USFL Draft Review: The Alpha Boys Are Back

 

A lot of times people think that Draft Dive has gone too corporate, only focusing on the NFL. Well, I’m here to tell you that if there is a football, or even football-adjacent draft, we are going to cover it. The XFL will always be my most beloved league, partially because they gave me a media pass, and I was able to sneak on the field to watch half the game. However, I will show love to any football league. Today, that league is the USFL, which just wrapped up its inaugural draft. Although, most of the picks had me scratching my head and googling the player’s name, there were enough known assets that I feel good about breaking down the best pick of every round of the USFL Draft.

Joe it’s great to see you again, I’ve missed the Alpha Boys domination of secondary football leagues. It’s like Ryback said, the great tag teams always reunite. It’s good to see we’re ahead of Rybaxel. I’m also glad to see that a swamp monster hasn’t eaten you yet. You’re welcome for applying for and obtaining that media pass by the way. Let’s get to reviewing the USFL Draft.

Round 1 – Kyle Sloter-QB -New Orleans, Kyle Sloter-QB-New Orleans

The man is a preseason legend. Just look at this.

I mean, just dominating NFL defenses. Yet he cannot get a fair shake. He has never thrown an NFL regular season pass, and it just doesn’t seem fair. Somehow, he slipped to the final pick in the first round. What were teams thinking? Have they seen Shea Patterson throw a football? Not good. So, now Sloter moves onto the USFL to let teams know what they are missing. If quarterback is the most important position, New Orleans is in the best position to win the USFL Championship.

Kyle Sloter being the last pick of the quarterback round is insane. Seems like I used to talk about a preseason Vikings legend quarterback all the time in a secondary football league. Oh yeah, that guy’s name was Taylor Heinike, maybe you’ve heard of him. Sloter will be an NFL starter in a year or two. I would also like to mention Jordan Ta’amu. He dominated the XFL and should have been the number one overall pick here. He’s good value at number two overall.

Round 2 -Aaron Adeoye-Edge-Birmingham; Bryson Young-Edge-New Jersey

Adeoye comes out of Southeast Missouri State and only played a single year of football. This was enough for the Ravens to bring him in as an undrafted free agent in 2019. There’s still potential with Adeoye and getting playing time will be incredibly important to his development. He could be a bust, but I like the upside with him.

Bit of a northwest bias here, but I’m going with Bryson Young out of the University of Oregon. He broke out his senior year for the Ducks. He’s tall and long and has a lot of room to grow and improve. He went undrafted in the NFL Draft, but did sign with the Cardinals as an UDFA. If Young gets coached up, I’m excited to see what he can do.

Round 3 -Chauncey Haney-Edge-Birmingham; Kolin Hill-Edge-New Jersey

Birmingham just dominating with edge rushers. We all remember Haney from his work at North Greenville where the dude was the 2019 Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year. This is another genre of guy that I really like. A guy who dominated at a small school and never really got a fair shake at the necessary reps to make an impact at the NFL level.

Joe I’ve got some great news for you. If you like small school guys who dominated, you’re going to love the football players I’m working with this year. I’m tempted to name Gus Cumberland and go back to back with Ducks, but I’m going to put the spotlight on Kolin Hill. Hill lead Texas Tech in sacks his senior year, but didn’t get any NFL respect. His weight is low, but he put up 25 reps on the bench so he’s got the strength.

Round 4 -Nigel Chavis -Edge-New Orleans; Chase Demoor-Edge-Michigan

USFL player Nigel Chavis.

USFL Linebacker Nigel Chavis.

Chavis was a two-time first-team MEAC performer for Norfolk State. He had 107 tackles with 9.5 for a loss during his final season there. This was the last round of edge rushers so things did start to thin out at the position at this point.

You skipped over a guy with the nickname The Alpha Male? I’m disappointed in you Joe. Chase Demoor was on the reality show Too Hot To Handle and is a social media star boasting the best hands in Tik Tok. Demoor lead the nation in blocked kicks in 2018. Finally, he played his senior year at Central Washington University in beautiful Ellingsworth. Demoor is a star, get on board the train or get left behind.

Round 5-Tyler Catalina-OT-Tampa Bay; Chidi Okede-OT-Pittsburgh

Catalina was the starting left tackle for Georgia back in 2018, a team that barely lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship game. He bounced around NFL training camps and most recently played in Canada. But like I always say, good enough for Georgia, good enough for the USFL.

