It appears we are finally starting to see some regulation in the XFL regarding the Quarterbacks. After some volatility in the quarterback rankings through the first three weeks it appears that week 4 has shown fans of the XFL which quarterbacks are the front-runners while others begin to fight for their jobs as QB1 for the rest of the 2023 XFL season.
This week 12 XFL quarterbacks saw significant playing time, and all 12 will be ranked making this the largest QB rankings for XFL News Hub this year.
12. Deondre Francois Orlando Guardians Previous Ranking Unranked
Stats: 1/4 19 Passing Yards 0 TD 0 INT 1 Rushing Attempt 6 Rushing Yards
Francois returns to our rankings after spending a week on the bench. Francois is in the midst of a controversy and injury, as his appearance in the game wasn’t taken kindly by Head Coach Terrell Buckley who clearly wanted to continue with “6”. Francois did manage to lead the Guardians on a “successful” drive that led to a field goal, however looked rather uncomfortable outside of a 19-yard completion to Cody Latimer. Francois was ruled out of the Guardians week 4 game vs the Roughnecks with a concussion, and looks to possibly get demoted with Quinton Flowers having another week in Robert Ford’s system.
11. Cole McDonald Houston Roughnecks Previous Ranking Honorable Mention
Stats: 2/2 14 Passing Yards 0 TD 0 INT 2 Rushing Attempts 31 Rushing Yards
With an increase in playing time, Cole McDonald makes his first appearance as a ranked quarterback. As we’ve stated on XFL News Hub, McDonald continues to be another weapon in Offensive Coordinator AJ Smith’s offense. McDonald didn’t play amazingly well, but continued to provide dangerous presence that opened the rushing attack for Houston’s Running Backs. With running back Max Borghi set up to return this Thursday vs the Sea Dragons McDonald should continue to provide a steady presence in the read-option attack for Houston moving forward.
10. Brett Hundley Vegas Vipers Previous Ranking #7
Stats: 4/5 50 Passing Yards 0 TD 0 INT 2 Rushing Attempts 0 Rushing Yards 1 Fumble
Hundley made some steady improvements over the past two weeks, Hundley received a quick hook in week 4 which many thought was due to a thigh injury. Hundley played a minimal amount of snaps before an effective Luis Perez came in a made the offense a bit more enjoyable to watch. With Vipers 0-4, a recent firing of the offensive coordinator, and a dominate North Division that seems to be a lock between the Defenders and Battlehawks, expect more changes to come in Vegas if the team can’t scratch out a victory in week 5.
9. Kyle Sloter Arlington Renegades Previous Ranking #6
Stats: 23/39 205 Passing Yards 0 TD 3 INTs 1 Rushing Attempt 11 Rushing Yards 1 Fumble
A 4-turnover day, put a damper on Sloter’s 2nd start in the XFL. Sloter at times looked jittery like he did in week 3, however did manage to find Caleb Vander Esch twice down field during two of Arlington’s drives. Even though he was only sacked once, Sloter seemed to be under a decent amount of pressure from the St. Louis defense and often times looked for Sal Cannella, or his check down RB. While Sloter’s receivers didn’t help by dropping over five passes it still doesn’t take away from the fact the Renegades have put up on 21 points in two games. With back-to-back weeks against the Brahmas, Sloter has a chance to solidify his team’s hold in second place of the South Division.
8. Jack Coan San Antonio Brahmas Previous Ranking #8
Stats: 20/39 189 Passing Yards 0 TD 0 INT 2 Rushing Attempts 9 Rushing Yards 1 Fumble
Coan didn’t regress in week 4, but it’s clear that the Brahmas are one of the more anemic offenses in the XFL. Coach Hines Ward did not rule out a QB change in week 5 and has already made a change for the offensive coordinator position by demoting Jaime Elizondo and promoting Jimmie Johnson. With Reid Sinnett, waiting in the wings and two consecutive sub-par performances, Coan’s time as QB1 in San Antonio might be coming to an end if he can’t perform against the Renegades in the next two weeks.
