This is the XFL! (XFL Sim Official Thread)

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Follow this thread for official posts and news from and about the XFL Sim.

Current Stage: 2004 First-Year Player Draft
URL: https://www.xflsim.com
Current Openings: None

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What is the XFL Sim?
The XFL sim is a simulation football league played with Draft Day Sports: Pro Football by Wolverine Studios. We are located at https://www.xflsim.com.

The league picks up immediately in the aftermath of the inaugural Million Dollar Game, where the Los Angeles Xtreme defeated the San Francisco Demons. With league MVP Tommy Maddox gone to the NFL, the league begins in 2002 on the back of a huge announcement that the league has entered into long-term broadcasting agreements with NBC for the Game of the Week and USA and UPN for broadcasting rights to other games. This influx of money allowed the league to continue with the momentum from the first season, even allowing owners to increase the salary cap to retain top tier talent. Below are some of the things that make the XFL unique.

Initial Rosters
Rosters for the 2002 season consisted of the rosters from the 2001 XFL season minus players who departed for the NFL and select veterans who retired. From there, a first-year player draft consisting of NFL players who couldn’t catch on, CFL players, undrafted college free agents, and other players from alternative leagues was held. Rosters remained at 40 players for the 2002 season before expanding to 53 beginning in 2003.

Coaching Staffs
Teams are allowed to hire any coordinator outside of the NFL as their head coach, as well as any non-power conference head coach. For coordinators, any position coach is fair game, as well as coordinators outside of power conferences and the NFL, and any unemployed coach who served in any capacity other than NFL Head Coach in his last role.

First-Year Player Draft
The annual first-year player draft consists of both veterans from other football leagues and college free agents who went undrafted in the NFL. The league also agreed to an anti-poaching agreement with the NFLPA, wherein Undrafted Free Agents in the NFL were eligible to sign two-year contracts with XFL teams at salaries greater than or equal to the NFL’s league minimum salary.

Territorial Draft
The XFL is committed to providing an unparalleled experience and access to its fans, and key to this is the idea of local teams being led by local players and legends. To ensure this, the XFL also features a Territorial Draft prior to the league-wide First-Year Player Draft. Each XFL team is assigned three teams from which they will be making their Territorial Draft selections: one power conference, one non-power conference Division I school, and one I-AA or lower school. Teams may select up to three players from the First-Year Player Draft pool, but must select players from at least two of their schools.

Owners Meetings
The XFL Owners are the key to the longevity of this league, so play an integral part not just in the week-to-week of the league, but also in helping to shape and grow the league and its rules. At the beginning of every offseason, we hold a “virtual meetings week” where we vote on any proposed CBA and rule changes including salary cap changes, changes to bonus and salary structures, league expansion decisions, and many rules regarding personnel and eligibility. It’s also an open forum where owners are able to bounce ideas off each other for consideration the following year.

Ambassador Players
Our players do more than just play football every week. The Ambassador Player program is a program put into place beginning with the 2004 season where teams are able to designate one player as an “Ambassador Player,” thus keeping their rights in the XFL. These players are players who would normally go to the NFL as backup or role players, but who are placed under a franchise tag in the XFL for cap purposes, while being paid additionally out of league coffers for serving as ambassadors and continuing to put fans in the seats. Teams are allowed to have no more than one player playing under the ambassador tag at a given time. The player receives a two-year extension when he is named an Ambassador Player.

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2002 XFL Season at a Glance

Million Dollar Game: New York Hitmen def. Las Vegas Outlaws (MVP: QB Anthony Calvillo)
Champion Winning GM: Jeffrey Stoicescu

Most Valuable Player: QB Jim Druckenmiller (Memphis Maniax)
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Jim Druckenmiller (Memphis Maniax)
Defensive Player of the Year: CB Chris Iwuoma (San Francisco Demons)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: WR Yancey Thigpen (Las Vegas Outlaws)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: CB Chris Iwuoma (San Francisco Demons)

