they also take a look at Texas Tech CB Zach McPhearson and possibly double down at safety with Moehrig’s teammate, Ar’Darius Washington, a more raw prospect at the position.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: Without a top HB prospect in the T-Draft, we think San Antonio, like St. Louis is in the Open Draft halfback market. If St. Louis takes a deal to move down, then San Antonio could have their choice, if not, they get the 2nd best option at the position. But, just which backs slip through the T-Draft unchosen?
OHIO GLORY
NEED POSITIONS: QB, LB, HB, WR
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: No doubt at all who the Glory are picking first, it is Justin Fields for certain. Beyond that they have a lot of need areas and Ohio State can help in many of them. How about LB Jarmin Davis? CB Kelvin Joseph, heck, even HB Trey Sermon makes sense for a team trying to find a counter to Isaiah Pead. Lots of Buckeye options, as usual.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: With the 4th pick in the draft, we think Ohio will go for the one need position not available from the Buckeyes this year, wideout. Expect the Glory to try to land the best wide receiver on the Open Draft board.
SAN DIEGO THUNDER
NEED POSITIONS: WR, DE, DT, HB
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: No help at wideout from UCLA, San Diego State, or Duke, the three teams the Thunder have rights to, but they could get some help at other positions. How about DT Osa Odighizuwa from the Bruins? Maybe SDSU corner Darren Hall, or double down at DE and pick Duke’s Chris Rumph II?
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: Depending on what the WR group looks like in the Open Draft, we could see San Diego be the team to trade up with St. Louis to get the best option, or, if it is a deep group, maybe they stand pat or even trade down.
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
NEED POSITIONS: HB, CB, DT, WR
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: No team benefits more from the USFL’s territorial draft than Birmingham, and this year is no exception. Need a back? How about Najee Harris? Want a corner? Here’s Patrick Surtain II. Wideout a concern? Take your pick from Jaylan Waddle and DeVonta Smith. Seriously, how is Birmingham not a perennial contender with the players they can access from Alabama and Auburn?
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: The Stallions will likely once again prioritize signing their T-Draft picks. The one position where they might need to focus in the Open Draft is at Defensive Tackle, so we think they go DT with their first round pick unless their initial contact with one of their territorial draftees goes very badly.
LAS VEGAS VIPERS
NEED POSITIONS: WR, OT, TE, DE
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: If Birmingham loves the T-Draft, Las Vegas must hate it. BYU, Utah, and UNLV produce the occasional blue chipper, but nowhere near the level of annual talent that Birmingham enjoys. This year their only true Blue Chipper is QB Zach Wilson, so we think they trade their first pick to a team with no answer at QB. They can then get another Open Draft pick, maybe even another 1st rounder. Later on in the T-Draft we think they look at BYU tackle Brady Christensen and maybe some secondary help from the Cougars’ defensive backfield.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: Wideout is again a top area of need, though there are some good options in the free agency pool as well (Stevie Johnson?). But if they need a wideout in the Open Draft, they had best use an early pick on one. We think they won’t last long.
CHARLOTTE MONARCHS
NEED POSITIONS: WR, OT, DT, LB
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: Is it me or does everyone need or want a quality wide receiver? None available in the T-Draft pool, so we like what Charlotte did in trading their top pick to Portland for Portland’s top pick. We know who that pick will be, OT Penei Sewell is clearly the player to select. Then with their 2 final picks, they can look at D-Line help in the form of Wake Forest’s Boogie Basham or NC State’s Alim McNeil.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: Another likely WR pick, but if not, then we think they look at a big defensive lineman, someone who can eat up space and force runners outside. They might get lucky and find either Alabama’s Christian Barmore or Washington’s Levi Onwuzurike available.
DENVER GOLD
NEED POSITIONS: DE, FS, WR, SS
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: Denver, like Las Vegas, suffers because the Mountain Time Zone is not exactly football central. The Buffs, Cornhuskers, and Rams just don’t give them the kind of skill player talent that they need. They can get linemen though, and that is likely where they go, with OT Brenden Jaimes and G Matt Farniok, both of Nebraska, as pretty good mid-round talent they can likely lock up in the T-Draft.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: Denver is still trying to replace Von Miller, and while we don’t think they are likely to find a one-for-one swap for that kind of talent, we do think they will look at the pool of edge rushers that make it to the Open Draft to find one. If he is not picked by Orlando, Hurricane DE Jaelen Phillips seems the top choice, but there is a pretty good cluster of 1st round talent at the position. Someone should be available when Denver picks.
