Each XFL Team's Most Notable Supplemental Draft Pick

By Pat Rifino

After the recent XFL Supplemental draft, the XFL saw 90 players join their 8 teams as the New Year came. While we saw some retreads from XFL 2.0, there were also 42 USFL alumni who joined the three-time league. As we always do at The Markcast®, it’s time to highlight 8 players from each time who caught our eye during the XFL supplemental draft. 

1 - Orlando Guardians, Wide Receiver Eli Rogers

A former NFL receiver who's probably statistically in the Top-15 of XFL retreads, Eli Rogers opted out of playing for his former OC Todd Haley in the USFL after being drafted. Rogers is a veteran of the 2020 DC Defenders and has an opportunity to show he’s still capable in a professional football setting.

2 - Seattle Sea Dragons, Wide Receiver Josh Gordon

Probably the easiest pick of the litter, Gordon was an All-Pro in the NFL before suspensions caught up with him. A super bowl champion Gordon humbled himself by joining the FCF in 2021, which then earned him contracts with the Seahawks and Titans before getting released earlier in the 2022 NFL Season. Gordon is set up to succeed by joining Ben DiNucci in June Jones' explosive offense for the 2023 XFL season.

3 - DC Defenders, Defensive Lineman Davin Bellamy

After spending 2021 and 2022 out of football Bellamy returned to football by putting together an All-USFL season. The Former New Orleans Breaker started the season earning Week One player of the week accolades and remained a constant in the Breakers’ pass rush.

4 - St. Louis Battlehawks, Offensive Guard Vadal Alexander

Alexander has a great story. The former 7th-round NFL pick was a starter for the Raiders in 2016 and 2017, however, found himself out of football for almost five seasons. Alexander rebounded back with the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers and started 10 games for Kirby Wilson’s squad in 2022. Alexander is easily a day 1 starter for the Battlehawks who also picked up another USFL standout Juwann Bushell-Beatty.

5 - Houston Roughnecks, Cornerback Will Likely

Likely was the All-USFL Cornerback and considered the second-best corner next to Channing Stribling. Likely may be a bit older, however, still has plenty of explosives left in the tank. Likely spent two seasons in the CFL before joining the USFL in 2022.

6 - Arlington Renegades, Linebacker Donald Payne

Payne was an All-USFL Linebacker for the Houston Gamblers. The leading tackler from the USFL, flourished in his first experience in an alt-league and should be expected to continue his ring of success in 2023 for the Renegades.

7 - Vegas Vipers, Linebacker Emmanuel Beal

The Vipers had a bit of quiet showing during the supplemental draft. The most notable player to me was the former Tampa Bay Bandits Emmanuel Beal. Beal is an XFL 2.0 retread who spent 2020 as a reserve linebacker with the Vipers. Beal returns to the XFL with another year of experience under his belt playing for Coach Rod Woodson who knows a bit about playing with explosive linebackers.

8 - San Antonio Brahmas, Center Jordan McCray

I could have gone with Reggie Corbin here, but McCray gets the nod due to his experience as an Alt-League fixture. A bit of an elder statesman, McCray bounced around the NFL in 2014 and 2015 before playing for three arena league teams from 2016-2018 before a failed stint with the Bears in 2019. McCray joined the AAF’s “Champion Orlando Apollos, and the XFL’s 2.0, before spending 2022 in the USFL with Champion Birmingham Stallions. McCray is one of the league’s most experienced players and is considered a top center in the Alt-League.