Seattle Dragons Finalize Their 52-Man Roster, Players To Watch

On Monday, the XFL simultaneously released the final 52-man rosters for all 8 teams including the DC Defenders, Dallas Renegades, Houston Roughnecks, Los Angeles Wildcats, New York Guardians, St. Louis Battle Hawks, Tampa Bay Vipers and the Seattle Dragons.

“Looking forward to a great season man, excited with the pieces we have.” – Dragons Safety Tyson Graham (@TGraham_JR) told me via a Twitter DM.

The Dragons roster broken down by position:

QB: 2
RB: 3
WR: 7
TE: 5
T: 3
C: 2
G: 3
DT: 4
DE: 6
LB: 4
CB: 6
S: 4
LS: 1
K: 1
P: 1

The Dragons Coaching Staff

Headlined by former Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn, the Dragons coaching staff boasts 6 members with NFL experience and two with AAF experience.

Zorn is a Seattle legend spending 8 seasons at QB for the Seattle Seahawks and has 15 years of NFL coaching experience. Offensive Coordinator Mike Riley was the Head Coach of the San Antonio Commanders while the AAF was still operational. Wide Receivers Coach Larry Kirksey spent time as the WR Coach with the Houston Texans. Defensive Line Coach Donald Johnson is a former Defensive Line Coach for the Arizona Cardinals.

Additionally, Director of Player Personnel Tony Softli has experience as an Analyst and Director of College Recruiting for the NFL.

Dragons Players To Watch

QB BJ Daniels – Daniels was drafted out of South Florida in the 7th round by the San Francisco 49ers. He spent time on the roster or practice squad of the 49ers, Seahawks, Texans, Giants, Bears and Falcons. He completed his sole completion as a Houston Texan in December 2015. He also spent time as a wide receiver and a running back.

RBs Kenneth Farrow & Ja’Quan Gardner – Kenneth Farrow is the most well-known of the bunch spending time with the Chargers, Patriots and Dolphins during his time in the NFL. After Danny Woodhead tore his ACL for the Chargers, Farrow racked up 192 rushing yards and 70 passing yards in the 2016 season for San Diego.

Gardner was the lead back during his time with the San Diego Fleet of the AAF. In the shortened season, he accumulated 311 yards on 64 carries with 3 TDs.

Dontez Byrd @speedybyrd
WR | 5’11 | 181lbs

College: Tennessee Tech and University of Louisville

Accolades: Formerly w/Atlanta Falcons, Formerly w/Memphis Express#XFL2020 #XFLDraft #Draft pic.twitter.com/5dJu449ku9

— Myra Moore (@MyraMoore04) November 17, 2019

WR Dontez Byrd – Byrd spent time in the AAF with the Memphis Express (along with Dragons QB Brandon Silvers) and made a name for himself as a burner. In five games, Byrd put together 10 catches for 131 yards and a TD. A late arrival at Dragons camp, Byrd has made an impression and was not a surprise addition to the 52-man roster.

What a career for Navy QB Keenan Reynolds. He broke 2 more records in his last college football game today.https://t.co/P6DKH6D9XD

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 28, 2015

WR Keenan Reynolds – You may remember the former QB of the Navy Midshipmen who ended his college career with a NCAAF Div 1 record 88 touchdowns and had over 4,500 rushing yards. Reynolds was also 5th in Heisman voting in his senior year and has his number retired by Navy. Reynolds spent time with the Ravens, Redskins and Seahawks and now joins the Dragons as their most prolific weapon at WR.

T Isaiah Battle – Battle is a monstrous 6-6, 312 lbs and will be tasked with protecting BJ Daniels to start the season. After being drafted in the 5th round of the 2015 Supplemental Draft, he was unable to stick during his time with the Rams, Chiefs, Seahawks and Panthers and will now be a key member of the Dragons offensive line.

DT Will Sutton – Sutton was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 3rd round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons in and out of the lineup for the Bears before suffering a ankle injury in 2016 and subsequently released in early 2017. Sutton also spent time with the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF posting 28 tackles and a sack in 7 games.

LB Nick Temple – During his four years with the University of Cincinnati, Temple started all 13 games each season and amassed 281 tackles, 32 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 1 interception. Temple has already been a vocal leader with his Dragons teammates and will be a bright spot of the Seattle defense.

CB Channing Stribling – The journeyman out of the University of Michigan has spent time with numerous NFL practice squads including Cleveland, San Diego, Indianapolis and San Francisco. Most recently, he spent time with the Memphis Express of the AAF before joining the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. Stribling has made his mark on training camp and the preseason and is someone to keep an eye on among the DBs.

K Garrett Hartley – Perhaps the most decorated former NFLer in the XFL, Hartley joined the Dragons this week in a surprise signing. Hartley joined the New Orleans Saints in 2008 and spent 5 seasons in the ‘Big Easy’. Over his career, Hartley made 85 of his 104 field goal attempts. On January 24, 2010, he made a 40-yard field goal in overtime against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game to send the New Orleans Saints to their first Super Bowl. He continued in Super Bowl XLIV, going 3-for-3 with field goals of 46, 44, and 47 yards. He became the first kicker in Super Bowl history to convert three field goals of 40 yards or more.

I have also compiled a list of social media accounts for the Seattle Dragons players, CLICK HERE to read more.

For more Seattle Dragons coverage, follow me at @AlexMcKinnonXFL all season long.