Atlanta Firebirds
Defensive Ends
Christo Bilukidi – 6aaf
Quinton Coples – 7a
Ray Drew – 6aa
Alex Hall – 7c
Mike Neal – 8c$
Donte Paige-Moss – 7aac
Ethan Westbrooks – 7aa
Defensive Tackles
Grady Jarrett – 9a
Chris Mayes – 6aa
Joe Vellano – 8c
Summary: Atlanta has some good pass rushers but they had some inconsistent efforts at camp. Sophomore Grady Jarrett broke out and looks like he’s ready to become an elite player and Mike Neal is a great steal from the NFL but there are guys who need to prove themselves after those two. Joe Vellano is an interesting player who was a key reason the Marauders won the title two years ago, but he really dropped off last year and was traded out of New York to Nashville and then flipped again to Atlanta. He can rebound, but he had a disappointing camp.
Birmingham Predators
Defensive Ends
Dean Lowry – 7aa
Claude Pelon – 6aa
DJ Pettway – 6a
Luis Vasquez – 7
Defensive Tackles
Antwan Crutcher – 7
Sione Fua – 6
Joey Mbu – 6aa
David Onyemata – 7aa
Summary: David Onyemata and Dean Lowry are two impressive rookies who have had really good camps and could really develop into studs. Luis Vasquez can be a good veteran contributor and should be a favorite to start, but don’t be shocked if Claude Pelon ends up replacing him eventually after a good camp as well.
Carolina Generals
Defensive Ends
Deion Barnes – 6aa
Freddie Bishop – 8a
Joe Kruger – 7c
Cleyon Laing – 8aa
Jake Metz – 7aa
Defensive Tackles
Willie McGinnis – 8aa
Mike Patterson – 7d
Jerrell Powe – 6ac$
Padric Scott – 6a
Jason Stewart – 
Summary: Carolina has done a great job of finishing talent from the Arena League and the CFL. Freddie Bishop had a great camp and could be ready to step up and have a breakout season. Jake Metz has really developed well and could be a surprise this year too. Cleyon Laing had a breakout first year in the SFL but struggled at the end of last year. Still, he showed he can be a great pass rusher. On the interior, Willie McGinnis is a big nose tackle and at only 24-years-old he has some great football ahead of him.
Charleston Dragons
Defensive Ends
Alex McCalister – 6aa
Bobby Richardson – 6aa
Phil Taylor – 7aci
Billy Winn – 8
Defensive Tackles
Javon Hargrave – 7aa
Daniel McCullers – 7aa
Louis Nix III – 6aa
David Parry – 8aa
Summary: Charleston had a great core for a 3-4 defensive line if they wish to go that way. David Parry was spectacular as a rookie but had a miss some time with injuries. That hasn’t carried over into training camp. He’s perfectly healthy and playing well. Phil Taylor is still looking to turn his career around in Charleston. He had a disappointing 2016 season but it’s still impossible to give up on the former NFL first round pick. Billy Winn is a veteran who has probably reached his peak but should sustain at this level for a while.
Columbus Explorers
Defensive Ends
Quinton Dial – 8a
Ziggy Hood – 9a
Markus Kuhn – 7c
Defensive Tackles
Beau Allen – 8aa
Michael Bennett – 6aai
Ishmaa’ily Kitchen – 8
Summary: The Explorers have always done well to find 3-4 defensive linemen for their scheme. Beau Allen had a marvelous 2016 season and has picked up right where he left off and has some great depth behind him with Ish Kitchen, who would start for many teams, and the promising Michael Bennett. Ziggy Hood has also turned into one of the best 3-4 defensive ends, as had Quinton Dial. Markus Kuhn has good pass rushing ability and could push either guy for a starting spot.