***League Leaders***
Passing Yards: Tony Graziani (Orlando) - 3,332
Passing TDs: Tony Graziani (Orlando) - 27
QB Rating: Jim Druckenmiller (Memphis) - 105.9
Rushing Yards: Mike Pringle (Las Vegas) - 802
Rushing TDs: Rashaan Salaam (Memphis) - 9
Receptions: Damian Harrell (New York) - 73
Receiving Yards: Yancey Thigpen (Las Vegas) - 1,008
Receiving TDs: Yancey Thigpen (Las Vegas) - 11
Interceptions: Raymond Austin (Chicago), Kenny McEntyre (San Francisco), Chris Iwuoma (San Francisco) – 5
Tackles: Jamie Baisley (Chicago) – 86
Sacks: Joe Montford (Orlando) – 9
Punt Return Yards: Stepfret Williams (Birmingham) – 185
Kick Return Yards: Deonce Whitaker (Chicago) – 581
FG Made: Rob Bironas (Las Vegas) – 22
Longest FG: Sean Fleming (Memphis) – 58
Punt Average: Jason Baker (Birmingham) – 48.0
Punt Yards: Rodney Williams (Los Angeles) – 2606
Tackles for Loss: Brendon Ayanbadejo (New York) – 10
Pancakes: Dan Goodspeed (Orlando), Javiar Collins (Memphis) – 64

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2003 XFL Season at a Glance

Million Dollar Game: Memphis Maniax def. Birmingham Bolts (MVP: QB Jim Druckenmiller)
Champion Winning GM: Alberto Garcia

Most Valuable Player: Ricky Ray (Birmingham)
Offensive Player of the Year: Ricky Ray (Birmingham)
Defensive Player of the Year: Kenny Wheaton (Los Angeles)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Eddie Drummond (Birmingham)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Stephen Boyd (Dallas)

***League Leaders***
Passing Yards: Ricky Ray (Birmingham) - 3,798
Passing TDs: Tony Graziani (Orlando) - 36
QB Rating: Cade McNown (Chicago) - 116.1
Rushing Yards: Marcel Shipp (Orlando) - 1,030
Rushing TDs: Kenny Watson (Birmingham) - 11
Receptions: Damian Harrell (New York) - 82
Receiving Yards: Damian Harrell (New York) - 1,295
Receiving TDs: Eddie Drummond (Birmingham) - 15
Interceptions: Kenny Wheaton (Los Angeles) – 10
Tackles: Stephen Boyd (Dallas) – 127
Sacks: Israel Raybon (New York) – 11
Punt Return Yards: Jamal Robertson (Los Angeles) – 293
Kick Return Yards: Deonce Whitaker (Chicago) – 598
FG Made: Jay Feely (Birmingham) – 28
Longest FG: Jose Cortez (Los Angeles) – 58
Punt Average: Rodney Williams (Los Angeles) – 49.9
Punt Yards: Jeff Ferguson (Dallas) - 3,355
Tackles for Loss: Ryan Nece (Las Vegas) – 19
Pancakes: Rod Jones (Birmingham) – 73

Notes:
* The league added two expansion teams in the Dallas Renegades and Lake Erie Mermaids
* The schedule expanded from 10 games to 13.
* The salary cap and roster sizes both rose after near-unanimous votes.
* After a vote, a second round of expansion for the 2004 season was approved with San Antonio and Seattle both being awarded franchises.

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2003 Offensive All-Stars Announced
The Offensive All-Stars for the 2003 season were announced last night, after the ballots from the league's general managers were tallied.

The Birmingham Bolts went 9-4 on the year, pacing the entire XFL with 450 points scored on their way to winning the Eastern Conference. That success was recognized during the voting process as the Bolts postted a league-high eight all-stars on the offensive side of the ball, including 80% of their starting offensive line. The New York Hitmen (7-6) finished second in the East with five stars named on offense while members of the Orlando Rage earned three, the expansion Lake Erie Mermaids earned one, and the Chicago Enforcers who finised last in the conference with 345 points scored were ironically shut out on the offensive side of the ball.

In the Western Conference, things were a lot more distributed as no team had more than five all-stars in 2003. The Los Angeles Xtreme paced the league with 10 wins while posting a conference-high 378 points and were rewarded with five offensive players on the roster, including both running backs in Jamal Robertson and rookie Ken Simonton. Last year's MVP, Jim Druckenmiller added some hardware to his trophy room this year, bringing home the MVP Award in the Million Dollar Game. He was named the starting QB in the West again, as the Memphis Maniax were also one of three teams in the West with five all-stars. The last was surprisingly the Las Vegas Outlaws who finished second to last with 272 points scored, but got a fantastic performance from Cincinnati rookie receiver Antonio Chatman, among others including three on the offensive line. The San Francisco Demons placed an offensive lineman to go along with FB Ja'Mar Toombs while the Dallas Renegades came up at the rear with just one star on the offensive side of the ball.

The complete results can be seen below.


