The UFL season is fast approaching! On Monday, the league held the final phase of their dispersal draft, where teams could add any available player who played in the league last year. This is the final step in the XFL-USFL merger before the season begins. Here are the results for the DC Defenders dispersal draft.
DC Defenders Dispersal Draft Results
The DC Defenders selected 12 players in the dispersal draft on Monday, January 15th.
- QB Jalan McClendon
- WR Chris Rowland
- DT T.J. Barnes
- OT Chidi Okeke
- OT Adonis Boone
- RB/Returner Pooka Williams
- CB Nydair Rouse
- WR C.J. Johnson
- DT Boogie Roberts
- LB Anthony Hines
- RB Tabyus Taylor
- K Enrique Yenny Romero
The Defenders were one of the teams that drafted a lot of talent. Rosters can be up to 75 players going into February’s training camp. Many teams are taking advantage of the number of players to try and field the best team once the season begins in March.
DC Defenders Dispersal Draft Analysis
The Defenders came close to a championship last year but came up short. They took 12 players to build on an already strong roster. The DC Defenders are hoping the dispersal draft can be the catalyst to another successful season. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, the XFL Offensive Player of the Year, is not currently on the roster, meaning the team has a huge hole to fill on offense. The offense was the focus, as well as building defensive line depth.
Player To Know: Jalan McClendon
The DC Defenders wasted no time trying to find a replacement for Ta’amu in the dispersal draft. With their first-round pick, they selected former Vegas Vipers quarterback Jalan McClendon. His record wasn’t great, but he had 873 yards and five touchdowns on the season. The quarterback position is the biggest question for the team. Both Ta’amu and his backup, D’Eriq King, will likely not return.
Quarterback is the most important position in football. No matter how talented the rest of the roster is, winning without a solid quarterback is almost impossible. The Defenders hope McClendon can compete with the players on the roster and win the job. Vegas struggled mightily as a team last season, and the Defenders hope that McClendon can be special with a more stable offensive line.
Player To Know: T.J. Barnes
The defensive line was the other position the DC Defenders focused on in the dispersal draft. With their third-round pick, the Defenders grabbed T.J. Barnes, who played for the Arlington Renegades last season. He was more of a rotational piece but did start one game. He tallied 18 tackles (five being for loss) and two sacks, which is impressive for a rotational piece. Barnes is a massive player at 6-foot-7 and 358 pounds. He plugs up holes in run defense as he is very difficult to move.
Barnes brings a veteran presence that doesn’t appear in the box score. He has played for six NFL teams, the AAF Atlanta Legends, the IFL Massachusetts Pirates, and the XFL. There is a lot of talent at the running back position in the UFL. Many teams will be trying to establish the running game. If Barnes can help plug up holes and force teams into 3rd and long, the Defenders will be very pleased.
2024 Outlook
The Defenders’ season hinges on the quarterback position. Looking up and down this roster, there is a lot to like. However, as I have stated before, none matters unless there is competent quarterback play. Head coach Reggie Barlow and his staff will have their hands full in training camp, trying to evaluate who can lead the offense.
We don’t know the schedule for any of the teams besides the first game between the Renegades and the Stallions. The DC Defenders strengthened their roster in the dispersal draft. Will it be enough to win the inaugural season in the UFL?
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Matt has been following sports since he was a kid. While football is his primary focus, Matt can talk about any sport anytime. He is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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