XFL DC Defenders running back Abram Smith, March19, 2023.
In a now-deleted post on Twitter/X, Vegas Vipers WR Jeff Badet shared a text message with information concerning the upcoming dispersal draft, specifically regarding teams and players on the XFL side. December 27 will reportedly mark the first of two of those dispersal drafts. The rules:
-Each surviving team will get to protect 42 players currently on its off-season roster.
-Each of the four teams will then get to select 10 players from the rosters of those teams that did not survive the merger,
Keep in mind, nothing has officially been announced by the league(s), and therefore is subject to change. With December 27 rapidly approaching, I wanted to take a look at each XFL team’s rosters as they currently stand, what 42 players they’re most likely to protect, and name a few players they may consider targeting from the four contracted franchises.
The DC Defenders are up next:
Projected protections (42)
QB D’Eriq King
RB Abram Smith
WR Josh Hammond
WR Kelvin Harmon
WR CJ Johnson
WR Ty Scott
WR Brandon Smith
WR Preston Williams
TE Alex Ellis
TE Briley Moore-McKinney
TE Kahale Warring
OT Cody Conway
OT D’Marcus Hayes
OT Kyle Murphy
G Adonis Boone
G Matt Carrick
G Liam Fornadel
G Greg Long
C Ty Clary
C Lamont Gaillard
C Michael Maietti
DE Jesse Aniebonam
DE Davin Bellamy
DE Fadol Brown
DT Niles Scott
DT Joe Wallace
DT Robert Windsor
DT Gabe Wright
LB Francis Bernard
LB Reggie Northrup
LB Mohamed Sanogo
CB Michael Joseph
CB Anthoula Kelly
CB Parnell Motley
CB DeJuan Neal
CB KJ Sails
S Kentrell Brice
S Cam Lewis
S Santos Ramirez
P Paxton Brooks
LS Trae Barry
K Matthew McCrane
Analysis:The big question is at quarterback, where Jordan Ta’amu has not re-signed after being let go to pursue NFL opportunities in the off-season. One would expect Ta’amu to re-sign, but until he does, it’s a big hole on DC’s roster. Their backup, D’Eriq King, was recently promoted to quarterbacks coach at SMU. There’s no word on whether that would leave him able to continue his playing career, though it’s worth noting that he was not part of the roster purge that DC recently conducted. I included him on this list, presuming that he’ll continue with the Defenders. The team’s wide receiver room could look vastly different next year. The offensive line seems once again to be a strength, as they’ve re-stocked well. They’ll also be getting back some key contributors who ended the season on injured reserve.
Possible dispersal draft targets
QB Lindsey Scott, Jr. (Houston Roughnecks)
DT Roderick Perry II (Houston Roughnecks)
LB Trent Harris (Houston Roughnecks)
Analysis:Don’t be surprised to see DC raid the Roughnecks, as the Defenders’ needs and Houston’s strengths match up nicely. Scott would provide a similar running ability to both Ta’amu and King if either player doesn’t come back for 2024. The team recently lost a few key contributors along the defensive line, and Perry could step in at nose for the retired Caraun Reid. Imagining Trent Harris rush the passer in Gregg Williams’ defense almost doesn’t seem fair.