NEW ENGLAND STEAMROLLERS
NEED POSITIONS: LB, CB, HB, G
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: While WR is not a position of immediate need for the expansion Steamrollers, they would be fools to pass up both Rashod Bateman and Purdue’s Rondale Moore. We know, neither school is in New England, but with BC and UConn as their two local schools, the Steamrollers got Purdue as their 3rd and, this year, petitioned for a 4th and were awarded the Golden Gophers. So two Big 10 schools. Not bad.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: The Steamrollers want more speed at linebacker, so we think they go for that position early in the draft. If Philadelphia trades away their top T-Draft pick, they could actually have a shot at Micah Parsons, but that feels like a stretch. More likely is a player like Kentucky’s Jamin Davis, or Missouri’s Nick Bolton.
WASHINGTON FEDERALS
NEED POSITIONS: HB, LB, DE, SS
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: No halfbacks to choose from in the Federals’ pool (Virginia, Va Tech, and Northwestern), so we think Washington focuses their attention on the best linebacker in this pool, which his Va Tech’s Divine Deablo. They could also seek some depth at OT with Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater or Hokie Christian Darrisaw.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: Has to be halfback. Just has to be. Washington may have to either trade to get a T-Draft pick or move up in the first round if they want a true blue chipper like Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, or Javonte Williams. Problem is all three are likely locked into selections by the teams that own their rights, so can they chip one away from their T-Draft squad?
JACKSONVILLE BULLS
NEED POSITIONS: HB, DT, LB, QB
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: No surprise that we are all talking about Trevor Lawrence, and we all expect that he goes with the Bulls’ first pick, either to Jacksonville or to a team that offers them a king’s ransom for the pick. So, what do they do after that? Well, the pool is pretty darn good for the Bulls this year. We have HB Travis Etienne, TE Kyle Pitts, WR Kadarius Toney, OT Jackson Carmen, even QB Kyle Trask is an option (and a much cheaper one than Lawrence will be.) So many choices. Must be nice.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: With no clear T-Draft options at defensive tackle, this is where we think Jacksonville goes in the Open Draft. Depending on if they take a deal for the Lawrence pick, they either pick here at 12th or they are much higher up.
NEW JERSEY GENERALS
NEED POSITIONS: LB, C, CB, SS
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: There was not enough talent coming out of Syracuse, Rutgers, and Wisconsin, the Generals’ 3 designated schools, so the league agreed on giving them a 4th and they chose Vanderbilt. Why Vandy? Likely to get a shot at DE Dayo Odeyinbo. But, DE is not nearly as big a need as safety, where Syracuse does offer an option in Andre Cisco, or at CB, where the Orange’s Ifeatu Melifonwu may be hard to pronounce, but has some game.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: New Jersey could go center, and likely get a very good prosepect, or they could join the list of teams looking for linebacker help. We don’t see center being a protected position in most T-Drafts, so if the Generals really want a quality option here, they could well be able to pick between Albama’s Landon Dickerson or Ohio State’s Josh Myers.
OAKLAND INVADERS
NEED POSITIONS: FS, LB, C, OT
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: Two solid choices emerge for the Invaders in a pretty shallow pool. The first is Stanford OT Walker Little, and the second, and more intriguing option, is QB Davis Mills. The Cardinal QB could be a nice mid-cost player to sign, and then you put him behind Brady and Trubisky this year, and hope that either Mills or Trubisky gets some Brady to rub off on them.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: The Invaders could fare pretty well if they prioritize safety with their first choice. If it is linebacker, that could be tougher, though there certainly is some talent in the draft pool. We think the best natural fit for Oakland, if he is available, would be Oregon’s Javon Holland. Portland may disagree.
OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS
NEED POSITIONS: DT, CB, DE, LB
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: OU and OK State don’t offer any 1st round graded players, but a bevvy of 2nd-4th round talent to choose from. Based on need, we think DE Ronnie Perkins (OU) makes sense, as does OT Teven Jenkins (OK State) and maybe one of the corners from the two schools. But don’t be surprised if they don’t get trade offers from a team hoping to nab HB Rhamondre Stevenson, not the 1st pick, but a number two, we could see that.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: We think that Oklahoma looks at their 4 positions of need and goes for Best Player Available from that pool. We don’t see them trading up because they cannot afford to give away too many later picks, and we don’t see them trading down, because they need at least 1 legitimate 1st round talent.
ORLANDO RENEGADES
NEED POSITIONS: OT, SS, DT, G
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: Honestly, if we were the GM’s of Orlando and Oakland, we would try to pull a trade like Charlotte and Portland did. Orlando needs a bookend OT and Oklahoma has one. Oklahoma needs DE help and Orland has both Jaelen Phillips and Greg Roussea. Seems a natural swap to us.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: If the ‘Gades cannot get a tackle in the T-Draft, they have to prioritize the position here. Of course, a halfback is also needed, even though we did not list it above. We think tackle is easier to get.