Dallas Six-Shooters
Defensive Ends
Alex Bazzie – 8aa
Ja’Gared David – 7aa
Shaneil Jenkins – 6aa
Stansley Maponga – 7aa
Ashton Whitehead – 7a
Defensive Tackles
Davon Coleman – 6aa
Chucky Hunter – 6a
Darius Latham – 7aa
Jay Ratliff –
Summary: Dallas did a great job to find not only inexpensive talent, but local players who the fans will love. The line has a bright future ahead of itself. Alex Bazzie looks like he can continue developing into a stud after a strong rookie year and a stronger training camp. The group is young though, their young talent has potential, but it’s a matter how long before they become what they should. Jay Ratliff is an interesting veteran who is clearly at the end of his career but might still had a season left to be a stopgap player.
Houston Wranglers
Defensive Ends
Donald Blair – 7aa
Andrew Hudson – 6aa
Phillip Hunt – 8c
Shawn Oakman – 6aa
Michael Sam – 7
Defensive Tackles
Andrew Billings – 6aaf
Damien Borel – 7a
Bryan Hall – 7a
DaVonte Lambert – 7a
Derrick Lott – 6a
Aziz Shittu – 6a
Summary: Houston has made a commitment to building a strong defensive line but did so by focusing their attention around young studs. That should give guys like Donald Blair, Shawn Oakman and Andrew Billings plenty of time to develop. Phillip Hunt is the only true veteran of the group and he seems like a great leader to the group. Billings has star potential. He had a disappointing camp, but has all the tools to be a great player. Michael Sam is making his come back and has displayed some pass rushing ability in camp but is very one-dimensional.
Los Angeles Stars
Defensive Ends
Trey Flowers – 8aa
AC Leonard – 6aa
Roy Robertson-Harris – 6aa
Davis Tull – 6aa
Jamaal Westerman – 8aa
Odell Willis – 8
Defensive Tackles
Marvin Austin – 7di
Christian Covington – 6a
Brandon Deaderick – 7
Caraun Reid – 7aa
Kyle Peko – 6aa
Summary: Under new ownership the Stars still have the same philosophy. They do a good job of finding pass rushers and look very good outside with Odell Willis, Jamaal Westerman and Trey Flowers creating a dangerous trio. Inside, Brandon Deaderick keeps surprising and had a good camp. Caraun Reid hasn’t quite lived up to his ability yet but is young and had a great camp and could break out. Christian Covington and Kyle Peko are on his heels for the second DT job next to Deadrick. Marvin Austin is on the downside of his career. He’s always been a nice physical specimin, but his injury history makes him a better option as a reserve.
Louisville Cougars
Defensive Ends
Farrington Huguenin – 6aa
Gabriel Knapton – 7aa
Mike Lewis – 7c
Anthony Orr – 6a
Anthony Spencer – 8di
Antwoine Williams – 7aa
Defensive Tackles
Red Bryant –
David Butler – 6a
Cory Johnson – 6aa
Johannes Kain – 6
Charlie Walker – 6a
Summary: Louisville had a hard working group that overachieved last year but the team did a better job of bringing in some young talent to intertwine with some solid veterans this year. They are still a work in progress but Anthony Spencer and Red Bryant are two veterans who should lead the team. Look out for Gabriel Knapton. He hasn’t settle in with a team quite yet but he had a tremendous camp and could become a very good pass rusher for the Cougars.
Michigan Stags
Defensive Ends
Shilique Calhoun – 6aaf
Matt Judon – 7aa
Eric Norwood – 7c
Earl Okine – 6aa
Tristan Okpalaugo – 6aa
Za’Darius Smith – 7aa
Defensive Tackles
Alan-Michael Cash – 7a
Willie Henry – 6aa
Darius Kilgo – 6aa
Ted Laurent – 9
Bryant Turner Jr – 7
Summary: Ted Laurent is a playmaker in the middle of the Stags defense but after him things aren’t quite as clear. The Stags generally do a great job of doing more with less and sould see some of their youngsters like Matt Juson and Za’Darius Smith step up as pass rushers. Willie Henry and Darius Kilgo also had solid sophomore camps. Tristian Okpalaugo had a great camp but hasn’t stepped up yet in his career.