QB Ricky Ray (Birmingham Bolts)
QB Anthony Calvillo (New York Hitmen)
RB Marcel Shipp (Orlando Rage)
RB Kenny Watson (Birmingham Bolts)
FB Chris Szarka (New York Hitmen)
WR Dialleo Burks (Orlando Rage)
WR Yancey Thigpen (Lake Erie Mermaids)
WR Eddie Drummond (Birmingham Bolts)
WR Damian Harrell (New York Hitmen)
TE Boo Williams (Birmingham Bolts)
C Josh Warner (Birmingham Bolts)
G Raleigh Roundtree (Birmingham Bolts)
G Rich Seubert (Birmingham Bolts)
T Rod Jones (Birmingham Bolts)
T Dan Goodspeed (Orlando Rage)
OL Ian Rafferty (New York Hitmen)
OL Robert Hunt (New York Hitmen)


QB Jim Druckenmiller (Memphis Maniax)
QB Jason Maas (Los Angeles Xtreme)
RB Ken Simonton (Los Angeles Xtreme)
RB Jamal Robertson (Los Angeles Xtreme)
FB Ja'Mar Toombs (San Francisco Demons)
WR Antonio Chatman (Las Vegas Outlaws)
WR MarTay Jenkins (Dallas Renegades)
WR Barry Wagner (Memphis Maniax)
WR Jeremaine Copeland (Los Angeles Xtreme)
TE Nate Jackson (Memphis Maniax)
TE Brian Natkin (Las Vegas Outlaws)
C Bryan Chiu (Las Vegas Outlaws)
G Keydrick Vincent (Memphis Maniax)
G Damion Cook (Las Vegas Outlaws)
T Erik Williams (San Francisco Demons)
T Bruce Beaton (Las Vegas Outlaws)
OL Javiar Collins (Memphis Maniax)
OL Bobby Singh (Los Angeles Xtreme)

Stay tuned for the defensive results later today and the awards voting results coming this weekend.

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2003 Defensive All-Stars Announced
Following the announcement of the Offensive All-Star team last night, this morning also saw the release of the defensive and special teams all-stars for the 2003 season.

In the Eastern Conference, the expansion Lake Erie Mermaids may not be long for Lake Erie, but their defense definitely left a mark in 2003. Led by rookie Territorial Draft Pick James Harrison, the Mermaids place five players on the defensive unit while also adding punter Matt Allen as a special teamer. The Chicago Enforcers suffered through another injury-plagued season on offense, but the defense and special teams had them in the playoff hunt until the last week of the season. In addition to kicker Jay Feely, the Enforcers put four defensive players on this squad, led by CB Raymond Austin who was one of the top coverage players in the XFL this year. The Orlando Rage had the worst defense in the league, surrendering 427 points in 13 games, but were still able to have some productive players and placed four players on the team, three of whom were on the defensive line. Three Bolts were named to the roster, led by Territorial Pick Sam Shade who came over and dominated in all facets of the game after spending 8 years in the NFL and failing to catch onto a team last year. Finally were the New York Hitmen, where they were represented by only one player: Israel Raybon led the XFL and became the first player in XFL history to record double-digit sacks in a single season, finishing with 11 on the year.

Out west, the Los Angeles Xtreme had a dominant defense for most of the year and were rewarded with a league-high six players on the defensive side of the ball, led by CB Kenny Wheaton who shattered the interceptions record with 10, four of which were returned for TDs. The Xtreme also placed both special teams players (K Jose Cortez and P Rodney Williams) on the team. Second to the Xtreme were the Las Vegas Outlaws who had four defensive players on the team, led by a pair of NFL undrafted free agents, playing under the anti-poaching rules in SS Nick Sorensen and LB Antonio Pierce. The San Francisco Demons have featured the best defensive line since the XFL debuted in 2001, and this year was no difference. The Demons had three players named to the team, two of which were on the D-Line in Emarlos Leroy and Joe Fleming. The Memphis Maniax and Dallas Renegades round out the bunch, with two each on the defensive side of the ball. Memphis was led by starting FS Rashard Cook (second in the XFL with 6 Ints) while the Renegades' starting MLB Stephen Boyd shattered the tackling record, racking up 127 tackles in the 13 games.

The complete results can be seen below.


