2021-2022 USFL Offseason Update
- USFL LIVES
- 2 hours ago
- 28 min read
October 4, 2021
Welcome back, USFL Fans. It has been two months since the Tampa Bay Bandits claimed their 5th title and the offseason is in full swing. We have some early free agency news, an active trading block, a surprisingly limited NFL-USFL transfer window, and news on the coaching front to share with you. We will run through all the offseason moves to date and prepare you for January’s USFL Collegiate Draft, starting with our assessment of the early Free Agency winners and losers as we focus on the USFL offseason with this, our first of two offseason updates.
Early Free Agent Signings Produce Winners & Losers
The USFL free agency window has been open for about 7 weeks now, and already we are seeing trends, including the reluctance of some big-name players to sign off on deals, and a pattern of teams and players who are coming out on top while others are not getting the results they wanted. There is still plenty of time for both teams and players to change their fortunes, but at this early window, there appear to be some winners and losers and we will start off our review of the offseason to date by identifying who we see as the early offseason winners and those with lots of work left to do.
WINNER: ARIZONA
The Wranglers came out of the first weeks of Free Agency with big smiles on their faces, landing not only the top safety in the pool in former Gambler Budda Baker, but also signing a dynamic slot receiver in Tyler Lockett and a very good swing end in Carlos Dunlap. With Victor Cruz still unsigned, the Wranglers may even be able to bring their big play receiver back to the fold.
LOSER: HOUSTON
Seeing Budda Baker head to Arizona had to sting, but the main pain this fall has been losing out on several players that Houston had coveted. They Gamblers were outbid for LB Myles Jack, with the dynamic playmaker headed up the road to Dallas. They also have yet to close the deal on DE Chase Winovich or OT Kelvin Beachem, both not jumping at the Gambler’s early bids.
WINNER: NEW ENGLAND
With plenty of cap room and in the market to upgrade across the roster, the Steamrollers have already added 4 players to their squad through free agency, with the big name being center Mike Pouncey, who agreed to a 2-year deal to move from Charlotte to New England. They also landed HB Devin Singletary, OT Andre Smith, and TE Jacob Hollister, a move that may preview the trade of Dennis Pitta.
LOSER: MICHIGAN
Another club that lost out on a few serious bids, including an effort to land CB Taron Johnson and FS Mark Barron. Michigan is still working to try to land DT Sylvester Williams but is getting stiff competition from at least 2 other teams. They have also shown interest in TE Eric Ebron, though many are hoping they can get Martellus Bennett to return as he remains unsigned. With both WR Kevin Kraft and HB Karlos Williams joining the NFL during the transfer window, Michigan has some holes they still very much need to fill.
WINNER: WR Devin Funchess
After a huge 2020 campaign, Funchess’s numbers slipped quite a bit in 2021, but it seems at least one team feels that had more to do with Paxton Lynch and the Memphis offense and less to do with Funchess’s upside. Funchess got himself an upgrade, in both team and salary, with his new 3-year deal in Seattle putting him on a very talented roster and giving him an additional $1.3M per season than his Memphis deal.
LOSER: WR Victor Cruz
Still unsigned and with few nibbles, the 34-year-old receiver seems mystified as to why he has not found a team willing to meet his salary demands. He may well need to reconsider what he is asking, especially with OBJ still in the market as well.
WINNER: LB Myles Jack
It was not a full on feeding frenzy, but the competition between Dallas and Houston for Jack’s services certainly aided the former Thunder LB. Jack is looking at a much more lucrative deal, with nearly $20M in guaranteed money, and a serious improvement on his playoff chances. Dallas gets a stud, but Mack gets a chance to compete on a very good team.
LOSER: SS Baccari Rambo
We expect that Rambo will end up doing quite well now that Budda Baker is off the table. There are still plenty of teams that need safety help, but the lack of an early “pounce” by teams means that the big money may evade the 31-year-old safety.
Players Off the Board
You have seen our assessment of the teams and players that are either looking good or looking for help, but there are plenty more signings than the few already mentioned. Here is our rundown of the biggest signings to date across the league.
We start at the “glamour” position of QB, where only one name came off the free agent market so far, but it was the top name in the pool, disgruntled and disrespected Memphis Showboat QB Paxton Lynch is taking his chances with a new coaching staff and a team trying to rebuild, signing a 4-year deal to join the Charlotte Monarchs. The arrival of Lynch clears up one of the murkier QB situations in the league and has Charlotte now looking to focus on providing their new signal caller with talent, protection and an improved defense. No biggie, just a total overhaul. But, at the very least, their new head coach, offensive guru Brian Daboll, has his centerpiece at QB.
As already mentioned, two of the top defenders in the league are off the board, with Budda Baker now a Wrangler and former Thunder LB Myles Jack headed to Dallas. The third top defender on our board, CB Dee Milliner also has a new home, with the Washington Federals outbidding Orlando to sign the talented corner.
