Team-by-team breakdown and analysis of UFL super dispersal draft (XFL conference)

The following is the second part of my super dispersal draft coverage, focusing on the XFL conference teams. The USFL conference article can be found here.

Arlington Renegades

Analysis: Arlington selected the fewest players of any team in this draft, tapping out after just five rounds. They nabbed a couple of interesting names, but their first round pick in Scott seems like a reach given his production. He played some wide receiver in college, so he’ll be expected to play a big role in the pass game. Jackson and Manigo are both small (5’9″ and 5’7″ respectively), adding a different dimension on offense. The Renegades have several veterans at ILB, and Bello will provide similar experience on the outside.

QB depth chart update: Luis Perez is presumably QB1 heading into camp, with youngsters Lindsey Scott and Holton Ahlers behind him. The Renegades are one of the few teams in the league that can comfortably enter the preseason with their QB depth chart as-is.

Parks’s team needs: OT, dynamic WR, youth on DL

Were they addressed?: First of all, it was my mistake to not list TE as a position of need; they came into this draft without one on the roster after Sal Cannella joined the Minnesota Vikings in August. He has yet to sign an LOI to return. The team certainly became more dynamic at the WR spot with the additions of Jackson and Manigo. They passed on the other potential improvements.

Players on roster prior to free agency: 60 (max 75 for training camp)

DC Defenders

Analysis: DC’s big move was the drafting of Vegas QB Jalan McClendon in round one. Close observers of the league had connected McClendon with DC in the lead-up to this draft, not necessarily because of any inside info, but rather because McClendon fits as a potential replacement for Jordan Ta’amu should last year’s starter not return. The Defenders were another team that brought back several of its own players, speaking to the strength of its roster. The additions of WRs Chris Rowland and CJ Johnson will blunt the losses of Chris Blair and Lucky Jackson to the NFL. The team also beefed up its defensive line in procuring TJ Barnes and Boogie Roberts to replace a few retirees at the position.

QB depth chart update: McClendon took over as Vegas’s starter about midway through the 2023 season. Head coach Rod Woodson raved about him and while McClendon had his ups-and-down, he showed promise. The question becomes, did he show enough to be handed the keys to lead a championship-level team? McClendon is still very much an unknown quantity – his four starts last year were his first since high-school – and the Defenders would be wise to add some legitimate competition in free agency. Deondre Francois remains the only other QB on the roster and is probably not a threat to start.

Parks’s team needs: QB, DL, backup RB, TE

Were they addressed?: Yes, to a point. McClendon was added at quarterback, and two veterans were brought in to man the defensive line. Taylor and Williams give depth to the running back room, though neither strike me at this point as a likely second-stringer behind Abram Smith. DC sat on its tight ends.

Players on roster prior to free agency 65

San Antonio Brahmas

Analysis: It’s hard to criticize the draft of a team where a starting QB may very well have been found. By choosing Dormady, the Brahmas at the very least provided competition for the number one job. Elsewhere, the team imported more Roughnecks with seven of their 10 selections. Included in those are potential difference-makers in Parker, Akers, and Hendy. San Antonio will likely keep more receivers than the norm at the spot, hence the draft capital spent there.

QB depth chart update: San Antonio has four QBs – for now – in Dormady, Jack Coan, Kurt Benkert and Matthew McKay. Benkert’s status is still in question and with 72 players currently on a roster that can only hold 75 for training camp, and with free agency upcoming and the potential to add another signal-caller there, I’d be shocked if the Brahmas enter camp with these four all on the team.

Parks’s team needs: QB, OL depth, RB, P, LS

Were they addressed?: Management eschewed specialists in favor of more depth at other positions, including offensive line as suggested. Dormday addresses the QB quality issue. A running back could be added later on.

Players on roster prior to free agency: 72

St. Louis Battlehawks

Analysis: The Battlehawks focused their efforts on drafting players from XFL teams over USFL teams (six to two). They also had some pretty clear needs they felt had to be addressed, adding multiple players at a few positions. Those spots will be particularly competitive come training camp. Head coach Anthony Becht and company brought back one unprotected player from 2023 and did so with their final pick. Given the quality of St. Louis’s roster, one could’ve imagined them adding more of their own, in a similar fashion as DC and Birmingham.

QB depth chart update: Becht recently said he hoped a decision on AJ McCarron’s future would come in the next two weeks. Clearly, McCarron would be welcome back with open arms should he want to return, and St. Louis hasn’t added anyone that would get in the way of McCarron stepping back into a starter’s role. That would change if McCarron decides to pursue NFL opportunities – hopefully not too late for the team to make a move to add to the position, which is likely why the two-week time frame was given. In the same article, Becht referred to his two rostered quarterbacks, Nick Tiano and Manny Wilkins, as starting-caliber, though they’re still a step down from McCarron no matter how you slice it.

Parks’s team needs: QB, K, LS, TE, OT

Were they addressed?: St. Louis focused on the interior of the line rather than the tackles. Olmstead could kick out to tackle, but McKenzie and Beecham are likely interior-only. LS Alex Matheson on Thursday announced on Instagram that he’d be returning to the Battlehawks for 2024, erasing long snapper as a need.

Players on roster prior to free agency: 62