DE Israel Raybon (New York Hitmen)
DE Antwan Lake (Chicago Enforcers)
DT Brad Culpepper (Lake Erie Mermaids)
DL Andre Wadsworth (Orlando Rage)
DL Stalin Colinet (Orlando Rage)
LB Marc Megna (Birmingham Bolts)
LB Jamie Baisley (Chicago Enforcers)
LB James Harrison (Lake Erie Mermaids)
LB Barrin Simpson (Orlando Rage)
CB DeRon Jenkins (Lake Erie Mermaids)
CB Tyronne Drakeford (Orlando Rage)
CB Clifford Ivory (Lake Erie Mermaids)
CB Raymond Austin (Chicago Enforcers)
FS Anthony Poindexter (Birmingham Bolts)
SS Sam Shade (Birmingham Bolts)
DB Chris Carter (Lake Erie Mermaids)
DB Clevan Thomas (Chicago Enforcers)
K Lawrence Tynes (Chicago Enforcers)
P Matt Allen (Lake Erie Mermaids)


DE Kelvin Kinney (Las Vegas Outlaws)
DE John Thierry (Los Angeles Xtreme)
DT Ma'ake Kemoeatu (Las Vegas Outlaws)
DL Joe Fleming (San Francisco Demons)
DL Emarlos Leroy (San Francisco Demons)
LB Stephen Boyd (Dallas Renegades)
LB Andy Katzenmoyer (Los Angeles Xtreme)
LB Brian Williams (Los Angeles Xtreme)
LB Antonio Pierce (Las Vegas Outlaws)
CB Kenny Wheaton (Los Angeles Xtreme)
CB Ahmad Hawkins (Dallas Renegades)
CB Kareem Larrimore (San Francisco Demons)
CB Antonio Langham (Memphis Maniax)
FS Rashard Cook (Memphis Maniax)
SS Nick Sorensen (Las Vegas Outlaws)
DB Ifeanyi Ohalete (Los Angeles Xtreme)
DB Will Demps (Los Angeles Xtreme)
K Jose Cortez (Los Angeles Xtreme)
P Rodney Williams (Los Angeles Xtreme)

The awards voting results will be announced this weekend. Stay tuned!

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Ricky Ray Tops 2003 XFL Award Winners

The votes have been cast and counted, and things have now settled as the 2003 SFL season has officially come to a close. Before the league calendar turns over, the league released its official awards as voted on by General Managers this morning.

***MOST VALUABLE PLAYER & OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR***
QB Ricky Ray | Birmingham Bolts (9-4)
2003 Stats: 285/415 (68.7%), 3798 Yards, 31 TD, 12 Int, 1 Fum, 110.3 Rating

Ricky Ray was the #1 overall pick in the 2002 season, and showed the promise of what made this the case, but struggled with multiple injuries throughout the year. This year marked his official surgence, as Ray led the Bolts to the best record in the regular season before leading his team to the Million Dollar Game where they came up just short against the Memphis Maniax. On the year, the 25-year-old Ray was the best QB from Week 1 and didn't slip up the whole year. In the first 13 game season after expanding from 10 the first two years, Ray set a new single-season record with 3,798 passing yards while finishing third in the league with 31 TDs, and second with a 110.3 QB Rating. His 31:12 TD:Int ratio were among the best in the XFL as well. At 25, Ray is just beginning to scratch the surface of what he can be.

***DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR***
CB Kenny Wheaton | Los Angeles Xtreme (10-3)
82 Tck, 0 Missed Tck, 25 PD, 1 FF, 1 Sck, 10 Int, 4 Def TD

Kenny Wheaton put up eye-popping numbers in his second XFL season after an NFL career that spanned three years with the Dallas Cowboys following being a third round pick out of Oregon in the 1997 NFL Draft. Wheaton put up one of the most dominant defensive back seasons in any league ever this year, allowing him to also finish second in MVP voting. Wheaton paced the league with 10 Interceptions in 13 games, returning four for TDs. He also led the XFL with 25 pass deflections, and finished second among cornerbacks with 82 tackles.

***OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR***
WR Eddie Drummond | Birmingham Bolts (9-4)
75 Rec, 1103 Yards, 20.8 Avg, 15 TD, 1 Fum, 5 Drops

While Ricky Ray was running away with the MVP Award, it was Eddie Drummond who emerged as his #1 target. Playing under the anti-poaching agreement with the NFL, Drummond came in and absolutely dominated through the air, shattering the TD record, and accounting for nearly half of Ray's TD connections. In addition to his 15 TDs, Drummond also finished fifth in the league with 1,103 receiving yards, and second among qualifying players with a 20.8 yards per reception. He's got one year left before he's likely off to the NFL for the forseeable future, but he could definitely leave a lasting impact far beyond his time.

***DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR***
LB Stephen Boyd | Dallas Renegades (6-7)
127 Tck, 5 Missed Tck, 5 TFL, 1 FF, 7 PD, 2 Int

The expansion Dallas Renegades came into the XFL and were immediately competitive, finishing at 6-7 on the year on the back of a very strong defense. That defense was led by 2nd Round draft pick Stephen Boyd who came over to the XFL after a decorated NFL career that saw him make two Pro Bowls with the Lions before abruptly retiring due to chronic back pain in 2001. After taking some time away and working with doctors and therapists, he came back at 31 and shattered the XFL tackles record, averaging almost 10 per game to reach 127 on the year. He also contributed a lot to the passing game, picking off two passes and knocking down 7 more on his way to a runner-up finish for Defensive Player of the Year. At 31, Boyd may not have a long XFL career left in front of him, but he is a poster child for the type of resurgence the league can offer.

With the awards voting complete, the league is now ready to push forward with the expansion and territorial drafts in the coming weeks.

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San Antonio, Seattle Make 2004 XFL Expansion Draft Selections

The 2004 XFL Expansion Draft was held last weekend, and the San Antonio Scorpions made QB Khari Jones the top overall selection. Jones has started 19 games for the Outlaws in the last two seasons and has passed for 3,963 yards, 29 TD, and 18 interceptions in his first two seasons. The Outlaws left him exposed as he's posted just a 77.1 QB Rating and 52.5 completion percentage over the course of his XFL career. With a 150k salary for the next two years, he was also the team's most expensive player. The Scorpions are hoping he can live up to the hype come 2004. The first selection by the Seattle Sea Devils was Chicago Enforcer Lance Legree, who despite his price tag of 95k and being uber-talented, has struggled to produce for the Enforcers in his first two years, accruing just 28 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 tackle for loss in his first 23 games, 11 of which he started. The complete Expansion Draft results can be found below. Meanwhile, the league has already moved on to the Territorial Draft picks, where players should be announced in the coming days.

2004 EXPANSION DRAFT RESULTS
1.1 San Antonio - QB Khari Jones (Las Vegas Outlaws)
1.2 Seattle - DT Lance Legree (Chicago Enforcers)
2.1 San Antonio - LB Allen Aldridge (Chicago Enforcers)
2.2 Seattle - CB Kelly Malveaux (Orlando Rage)
3.1 San Antonio - DT Alonzo Spellman (Orlando Rage)
3.2 Seattle - QB Aaron Garcia (San Francisco Demons)
4.1 San Antonio - DT Henry Taylor (Birmingham Bolts)
4.2 Seattle - LB Reggie Hunt (San Francisco Demons)
5.1 San Antonio - T Greg Jerman (Los Angeles Xtreme)
5.2 Seattle - DE Aaron Humphrey (Youngstown Steelmakers)
6.1 San Antonio - T Melvin Tuten (Youngstown Steelmakers)
6.2 Seattle - DT Delbert Cowsette (New York Hitmen)
7.1 San Antonio - DE James Cotton (New York Hitmen)
7.2 Seattle - LB Tim Johnson (Birmingham Bolts)
8.1 San Antonio - FS Rashard Cook (Memphis Maniax)
8.2 Seattle - WR Randy Hymes (Las Vegas Outlaws)
9.1 San Antonio - WR Kevin Prentiss (Memphis Maniax)
9.2 Seattle - TE John Allred (Los Angeles Xtreme)
10.1 San Antonio - SS Than Merrill (Dallas Renegades)
10.2 Seattle - G Rob Murphy (Dallas Renegades)

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2004 Territorial Draft Picks Announced
The deadline for declaring 2004 Territorial Draft selections has passed, and all 12 teams made selections this year. The Territorial Draft is borne from the idea that in order to keep fans in the seats, we must stay local. Each team associates itself with three schools from their local area (one power conference, one non-power, and one I-AA or lower), where they have the right to select up to three players prior to the First Year Player Draft. The 2004 Drafts can be seen below. The league will proceed with pre-draft free agency and staff hiring in the next phase.