Four-time All-USFL center Mike Pouncey will be finishing his career up in New England, where the Steamrollers offered him a 2-year deal that will take him to age 36. Pouncey was expected to sign with an immediate playoff contender, but New England simply made him an offer he could not refuse.
Two more top tier linemen found new deals, with the 2nd rated center, Greg Mancz resigning with the Breakers despite a solid offer from Orlando, while tackle D. J. Fluker had a three way bidding war between Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, and Oklahoma, choosing the Outlaws for a new 4-year deal.
Our top 2 halfbacks came off the board as well, with former Bull Devin Singletary also headed to New England, a team that has been among the most aggressive in the league in cutting deals, while Rex Burkhead will now back up Nick Chubb in Atlanta.
While both OBJ and Victor Cruz remain on the market, both Devin Funchess, as reported above, and Michael Floyd signed on to new teams. Funchess joins Seattle, replacing Marshall Newhouse in the Dragon attack, while Floyd takes his talents from Chicago to Oakland, where he will be a target for 2nd year QB Davis Mills.
Further down our list, we find DE Malik Jackson, leaving Philadelphia for San Diego, corner Taron Johnson getting a lucrative 3-year deal to return to Portland, LB Devon Kinnard also staying put with a new deal to remain in Tampa Bay, and Dallas LB De’Vondre Campbell finding a new home in Orlando.
Others signing new deals include:
QB B. J. Daniels (TBY to MEM)
HB Isaiah Crowell (ARZ to NOR)
TE Ricky Seals-Jones (BIR to LV)
TE Jacob Hollister (OAK to NE)
WR Tyler Lockett (NOR to ARZ)
OT Andre Smith (OAK to NE)
OT David Edwards (PIT to NJ)
DT Terry Bechner (STL to NOR)
DT A’Shawn Robinson (SAN to NJ)
DE Carlos Dunlap (BIR to ARZ)
DE Porter Gustin (LV to SEA)
FS Mark Barron (SD to OHIO)
FS Shamarko Thomas (NJ to BIR)
K Andrew Franks (PIT to BAL)
Top 5 at Each Position
So, with just about 2 months of free agency in the books and another 4 ahead of us, who is left in the market? Quite a few high value players, and a lot of depth as well. Here is our position-by-position analysis of the players still available for teams willing to cut the big check and sign off on a new deal.
QB: 1-Nick Foles, 2-Mason Rudolph, 3-Christian Ponder, 4-Kyle Lauletta,
5-Deshone Kizer
We have 2 former starters and 3 pretty well-respected backups in this pool. The question for everyone is whether or not Foles and Ponder have to settle for 2nd position and a possible QB competition or if one of them will snag a starting job. There are certainly teams left in the market who could use at least a competition for the starter and with a weaker QB pool in the draft, several of these free agent QBs could get a real shot at starting again.
HB: 1-Isaiah Pead, 2-Jeremy Hill, 3-Isaiah Crowell, 4-Leonard Fournette, 5-Myles Gaskin
Pead had a major drop off in production in 2020 and that may be scaring people away. The others on the list were all part of a HB-by-Committee and could end up either as backups or in rotation once again. The one player we see here who really deserves more of a chance to shine is Crowell, who had some outstanding games in Arizona, but may once again have to settle for a shared role.
TE: 1-Eric Ebron, 2-Martellus Bennett, 3-James Casey, 4-Austin Sefarin Jenkins,
5-Foster Moreau
We are a bit surprised that both Ebron and Bennett remain available, as both were solid starters in 2020. Maybe they are asking too much, or maybe folks are looking at the draft and seeing some younger, faster options, but of this group, we expect those two to find deals that give them real starting potential.
WR: 1-Odell Beckham Jr, 2-Victor Cruz, 3-Equanimeous St. Brown, 4-Olamide
Zacheaeous, 5-Chester Rogers
Call it an aversion to the Diva attitude, or simply overambitious demands, but the two bona fide superstars in the pool are still out there looking for a deal. We expect that both OBJ and Cruz are going to have to recalibrate their expectations, as it just does not seem like anyone is willing to pay the top dollar figures they have been demanding. After those three, we have three younger prospects, all of whom seem to have more upside than we have seen in their early careers and could find themselves in a position to break out in 2021, depending on where they end up.
OL: 1-Levi Brown (OT), 2-J. D. Walton ( C ), 3-Gabe Carimi (OT), 4-Ross Pierschbacher
(OG), 5-Ethan Pocic ( C )
Levi Brown has not declared a retirement plan, not yet at least, but it seems teams are fearful that he will. Maybe the right deal will keep him on the field. We are a bit more surprised that Carimi, Pierschbacher and Pocic are still out here as all have several good years ahead of them and have proven to be strong performers in the past.
