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 St. Louis Battlehawks close out this four-part preview:
Projected protections (42)
QB Nick Tiano
RB Max Borghi
RB Mataeo Durant
RB Kevon Latulas
WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
WR Hakeem Butler
WR George Campbell
WR Steven Mitchell
WR Austin Proehl
TE Kemore Gamble
TE Jovani Haskins
TE Jake Sutherland
OT Juwann Bushell-Beatty
OT Eric Magwood
G Vadal Alexander
G Steven Gonzalez
G Koda Martin
C Dallas Warmack
C Mike Pansiuk
DE Freedom Akinmoladun
DE Elorm Lumor
DE Gelen Robinson
DT Kevin Atkins
DT Tani Tupou
LB Emeke Egbule
LB Travis Feeney
LB Willie Harvey
LB Mike Rose
LB Pita Taumoepenu
LB Carson Wells
LB Lakiem Williams
CB Elijah Hamilton
CB Mike Hampton
CB Tim Harris
CB Brandon Sebastian
CB Anthony Witherstone
S Nico Bolden
S Chris Cooper
S Ben DeLuca
S Nate Meadors
P Sterling Hofrichter
K Donald Hageman
Analysis: One of the strongest rosters on paper could get stronger if more players signed into the NFL this summer, but not currently on a team, decide to return. Quarterback is once again the position to watch: AJ McCarron is now on the 53-man roster of the Cincinnati Bengals which means, barring something unforeseen, he’s locked in with them until next year. Nick Tiano could step into the starter’s role or St. Louis could look elsewhere for someone to helm that position. There are several backups who were left off this list that could be kept on in lieu of some of the younger signings and rookie draft picks. It will be interesting to see how teams balance the holdovers versus the newcomers in their protection philosophies.
Possible dispersal draft targets
QB Brandon Silvers (Houston Roughnecks)
OT Rashaad Coward (Houston Roughnecks)
DE La’Ron Stokes (Vegas Vipers)
Analysis:Silvers would be a controversial pick given the up-and-down nature of his 2023 season. He didn’t thrive in AJ Smith’s run-and-shoot offense like some expected. His running back last year, Max Borghi, is now a Battlehawk, and a more consistent use of the running game could do Silvers well. St. Louis lost starting LT Jaryd Jones-Smith to the NFL and their starting right tackle was often exposed in pass pro. One tackle they could pick up is Coward, who was a recent LOI signing by Houston. Coward has played 38 NFL games, starting 18, so he has a track record at the position that could be attractive to St. Louis. Stokes played in a 3-4 alignment in Vegas, the same that St. Louis uses. He led Vegas in tackles for loss and had two sacks last spring.