I’m going with the first pick of the round Chidi Okede here. Okede didn’t start playing football until 2013 and turned into a five star prospect that signed with LSU. He did transfer to Tennessee State later and was All Ohio Valley Conference first team selection. He’s raw, yet talented enough to be a five star prospect. He’s got a lot of room to still grow and I’m excited to see him play.

Round 6 -Calvin Ashley-OT-New Jersey; Donnell Greene-OT-New Orleans

Once a five-star, always a five-star. The Bucs signed him last year before he retired, but the chance to play in the USFL was too much for Ashley to pass up, and he could finally live up to his high school potential.

I do like Calvin Ashley, but let’s talk about Donnell Greene for a minute. He was one of my sleepers in 2019 and I was able to interview him at the NFL Combine. He caught on with the Jaguars in 2019, but he got injured and placed on IR. I’m assuming he’s healthy now and he played his college football at Minnesota and that’s cool.

Round 7 -Juwann Bushell-Beatty-OT-Tampa Bay; Justice Powers-OT-Birmingham

I remember he was in the East-West Shrine Game when I worked it. He went to Michigan. And thus concludes my knowledge of Bushell-Beatty.

Justice Powers comes to the USFL from HBC UAB. He doesn’t have time for words, only abreviations. He got a look from the Rams and has been playing in the CFL most recently. Powers is an angry blocker, a mauler. Plus his name is Justice Powers, he’s destined for success.

Round 8 -Jamar Summers-CB-Houston; Brian Allen-CB-Birmingham

Summers was a four-year starter at UConn and was invited to camps for a few years with NFL teams. He’s still been dutifully pursuing his dream, and this is likely a make-or-break opportunity for one last chance at the NFL.

Brian Allen was a fifth round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017. He’s been bouncing around the NFL ever since, but has dealt with some injuries. He was on the Browns active roster as recently as December 20th. Oh, he’s also 6’3″ and ran a 4.48 40. Allen was playing in the NFL two months ago, I have faith in his USFL career.

Round 9 – Will Likely-CB-Houston; Tae Hayes-CB-Birmingham

Will Likely will likely be a very nice player for Houston.

Sick pun bro. Say hey to Tae Hayes who has bounced around the NFL since 2019. He’s made active rosters and appears to have been drafted from the Carolina Panthers practice squad. He’s a 5’9″ overachiever who had nine interceptions at Appalachian State. Hayes is a playmaker.

Round 10 -Bryan Mills-CB-Birmingham; Howard Wilson-CB-Houston

Mills once had three interceptions in a single game for North Carolina Central. If he does that in every USFL game, he’ll likely be Defensive Player of the Year.

Howard Wilson was a 4th round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2017. Wilson then got very unlucky and was on IR for two straight seasons before the heartless Browns waived him. He must be fully healthy now and I want to see what he can do.

Round 11 -Bradley Sylve-CB-Philadelphia; Ike Brown-CB-New Orleans

Like I always say, good enough for Alabama, good enough for the USFL. The man is 29 so he clearly has a love of the game.

Ike Brown was on the Buffalo Bills preseason roster before he retired in 2020. Well he’s back now baby. Brown had seven tackles when FIU beat Miami in 2019. He also made a Phil Steele All Conference USA appearance.

Round 12 -Paxton Lynch-Quarterback-Michigan; Paxton Lynch-Quarterback-Michigan

Okay, I’m only putting this in because it made me laugh, but let’s take a step back with some serious analysis. In the NFL Draft, Lynch was a first round pick. In the USFL, he fell to the 12th round. Is the USFL 12 times better than the NFL? Only time will tell.

Lynch was also the second Memphis quarterback taken in this round, ouch. Is Paxton Lynch better than Brady White? Maybe. Let’s be real here though, Lynch is a big, athletic strong armed quarterback. He could be legitimately fun to watch in the USFL. Also, keep an eye on J’Mar Davis-Smith, a stud quarterback from Louisana Tech.

Round 13 -Eli Rogers-WR-Tampa Bay; Quincy Adeboyejo-WR-Michigan

He had nearly 600 yards as a rookie for the Pittsburgh Steelers so he has some of the best pro stats of anyone in the league. That’s the good news. The bad news is that was back in 2016 and he turns 30 later this year.