DL: 1-Robert Quinn (DE), 2-Sylvester Williams (DT), 3-Kawann Short (DT), 4-Rakeem
Nunes-Roches (DT), 5-Romeo Okwara (DE)
No one here is going to be a 20-sack guy for you, and, honestly, the DT position is a bit stronger. Williams and Short have proven effective and while injuries have been a concern for Nunes-Roches, when he is in, he can eat up a lot of blockers. Expect them to all find new homes well before the USFL Draft, while Quinn and Okwara may have to wait until we see which drafted edge rushers sign with the NFL, leaving holes on the USFL teams that drafted them.
LB: 1-Reggie Ragland, 2-James Burgess, 3-Paul Dawson, 4-Malik Reed,
5- Stephen Weatherly
Perhaps the least impressive pool in free agency, especially after the signing of Jack, Campbell, and Kinnard. With Calvin Pace and Kelvin Beachem off to the NFL (see below), the pool now looks pretty thin, which actually may help Reggie Ragland, the clear top choice left, get a bit more cha-ching in a deal.
CB: 1-Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, 2-Ronald Darby, 3-Eric Murray, 4-Rashaan
Gaulden, 5-Damontae Kazee
As with OT Levi Brown, many thought Dominique Rogers-Cromartie was calling it a career, and he well could, but if there is a team with a tasty 1-year deal ready to go, they may well be able to land the former All-USFL corner. Beyond him, we like Ronald Darby as a consistent contributor, while the final 3 are players with untapped potential.
S: 1-Baccari Rambo, 2-Malik Hooker, 3-Marqui Christian, 4-David Bruton,
5-Terrance Brooks
If I am Baccari Rambo, I am having some harsh words for my agent. There is no way he should still be on the board. Deals have been offered and good ones from what we are seeing, but Rambo remains uncommitted. That likely won’t last past Thanksgiving. Malik Hooker could also come off the board soon as there just are not many players in the talent range of these two left to look at.
ST: 1-Marquette King (P), 2-Tress Way (P), 3-Josh Lambo (K), 4-Billy Cundiff (K), 5-
William Levy (P)
No surprise that only one kicker (Andrew Franks) has signed a deal, the position tends to be undervalued and that means that we usually see these players get deals just before camp, often without any guarantee that the job is theirs. They will sign, likely compete with a rookie or an NFL castoff in February, and then hopefully find a home by the season opener.
It is one of the lightest NFL hauls in recent memory, a major surprise considering how poorly the fall league fared in last February’s Covid-impacted transfer window. But, while the fall league did not garner major numbers in the short transfer window, that does not mean that their foray into USFL free agency did not produce some big impact signings.
Among the bigger names signed away by the “senior” league are Generals’ DT B. J. Raji, Stallion slot receiver Julian Edelman, Oakland DT Tyson Alualu, Breaker guard Julian Vandervelde, Michigan WR Kevin Kraft, and Oklahoma wideout Donte Moncrief. One surprise pickup was QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, who many saw as an obvious retirement candidate at age 38. Apparently, the Miami Dolphins still see life in the Harvard grad and added him to their roster to back up starter Joe Burrow.
Here is the full list of NFL signings of USFL Players with significant 2021 playing time:
QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jeff Tuel
HB: Montario Hardesty, Andre Williams, Karlos Williams
WR: Julian Edelman, Marshall Newhouse, Tavon Austin
OL: T Kelvin Beachem,G Trevor Canfield, G Julian Vandervelde, C Stefan Wisniewski
DL: DE Tim Crowder, DT B. J. Raji, DT Tyson Alualu
LB: Clay Matthews, Calvin Pace
DB: CB Prince Amukamara, FS Matt Elam
And what about USFL signings during the September Window? Well, as usual, you won’t see many recognizable names as there were few NFL free agents after camps opened in August or rosters were filled as the season began. That said, there are a few names that you may want to remember as your favorite USFL teams build their camp rosters.
Denver added depth to their CB group by landing former Patriot J. C. Jackson.
San Diego hopes they have added some muscle to the D-Line with former Saints’ DT Sheldon Rankins.
The Panthers got some help for LeVeon Bell, signing Ito Smith away from the Atlanta Falcons.
Birmingham is hoping they have solidified their LG position with the signing of Jake Long, a former starter for the Chicago Bears.
New Jersey added former 49er safety and one of our favorite football names, Jaquiski Tart to their defensive backfield.
While the NFL-USFL Transfer Window did not produce the fireworks we expected, the trading block has had quite a few intriguing moves. It may not be the biggest names in the game (it never is), but from a tactical and talent acquisition standpoint, there are some moves from the past 2 months that have our interest piqued. Here are the deals we think show some promise for 2022.
An interesting tit-for-tat deal between two offenses trying to find a new path as the Bulls and Vipers swap receivers. Tight End Gavin Escobar, the starter for the Bulls for the past 6 years becomes a Viper, clearing the path for Taysom Hill’s diverse skill sets to get a starting gig, while Escobar becomes a target for Matt McGloin. In return, the Bulls get WR Kenny Golloday, a speedy deep threat who had a couple of solid years in Chicago but did not click with the Vipers in his one year with the team. He will now work with Trevor Lawrence in a Bulls offense that is looking for more explosiveness.