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2004 XFL Mock Draft

The early stages of free agency are behind us, and the 2004 First-Year player draft is here. The experience is unlike any other in professional sports as you'll see a combination of guys on both the front end and back ends of their careers. You'll see players looking to bounce back or hang on after injury, guys looking to extend their twilight, undrafted college stars, and players looking for redemption or recovery after being exiled from the NFL. You'll see the stars of the CFL, AFL, and other alternative leagues out to prove that they belong at the top. The 2004 First-Year Player Draft is bigger than ever before, as the league has expanded from 8 teams in 2001 to 12 in 2004. The new addition Seattle Sea Devils and San Antonio Scorpions will be kicking things off this year. Without further ado, here is your official 2004 XFL Mock Draft, where I've included the first two rounds.

***Round 1***

1. Seattle Sea Devils - WR Geroy Simon, Maryland
The Sea Devils come into the draft after having elected to forego picking first in the expansion draft in favor of having the top selection in the First Year Player Draft. During the expansion draft, they were able to nab Demons QB Aaron Garcia, which will likely preclude them from taking a two-year rental like Tony Romo with the top pick. First-year GM Nick Ernst has made a commitment to dominating the trenches, so an offensive lineman like Barret Robbins or Tim Ruddy could have been in play here before they committed a five-year deal to Josh Warner. Similarly, Kris Dielman could likely come in and dominate from day one, but his long-term XFL prospects (he’s currently in the NFL) make me think that Geroy Simon will be the pick here. Simon had a breakout season for the BC Lions in the CFL in 2003, racking up 1,687 receiving yards on 94 catches and finding the end zone 13 times in the process. The former Maryland Terrapin has now thrown his name into the XFL ring, and is undoubtedly the best receiver in this class. At 28-years-old still, he'll also likely be around for a while unless the NFL comes calling. The Sea Devils were also able to nab the young Randy Hymes in the expansion draft from the Outlaws, so could have a nice duo for many years to come as Aaron Garcia enters his mid-30s.


2. San Antonio Scorpions - LB John Mobley, Kutztown (PA)
The second expansion team this season is the San Antonio Scorpions who are being helmed by Denver Bronco superfan Tim Brizendine who would be chomping at the bit to bring in long-time NFL starter and Denver Bronco John Mobley here. While the Scorpions have needs across the board and Mobley definitely has some injury concerns, he could be exactly what is needed in San Antonio. A natural leader with experience playing on the biggest stage, he's a great athlete with a nose for the football and has the type of athleticism and size that made him a former NFL first round pick. After eight years, two Super Bowls, an All-Pro award, and over 600 career NFL tackles, he'll now be able to come in and be the heartbeat of an XFL team’s defense to finish up his career.


3. San Francisco Demons - ATH Eric Crouch, Nebraska
A born-and-bred Cornhusker, Dallas Hartwell is seemingly scooping up every University of Nebraska player at the first chance he gets. Eric Crouch is in the conversation for greatest Husker of All Time, and while he may be positionless right now, he has the pure athleticism to perhaps perform well at several positions in the XFL. Taking him at #3 overall would definitely be a reach this year, but Hartwell will have his man and Crouch could potentially contribute at multiple positions on either side of the ball.


4. Youngstown Steelmakers - QB Tony Romo, Eastern Illinois
Josh Heupel is the reigning Rookie of the Year after throwing for 3,717 yards in his first season while also connecting on 27 TDs for the Mermaids. But if there's one thing we know it's that Steelmakers GM Colin Durina is a slut for OVR and Tony Romo will come in and immediately be one of the top-3 QBs in the XFL. While he'll only be a two-year rental, having been making waves in Cowboys camp, Romo has everything that you look for in a franchise QB: the size, arm strength, intelligence, leadership, and work ethic and should be primed to turn around the fortunes of a franchise quickly when he comes into the league. While the newly-rebranded Steelmakers have several bigger needs, obviously, look for them to go Romo here.


5. Orlando Rage - SS Quintin Mikell, Boise State
Tony Graziani has become the most prolific gunslinger in XFL history, having thrown for 7,126 yards and 63 TDs in his first two seasons as the Rage offense has continued to put up numbers. However, Orlando has also been the prototype for porous defense as they have struggled to win games. Boise State's Quintin Mikell will most likely end up being just a short-term XFL player, but he has all the makings of a superstar on the defensive side of the ball. Equally adept in run support and coverage, he could be just what the doctor ordered for this Rage defense, and will bring immediate impact to whatever team he ends up on.