Minnesota Freeze
Defensive Ends
Mike Catapano – 7a
Glenn Foster – 8c
Jonathan Massaquoi – 7
Defensive Tackles
David Irving – 7aa
Stacy McGee – 8a
DJ Reader – 7a
Shamar Stephen – 8a
Summary: Glenn Foster has mauled retirement but was convinced to come back after showing he still had plenty left in the tank with nine sacks in 2016. That’s good for the Freeze. After him Jonathan Massaquoi is serviceable at defensive end. Mike Catapano had a great rookie season but hasn’t developed any more over the past few seasons. Inside, David Irving had a breakout camp and it should ease the loss of Damon Harrison to the NFL. They have a lot of depth on the interior of the defensive line. Stacy McGee might not become an elite player but is as solid as they come. Shamar Stephen is also a solid veteran. DJ Reader may not play as a rookie but has some potential to develop into a good player.
Nashville Renegades
Defensive Ends
John Chick – 10$
Lebron Daniel – 8a
Ian Seau – 6aa
Frank Trotter – 7a
Channing Ward – 6aa
Defensive Tackles
Justin Lawrence – 6
Watson Tautuiaki – 8a
Dimetrio Tyson – 7a
Adolphus Washington – 7aa
Summary: Nashville paid big money to keep John Chick after an absolutely incredible 2016 season that was split between two teams with a mid-season trade. Then they added Lebron Daniel and Watson Tautuiaki off 10-sack seasons from Louisville. If Daniel and Tautuiaki even come close to repeating then the Renegades are going to have an absolutely dominant pass rush. Adolphus Washington was a very good addition who had a great rookie camp. Frank Trotter and Dimetrio Lyton add some very good depth.
New Orleans Nightmare
Defensive Ends
Brandon Boudreaux – 7c
Dwight Freeney – 10d$
Danielle Hunter – 9af
Jermauria Rasco – 6aa
Ed Stinson – 6aa
Derrick Summers – 7a
Charles Tapper – 6aa
Defensive Tackles
Anthony Johnson – 6aa
Brent Urban – 8aa
Summary: Having a quality player like Tearrius George retire just before training camp does hurt the Nightmare but they have some very good players still. Dwight Freeney has said he’s coming back for the final season on his contract and still has incredible pass rushing ability. But while he’s still the veteran leader, Brent Urban and Danielle Hunter are the future. Both had great 2016 seasons as breakout pass rushers and both have had very strong training camps. Charles Tapper can become a very good pass rusher too and had a strong camp. The Nightmare does need some more depth at defensive tackle, however.
New York Marauders
Defensive Ends
Ryan Delaire – 6aa
Tyler Drake – 6a
Zack Evans – 7a
Jackson Jeffcoat – 7
Chris Smith – 7aa
Max Valles – 6aa
Defensive Tackles
Michael Brooks – 7aa
Jon Desir – 6a
Woodrow Hamilton – 6aa
Michael Pierce – 7aa
Devon Still – 6ac
DeAngelo Tyson – 7ac
Hershey Walton – 6a
Summary: There are a lot of young players with potential here. Ryan Delaire has some very good pass rushing ability and ownership loves him but he only had one sack as a rookie. He’ll have to improve that to become the guy they want him to be. At least he had a phenomenal training camp. That is a step in the right direction. Chris Smith has been a starter for New York since day one and had a good camp entering his third year. He has yet to take that next step, but again, this is a step in the right direction. Zack Evans was a very good mid-season addition last year and should provide quality depth as a pass rusher. Jackson Jeffcoat is probably the most proven pass rusher New York has but that’s all he can do. Max Valles is a much more versatile edge defender. Inside, Michael Pierce might be a rookie steal and was remarkable in camp. Next to him it’s out of management favorite DeAngelo Tyson and promising CFL addition Michael Brooks. Rookie Woodrow Hamilton also had a good camp.