PORTLAND STAGS
NEED POSITIONS: G, DT, HB, OT
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: The trade with Charlotte all but assures that Portland will be wooing Javonte Williams, the UNC back. Beyond that, we think they stand pat with their pool of players, and likely target a corner, either OSU’s Nahshon Wright or Oregon’s Deommondore Lenoire. Woof, that name will be fun for USFL announcers.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: Guard should be a good option this late in the first round, more so than DT or OT. If LA jumps on Alijah Vera-Tucker, as we think they will, look for either Notre Dame’s Aaron Banks or Ohio State’s Wyatt Davis with this pick.
PITTSBURGH MAULERS
NEED POSITIONS: DE, OT, SS, FS
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: No Top 50 talent in the pool, but for depth the Maulers could go for a DE like Pitt’s Rashad Weaver or Patrick Jones II. Heck, pick both, you never know who will jump to the NFL instead.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: We think they go for safety here, since they need help at both positions, but if a top tier DE slips, they just have to go for that position of need. We think it is unlikely that they get a true Top 5 DE with pick 18, but stranger things have happened.
BALTIMORE BLITZ
NEED POSITIONS: DT, WR, G, TE
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: Can the Blitz win free agency and also have a top notch draft? Well, they have WR as a priority and they are staring at 2 potential Louisville prospects in Tutu Atwell and Dez Fitzpatrick. We think they pick one or both in their T-Draft.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: Defensive Tackle, Guard, and Tight End are all positions that should have some talent left at pick 19. Things really seem to be falling into place for the Blitz this offseason. Just lining up right as they need it.
DALLAS ROUGHNECKS
NEED POSITIONS: DE, G, LB, HB
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: Longhorn DE Joseph Assai seems a no-brainer, but we know that Coach Kingsbury is prone to the offense, so do they try to find an offensive player in their pool? We really don’t see anyone we would take, so maybe the staff convinces Kingsbury to go for the D here and focus on the offense in the Open Draft.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: While Samaje Perine’s 843 yards in 2020 was a career best, Kingsbury and the Roughnecks are still very much in the market for a lead back, someone who is just harder to bring down on those short yardage plays and can still bust a 20-yarder. We think they may be prone to move up if there is a back on the board in picks 11-18.
LOS ANGELES EXPRESS
NEED POSITIONS: TE, CB, DT, G
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: As much as Express fans complain about losing UCLA to the Thunder when they relocated, LA is still doing fine with USC in their pool. Just look at some of the options the Express have this year: G Alijah Vera-Tucker, DT Jay Tufele,DT Marion Tuipulotu, and that is just in positions of need. How about WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, or Safety Talanoa Hufanga. Not a bad pool from just 1 of their 3 schools.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: LA is in prime territory to get one of the better tight ends in the draft. That could be Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth, BC’s Hunter Long, or if things go really wonky, even Florida’s Kyle Pitts. It is a pretty deep pool at the position, so we could also see Coach Lewis focus on his beloved defense in the first round and then go TE later on.
NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS
NEED POSITIONS: CB, OT, WR, K
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: After hitting on Justin Jefferson, does New Orleans jump their priority ranking and add Ja’Marr Chase as well? There is only 1 football to throw around, so that may not be what they need to do. Where they likely should go is either LB Jabril Cox or DT Tyler Shelvin, but the lure of Chase may be too much.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: Cornerback is a high priority for Coach Lathon, and we think they can find one late in the 1st round. Our favorite, based on the Breaker’s style of play is Georgia’s Eric Stokes, but his teammate Tyson Campbell also makes for a good fit.
SEATTLE DRAGONS
NEED POSITIONS: OT, C, TE, DE
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: The Dragons had a weak pool this year, but with 6 Top 150 prospects they were not eligible to add a 4th school. Too bad for them. The only true Top 50 candidate is Washington DE Joe Tyron-Shoyinka, and DE is a priority, so we think that is the easy choice. What happens with picks 2 or 3 is anyone’s guess. Could be TE John Bates of Boise State, CB Elijah Molden of Washington, or even DT Levi Onwuzurika from the Huskies, thought that is not a position of need right now.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: The Dragons could be a “move up” team or a “move down” team, it all depends on the offensive tackle position and who is left on the board by the time the draft heads into the 2020 playoff team pool. We think moving up is the better option, especially if you want a tackle who can start in year one.