6. Las Vegas Outlaws - QB Tim Couch, Kentucky
After two disappointing seasons under three different general managers in Las Vegas, Khari Jones was left unprotected by Dustin Reed who has stepped in to lead the Outlaws in the long-term. Jones is off to San Antonio, meaning that the Outlaws will be in the market for a long-term to QB, and would likely be ecstatic to see former #1 overall NFL draft pick Tim Couch sitting there at #6. They picked up duel-threat Michael Bishop in free agency, but he was disappointing in his limited time in San Francisco, and was signed to just a two-year deal. Playing behind a porous offensive line in Cleveland (sacked 50+ times twice), Couch was still able to throw for 11,131 yards and 64 TDs in his five-year career in the NFL. Reed, meanwhile, is a Great Lakes native who got to see Couch close up, and has seen what he's capable of from a pure talent perspective. One would imagine this would be an ideal fit for both Couch and the Outlaws.


7. Dallas Renegades - C Barret Robbins, TCU
Just a few seasons ago, Barret Robbins was arguably the best center playing anywhere in the world, having been named First Team All-Pro in the NFL in 2002. Since then, his career has been submarined by various off-field issues relating to substance abuse, mental health, and the BALCO steroid scandal all of which have led him to the XFL where he should immediately come in and be one of the top interior linemen in the league. The Renegades surprised many in the league and put together a solid 6-7 record as an expansion team last year. They still have needs almost across the board, including at the QB position where they'd love for Romo or Couch to fall, and could also consider NFL veteran Rob Johnson, but in the end, Robbins also fills an immediate need and brings impact in both the passing and running game.


8. Chicago Enforcers - G Kris Dielman, Indiana
The Enforcers appear to have happened upon their franchise QB in NFL burnout Cade McNown who set a single-season QB Rating mark in his rookie year after being a mid-round pick. They also have probably the most talented RB in the XFL in John Avery. However, both of these players have struggled to stay on the field due to injuries, so fortifying the offensive line will be of the utmost importance for GM Red Georges and head coach Ron Meyer. DeMingo Graham was the #4 overall pick last year, and mans one guard position. Pairing him on the interior with Dielman--even if just for a short period--should help keep McNown upright, Avery clean, and get the Enforcers to winning games after coming up just short of the playoffs at the end of last season.


9. New York Hitmen - WR Terry Vaughn, Arizona
2002’s Million Dollar Game champions got back to the playoffs again last year, but came up just short against the Bolts. They return as much talent as anybody in the XFL, and general manager Jeff Stoicescu has built the core of this team by largely relying on former CFL stars like Anthony Calvillo and Charles Roberts. Terry Vaughn, while no spring chicken, has continued to do the same north of the border, having earned seven all-star appearances in the league including racking up a career-high 106 receptions for 1,558 yards and 7 TD last year. He now brings his talents to the XFL where he would fill a need for the Hitmen perfectly, having also lost Kirby Dar-Dar to the Xtreme in free agency.


10. Los Angeles Xtreme - SS Sam Garnes, Cincinnati
The Los Angeles Xtreme put together the best regular season in the league in 2003 before being upset by the eventual champions in the opening playoff game. They were able to reach the playoffs on the legs of the best rushing attack and defense in the league. All-Star Ifeanyi Ohalete was one of the key cogs on that defense, but will now take his talents to the NFL. Sam Garnes could come in and fill those shoes perfectly. Now 30 years old, he'll be coming to the XFL fresh off a seven year NFL career where he compiled 10 interceptions, 515 tackles, 3 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles while making 105 career starts for the Jets and Giants. He has everything you look for in a defensive leader wrapping up his career.


11. Birmingham Bolts - C Tim Ruddy, Notre Dame
Like Barret Robbins, Tim Ruddy was very recently one of the absolute best centers in the NFL, making a Pro Bowl just a few short years ago with the Miami Dolphins. Like Colin Durina, Bolts GM Michael Olson has a tendency to lock in on a player's overall value, everything else be damned. That combination should make the 32 year old Ruddy the obvious pick here. He'd come in and be both an anchor and mentor for an offensive line being charged with protecting the XFL's reigning MVP and without a center on the team. While his tires may be worn after 156 career NFL games (140 starts), Ruddy still promises to bring tenacity and grit to the table until there's no tread left.


