XFL Announces Inaugural Draft Dates, Process
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The XFL will hold its inaugural draft across two days next week, allowing for teams to fill out each of their 71-man rosters.
According to an announcement from the league on Monday, the two-day event will take place on Oct. 15-16. The league will assign one quarterback to each of its eight teams before kicking off a snake-style draft meant to "maximize parity and equity between the teams," according to commissioner Oliver Luck.
"We spent a lot of time on this and I think we have a pretty good set-up," Luck told ESPN on Monday.
The draft then will proceed with five phases divided by position groups: skill-position players, offensive linemen, defensive front seven, defensive backs. The last phase will be an open draft for all positions and specialists. The first four phases will result in teams choosing ten players each, while the last phase will continue until the 71-man rosters are filled.
Teams will have a pool from approximately 1,000 players to select from.
The Los Angeles Wildcats will choose the first pick of the offensive line phase. The D.C. Defenders will have the first pick of the skill-position phase.
A supplemental draft will follow the main event in November. Drafted players will be allowed to accept an NFL offer up until the start of XFL minicamps in December. Training camps will begin in January and the first games will be Feb. 8, 2020.
