UFSL Secondary Rankings

With quarterbacks not performing up to par in the preseason, early results are showing that the secondary may be more important than ever in this first season of the UFSL. The league’s four teams had dramatically different strategies with the secondary in the draft, with some teams focusing on stopping the pass early (such as the Griffins with Darrell Jones), while others waited to address the position until late (such as the Predators, who took Planet in the 3rd and not another defensive back until the sixth). Which team, however, stacks up the best in the secondary entering week one? We asked our experts, and the results may surprise you.



4. St. Peter Griffins
Total DBs: 2 Average DB TPE: 5.0

The St. Peter Griffins have perhaps the best linebacking corps early with the combination of J.D. Boom and French Toast, but they’ll need all the help they can get up front with their secondary currently in shambles. The one playmaker in the defensive backfield, Darrell Jones, only currently sits tied for fourth among practice hours for cornerbacks, a low ranking for a first round pick. He’s likely to rocket up those standings quickly as he is only 2 hours behind Taylor Green, but it may not matter much if he can’t get some help. Sixth-round selection Brady Lynch has been somewhat of a disappointment thus far, only registering one lonely practice hour to his name. Lynch is one of the quickest players in the league but doesn’t have much else, and if he doesn’t improve, receivers with better acceleration will fly right past him. The biggest problem for the Griffins, though, is at safety spots, where they currently have… nobody. Rather than have simply mindless drones starting on defense, GM Tommy could move a player such as Smeltzer in order to have a warm body, but even that may not mean much in the long run.



3. Reno Predators
Total DBs: 5 Average TPE: 2.6

If there is a single team that could be absolutely saved by a post-draft signing, it would be the Reno Predators and the signing of Dick “Night Train” Lane. Lane has a chance to be a top three cornerback in the league this season, and that’s before he even enters the draft next season as a candidate for the number one overall pick. Past Lane, though, the outlook is pretty bad for this Predators secondary. Little Planet, touted as a top prospect from his time in the SSN football league, has not produced thus far after being selected with the Predators’ third round draft selection. Devonta Duncan and Abu Ezekwesli currently have two practice hours a piece, offering the Predators little alternatives to play opposite Lane at corner. Meanwhile, the Predators’ only safety, season two draftee Drew Hamilton, has not registered any practice either, possessing only base speed and acceleration. The Predators could easily turn into the UFSL equivalent of the 2011 New York Jets – a dominant corner but struggling to stop teams elsewhere.



2. Seattle Stormtroopers
Total DBs: 5 Average TPE: 9.2

The Stormtroopers had perhaps the most lauded secondary coming out of the draft, spending three of their first five draft selections on players that would end up in the secondary. The safety combo is currently the best in the league, but that’s not saying much – only four safeties have currently registered practice hours, and three of them reside in Seattle. Jamaal Stockton is the only strong safety to register a single hour of practice, and while he is far and away better than the rest of his position, he is dead last in terms of hours for second round picks. The same goes for KJ Bryant, who is currently first among free safeties, but only third among third-round draft selections. At corner, the Stormtroopers are absolutely dead average. Taylor Green is solid, albeit unspectacular, as a number one corner. I expect to see him stay in the top five of all corners, but not perhaps fight for the top one or two slots. The main competition in this secondary will come opposite him, where Bam Risso and newly-signed CJ Jordan will fight for the other cornerback slot. The Stormtroopers have a lot of talent, but it needs to show a little bit more in order for this defense to be truly dominate.



1. New York Nightmare
Total DBs: 4 Average TPE: 10.5

With six of the top 11 players in the current UFSL practice hour rankings, the New York Nightmare look like the early favorites for the inaugural UFSL crown. That domination extends to the secondary, where the Nightmare hold the top two cornerbacks currently in the league as well as the number two starting free safety. AJ Rockin is the league’s one true shutdown corner, while perhaps also being the quickest defensive player in the league with his 81-rated speed. His closest competition for quickness may actually be the opposite cornerback position, where season two draftee Rick Ross has already rocketed his way to second in the cornerback rankings in addition to his 80-rated speed. Things get a little bit more dicey at the safety slots, where Brandon McGee only has five practice hours to his name and draftee Demaryius Nicks has yet to see the practice field. If the Nightmare are playing lots of one-on-one coverage with their two strong corners, however, the deficiencies at the safety slots can easily be covered up.