Solid pick Joe, but what about Quincy Adeboyejo? He was alright at Ole Miss, but here’s what makes me want to watch him play. Adeboyejo is 6’3″ and ran a 4.42 40. He’s another player who has struggled with injuries, being placed on IR by two different NFL teams, but he’s healthy now. I want to see what he can do.

Round 14 -Derrick Willies-WR-Tampa Bay; J’Mon Moore-WR-New Jersey

A pick that has me legitimately excited. He’s a big receiver at 6’4″, and that is why despite pedestrian stats, he was able to make it to the NFL as a member of the Cleveland Browns. Also, even though he is listed as being from Texas Tech, he started his career at the University of Iowa before being kicked off the team. I remember Willies as a freshman, and I was way too excited for him to be a big-time receiver for the Hawkeyes after making four catches. This is where everything finally comes together for Willies.

I can feel your excitement Joe, but let’s talk about J’Mon Moore. This guy was a 4th round pick of  the Green Bay Packers in 2018 after putting up back to back 1,000 yard seasons at Missouri. He didn’t play much with the Packers and has bounced around the NFL since. Aaron Rodgers couldn’t uitilize him, but I want to see what Moore can do with a real quarterback throwing him the ball.

Round 15 -Jeff Badet-WR-Michigan; Jeff Badet-WR-Michigan

WR Jeff Badet

The Oklahoma product has been on the verge of the NFL since playing well in the XFL during its brief stint. He was most recently on the Raiders practice squad towards the end of the 2021 season so this will be a good opportunity for Badet to get more game experience to hopefully get a full-time NFL job in 2022. Not that he needs the money, what, with all the ass washing money that his family comes from.

Jeff Badet was another stand out from the XFL that is hard to ignore, especially this late in the draft. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t outplay his draft position and really this is in the running for best pick of the draft. Keep an eye on Derrick Dillon as well. He played for LSU and ran a 4.29 40 at his pro day.

Round 16 -Diondre Overton-WR-Philadelphia; Taywan Taylor-WR-New Orleans

Overton was never able to break through as a top guy for Clemson, but that was a loaded wide receiver depth chart so just to find playing time shows that this guy is talented.

Taywan Taylor dominated college football when he played at Western Kentucky, and this was before Bailey Zappe was there. He put up 1,467 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior and 1,730 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior. Taylor was a third round pick of the Titans and had a decent first two years in the league, and one of those seasons included Blaine Gabbert throwing him the ball. Cleveland traded for him, then didn’t play him. This past season he was on the Texans, but was put on IR and cut.

Round 17-Vinny Papale-WR- Tampa Bay; John Franklin III-WR-Tampa Bay

How did Philadelphia not draft this guy? He’s the son of the guy the movie was made about. I didn’t see the movie. I can’t remember the name of the movie, but I’m pretty sure it had Marky Mark. Was the Funky Bunch involved? If not, a missed opportunity, much like Philadelphia not drafting this guy.

Ohhhh heeyyyyy, Mark Walhberg played my dad in a movie, gimme a cheesesteak. The movie is called Invincible, because it has the name Vince in it, well kind of. You want real accomplishments? Let’s take a look at John Franklin III. National Championship at Florida State, check. Super Bowl Champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, check. He doesn’t eat at Wahlburger, but he’s a winner and I like winners.

Round 18 -Jack Tocho-Safety-Philadelphia; Jack Tocho-Safety-Philadelphia

Jack Tocho is a great name for a safety. It just sounds like somebody who is going to punish you for coming across the middle of the field.

Tocho was drafted by the Vikings, so I got to watch him play in the preseason. I remember him making a nice pick in one of those preseason games, so he’s a stud. This might be the best round yet. because I also want to watch Idaho State’s Christian McFarland and Washington State’s Shalom Luani. There’s even another Super Bowl champ in former second round pick of the Raiders Obi Henry Melifonwu.

Round 19 -Dravon Askew-Henry-Safety-New Jersey; Tyree Robinson-Safety-Birmingham

He has been close to making NFL rosters and is being mentored by Darrelle Revis. Not too shabby.

Tyree Robinson returned an interception 100 yards in a bowl game for the Oregon Ducks and it was against Boise State. He also made the Cowboys and 49ers active rosters. The CFL was trying to sign him, but he’s staying in the good old US of A.

Round 20 -Brayden Patton-Center-Pittsburgh; Jake Lacina-Center-New Jersey

Known as the general for the way he commands his teammates along the offensive line, this guy is willing to go to war with his opponents.