Omaha Express
Defensive Ends
Da’Quan Bowers – 8i
Jack Gangwich – 6aa
George Selvie –
Defensive Tackles
Landon Cohen – 6aa
Xzavie Jackson – 7
Micah Johnson – 7a
Amobi Okoye – 6ai
Summary: Omaha found some band-aid players, but that’s about it. Micah Johnson and Landon Cohen are the only players with much potential but while they develop George Selvie should be the top player in his return to the SFL. He had some very good years with the Dallas Six-Shooters but went on to the NFL. Now he’s back at the end of his career. He still has some pass rush ability. Da’Quan Bowers is an NFL bust who also struggled in Atlanta before becoming a free agent. Amobi Okoye did nothing with New York last year and even retired for a little bit before announcing he was coming back. It’s hard to see him doing too much at this point.
Orlando Rockets
Defensive Ends
Jonathan Bullard – 7a
Justin Capicotti – 7aai
Charleston Hughes – 8a
Willie Jefferson – 7a
Shawn Lemon – 8
Defensive Tackles
Anttajj Hawthorne –
Abry Jones – 7aa
Nile Lawrence-Stample – 6aa
Drake Nevis – 7aa
Almond Sewell – 9
Summary: Like every position, the Rockets have some of the best in the league at defensive line. They have numerous pass rushers capable of starting on several teams and some may still be rising. The Rockets lost Malik Jackson to the NFL but will be able to survive. Charleston Hughes, Anttajj Hawthorne and Almond Sewell are all coming off eight-sack seasons. Justin Capicotti was an incredible mid-season addition and could become their second starting defensive end over reliable veteran Shawn Lemon. They have great depth behind all of those guys too.
Philadelphia Bulldogs
Defensive Ends
Carl Nassib – 7aaf
Caesar Rayford – 7
James Ruffin – 9c
Anthony Zettle – 6aa
Defensive Tackles
Tyeler Davidson – 7aa
Chris Jones – 8a
Terrance Taylor – 7
Summary: Coming off an unlikely 10-sack breakout season, James Ruffin has high expectations and high hopes for this season. It seems odd that a guy at his age would break out like he did. We’ll have to see if it’s sustainable. Chris Jones and Terrance Taylor lock down the interior with great pass rush ability while Tyeler Davidson and his run-stopping makes for a strong rotation. Carl Nassib has some great potential to become a very, very good pass rusher.
Phoenix Scorpions
Defensive Ends
Ugonna Awuruonye – 6a
Antwan Barnes – 9d
Everette Brown –
Darryl Cato-Bishop – 7aa
Sam Montgomery – 6
Bryan Robinson – 7c
Defensive Tackles
Joel Heath – 7aa
Marcus Hardison – 7aa
Nick Hayden – 9d$
Helva Matungulu – 6aa
Kelcy Quarles – 7ac
Summary: Antwan Barnes proved in his return to the league that he is still one of the very best pass rushers around. Even at his age and even nearing the end of his career, he still has some left in the tank and that sort of presence makes Everette Brown dangerous on the other side. Brown too is nearing the end of his career, but behind those guys Darryl Cato-Bishop has finally looked like he’s gotten his pro football career off the ground. The question for the Scorps will be is those guys can still be as effective with retirements of both Darnell Dockett and Broderick Bunkley. Docket had 13 sacks and Bunkley had six. How much did their presence help Barnes and Brown? The Scorpions hedged their bets a bit with a trade for NFL veteran Nick Hayden. He has six sacks in half a season with Nashville. Marcus Hardison and Kelcy Quarles are two guys with potential but need to step up and show it. The surprise here might be rookie Joel Heath, who had a very strong rookie camp.