12. Memphis Maniax - DT Daryl Gardener, Baylor
With the retirement of D'Marco Farr, the defending champs have a gaping hole in the middle of their defensive line and GM Alberto Garcia has yet to be seen since being hammered and inviting an entire bachelorette party aboard the Maniax float during the parade through downtown Memphis. With the new expansion teams comes a realignment where the defending champs will move to the Eastern Conference to form a natural rivalry with the Bolts. Daryl Gardener was a former first round pick in the NFL who will now look to be the same in the XFL after an eight-year NFL career with the Dolphins, Redskins, and Broncos. He’s able to pressure the QB from the interior the way that Farr did, while also being very solid in run support as well. Pairing him with fellow NFL vet Mike Lodish should keep the Maniax from skipping a beat.


***Round 2***

1. Seattle Sea Devils - DE Chris Clemons, Georgia
Clemons will likely have a short XFL career because he’s got NFL talent, but he’ll come in and be a force in both the run and pass game from day one.


2. San Antonio Scorpions - C Jamaal Jackson, Delaware State
Eric de Groh was a nice free agency pickup who can fill multiple positions as a backup on the O-Line, but the Scorpions still need to find their starter. Jamaal Jackson would be a first round pick most other years, but is hurt by the fact that Ruddy and Robins are making the jump this year as well.


3. San Francisco Demons - QB Rob Johnson, USC
After nearly a decade in the NFL as an occasional starter and journeyman, Rob Johnson will now make the jump to the XFL. He’s got all the tools to be a leader here, and the Demons are still desperate for a QB so this is a logical selection.


4. Youngstown Steelmakers - WR J.J. Stokes, UCLA
Yancey Thigpen finally decided to hang up the cleats for good after being the most prolific pass-catcher in the XFL the last two years. J.J. Stokes should be able to come in and be a #1 receiver right away no matter who the QB is. Pair him with Heupel or Romo and you’ve got a dangerous duo.


5. Orlando Rage - DT Nathan Davis, Indiana
Orlando could very well dedicate every pick to the defensive side of the ball. After grabbing Stalin Colinet last year, Nathan Davis could shore up the defensive line in a boomerang attempt to the XFL after heading north of the border after the initial season. All the talent is there, but he’ll have to find a way to put it together quickly.


6. Las Vegas Outlaws - CB Roderick Hood, Auburn
The Outlaws have a lot of depth at the CB position, but lack somebody who can come in and lock horns with a #1 WR on a regular basis. Enter Rod Hood, who recently sign as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles. While he may not be here for the long-run, he’ll contribute immediately to what is already one of the league’s top defenses.


7. Dallas Renegades - DE Cullen Jenkins, Central Michigan
Another player who will play in the XFL on the front end of his career, Cullen Jenkins has the talent and ability to not only play, to dominate from multiple positions. The Renegades lost the heartbeat of their defense in Stephen Tulloch who shattered the record for single-season tackles last year, but should still have a very strong force in the front seven, especially if they can add Jenkins.


8. Chicago Enforcers - TE David Sloan, New Mexico
Chicago has thus far relied on huge chunk plays down the field to move the offense. Adding an NFL vet and former Pro Bowler like David Sloan should give another dimension to the offense in the short/intermediate game. He’s also a hell of a blocker.


9. New York Hitmen - SS Jackie Mitchell, Southern
The former Roughrider made the All-CFL team last year. Jackie Mitchell is a big, thumping safety who can come up and play in the box as an LB if needed as well. Stoicescu won’t hesitate to grab Mitchell if he sees him here.


10. Los Angeles Xtreme - FS Damien Robinson, Iowa
After going with a veteran NFL safety in round one, it would be interesting to see the Xtreme repeat it here, but Damien Robinson is another strong leader who can do things in every aspect of the game. After a seven year NFL career, Robinson will look to extend things as he wraps up the tail end. Will Demps has just one year left on his contract before he’ll be off to the NFL, so this would be forward-thinking on the part of Los Angeles.


11. Birmingham Bolts - CB Leigh Bodden, Duquesne
The Bolts have built a winning team by ignoring cohesion and just going for hired guns, long-term potential be damned. Leigh Bodden has everything needed to have a long NFL career and is already seeing reps for the Cleveland Browns. Look for the Bolts to rent out the do-everything DB for a couple years, then look to reload.


12. Memphis Maniax - WR Frank Sanders, Auburn
The only remaining starting QB from the original XFL season is Jim Druckenmiller who may very well be our first XFL Hall of Famer. He’s put up outstanding numbers and racked up wins without truly having a #1 receiver. Frank Sanders is a former 1,000-yard receiver with the Arizona Cardinals, and as a 6’2”, 215 lb. former 2nd-round-pick, will bring size and athletic ability the likes of which Druck has never played with. This would be an ideal pick for the Maniax.