I don’t get it, but the answer to the best pick in this round is pretty easy. It’s Jake Lacina from Augustana. He won the Rimington Trophy, given to the best center, in 2019 for Division II football. He’s also the son of Corbin Lacina, formerly a starting offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings. Genetics.

Round 21 -Chris Orr-ILB-New Jersey; Chris Orr-ILB-New Jersey

He had 11.5 sacks during his final year at Wisconsin in 2019. That’s a lot of sacks at any position, but it’s a shitload for a middle linebacker. Orr is a fitting last name for this guy, because this pick is gold.

Orr was my selection for best pick this round too. I am shocked you skipped over your boy Scooby Wright III. He won the Bronko Nagurski Award, Jack Lambart Award and Lombardi Award in 2014. The Nagurski Award means he was literally the best defender in college football in 2014. He didn’t really get much of a chance to show what he could do in the NFL, so maybe now it’s finally Scooby’s time.

Round 22-Steven Rowzee-Guard-New Orleans; Jackson Brown-Guard-Philadelphia

Wowzee! New Orleans drafted Steven Rowzee.

Jackson Brown was a standout at the University of Northern Iowa. He is also rocking a glorious mullet in his UNI photo, I assume that’s why he was a captain.

Round 23 -Jon Dietzen-Guard-Pittsburgh; Liam Dobson-Guard-New Orleans

It’s just a good idea to draft offensive linemen (as long as it’s not Gabe Carimi), and Dietzen was good enough to start 39 games for the Badgers. He’s probably good enough to start for the Maulers.

I am actually familiar with Liam Dobson and I think he’s a stud. He likes to let the belly breathe and that’s awesome. He was also the number 3 overall pick in the CFL Draft. Watch out for Dobson.

Round 24 -Daylon Mack-DT-Tampa Bay; Destiny Vaeao-DT-New Jersey

Mack was a fifth round pick by the Ravens in 2019 and has bounced around practice squads for a couple years after. He’s trying to regain the form that got him drafted out of Texas A&M. Could this be the return of the Mack?

Destiny Vaeao went undrafted in 2016, but made the Philadelphia Eagles active roster for all sixteen games. He also added a Super Bowl ring in the postseason. He was hurt and released, but then signed with the New York Jets and made their active roster. His final NFL stop was 2019 with the Carolina Panthers, but he was injured and released again. He’s also from Washington State University, the second best school in the Palouse. You could say playing in the USFL was his destiny.

Round 25 -Owen Roberts-DT-Pittsburgh; Toby Johnson-DT-New Jersey

Known as Boogie, and if you are drafting defensive tackles, that is literally all I need to know to declare this as a good pick.

Toby Johnson played for the University of Georgia, that’s a good start. He made the Minnesota Vikings active roster, that’s even better. He was an XFL draft pick as well. Johnson is a little older, but he’s played football at a high level for numerous years.

Round 26 -Christopher Okoye-DT-New Orleans; Kalani Vakameilalo-DT-New Jersey

Defensive tackle Kalani Vakameilalo-Photo by Nick Wass

Hell yeah, the son of the Nigerian Nightmare. [googles] Well, apparently not, but likely got drafted because Larry Fedora doesn’t believe in the internet.

I assumed he was the son of the Nigerian Nightmare as well, I’m pretty disappointed. Well Kalani Vakameilalo racked up 75 tackles, 13.5 for loss and six sacks at Oregon State University. He’s a huge Hawaiian, you can never have enough of those on your team.

Round 27 -Mike Weber-HB-New Jersey; Tony Brook-James-HB-Birmingham

He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft but hasn’t found a way to breakthrough. Still, Weber found a way to get a good amount of playing time at Ohio State which is a good sign of his talent. I call him SpiderWeber, because there’s NO DOUBT he’ll be a great addition.

Tony Brooks-James amassed over 3,300 yards rushing and receiving at the University of Oregon. He’s a dual threat running back who has been bouncing around the NFL for his entire career. He was on the Steelers preseason roster this previous year.

 

Round 28 -CJ Marable-HB-Birmingham; Matt Colburn II-HB-Philadelphia

You’d have to lose your Marables to let this guy slip through. Is that a reach? Yes, it is, but it’s round 28, and it’s pretty clear that I lost my mind in Round 15.

Matt Colburn II ran for 243 yards against Louisville in college, that’s a lot. He had a strong career at Wake Forest and was on preseason NFL rosters. He was also in the XFL and CFL. I like that experience.