CHICAGO MACHINE
NEED POSITIONS: LB, C, OT, QB
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: The Machine’s love of linebackers and their affiliation with Notre Dame is usually a match mde in heaven. This year not quite as much, but we still like the option of picking Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah out of South Bend. Chicago could also help themselves at OT with another golden domer, Liam Eichenberg.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: We are going to throw a hail mary here and say that Chicago starts shopping for a protégé for Sam Bradford. We love either Zach Wilson (if Chicago is willing to trade with Las Vegas for their T-Draft pick) or, at a significantly lower cost, either Alabama’s Mac Jones or Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond, both of whom feel like good Sam Bradford stand ins.
ATLANTA FIRE
NEED POSITIONS: DT, DE, TE, CB
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: Georgia has been a very good pipeline for the Fire, and this year there are no fewer than 10 legitimate Bulldog players to choose from. We think the Fire focus on the defense, so perhaps CB Erik Stokes, DE Azeez Ojulari, LB Monty Rice, or safety Richard LeCounte. They can only pick 3, so who will it be?
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: If the Fire go 3-for-3 on defense in the T-Draft, then tight end is the pick here. They need someone to be Aaron Murray’s safety valve. There are a few really good options who could slip this far, and a few 2nd rounders if Atlanta moves down.
MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS
NEED POSITIONS: LB, DT, OT, DE
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: The two best prospects for the Showboats are not in positions of need, but Memphis could still be enamored of WR Josh Palmer and HB Kenneth Gainwell. Of course, knowing Rex Ryan, we think they look to the D first, and that means scouting out DT Jonathan Marshall of Arkansas, the only Top 100 player available.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: With few options in the T-Draft for defense, we think Memphis goes early and often on that side of the ball in the Open Draft. Linebacker, defensive tackle, and defensive end are all positions of need. Can the Showboats find all three with late picks in each round? That will be a challenge.
HOUSTON GAMBLERS
NEED POSITIONS: LB, DE, G, OT
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: DE Peyton Turner is practically being served up on a plate for the Gamblers. The Houston product would not even need to change apartments, though he certainly will have the scratch to get a bigger place if he signs with the Gamblers.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: We think LB is a priority here, and we think Houston is particularly looking for a guy who can get across the line and stuff the run. In that vein we really like Missouri’s Nick Bolton or UNC’s Chazz Surratt, both of whom could fill that role and both could be available at pick 27.
ARIZONA WRANGLERS
NEED POSITIONS: SS, FS, LB, QB
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: The only obvious choice here is Tulsa LB Zaven Collins, a nice addition from a school that the Wranglers rarely use in their T-Draft pool. Beyond Collins, they could lookto DT Roy Lopez of Arizona or maybe a WR like Frank Darby, also of the Wildcats, but both are more mid-round talent than immediate playmakers.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: Is Arizona in the QB hunt? David Carr says he is going to return, but for how long? After seeing how rough things got without him, you would think they need to do something to bring in a viable 2nd option. It likely won’t be Lawrence, Wilson, or even Trey Lance, so how deep into the QB pool might they wait? We really like either Mond or Florida’s Kyle Trask as a backup to Carr for a year or two (hopefully for the Wranglers) and then maybe they get a shot to start.
MICHIGAN PANTHERS
NEED POSITIONS: DT, DE, FB, G
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: Another shallow pool out of East Lansing and Ann Arbor, which makes life tougher for the Panthers, but one position of need that might have an answer is DE, where Wolverine Kwity Paye could be solid option for the Panthers. We also think Michigan goes for Wolverine FB Ben Mason later in the T-Draft because they have need at the position and Mason has a good skill set.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: With pick 29, Michigan is primed to move down and snag either a DT or a guard in the early 2nd round. If there is a wideout, halfback, or edge rusher here that someone really likes, we see a deal being cut.
NEED POSITIONS: FS, CB, C, LB
T-DRAFT PROSPECTS: The Bandits don’t have a lot of needs, but corner is one and we love the idea of FSU’s Asante Samuel Jr. staying in the Sunshine State with the Bandits. And, for Samuel, what could be better than joining one of the most explosive high-octane teams in all of football? Should be a match that works for both team and player.
BLUE CHIP PRIORITY: Safety is an area that Tampa Bay will prioritize after losing Xavier Woods to free agency (Chicago). Finding a free safety late in the first round could very well be possible, especially if Orlando passes on Richie Grant in the T-Draft or if Portland does the same with Javon Holland.
So, there you go, two months of offseason news wrapped up in a nice tidy package. And thanks to the shortened offseason we will be back in early February to do it again, giving you all the free agent news, trade updates, our recap of the 2021 Territorial and Open Drafts, and preview the NFL-USFL Transfer Window, one that has all the makings of a two-directional whirlwind of interleague movement. We are only 4 months from kickoff, so things are getting intense. Enjoy the holidays, Happy New Year, and we will be back on February 1st with our second offseason update.
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