The time around the Ultimus is usually the most hectic times for a NSFL feanchiseas many players announce their retirement or their free agency decisions near that time. This season, the Ultimus week became even more hectic as expansion draft also happen in the timeframe, and the incoming draft class is so big.
In this article, I will gather notable player transactions for every NSFL team and discuss how those transactions will affect their strategy in the upcoming draft.
New Orleans Second Line
<Notable transactions>
- DT Bjørn Ironside announced retirement
- WR Bona'beri Jones announced retirement
- TE Austin McCormick signed extension contract
<Notable unprotected players>
- WR Jed Podolak
-CB Xavien Adams
-CB Jordan Andrews
The most surprising news for the Second Line is the sudden retirement of defensive tackle Bjørn Ironside. Ironside, a S18 player entering his prime years, retired as user Isastarcrossed ascended to co-GM position, because of expansion draft reasons. This retirement will make the rumor involving Magnus Rikiya even more plausible.
Also, wide receiver Jed Podolak and two cornerbacks- Xavien Adams and Jordan Andrews- were among the active and unprotected(and therefore having a high risk of being taken) players. Second line is very likely to fucus on those positions in the draft, as they don't have many other needs in the roster.
Yellowknife Wraiths
<Notable transactions>
- CB Mervin Leonard signed extension contract
<Notable unprotected players>
-WR Nate Swift*
-QB Cooter Bigsby*
The Wraiths had a relatively eventless ultimus week so far, as major transactions concerning them had happened much earlier, as Rayne Gordon and Dax Frost were taken away as Sailfish GM players. Swift and Bigsby is currently unprotected, but it is almost certain that the Wraiths will be using their two FA passes on them. The Wraiths are likely to focus on defensive backs, defensive ends and wide receivers in this draft.
Orange County Otters
<Notable transactions>
- RB Ludicolo Bigby signed extension contract
- LB David Ginsberg signed extension contract
<Notable unprotected players>
- WR Dexter Banks II
- LB Lanzer Greivous
There are no Otters retiring so far, but they had made some interesting decisions in the expansion draft protection list. The Otters extended- and protected- S13 LB David Ginsberg, While leaving S15 and 1141 TPE linebacker Lanzer Greivous unprotected. The reason behind that decision is yet to be known, but Greivous isvery likely to be taken in the expansion draft considering TPE and the fact that he just entered regression. The Otters also left wide receiver Dexter Banks II unprotected, but chances of him being taken is muh lower as there are many other wide receivers out there unprotected.
The Otters don't have many holes in their roster, so they can focus on drafting the best player instead of a player of need. The expansion deaft will likely add a need for linebacker and wide receiver depth, in addition to their current need of tigt end and runningbacks.
Austin Copperheads
<Notable Transactions>
No retirements/ extension contracts so far
<Notable unprotected players>
-WR Rod Tidwell
The Copperheads had very quiet offseason so far, as no one had announced retirement, and no extension contracts have been signed so far. They also protected most of their active players in the seven people expansion protection list, as wide receiver Rod Tidwell is about the only active player left unprotected. Tidwell, despite entering regression, has a possibility of being taken as he has over 1000 TPE and can olay for several more seasons. The Copperheads are likely to add wide receiver as another position of need as they enter the draft.
Colorado Yeti
<Notable transactions>
- WR James Bishop signed extension contract
- LB Mo Berry signed extension contract
-CB Axel Hornbacher retired
<Notable unprotected players>
- WR Laszlo Forty- two
- DE Steco Ocewilder
- S Thor Kirkby
The Yeti saw some actions so far. Cornerback Axel Hornbacher retired at trade deadline, creating another gap in the secondary, and then the Yeti made a very interesting decision of unprotecting star wide receiver Laszlo Forty- two and extended(and unprotected) James Bishop, who is deep into regression. As Forty Two automatically became the top wide receiver in the expansion deaft board, and a prime candidate of being taken away, this move will create a bigger need for a wide receiver for the Yeti than wxpected before. However, no additional position needs other than wide receiver and cornerback- which they had before the offseason- will be added due to the transactions of this offseason. I don't think Yeti's draft strategy will be changed a lot.
Baltimore Hawks
<Notable transactions>
- Used FA pass on WR Errol Maddox
- K Kulture Future announced retirement
- CB Xandra Troyski announced retirement
- QB Chika Fujiwara signed extension contract
- CB Marquees Acho had retired
<Notable unprotected players>
- DE Fabricio Baldari
The Hawks lost a lot of players recently. In addition of quarterback Corvo Havran, who left for Honolulu as a GM player, they lost 2 cornerbacks- Acho and Troyski- to retirement, and will lose kicker Future after next season, as well. However, the Hawks managed to protect almost all of their active players, as defensive end Fabricio Balderi seems to be the only active player left out. For now, the Hawks' primary position of need will be cornerbacks, as they are dangerously thin on depth in the position. I expect the Hawks to take advantage of deep depth of this year's defensive back class, and draft multiple players of that position in high rounds.