New Jersey hopes it has at least partially solved their HB issue after the unexpected retirement of Delone Carter, trading with the Gunslingers to bring HB C. J. Prosise to the Meadowlands. Prosise will likely share carries with Tony Pollard in the Generals’ attack. For their part, San Antonio likely found a potential starter at their pivot with center Michael Menet coming over from New Jersey.
New England, who are just in full sprint so far this offseason, also hope they upgraded at center, acquiring Zach Williams from Seattle. There was thought they would be sending TE Dennis Pitta back to the Dragons to acquire Williams, but instead it was backup Jack Doyle, who is a better blocker and still a decent receiver, who will head to the PNW and serve as the 2nd option behind Kyle Rudolph.
Another tight end on the move is Memphis’s Luke Stocker, who was part of a deal that will bring DT Angelo Blackson and a 6th round pick to the Showboats. Stocker will now line up in Baltimore to block for Josh Jacobs and catch the occasional Jake Locker dump down. Locker to Stocker, that should be fun for the announcers.
LA made a move to once again mix up their pretty solid defense. Swing DE Andy Studebaker, who is more of an early down specialist and not a pure edge rusher, heads to Ohio in a deal that helps add depth to the Express secondary with the arrival of cornerback Ka’Dar Hollman. Expect Studebaker to rotate with Tank Carradine and Datone Jones in Ohio, while Hollman likely fills the nickel behind Gilmore and Jamar Taylor for the Express.
Finally, another deal by the Bulls brings safety Tavon Wilson to town to fill what had been a pretty shaky position at the strong safety slot. The acquisition of the former Machine starter at the position (replaced by Jordan Poyer in 2021) will cost the Bulls the services of guard Patrick Omameh and a 3rd round pick they had acquired from the LA Express in a trade last offseason. Expect Wilson to be the day one starter for the Bulls at strong safety.
San Diego Surprises With Choice of Former USFL Tight End
USFL fans may well be familiar with the name Anthony Becht. After all, he played 11 seasons, including 2 championship seasons, with the New Jersey Generals, but that does not mean he was a name most were considering a potential 2022 head coach. Becht, who was a 2-time All-USFL tight end, retired after the 2011 season and has been working his way up the coaching ranks for the past decade. Fans in Denver may know him as the Passing Game Coordinator for the Gold, the position he has held over the past 2 years. But while Becht certainly has had success developing Josh Allen, including a very strong 2021 season from the Gold QB, the jump from an assistant coordinator to a head coaching position is a big one.
The San Diego Thunder clearly felt it was a move that Becht was ready to make, signing the coach to a 4-year deal to become their new head coach this August. Becht will take over an offense that found a solid running game with Charles Sims but could not decide on a starter, using both Christian Ponder and Christian Hackenberg (obtained mid-year from Ohio) during the 2021 season. With Ponder now in the free agent market, the Thunder may well have an all new option at the QB position by February, and Becht is very likely to be a big part of the decision process that will decide the direction for the position and the offense.
Oklahoma OC Brian Daboll to Lead Monarchs as They Seek Offensive Spark
Another offensive-minded coach finds himself an opportunity to take a seat in the big chair, as Oklahoma OC Brian Daboll was named as the new head coach of the Charlotte Monarchs just 3 weeks ago. Daboll, often touted for the early development of Outlaw QB Jalen Hurts, will take over one of the most problematic teams in the league, a 1-15 club that has major question marks up and down their roster.
The Monarchs finished 2021with the 28th ranked scoring offense, 23rd in passing and 20th rushing the ball, but also the worst ranked defense in the league, giving up 27.3 points per game, a gap that produced an average margin of -11 points per game. Charlotte did get themselves a new QB just before signing Daboll, making a deal with the top free agent QB in the pool, Paxton Lynch, but they still have a laundry list of needs to be addressed, and even the top pick in the draft may not be enough to bring them what they need. And so, Daboll, in his first head coaching position, will have a lot to accomplish and a lot to prove as he takes on the Monarchs’ after a disastrous 2021 season.
Vrabel Makes it Official with Return to Jacksonville
The last piece of the coaching puzzle was not a surprise, as Mike Vrabel and the Bulls publicly announced that they had reunited, with Vrabel getting a 4-year deal to help build up his former club as their new head coach. Vrabel, who left the playing field in 2014, shifted to coaching within the Bulls’ organization before moving on to take LB Coach and eventually Defensive Coordinator positions elsewhere. The DC for the Western Conference Champion Seattle Dragons was a favorite for the position in Jacksonville from the moment Winston Moss was let go (and even earlier if you polled fans). He returns to his former team with a clear focus on rebuilding a Bulls’ defense that finished 2021 26th in points allowed and 29th in yardage.
