With the XFL season seemingly ahead of us, we decided to break down, by position unit, top guys the league should look at. These are not guys currently on NFL rosters, nor are they guys who played in the league in 2020.
These are the top 10 available QBs I think make perfect sense for a shot at the XFL:
10. Cole McDonald Hawaii
Pros: Big arm, accurate on the long ball. Can read through progressions in open sets. Dual-threat.
Cons: Misses timing routes, limited understanding of zone coverage.
9. Jacob Dolegala Central Connecticut
Pros: Size (6’6 240), pocket presence, poise against the rush. Reads defenses well. Strong arm and accurate. Can move well for a bigger QB. Worked out with Tyree Jackson at the Buffalo Pro day, and surprised NFL scouts.
Cons: Injured his shoulder during his senior year of high school, so he didn’t receive any FBS offers. Passing stats are low, but the CCU coach ran the ball more than he passed it. Dolegala averaged 24 throws a game. Off-field issue in 2017
8. J’Mar Smith Louisiana Tech
Pros:Dual-threat, but good at reading defenses. Strong arm, and has a nose for the end zone.
Cons: Takes off at first sign of pressure.
7. JT Barrett Ohio State
Pros: Dual-threat with a big arm. Like Defenders QB Cardale Jones, big body, but an arm that can flick it downfield with ease.
Cons: Accuracy is an issue, and he usually moves from the pocket to run, not throw.
6. Josh Love San Jose State
Pros: Pocket guy who doesn’t seem phased by pressure. Accurate deep ball. Accurate, even with defenders in his face. 6ft 200 lbs frame can absorb some hits. Still accurate on the move.
Cons: Has a tendency to underthrow guys. Played on an underwhelming offense.
5. Anthony Gordon Washington State
Pros: Set single-season records with 3800 yards and 37 touchdowns. Quick-release, played in an air-raid type offense, steady in the pocket, not afraid to throw with defenders in his face. Poised, hard to move off of his spot, accurate even with the 3/4 release.
Cons: Not an arm that can consistently be dangerous on the deep ball. Has a tell, with the way he handles the ball, tends to “burp the baby” right before he lets it go. Known as a leader on the field.
4. Shea Patterson Michigan, Ole Miss
Pros: Accurate on the move, extending plays, and on intermediate throws. has a tendency to underthrow guys. Played on an underwhelming offense. Can run, not your usual dual-threat, but can make plays with his feet.
Cons: Small, and can be just off target enough to limit YAC from his receivers. Doesn’t work through progressions well, as he tends to stare his target down.
3. Jalen Morton Prairie Valley State
Pros: Big Body 6’4″ 226. Nice pocket presence with a big arm. Not afraid of taking a hit, as he stands nice and big in the pocket.
Cons: Decision making is the big issue, throws into double coverage, trying to force plays.
2. Blake Bortles UCF
Pros: Has the size you look for, mobile, can make plays with his feet. Strong arm. Football smart and known as a leader. The NFL experience, and AFC championship game presence, he has a major upside for the XFL.
Cons: Not great against good competition, late throws, anticipation needs work, and limited in the routes he has thrown to.
1. Paxton Lynch Memphis
Pros: Big, with a strong arm. Can make difficult throws into small windows. Mobile, sees the field well when no one is in his face. NFL experience gives him an advantage against the rest. His size and his arm is what makes him a better project among the best available quarterbacks.
Cons: Slower to process the information, off-field issues with maturity.
There many more still available in free agency or on practice squads, But these are my top 10 QBs that the XFL should look at during this offseason. Many will come, and this doesn’t include CFL guys, like Vernon Adams, who would make an immediate impact in the league.
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