Round 29 -Emmanuel Beal-OLB-Tampa Bay; DeMarquis Gates-OLB-Birmingham

Jessica’s second cousin (by the time you get to second cousin, you can start spelling it differently), and once he balls out in the USFL, he’ll be a Summer Catch for some NFL team.

DeMarquis Gates is a tackling machine from Ole Miss. He bounced around the NFL, then played well in the XFL. After that he gave the NFL another shot. It didn’t work out, but he played in the Spring League and CFL. Gates high level of play in the XFL gives me high hopes for him.

Round 30 -Terrill Hanks-OLB-Birmingham; Donald Payne-OLB-Houston

Hanks had a very productive career at New Mexico State and was a guy I thought would catch on with an NFL roster as a depth linebacker and special teams contributor, but it hasn’t panned out for him so far. Despite the disappointment, he’s still competing with Colin to be his father Tom’s favorite son, and is easily ahead of older brother, Chet. A little advice for opposing running backs, don’t tempt this Hanks to “catch me if you can.”

Donald Payne absolutely dominated college football. He had 30 tackles in a game, not a misprint. He ended his college career with 539 tackles, again, not a misprint. He played for the Jaguars and the Ravens twice and was most recently on the 49ers preseason roster. Payne has to be the early favorite to lead the USFL in tackles.

Round 31 -Tre Threat-OLB-Michigan; Solomon Wise-OLB-Philadelphia

The definition of a triple threat.

Solomon is not only a king, but also Wise. He’s also an interesting prospect because he played defensive back in college. I’m interested to see his speed and athleticism in the linebacker position. I have to assume at the very least he’ll be a great coverage linebacker.

Round 32 -Pass-Kicker-Pittsburgh; Nick Rose-Kicker-New Jersey

Hell yeah, it’s better to just pass it then settle for a field goal.

Blasphomy Joe. Nick Rose has dope hair and played college football at Texas. He kicked a 55 yard field goal against the Vikings. Guy made a 55 yarder in the NFL and he’s the Yellow Rose of Texas.

Round 33 -Pass-Punter-Pittsburgh; Michael Carrizosa-Punter-Michigan

Michigan also didn’t select a kicker, but Pittsburgh was the only team to not select a kicker or punter. Kirby Wilson has been a running backs coach for 25 years before finally getting this head coaching gig. The man has no fear, and that is why there will be no kicks in Pittsburgh this year. Good luck playing Ketchup.

Joe, by far the most famous friend of the show is a punter. Well, I’ve got three guys to choose from. Michael Carrizosa averaged 47.5 yards per punt in 2015. He was top five in the nation in 2015 and 2017 and top 20 2015-2017. Carrizosa was a Ray Guy finalist, seems like he should have been punting a football in the NFL. However, there are pictures of him in a Browns uniform so he was at least kicking in the preseason.

Round 34 -Joseph Magnifico-TE-Michigan; Bug Howard-TE-Philadelphia

When they were giving last name options, I doubt my greatest grandparents knew this was an option, but this man has the name I want. Joe Magnifico, with a name like that, there is no way he isn’t a star.

That is an absolute banger of a last name, but may I present Bug Howard. He had an excellent career at the University of North Carolina. He’s been practice squading around the NFL, but his senior year he had 827 yards and eight touchdowns. I want to see what he can do.

Round 35 -Mitchell Fabroni-Long Snapper-Pittsburgh; Ryan Navarro-Long Snapper-Philadelphia

Give me Fabroni, anybody else is a jabroni.

Ryan Navarro is not a jabroni, he’s a Beaver. He long snapped in the NFL preseason and the XFL.

Here are the projected standings, based on nothing but what teams had the most best picks of each round.

  1. Tampa Bay – 7
  2. Pittsburgh – 6
  3. Birmingham – 5
  4. New Orleans – 4
  5. New Jersey – 4
  6. Michigan – 4
  7. Philadelphia – 3
  8. Houston – 2

Jonah’s Power Rankings:

  1. New Jersey- 10
  2. Birmingham- 6
  3. Philadelphia- 6
  4. Michigan- 5
  5. New Orleans- 4
  6. Houston- 2
  7. Tampa Bay- 1
  8. Pittsburgh- 1

This is very scientific, so feel free to make a lot of money off of these picks. I definitely didn’t start just picking the guys with the funniest names halfway through.

Author: Joe Loncarich