Offense
QB – Cardale Jones / Tyree Jackson
RB – Jhurell Pressley / Donnel Pumphrey / Khalid Abdullah / Nick Brossette
WR1 – Malachi Dupre / Tyler Palka / Simmie Cobbs
WR2 – DeAndre Thompkins (Injured) / Rashad Ross / Eli Rogers / Jalen Rowell
TE – Khari Lee / Derrick Hayward / Donnie Ernsberger
OT1 – De’Ondre Wesley / Logan Tuley-Tillman
OG1 – Dorian Johnson
OC – Jon Toth / James O’Hagan
OG2 – Rishard Cook / Chris Brown
OT2 – Malcolm Bunche / Cole Boozer
Overview: Very few eye-opening surprised across the offensive depth chart, except for Wide Receiver. Rashad Ross, Eli Rogers, and Simmie Cobbs not being listed higher in the depth chart is certainly surprising, but each player should still receive plenty of playing time.
Cobbs and Rowell could simply still be learning the playbook after being acquired after the conclusion of Training Camp. With the speed of the XFL, expect these players to rotate more often than you’ve seen in the NFL. Several listed backups like Ernsberger, O’Hagan, and Cole Boozer will probably still see the field often.
Defense
DE1 – Tracy Sprinkle / Tavaris Barnes / Siupeli Anau
Nose Tackle – Elijah Qualls / Kalani Vakameilamo
DE2 – Jay Bromley / Kenny Bigelow
OLB1 – Antwione Williams / Jonathan Massaquoi
ILB1 – A.J Tarpley / Scooby Wright (Injured)
ILB2 – Jameer Thurman / Jonathan Celestin
OLB2 – KeShun Freeman / Sam Montgomery
CB1 – Elijah Campbell / Doran Grant
CB2 – Desmond Lawrence / Bradley Sylve
SS – Matt Elam / Tyree Kinnel / Rahim Moore
FS – Carlos Merritt / Shamarko Thomas (Injured)
Overview: The structure of this defensive Depth Chart reveals that the DC Defenders will be running a 3-4 defense this season. A solid Defensive Line is bookended by NFL hardened veteran Jay Bromley. This leads to a strong Linebacking core, with KeShun Freeman, CFL standout Jameer Thurman, former NFL defensive rookie of the week honoree A.J Tarpley, and NFL 5th round draft pick Antwione Williams leading the unit as week 1 starters.
Scooby Wright should slot in as a starter once he is back from injury. The unit is deep with AAF standout Sam Montgomery backing up. Small school standout Elijah Campbell will be starting at Cornerback, with Ohio State star Doran Grant garnering playing time as well. Opposite Campbell, strong tackler Desmond Lawrence, out of the University of North Carolina, is starting. At Safety, 1st round NFL draft pick, Matt Elam, will be starting at Strong Safety. Carlos Merritt is slotted to start at Free Safety, but Shamarko Thomas may start there as he ramps up from injury.
Special Teams
K – Ty Rausa
P – Hunter Niswander
LS – Brian Khoury
Kick Returner – N/A
Punt Returner – N/A
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Konnor Fulk excelled in the Sports Management Program at Georgia Southern University. He spent several seasons working with the Washington Redskins in fan engagement, strategy, and sales strategy. Additionally, Mr. Fulk continues consulting services across the sport of NASCAR. Konnor has a longstanding obsession with the concept of Spring Football and is looking forward to sharing his expertise and opinions about the XFL relaunch. Connect with Konnor on LinkedIN or give him a follow on Twitter @XFLKonnor