Vrabel will also have a charge to help develop a Bulls offense that has its centerpiece in QB Trevor Lawrence, but which needs to bring in more weapons. The Run game is in transition, though 2021 rookie Chubba Hubbard had some moments. Devin Singletary is gone in free agency and Jacksonville has the HB position circled for offseason additions. On defense, the focus will be on improving the interior of the line and the secondary. Jacksonville’s LB group, featuring All-USFL breakout player Alex Anzelone and veteran MLB Sean Lee is the clear strength of the D, as it was when Vrabel was one of the league’s best players. It will be no easy task for Vrabel, as Jacksonville has not reached the playoffs since 2007, but after 14 consecutive losing seasons, the Bulls are hoping that their former All-USFL player can provide stability, vision, and a change of culture to a team that has seen more than its share of lean years.
While the main postseason wave of retirement announcements had its ebb in early August, the offseason has produced a few more announcements of note, departures which certainly impact their teams’ offseason plans. Among the players who have announced it since the Summer Bowl, we have several from the various playoff competitors as well a smattering of others. Here is our quick run through of August and September announcements.
Tampa Bay DT Marcell Dareus stepped away after 8 seasons in Ohio, 3 in Tampa Bay, and a pair of championship rings. The run-stuffing DT retires with 445 tackles and 38 sacks to his name.
Seattle WR John Brown, who suffered a severe muscular tear after only 6 games of the 2021 season has decided to retire. Brown, who came to the Dragons in 2018 after 4 years with the NFL Cardinals, had an up-and-down career in the USFL, with strong seasons in the slot in 2018 and 2020, but with two injury-shortened seasons as well.
Baltimore WR Brian Hartline called it a career after 13 pro seasons, the final 9 with the Blitz. A prolific route runner, Hartline was a primary weapon for both Ben Roethlisberger and Jake Locker, retiring with 433 career receptions, 8.231 yards, and 65 touchdowns in the USFL.
Halfback Ben Tate is retiring from football after 11 seasons in the USFL, including two stints with the Birmingham Stallions to book end a career that saw him also play for the Panthers, Machine, Gamblers, and Stags. Tate’s best year came in Portland, where, in 2018 he toyed with a 1,000-yard season, finishing with 972. His 2021 campaign in Birmingham saw him back up rookie Najee Harris, finishing the year with 81 touches for 334 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Denver had two August announcements, with both OT Ryan Clady and DT Terrell Troupe declaring their intention to file for retirement. Clady played his entire 13-year career in Denver, earning All-USFL honors in 2018, and will retire with 902 career pancakes and an average of just under 5 sacks allowed per year. Troupe spent the first 7 years of his career with the Texas Outlaws before moving on to Michigan and Denver, earned a championship ring with the Panthers in 2017 and retires with 349 career tackles.
One more receiver we should note, in the category of longevity if nothing else, is Philadelphia wideout Steve Breaston. Breaston spent 14 seasons in the USFL, always contributing on special teams and only occasionally gaining a start as a receiver. In 14 years, Breaston started a grand total of 6 games at wideout, all in Washington, but as a gunner and a returner he found a niche and played a full career, moving from New Jersey to Charlotte, then Washington, a season in Oakland, and finishing his career with 3 years in Philadelphia. Steve Breaston won’t be on anyone’s list for the Hall of Fame in 5 years, but any player who can put in 14 seasons in the USFL deserves a note of kudos when he moves on from football.
QB Situation for all 30 Clubs
With only 1 major move on the QB Front (Paxton Lynch to Charlotte), there are still several clubs who are definitely prioritizing the position this offseason, scouting seniors during the NCAA season, exploring options for trades, looking at NFL starters who are in contract years. So, where does your team stand? Here is our list of all 30 teams, divided into three major categories: Teams trying to find a starter, teams hoping to add depth, and teams almost certainly standing pat with their 3-deep QB room as it is. We will start with this latter group, and congratulations to fans of these teams, as you are not panicked about the lack of prospects available this year.
Standing Pat
These are teams whose 3-man QB Room looks pretty solid. Sure, they might make a trade deal for one of their backups if it meets a need they see as a priority, but overall, they do not expect to spend much time at all thinking about the QB Position.
Baltimore
Starter: Jake Locker
Backups: Nate Sudfeld & Trevone Boykin
Locker may not be putting up All-USFL numbers, but with Baltimore’s run-first approach, they are fine with a game manager.
Chicago
Starter: Sam Bradford
Backups: Mike Kafka & Ian Book
Finding an heir apparent to Bradford is likely a 2022-2023 issues, though the Machine certainly hope that Book shows something in his 2nd camp.
Denver
Starter: Josh Allen
Backups: Mitchell Trubisky & Bob Volek
Until Volek, who is more mentor & coach to Allen than a gameday player, retires, don’t expect Denver to focus on the QB position at all.
Houston
Starter: Colt McCoy
Backups: Landry Jones & Kellen Clemons
Houston has the MVP at QB and one of the best (and still younger) backups in Jones. Their only issue is that Jones is in a contract year and may want a chance to start in 2023, so free agency could be in his future.
Jacksonville
Starter: Trevor Lawrence
Backups: Ben DiNucco & Cardale Jones
One of the youngest QB groups in the league, and one that could stay intact for a while.