Chicago Butchers
<Notable transactions>
- QB rose Jenkins announced retirement
- RB Ryan leaf Jr. Announced retirement
<Notable unprotected players>
- S Beat
The Butchers are in the middle of a long rebuilding. Jenkins and Leaf announcing retirement just added more needs to a team that has a lot of needs and very limited number of draft picks. The Butchers also don't have much to offer in expansion draft as rhebseven people pretection slot was sufficient to protect all their active players sans Beat, a low earning S19 safety. All in all, expansion draft and offseason transactions won't have much effect in Butchers' draft strategy, as they already have more holes to fill then they have draft picks and will need to allocate those picks wisely to fill in the gap as best as possible.
Philadelphia Liberty
<Notable transactions>
- CB Emodov Emoji signed extension contract
- DT Ricardo Morris signed extension contract
- TE Avon Blocksdale Jr. Signed extension contract
- LB Warren Stephens signed extension contract
<Notable unprotected players>
- CB Emodev Emoji
- CB Julian McMorris
- RB Fuzzy Dotson
The Liberty extended a lot of players this offseason. And they don't have any retiring or leaving players yet, so that's a definite plus for their roster next season. However, they might have have some loss in the expansion draft as several active players such as cornerbacks Emodev Emoji and Julian McMorris, along with runningback Fuzzy Dotson. Emoji and McMorris has especially high possibility of being taken. So, the Liberty is likely to draft several cornerbacks in this draft in the draft to alleviate the need, along with the positions they originally needed.
Arizona Outlaws
<Notable transactions>
- WR Willie B. Hardagain stated that he won't be returning to the team next season
- DT Reggie Culbertson was cut
- DE Joseph Henry was automatically retired
- S Knute Knurtsson was automatically retired
<Notable unprotected players>
- TE Jammerson Irving
- CB Lucas Knight
The Outlaws lost a lot of defensive players this offseason, so they will seek to inprove their defense, both front seven and defensive backfield, with their numerous picks in this draft. The outlaws opted to primarily protect their younger and active playerd from the expansion draft, and exposed regressing tight end Jammerson Irving and also regressing cornerback Lucas Knight to the expansion draft. Both of them has a reasonably high chance of being taken, and the Outlaws will likely seek a receiving talent in the mid rounds to take place of Hardagain and Irving's place in addition to almost all defensive positions they already set their sights on.
San Jose Sabercats
<Notable transactions>
- WR Action Jackson signed extension contract
- WR Deondre Thomas- Fox signed extension contract
- QB Dan Wright announced retirement
- S Trey Staley announced retirement
- S Tyler Swift retired
- LB JoJo Burr- Kirven is automatically retired
<Notable unprotected players>
No active players unprotected
The Sabercats suffered some damages in the defensive backfield while they protected key pieces of offense. Defensive backs will need a extensive reinforcement as only active player there seems to be HeHateme Picksix, last year's first round selection. Expansion draft won't make a damage to the Sabercats' draft strategy as there is no active players unprotected from the Sabercats. So the Sabercats will focus on drafting safety, cornerbacks and linebackers in this draft as they were projected to do.
Honolulu Hahalua
<Notable transactions>
- DT Reggie Culbertson signed with the team
- DE Logan Noble Jr. Signed with the team
Hahalua moved early as they signed two free agents in the defensive line. They also quarterback Corvo Havran as he is a GM player, so immediate need in that position is alleviated now. Hahalua will seek to take some defensive backs and wide receivers in the expansion draft as there are many high TPE players in that position, and is likely to address defensive positions like linebackers or defensive libe primarily in the draft. They are also likely to draft a quarterback- to eventually replace Havran- in the mid rounds.
Sarasota Sailfish
<Notable transactions>
- QB Zack Vega signed with the team.
The Sailfish signed Zack Vega- who had been free agent since being cut by the Chicago Butchers about two weeks ago- to be their starting quarterback. How Vega will fit in the long term is yet to be seen, as Vega's TPE level is somewhat low to be a long term franchise quarterback. So, there is still a possibility that the Sailfish will select a quarterback in the draft. The Sailfish is likely to focus on acquiring talent on defensive front seven as they will get a runningback and wide receiver in Dax Frost and Rayne Gordon, amd will proceed to fill the remaining positional gaps in the draft.
