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Passing Game Outlook
If not for Panthers head coach Jeff Fisher, Bandits lead man Todd Haley would be the league’s most recognizable name after he spent three seasons as the Kansas City Chiefs’ HC, and six more as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Willing to ignore a tumultuous season with Hue Jackson’s Cleveland Browns, Haley was an aggressive play caller, passing at an above league-average rate (60.5%) in his final three seasons with the Steelers. Haley also showed a willingness to push the ball downfield. In 2016 and 2017, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger ranked seventh and fifth respectively in aDOT. In taking Jordan Ta’amu second overall, Haley gets the league’s most talented quarterback to lead his aerial attack. Most recently, Ta’amu was seen tearing up the XFL with the St. Louis Battlehawks, going 97-134 (72.4%) for 1,050 yards, five TDs, and two INTs in five games, adding 41/217/1 on the ground. He parlayed the impressive spring appearance into a spot on the Chiefs’ practice squad, but didn’t see NFL action before being released by the Carolina Panthers after the 2021 season. The Haley + Ta’amu marriage is a match made in DFS heaven, and he should be viewed as the top fantasy asset at his position heading into Week 1.
With his first wide receiver selection, the Bandits’ play caller reunited with former Steeler Eli Rogers, who Haley coached during the 2015 UDFA’s best season where he dropped a career high in receptions (48), yards (594), and touchdowns (3) in the NFL regular season. Following a 2017 ACL tear, Rogers was never able to reclaim his 2016 season shine, but he enters the USFL as one of the league’s most complete receivers. He will man the slot in Haley’s offense and should be the team’s top target. Rogers has a perfect storm brewing of talent + competent QB play + a fantasy-friendly offensive environment, making him one of the league’s top pass-catching assets heading into Week 1.
UPDATE 10:53PM ET: The Bandits suffered the league’s first fantasy-relevant casualty as the aforementioned Rogers was waived during the first week of training camp. His vacated target share is likely to be divvied up amongst the receivers listed below and the recently signed Rashard Davis. The 5’7″ 175-lb Davis was signed after Rogers’ departure and should serve as the team’s de-facto slot receiver. Alt football OG’s may remember Davis as the 1.01 in the XFL’s inaugural draft, though he never played a down in the league. Davis would instead turn his sights to the NFL where he would spend time on various NFL practice squads.
With their second wide receiver selection, Haley once again favored familiarity, nabbing former Browns WR Derrick Willies. Willies signed with Cleveland as a 2018 UDFA, where he appeared in eight preseason games posting a 10/116/1 receiving line. The 6’4”, 207-lb receiver should operate as the team’s top perimeter threat.
Haley added more NFL pedigree with his fourth and fifth wide receivers in Jordan Lasley and John Franklin III. Lasley posted a 69/1,264/9 receiving line in his final collegiate season on a 20.2% target share, earning him a spot in the Ravens’ 2018 draft class. He would bounce around NFL practice squads before finally being waived by Detroit ahead of the 2019 season. Despite making an attempt at both the XFL in 2020 and CFL in 2021, Lasley hasn’t played since 2019.
The Bandits used the supplemental draft to reunite Ta’amu with St. Louis Battlehawks teammate Keith Mumphrey, who caught six passes from Tampa’s signal caller in 2020. One of the league’s older receivers, Mumphrey too has NFL pedigree, drafted by the Texans in the fifth round of the 2015 Draft, where he compiled a 24/198/0 receiving line in 27 regular season games before being released ahead of the 2017 season.
Of Tampa Bay’s two tight end selections, Cheyenne O’Grady profiles as the better pass catcher. In his final season at Arkansas, O’Grady went for 33/372/3 on a 14.0% target share. In his junior campaign he led the Razorbacks in receptions (30) and touchdowns (6) despite playing just eight games. He was a former No. 2 national TE recruit who chose Arkansas over the likes of Texas, Oklahoma and Ole Miss.
Running Game Outlook
Already expected to be one of the league’s pass-happiest teams, Bandits backs will also have to compete with Ta’amu for high-value touches near the goal line given the quarterback’s rushing prowess. What the offense lacks in total rushing opportunities, it should make up for in efficiency and pass-catching opportunities.
Enter B.J. Emmons, who Tampa drafted with their first RB selection. A former four-star recruit and Alabama Crimson Tide running back, Emmons suffered a multitude of lower-body injuries that ultimately forced him down to the Juco ranks before he finished his collegiate career at Florida Atlantic. Signed by the Raiders as a 2021 UDFA, Emmons shined in three preseason appearances, posting a 24/90/1 rushing line. The 6’0”, 220-lb back should be the featured in Haley’s offense.
Carrying just two running backs, Juwan Washington is sure to earn some opportunities as the Bandits’ change-of-pace back. The 5’7”, 190-lb Washington boasts 4.47 speed and compiled an impressive 199/999/10 rushing line in his best collegiate season at San Diego State.