7. D’Eriq King DC Defenders Previous Ranking #9
Stats: 2/2 38 Passing Yards 1 TD 0 INT 4 Rushing Attempts 8 Rushing Yards 2 TDs
King had a bit more of a workload this week, as the Defenders trounced the Vipers in week 4. King, was able to utilize his dynamic rushing ability, which opened up a late 4th quarter touchdown pass for his 2nd passing touchdown of the season. With the four-headed rushing attack of Ta’amu, Armstead, Smith and King, coupled with improved pass protection by an injured offensive line, King should continue to impress when given the opportunity.
6. Luis Perez Vegas Vipers Previous Ranking Unranked
Stats: 23/32 283 Passing Yards 2 TDs 1 INT 1 Rushing Attempt 4 Rushing Yards
If it wasn’t for his failed attempt on a QB draw to end the 1st half, Perez would have jumped up to #5. Perez came off the bench for the Vipers and provided a much-needed spark after the injury/benching of Brett Hundley. Perez performed much than his last appearance which could be due to the recent change at Offensive Coordinator in Vegas. Regardless, even with Hundley healthy there might be a QB controversy for the 0-4 Vipers as they take on Orlando in the 2023 XFL Tank Bowl.
5. Paxton Lynch Orlando Guardians Previous Ranking #5
Stats: 18/30 267 Passing Yards 2 TDs 0 INT 2 Rushing Attempts 0 Rushing Yards 1 Fumble
Lynch goes back-to-back weeks at #5 on the XFL QB rankings. After putting together probably his best half of football since his days at Memphis, the pass-rush of Houston was too much in back half of the Roughnecks vs. Guardians game. The Guardians were plagued by penalties (13), while having Lynch constantly under pressure due inadequate offensive line play. While Lynch is definitely not in the elite-tier of XFL Quarterbacks, he’s far from the problem in Orlando.
4. Jordan Ta’amu DC Defenders Previously Ranked #4
Stats: 14/19 177 Passing Yards 0 TD 0 INT 9 Rushing Attempts 89 Rushing Yards
Ta’amu showed another consistent performance, that was taken to another level due to his rushing ability. Ta’amu continues to improve in the passing game and for his third consecutive season is a Top-10 rusher in Alt-Football. With improvements on the offensive line (in addition to lineman getting healthy), Ta’amu is beginning to come into his grove, and show the promise of his 2020 season in the XFL. Luckily for Ta’amu he’ll have a chance to solidify his improvement against his old team, in week 5 back at The Dome in St. Louis.
3. Ben DiNucci Seattle Sea Dragons Previous Ranking #2
Stats: 28/41 264 Passing Yards 1 TD 1 INT 2 Rushing Attempts 2 Rushing Yards
The XFL leading passer took a step back this week mainly because of a bone-headed interception and the fact that Seattle only put up 15 points against the Brahmas. While DiNucci has had no issue moving the Seattle Offense, oftentimes it feels they’ve had difficulties finishing, due to DiNucci’s 10 turnovers. With the emergence of Sea Dragons running back, Morgan Ellison hopefully DiNucci can limit his turnovers and help Seattle get back into the playoff push.
2. AJ McCarron St. Louis Battlehawks Previous Ranking #3
Stats: 20/27 214 Passing Yards 2 TDs1 INT 2 Rushing Attempts -4 Rushing Yards
In his return to “The Dome”, McCarron delivered the city with a much-needed win, and played a rather seamless game, outside of two errand throws. Even with his interception, and slow start McCarron continued to show the veteran poise XFL fans have become so accustomed to. McCarron did a great job staying up-right as the Battlehawks offensive line put together their best game of the season. Even with Hakeem Butler being blanketed for several quarters of the game, McCarron was able to find Austin Proehl and Darrius Shepherd for multiple key throws including a touchdown to Shepherd right before the end of the first half.
1.Brandon Silvers Houston Roughnecks Previous Ranking #1
Stats: 24/30 239 Passing Yards 3 TDs 0 INT 1 Rushing Attempt -1 Rushing Yards
Silvers remains the top QB in the XFL going into week 5. The newly crowned “spring king”, Silvers and OC AJ Smith continue to dominate the XFL’s South Division and look to be the XFL’s best team overall. Silvers with an arsenal of weapons currently looks like the MVP of the 2023 XFL season, and should continue to hold the top spot of XFL News Hub’s QB rankings as long as he continues to play smart, turnover free football. Currently Silvers is on pace to throw for 25 TDs and over 2,400 passing yards.
For a more in-depth breakdown check out my video below:
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