Pittsburgh Forge
Defensive Ends
Alex Carrington – 7c
Anthony Lanier – 6aa
Lawrence Thomas – 6aa
Jabar Westerman – 7a
Defensive Tackles
Ken Bishop – 7a
Sheldon Day – 6aa
Kyle Love – 8aa
Summary: Kyle Love had 11 sacks last year but had a down training camp. Still, he’s a threat to get to the quarterback from the inside. For being an expansion team the Forge did a nice job of getting some quality starters for a stopgap season and Sheldon Day, Anthony Lanier and Lawrence Thomas all are young guys with potential to grow into bigger roles.
San Antonio Marshalls
Defensive Ends
John Bowman – 8a
Vontarrius Dora – 6aa
Teddy Jennings – 8a
Ufomba Kamalu – 6aa
Defensive Tackles
Ryan Carrethers – 10f
Ashaad Mabry – 6aa
Zach Minter – 6a
Hassan Ridgeway – 7aa
Summary: Ryan Carrethers had an incredible breakout season and finished with 15 sacks. Nothing hurts an offense more than inside pressure. Zach Minter is a solid, underrated player who had a down year but can bounce back. It might be tough for that to happen, though because Hassan Ridgeway was a great find and might steal Minter’s spot. John Bowman is seeing a resurgence in his career and could be poised for a breakout season after a strong camp. Teddy Jennings is another great pass rusher who had nine sacks last year.
Seattle Orcas
Defensive Ends
David Bass – 7aa
Marcus Howard – 7a
Jabari Hunt – 6aa
Romeo Okwara – 7aa
Darius Philon – 7aa
Khreem Smith – 8
Defensive Tackles
Zach Kerr – 8aa
Andre Monroe – 6a
Joe Sykes – 7c
Destiny Vaeao – 7aa
Summary: Seattle’s pass rush was deep last year but individuals were inconsistent. Zach Kerr had seven sacks and Joe Sykes was second on the team with five but it was feast or famine with them. Both had very good camps, though, so they could be headed for breakout years. They added some good veterans in Marcus Howard and Khareen Smith on the defensive end, but the future looks like Romeo Okwara and Darius Philon.
Washington Wave
Defensive Ends
Frank Beltre – 7a
Matt Conrath – 7d
Trent Corney – 6aa
Gliff Dukes – 7d
Yannick Ngakoue – 8aa
CJ Olaniyan – 6a
Martez Wilson – 7c
Defensive Tackles
Nate Collins – 6
Quinton Jefferson – 6aa
Cullen Jenkins – 9d$
Eddie Steele – 7
Summary: Once again, the Wave spent some money and did a good job improving their talent. Cullen Jenkins is a veteran nearing the very end of his career but is well worth the money considering what other defensive tackles the team has. Rookie Yannick Ngakoue had an incredible training camp and could be the first big star player to come out of DC.
SFL Top 5 Defensive Ends
1. John Chick, Nashville Renegades
– 18 sacks, 27 hurries, 10 tackles for a loss — those numbers are just ridiculous and made John Chick the defensive player of the year. He might be 34-years-old but he’s at the top of his game.
2. Dwight Freeney, New Orleans Nightmare
– Another older defensive end, but the 36-year-old still has plenty left to give and has to be marked by the offense every single play of he’ll put the quarterback on his back. He’ll be looking to make his last season just as memorable as any.
3. Antwan Barnes, Phoenix Scorpions
– We’ll see if his success was based on having some dominant pass rushers next to him or if he was the one that made them successful. Regardless, 12 sacks and 13 hurries is incredible production.
4. Danielle Hunter, New Orleans Nightmare
– Danielle Hunter was an impact pass rusher last year. He proved himself with a tremendous rookie season and with Dwight Freeney still drawing attention opposite him, he should have another great year.
5. James Ruffin, Philadelphia Bulldogs
– James Ruffin was a nice surprise last year and tallied up 10 sacks. He also had a nice amount of hurries and was a consistent threat game-in and game-out. He didn’t have any empty games last year and that is what makes him so valuable.
