St. Louis Battlehawks Roster: Position-By-Position Breakdown

The XFL 2023 is the return of the tournament after a two-year gap. The 2020 edition of the XFL was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the XFL has relaunched in 2023 under new ownership. The St. Louis Battlehawks return to the XFL based out of the same city and with the same name but an entirely new squad for the season. The Battlehawks who compete in the North Division of the XFL are coached by former NFL tight end, Anthony Brecht. Here is a look at the St. Louis Battlehawks’ squad for the 2023 season.

Who are the key players on the St. Louis Battlehawks’ Roster?

The St. Louis Battlehawks squad is great on paper as they look the most balanced on both the attacking and defensive front.

A.J. McCarron is a former NFL quarterback and probably the most well-known player in the XFL this season. Having played in the NFL for teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans and the Atlanta Falcons, McCarron has a host of experience in signal calling. He is a great person to lead the Battlehawks’ attacks.

Wide receivers Marcell Ateman and Darius Shepherd are great strengths on the flank and have the ability to terrorize opponent defenses. Hakeem Butler is another rising talent on the Battlehawks’ squad who adds a lot to their passing attacks.

Running back Brian Hill is the Battlehawks’ go-to ball carrier and is one of the most effective runners in the league. He can carry the ball highly efficiently and is touted to be one of the best running backs in the league.

The pass rush of the Battlehawks is also among the strongest in the XFL. Teams should be aware of middle-of-the-field pressure from Freedom Akinmoladun and Damion Daniels on quarterbacks. The defensive core of the team is provided by linebacker Mike Rose. Jaylen Smith at tight end is tall enough to play as a tight end but also possesses the speed of a wide receiver which makes him dangerous too.

Who is the starting quarterback for the St. Louis Battlehawks?

The St. Louis Battlehawks have A.J. McCarron as their number-one quarterback. McCarron was drafted in the NFL by the Cincinnati Bengals and after stints with the Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans McCarron signed with the Atlanta Falcons. McCarron missed out on the 2021 season due to an injury and he is back in 2023 to compete in the XFL. The Alabama Crimson Tide star is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the XFL and has the potential to take the St. Louis Battlehawks towards the XFL Championship.

Who are the coaches for the St. Louis Battlehawks?

What is the overall skill level of the St. Louis Battlehawks Roster?

The Battlehawks have a talented squad that gives them a chance to contend for the XFL Championship this year. The offensive line for the Battlehawks is commanded by former NFL quarterback A.J. McCarron, whose passes can be retrieved by wide receivers Marcell Ateman and Darrius Shepherd.

Due to the threat of pass rushers Freedom Akinmoladun and Damion Daniel, the Battlehawks have a very balanced team. They may put pressure on opposing quarterbacks in the center of the field and disrupt plays. The team's defensive core is linebacker, Mike Rose. The Battlehawks will rely on A.J. McCarron, the most well-known quarterback in the whole XFL, to help them through challenging situations.

How does the St. Louis Battlehawks’ Roster compare to other teams in the NFL?

The St. Louis Battlehawks has emerged as one of the stronger teams in the league. The Battlehawks roster has some big names like A.J. McCarron, Marcel Ateman and Freedom Akinmoladun. Head coach Anthony Becht is taking charge as head coach for the first time and the inexperienced coaching staff will be up for a challenge in the league. However, the squad has enough depth and experience to prove to be good challengers in the league.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the St. Louis Battlehawks’ Roster?

Strengths

The Battlehawks have one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the league in A.J. McCarron. McCarron has the ability to lead the offensive line of the Battlehawks with Mataeo Duran, Marcell Ateman and Darius Shepherd to support him. The St. Louis Battlehawks have a strong defense which can help them see through games.

Weaknesses

The St. Louis Battlehawks have a strong roster but a relatively inexperienced coaching staff behind the team. It will be a challenge for Anthony Becht and his coaching team to make tough calls and lead the team to victory.

How has the St. Louis Battlehawks’ Roster changed from 2020?

All XFL teams including the St. Louis Battlehawks have an entirely new roster in 2023. The entire roster is new compared to the 2020 Defenders’ roster. XFL held a fresh draft for the 2023 season where each team filled in their 51-man roster.

What are the contract details for the players on the St. Louis Battlehawks’ Roster?

The contract system in the XFL is set to be standard for each and every team. Since each team competing in the league is also owned by the owners of XFL, the contracts are the same for every player. Here are the standardized contract details for XFL players in 2023:

2023 Training Camp: $800/week

2023 Active Roster: $5,000/week

2023 Practice Squad: $1,500/week

2023 Regular Season/Playoff Win: $1,000/win