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In this article, I will gather notable player transactions for every NSFL team and discuss how those transactions will affect their strategy in the upcoming draft.
New Orleans Second Line <Notable transactions>
- DT Bjørn Ironside announced retirement
- WR Bona'beri Jones announced retirement
- TE Austin McCormick signed extension contract
<Notable unprotected players>
- WR Jed Podolak
-CB Xavien Adams
-CB Jordan Andrews
The most surprising news for the Second Line is the sudden retirement of defensive tackle Bjørn Ironside. Ironside, a S18 player entering his prime years, retired as user Isastarcrossed ascended to co-GM position, because of expansion draft reasons. This retirement will make the rumor involving Magnus Rikiya even more plausible.
Also, wide receiver Jed Podolak and two cornerbacks- Xavien Adams and Jordan Andrews- were among the active and unprotected(and therefore having a high risk of being taken) players. Second line is very likely to fucus on those positions in the draft, as they don't have many other needs in the roster.
Yellowknife Wraiths <Notable transactions>
- CB Mervin Leonard signed extension contract
<Notable unprotected players>
-WR Nate Swift*
-QB Cooter Bigsby*
The Wraiths had a relatively eventless ultimus week so far, as major transactions concerning them had happened much earlier, as Rayne Gordon and Dax Frost were taken away as Sailfish GM players. Swift and Bigsby is currently unprotected, but it is almost certain that the Wraiths will be using their two FA passes on them. The Wraiths are likely to focus on defensive backs, defensive ends and wide receivers in this draft.
Orange County Otters <Notable transactions>
- RB Ludicolo Bigby signed extension contract
- LB David Ginsberg signed extension contract
<Notable unprotected players>
- WR Dexter Banks II
- LB Lanzer Greivous
There are no Otters retiring so far, but they had made some interesting decisions in the expansion draft protection list. The Otters extended- and protected- S13 LB David Ginsberg, While leaving S15 and 1141 TPE linebacker Lanzer Greivous unprotected. The reason behind that decision is yet to be known, but Greivous isvery likely to be taken in the expansion draft considering TPE and the fact that he just entered regression. The Otters also left wide receiver Dexter Banks II unprotected, but chances of him being taken is muh lower as there are many other wide receivers out there unprotected.
The Otters don't have many holes in their roster, so they can focus on drafting the best player instead of a player of need. The expansion deaft will likely add a need for linebacker and wide receiver depth, in addition to their current need of tigt end and runningbacks.
Austin Copperheads <Notable Transactions>
No retirements/ extension contracts so far
<Notable unprotected players>
-WR Rod Tidwell
The Copperheads had very quiet offseason so far, as no one had announced retirement, and no extension contracts have been signed so far. They also protected most of their active players in the seven people expansion protection list, as wide receiver Rod Tidwell is about the only active player left unprotected. Tidwell, despite entering regression, has a possibility of being taken as he has over 1000 TPE and can olay for several more seasons. The Copperheads are likely to add wide receiver as another position of need as they enter the draft.
Colorado Yeti <Notable transactions>
- WR James Bishop signed extension contract
- LB Mo Berry signed extension contract
-CB Axel Hornbacher retired
<Notable unprotected players>
- WR Laszlo Forty- two
- DE Steco Ocewilder
- S Thor Kirkby
The Yeti saw some actions so far. Cornerback Axel Hornbacher retired at trade deadline, creating another gap in the secondary, and then the Yeti made a very interesting decision of unprotecting star wide receiver Laszlo Forty- two and extended(and unprotected) James Bishop, who is deep into regression. As Forty Two automatically became the top wide receiver in the expansion deaft board, and a prime candidate of being taken away, this move will create a bigger need for a wide receiver for the Yeti than wxpected before. However, no additional position needs other than wide receiver and cornerback- which they had before the offseason- will be added due to the transactions of this offseason. I don't think Yeti's draft strategy will be changed a lot.
Baltimore Hawks <Notable transactions>
- Used FA pass on WR Errol Maddox
- K Kulture Future announced retirement
- CB Xandra Troyski announced retirement
- QB Chika Fujiwara signed extension contract
- CB Marquees Acho had retired
<Notable unprotected players>
- DE Fabricio Baldari
The Hawks lost a lot of players recently. In addition of quarterback Corvo Havran, who left for Honolulu as a GM player, they lost 2 cornerbacks- Acho and Troyski- to retirement, and will lose kicker Future after next season, as well. However, the Hawks managed to protect almost all of their active players, as defensive end Fabricio Balderi seems to be the only active player left out. For now, the Hawks' primary position of need will be cornerbacks, as they are dangerously thin on depth in the position. I expect the Hawks to take advantage of deep depth of this year's defensive back class, and draft multiple players of that position in high rounds.