HONORABLE MENTION: Ziggy Hood, Columbus Explorers
– The former NFL first round pick had all of the talent and potential you could ask for, but it’s going to be a matter of him actually living up to it. He’s done well, but the ceiling is higher. We’ll see if he can reach it.
SFL Top 5 Defensive Tackles
1. Ryan Carrethers, San Antonio Marshalls
– Maybe there are some flashier guys out there but nothing hurts an offense more than an interior pass rush. Ryan Carrethers led San Antonio to a turnaround season with 15 sacks at a position where there aren’t many elite pass rushers.
2. Grady Jarrett, Charleston Dragons
– In an injury shortened rookie season, Grady Jarrett was spectacular and was one of the most devastating pass rushers in the league going down the stretch.
3. Nick Hayden, Phoenix Scorpions
– In half a season Nick Hayden had six sacks with Nashville. Now he’s going to have a full training camp in Phoenix and will play on a d-line that we know can produce a lot of sacks. He is a perfect replacement for the retired Darnell Dockett.
4. Cullen Jenkins, Washington
– Cullen Jenkins is a new addition this year but he’s going to be very valuable to a much improved Washington defense. He can still play football and is very smart, but the value of his veteran know-how and leadership is hard to quantify.
5. Almond Sewell, Orlando Rockets
– Orlando’s pass rush was incredible last season and Sewell was one of the big guys in the middle helping that. He doesn’t have as much help as last year but he still has just as much of his own talent to continue to dominate in the trench.
HONORABLE MENTION: Ted Laurent, Michigan Stags
– A veteran like Ted Laurent is going to be very important for Michigan to have on their relatively young defensive line. Laurent is a great run stuffer who can too get to the quarterback.
Commissioner’s prospect watch (Top 7 Rookies and Sophomores)
1. Grady Jarrett, DT, Charleston Dragons
– It would have been wonderful to see just how great Grady Jarrett could have been with a full rookie season but injuries didn’t derail him at all. He came back and dominated. He’s proven to be a special player.
2. Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Washington Wave
– Washington needs a star and they may have gotten it with Yannick Ngakoue. He’s a special athlete and even though he’ll be the guy opposing teams will be focusing in on him, they may not be able to stop him that easy.
3. Danielle Hunter, DE, New Orleans Nightmare
– Danielle Hunter should relish the last season he’ll be playing next to an all-time great like Dwight Freeney. Danielle Hunter has seven sacks, but 20 hurries as a rookie. With a little improvement on his technique he should be able to finish some of those pass rushes.
4. David Parry, DT, Charleston Dragons
– Another Dragon who had an injury shortened rookie season, but David Parry has had an incredible strong rookie camp and looks ready to step up and become a top-tier defensive tackle.
5. Romeo Okwara, DE, Seattle Orcas
– Seattle took a bit of a risk in the first round drafting Romeo Okwara but that risk looks like it will pay off. Okwara showed some top-notch pass rush ability in training camp and looks like he can become a really good weapon on Seattle’s always awesome defensive line.
6. Michael Pierce, DT, New York Marauders
– The regression of Joe Vellano really killed New York last season but he’s gone and Michael Pierce is in. Of course, not too many heard of the Samford product heading into the draft, but he had some nice workouts and continued those nice workouts into a very strong training camp and looks like he can be a starter right away.
7. Andrew Billings, NT, Houston Wranglers
– Andrew Billings may have had a somewhat disappointing training camp but maybe that just means his rise to stardom will take a year longer than expected. The fact still remains that Andrew Billings is a great talent and can become a great player in this league.
By the Number
10 Ratings: 3 (1.47%)
9 Ratings: 9 (4.41%)
8 Ratings: 38 (18.63%)
7 Ratings: 81 (39.71%)
6 Ratings: 73 (35.78%)
