The XFL is back — and under new management. Partners Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital Partners bought the spring football league from former owner and disgraced WWE head Vince McMahon in 2021, promising to reopen the league that got off to a roaring revival only to be shuttered by COVID-19 two years ago.
XFL 3.0 won’t kick off play until 2023, but the eight-team league is deep into preparations for its grand re-opening. The league’s inaugural draft — you know, if you don’t count the previous two versions — will begin Wednesday, November 16 at 11:30 AM E.T. as each franchise selects the player it hopes will be its starting quarterback for ’23 and beyond.
That will kick off a two-day process that will stock each team’s roster in advance of a February 18 opening day. But the XFL’s draft, since it’s starting from scratch (again) isn’t exactly like the NFL’s version. Here’s how it works:
How does the XFL Draft work?
The XFL Draft takes place over three days. The first, on November 15, is an eight-team selection show where each franchise will unveil the quarterbacks they selected in the first phase of the draft.
Each day that follows contains multiple stages where teams address their needs at five different position groups before wrapping up the draft with 11 rounds of open selections.
Day 2 will include:
- Skill positions (quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends)
- Defensive backs (cornerbacks, safeties)
- Defensive front (ends, tackles, linebackers)
- Offensive line (guards, tackles, centers)
Each of these rounds will consist of 11 picks. The draft order was selected randomly and will go in traditional order, but it’s flipped for each stage. So, for example the team that picked first in the skill position sequence will pick last when offensive linemen are up for grabs. The team that picks last when it comes to defensive backs will have top choice of front seven defenders.
Thursday’s two stages will consist of:
- Three rounds of specialists (kickers, punters, long snappers)
- and an 11-round open selection round to address needs at any other positions.
Wait, what about all the quarterbacks getting selected Tuesday?
Right. The league streamed its own QB selection show November 15 where all eight teams announced their presumptive starters and backups. Those picks were:
Arlington Renegades: Kyle Sloter, Drew Plitt
Houston Roughnecks: Kaleb Eleby, Brandon Silvers
Orlando Guardians: DeAndre Francois, Quinten Dormady
San Antonio Brahmas: Jawon Pass, Anthony Russo
Las Vegas Vipers: Luis Perez, Jalan McClendon
Seattle Sea Dragons: Ben DiNucci, Steven Montez
St. Louis Battlehawks: AJ McCarron, Ryan Willis
DC Defenders: Eric Dungey,
What is the draft order and who are the eight teams who'll be making selections?
The teams for XFL 3.0 are a lot like the XFL 2.0 lineup, albeit with some modest changes. They are:
- Arlington Renegades (formerly Dallas Renegades)
- Houston Roughnecks
- Vegas Vipers (formerly Tampa Bay Vipers)
- Orlando Guardians (formerly New York Guardians)
- St. Louis BattleHawks
- San Antonio Brahmas (replacing the Los Angeles Wildcats)
- Seattle Sea Dragons (formerly Seattle Dragons)
- DC Defenders
Here’s the full draft order:
|
Pick Order |
Skill Phase | DB Phase | D7 Phase | OL Phase | Specialists |
Open Phase |
| 1 | DC | ORL | LV | HOU | ARL | SEA |
| 2 | STL | SA | SEA | ARL | DC | SA |
| 3 | SA | STL | ARL | SEA | STL | ORL |
| 4 | ORL | DC | HOU | LV | LV | HOU |
| 5 | LV | HOU | DC | ORL | HOU | LV |
| 6 | SEA | ARL | STL | SA | ORL | STL |
| 7 | ARL | SEA | SA | STL | SA | DC |
| 8 | HOU | LV | ORL | DC | SEA | ARL |
Which players are eligible to be drafted?
There are 1,700 names in the league’s player pool, though only 528 will earn roster spots. Unlike the XFL 2.0 Draft, the league hasn’t released its full list of eligible players. Thanks to ESPN we do know a few notable veterans who could have their names called, including former star-adjacent wideouts Martavis Bryant and Mohamed Sanu.
This year’s list of available quarterbacks has been partially released. Instead of veteran retreads, its more focused on young developmental passers not far removed from prosperous college careers. Per ESPN, that’s:
- Ben DiNucci (James Madison)
- Quinten Dormady (Tennessee, Central Michigan)
- Eric Dungey (Syracuse)
- Kaleb Eleby (Western Michigan)
- Deondre Francois (Florida State, Hampton)
- D’Eriq King (Houston, Miami)
- Jalan McClendon (NC State, Baylor)
- Steven Montez (Colorado)
- Jawon Pass (Louisville)
- Drew Plitt (Ball State)
- Anthony Russo (Temple, Michigan State)
- Brandon Silvers (Troy)
- Ryan Willis (Kansas, Virginia Tech)
What about the USFL? How does that factor in here?
Players currently signed to USFL contracts cannot sign with the XFL and won’t be drafted. Some players have contracts that expire at the end of the year and could be signed at the start of 2023 if they choose.
It could be a tough choice for some players. The USFL offered steady spring paychecks in 2022, but the XFL, per ownership, is planning to pay its players more — up to an extra $650 per week. Training camp begins January 8, so decisions would have to be made before then.
What's the difference between player pay in the XFL and USFL?
Per USFL News, USFL players in 2022 made:
- $600 per week of training camp
- $4,500 each week of the regular season (10 weeks)
- An $850 bonus for each win
- A $10,000 bonus for winning the league championship
Per XFL News Hub, XFL players in 2023 will make:
- $800 per week of training camp
- $5,000 each week of the regular season (10 weeks)
- A $1,000 bonus for each win
- Unknown bonus amounts for playoff wins
Players in the XFL can also be compensated above and beyond this base scale.
When does the XFL 3.0 season begin?
The next XFL season begins February 18, 2023. That’s six days after Super Bowl 57. The regular season lasts 10 weeks.