New Orleans
Starter: Geno Smith
Backups: Tajh Boyd & Cooper Rush
With Smith having injury issues in 2021, fans are hoping the Breakers find a way to upgrade behind him, but it is hardly a top priority for the club.
Oakland
Starter: Davis Mills
Backups: Kellen Moore & Sam Ehlinger
With 2 of their 3 QBs being 2021 draftees, the Invaders have a young QB group, one which could benefit from swapping out Moore for a veteran QB to help guide Mills through what could be a bumpy first season as the starter.
Philadelphia
Starter: Carson Wentz
Backups: Ryan Lindley & Trace McSorely
The Stars got their man from the NFL last year, with Wentz having a solid year even without an offseason to recover from NFL to USFL. Expect even more in Year 2.
Pittsburgh
Starter: Andy Dalton
Backups: Nate Peterman & Kevin Hogan
A team with no need to make changes, but one that could, depending on what they see from Kenny Pickett, the Pitt QB who could be a T-Draft option. Do they bring him in to learn behind Dalton, or would they sign him and then deal the Red Rifle to get more help elsewhere?
Portland
Starter: Marcus Mariota
Backups: A.J. -McCarron & Bryce Petty
Stag Nation may disagree, but Mariota is a solid option in a world where that is not something to give up on. Unless a superstar drops in the NFL Tranfer Window, we don’t see Coach Harbaugh changing QBs this year.
San Antonio
Starter: Joe Flacco
Backups: Easton Stick & Chad Kelly
The goal for the Gunslingers is to find Flacco’s protégé in time to make a transition, but that transition is not this year.
St. Louis
Starter: Lamar Jackson
Backups: Tyrod Taylor & Bryce Perkins
Coach Schottenheimer loves what he saw from Taylor last year. It gives him and the Skyhawks depth, he now just has to finally get the most out of his starter, a talent who flashes but is not consistent enough.
Hoping to Add Depth
These are teams that likely have their starter in place, though they may still look to upgrade, but are not feeling like they have a solid plan if the starter goes down. Expect them to look at mid-round QBs in the draft or solid options for the 2nd string in free agency.
Atlanta
Starter: Aaron Murray
Backups: Pat White
When Murray was sidelined last year, White just could not get it done. Expect Atlanta to bring in a veteran “game manager” to take on the backup duties behind their clear number one.
Birmingham
Starter: Cam Newton
Backups: Tim Tebow
Tebow was a phenomenon in 2021, so Birmingham is just looking for depth, very likely a rookie with dual threat skills to follow the mold of their 1st and 2nd stringers.
Dallas
Starter: Justin Herbert
Backups: Josh Freeman
Freeman is one of the costliest backups in the league, signed originally as the starter in Dallas. If Dallas can find a trading partner, they may well move Freeman and bring in cheaper options at the 2 and 3 spot.
Las Vegas
Starter: Matt McGloin
Backups: Gardner Minshew
Expect the Vipers to use a mid- to late-round pick on a QB prospect, because they are set at 1-2 for the foreseeable future.
Memphis
Starter: Blake Bortles
Backups: B. J. Daniels & Joshua Dobbs
Memphis was in the market for a top flight backup, someone who could perhaps even challenge Bortles if he struggles. In former Bandit QB B. J. Daniels, they think they have found him.
Michigan
Starter: Kirk Cousins
Backups: Taylor Heinecke
The 1-2 combo is solid, so expect Michigan to look for a young developmental 3rd QB, either a rookie or a camp cut from another club.
New Jersey
Starter: Teddy Bridgewater
Backups: Brett Rypien
With Foles still available in free agency, New Jersey could try to bring him back, but more likely they go for a veteran backup to support but not challenge Bridgewater. Someone like Kyle Lauletta or Connor Shaw.
Ohio
Starter: Justin Fields
Backups E. J. Manuel
Fields was a revelation in 2021, but Manuel has been a non-factor since coming over from the NFL. We think Ohio will look for alternatives at the 2-spot, and would love a player who can mimic Fields’s style, so perhaps someone like former Bandit B. J. Daniels
Oklahoma
Starter: Jalen Hurts
Backup: P. J. Walker
With Mason Rudolph almost certainly signing elsewhere in free agency, Walker likely gets bumped up to the 2 spot, which has Oklahoma looking for a rookie for the 3rd spot. K-State’s Skyler Thompson would be a popular option in OKC.
Orlando
Starter: Russell Wilson
Backups: Kyle Luton
Unless Wilson can get his interception issue under wraps, the Renegades may have to start looking, but they are not going to remove the QB who got them to the Eastern Finals, not this year.
Seattle
Starter: Brett Hundley
Backups: Trevor Siemian
With 1-2 looking very solid, it is all about having a complementary 3rd QB who can run the other team’s offenses in practices and who won’t cost the Dragons much in cap space.