Chicago Butchers <Notable transactions>
- QB rose Jenkins announced retirement
- RB Ryan leaf Jr. Announced retirement
<Notable unprotected players>
- S Beat
The Butchers are in the middle of a long rebuilding. Jenkins and Leaf announcing retirement just added more needs to a team that has a lot of needs and very limited number of draft picks. The Butchers also don't have much to offer in expansion draft as rhebseven people pretection slot was sufficient to protect all their active players sans Beat, a low earning S19 safety. All in all, expansion draft and offseason transactions won't have much effect in Butchers' draft strategy, as they already have more holes to fill then they have draft picks and will need to allocate those picks wisely to fill in the gap as best as possible.
Philadelphia Liberty <Notable transactions>
- CB Emodov Emoji signed extension contract
- DT Ricardo Morris signed extension contract
- TE Avon Blocksdale Jr. Signed extension contract
- LB Warren Stephens signed extension contract
<Notable unprotected players>
- CB Emodev Emoji
- CB Julian McMorris
- RB Fuzzy Dotson
The Liberty extended a lot of players this offseason. And they don't have any retiring or leaving players yet, so that's a definite plus for their roster next season. However, they might have have some loss in the expansion draft as several active players such as cornerbacks Emodev Emoji and Julian McMorris, along with runningback Fuzzy Dotson. Emoji and McMorris has especially high possibility of being taken. So, the Liberty is likely to draft several cornerbacks in this draft in the draft to alleviate the need, along with the positions they originally needed.
Arizona Outlaws <Notable transactions>
- WR Willie B. Hardagain stated that he won't be returning to the team next season
- DT Reggie Culbertson was cut
- DE Joseph Henry was automatically retired
- S Knute Knurtsson was automatically retired
<Notable unprotected players>
- TE Jammerson Irving
- CB Lucas Knight
The Outlaws lost a lot of defensive players this offseason, so they will seek to inprove their defense, both front seven and defensive backfield, with their numerous picks in this draft. The outlaws opted to primarily protect their younger and active playerd from the expansion draft, and exposed regressing tight end Jammerson Irving and also regressing cornerback Lucas Knight to the expansion draft. Both of them has a reasonably high chance of being taken, and the Outlaws will likely seek a receiving talent in the mid rounds to take place of Hardagain and Irving's place in addition to almost all defensive positions they already set their sights on.
San Jose Sabercats <Notable transactions>
- WR Action Jackson signed extension contract
- WR Deondre Thomas- Fox signed extension contract
- QB Dan Wright announced retirement
- S Trey Staley announced retirement
- S Tyler Swift retired
- LB JoJo Burr- Kirven is automatically retired
<Notable unprotected players>
No active players unprotected
The Sabercats suffered some damages in the defensive backfield while they protected key pieces of offense. Defensive backs will need a extensive reinforcement as only active player there seems to be HeHateme Picksix, last year's first round selection. Expansion draft won't make a damage to the Sabercats' draft strategy as there is no active players unprotected from the Sabercats. So the Sabercats will focus on drafting safety, cornerbacks and linebackers in this draft as they were projected to do.
Honolulu Hahalua <Notable transactions>
- DT Reggie Culbertson signed with the team
- DE Logan Noble Jr. Signed with the team
Hahalua moved early as they signed two free agents in the defensive line. They also quarterback Corvo Havran as he is a GM player, so immediate need in that position is alleviated now. Hahalua will seek to take some defensive backs and wide receivers in the expansion draft as there are many high TPE players in that position, and is likely to address defensive positions like linebackers or defensive libe primarily in the draft. They are also likely to draft a quarterback- to eventually replace Havran- in the mid rounds.
Sarasota Sailfish <Notable transactions>
- QB Zack Vega signed with the team.
The Sailfish signed Zack Vega- who had been free agent since being cut by the Chicago Butchers about two weeks ago- to be their starting quarterback. How Vega will fit in the long term is yet to be seen, as Vega's TPE level is somewhat low to be a long term franchise quarterback. So, there is still a possibility that the Sailfish will select a quarterback in the draft. The Sailfish is likely to focus on acquiring talent on defensive front seven as they will get a runningback and wide receiver in Dax Frost and Rayne Gordon, amd will proceed to fill the remaining positional gaps in the draft.
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