Tampa Bay
Starter: Dak Prescott
Backups: James Morgan
With Daniels off to Memphis in free agency, the Bandits need a new number 2. Morgan does not appear to be ready, so expect Tampa to look long and hard at players like Kyle Lauletta, Kyle Allen, or even someone like Nick Foles if he is willing to take a pure backup spot.
Washington
Starter: Jacoby Brissett
Backups: Ryan Nassib & Will Grier
We do not expect Nassib to be a Fed by the end of the offseason. Washington is taking offers to offload his high-cost salary, but that salary is exactly the reason they have not yet gotten a taker. They may just have to eat the guaranteed money and cut Nassib by late December to avoid the cap hit.
Looking for the Franchise Guy
These are the teams feeling the heat. They have no clear starter going into the 2022 season and there are not a lot of obvious choices out there.
Arizona
Starter: TBD
Backups: Brock Osweiler & Tom Savage
The Wranglers failed to land 2021 Draft Pick Mac Jones, and that meant that they did not have a succession plan as Drew Carr retired. So, do they make a deal with Washington to bring Ryan Nassib back, or do they go after someone like Mason Rudolph or Nick Foles as a bridge to a future rookie?
Charlotte
Starter: Paxton Lynch
Backups: Kyle Boller
The Monarchs were clearly in need, they knew it, and they pulled the trigger on a big deal to sign Paxton Lynch, the only clear starting option among the free agent QBs. So now they have that spot filled and are looking for some depth.
Los Angeles
Starter: Kyler Murray
Backups: Cole McDonald
Yes, the Express could return with Murray as their starter in 2022, but all signs point to them wanting to move on. If they can move Murray, then they need to find an alternative, and we are not sure who that would be. They also have no one ready to be their 2nd stringer, so they could be coughing up cash for both of the top 2 QB positions this offseason. That is a big cough.
San Diego
Starter: TBD
Backups: Christian Hackenberg & Case Keenum
The Thunder have two very solid players on the roster, but neither feels like a true starter. With Ponder now in free agency, we think San Diego brings in someone to compete with Hackenberg in camp, but this feels like a team that will be unsettled at QB for yet another season.
It is really early to actually try to predict the 2022 USFL Draft. After all, we are only a few weeks into the fall NCAA season and a lot can happen between now and January. So, rather than go team by team, we thought we would mix it up a bit and look at our Draft Guru, Todd McShay’s Top 20 players and give you a few options for where they would be very nice fits. Of course, between the T-Draft, USFL Open Draft, and NFL Draft, where a player goes is anyone’s guess, but we will outline the teams that feel like good landing spots for each prospect.
TODD MCSHAY’s VERY EARLY TOP 20 DRAFT PICKS FOR 2022
20) OT/G Zion Johnson (BC)
T-Draft Rights: New England
Best Fits: Las Vegas, Ohio, Philadelphia
All three clubs need help at guard, and, according to McShay, Johnson, who played both Guard and Tackle at BC, is a bit raw, but he excels in zone-blocking schemes.
19) QB Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati)
T-Draft Rights: Ohio
Best Fits: Arizona, San Diego, Los Angeles
We are basing this on Ridder being viewed as a 2022 starter and not a developmental QB. All three teams could use his mix of athleticism and experience. A 3-year starter for the Bearcats, Ridder has good escapability, though not a true dual-threat.
18) G Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)
T-Draft Rights: Houston
Best Fits: Houston, Ohio, Philadelphia
Guard is not a core need for the Gamblers, but it is the kind of position where a T-Draft pick has a higher chance of signing, which often makes a player a top T-Draft candidate. If he slips past Houston, we think the same folks we had with Zion Johnson will be watching.
17) CB Trent McDuffie (Washington)
T-Draft Rights: Seattle
Best Fits: Jacksonville, Memphis, Orlando
No lack of suitors for a corner that is, in McShay’s words, “Fluid in coverage” with fantastic body control.
16) DE Kinglsey Enagbare (South Carolina)
T-Draft Rights: Orlando
Best Fits: Orlando, Oklahoma, Houston
With Arthur Moats in free agency, we think Orlando dips into the draft to find a player who can bookend their line with Montez Sweat. Don’t expect Enagbare to reach the Open Draft.
15) C Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa)
T-Draft Rights: St. Louis
Best Fits: Denver, New England, New Orleans
McShay calls Lindberbaum an “easy mover” with great range. All three clubs listed above will have a lot of interest, and we would not be shocked if one worked a deal with the Skyhawks to choose him with a 2nd or 3rd round T-draft swap.
14) WR Garrett Wilson (Ohio State)
T-Draft Rights: Ohio
Best Fits: Ohio, St. Louis, Charlotte
We think the Glory may actually protect both Wilson and Olave in the T-Draft, hoping to land one of them. If we are wrong, then he could well be the 1st pick overall to Charlotte, who desperately need a big playmaking receiver.
13) CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner (Cincinnati)
T-Draft Rights: Ohio
Best Fits: Memphis, Orlando, Washington
Ohio is unlikely to protect Gardner. They have too many other prospects in positions of greater need. We think he will be a Top 10 pick in the USFL Open Draft (once you remove many of the other Top 20 players from the pool in the T-Draft) and that bodes well for Washington, who have the 7th overall pick.
12) OLB Nick Bonitto, Oklahoma
T-Draft Rights: Oklahoma
Best Fits: Oklahoma, Atlanta, Dallas
Far more need for MLB’s among USFL teams, but with Oklahoma being one of the clubs seeking a quality outside pursuit guy, we don’t think Bonitto will ever see the Open Draft.
11) QB Kedon Slovis (USC)
T-Draft Rights: Los Angeles
Best Fits: Los Angeles, San Diego, Tampa Bay
This all depends on whether or not Slovis comes out. He has eligibility left, thanks to the expanded options developed during Covid-19. If he does come out, we think LA will look long and hard at picking him in the T-Draft.
10) WR Chris Olave (Ohio State)
T-Draft Rights: Ohio
Best Fits: Ohio, St. Louis, Chicago
If Ohio, who we think prefers Wilson, feels like they have him locked up, they may let Olave slide through the T-Draft. If he does, we don’t think he leaves the Central Division, with St. Louis the most likely landing spot. Both they and Ohio could really use a speedster like Olave to take the top off of defenses.
9) DT/DE DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M)
T-Draft Rights: Houston
Best Fits: Houston, Michigan, Oklahoma
If Houston picks Leal it is because they think he can be a full-time edge rusher. If not, then the hybrid DT-DE is a better option for Oklahoma or Michigan, both of whom need to upgrade both inside and outside on the line. Leal could be a tweener who helps in both spots.
8) CB Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson)
T-Draft Rights: Jacksonville
Best Fits: Jacksonville, Washington, Memphis
A good fit for the Bulls, we think Booth will be their first pick in the T-Draft, and they will do all they can to woo him away from the NFL as they did with Trevor Lawrence last year.
7) QB Malik Willis (Liberty)
T-Draft Rights: None
Best Fits: Los Angeles, San Diego, Tampa Bay
Willis is one of those rare opportunities where a top talent is not protected in the T-Draft. Of course, that could change as the league awards additional schools to teams whose 3-school player pool is considered weak. Someone could petition for Liberty and go after Willis. We could see either LA or San Diego doing that if they get the chance.
6) CB Kaiir Elam (Florida)
T-Draft Rights: Jacksonville
Best Fits: Jacksonville, Washington, Orlando
We think the Bulls prefer Booth over Elam, but they could do at corner what we think Ohio will do at wide receiver, draft both, woo both and hope they can land one.
5) S Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)
T-Draft Rights: Chicago
Best Fits: St. Lous, Denver, Houston, Jacksonville
Chicago is solid at safety, but they could work a trade to ensure that Hamilton does not end up in the division (St. Louis with an early Open Draft pick). They would be fine sending him to the Eastern Conference with Houston or Jacksonville rather than facing him twice a year.
4) Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
T-Draft Rights: Portland
Best Fits: Portland, Dallas, Michigan
We think Portland jumps on Thibodeaux, a legend from Eugene. They have need at both RE and LE, so landing one of the best young pass rushers means they can try to double dip at the edge position either in the Open Draft or in Free Agency.
3) CB Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU)
T-Draft Rights: New Orleans
Best Fits: New Orleans, Orlando, Washington
We like Stingley as a T-Draft choice for the Breakers. He is a 2-year standout and is a physical corner, just what Coach Lathon likes to see.
2) QB Sam Howell (UNC)
T-Draft Rights: Charlotte
Best Fits: Charlotte, Arizona, Memphis
A touch passer who does not throw picks, that is music to the ears of the Monarchs, and yet, having just signed Paxton Lynch, will Charlotte sink money into 2 huge QB contracts? If not, Arizona or Memphis could be in the market for a pure pocket passer.
1) QB Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma)
T-Draft Rights: Oklahoma
Best Fits: Arizona, Los Angeles, New England
What is a better fit for the Arizona Wranglers than a QB named Rattler? This particular rattler has quick feet, extends plays well, and is very good at off-platform throws. Yes, he is a bit of a gunslinger, but for the team that had Jake “the Snake” Plummer in the same mold, this would be a great fit.
So, there you have it, McShay’s Top 20, and our picks of where each would fit best. But, with more than 3 months of NCAA action left to play, and with players able to either extend their college careers, join the portal to change schools, or announce for the draft, this year we are looking at a very insecure pool of talent, and a lot of last-minute reworking of draft boards this January. So, don’t be surprised if the actual draft process produces very different results.
We will be back in early February with all the offseason excitement, from our 2022 Collegiate Draft recap to all the pre-draft trades, the post-draft movement, the free agent updates, and a preview of what could be a pivotal NFL-USFL transfer window for many clubs. So, enjoy the fall, a very early Happy Holidays, and we will see you again on This is the USFL for our Winter Update in February, just as camps open.
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