Detroit's Dark Knight: The Des Moines Dragons Reborn
 

The original Des Moines Dragons dynasty is more than 10 years old now. I don't remember when I last wrote it, where it left off, or why it died. I do remember, however, that Kurt Warner was our QB and Bryce Paup our star LB … so that was a while ago.

The premise was simple: Build a team of players from only one state: Iowa. Whether by college or high school roots, all players had to be from Iowa. How good could such a team get?

With this dynasty, the Dragons are reborn. And with their rebirth, more story, more narrative, more fun! And maybe even more cowbell.

But also a new premise, a sly parallel to the greatest superhero film of all time and the Clown Prince of Crime himself.

As a side note: This dynasty is being played out and written on an old computer, and thus, I'm using the FOF v 7.2. Yes, 7.2. I just don't have the time in life to learn a new version. Deal with it; I have.

For reasons that will shortly be made clear, I am starting the 2015-16 season, but acting as if it is the 2025/26 season, and I will begin with a full draft (though I won't bore you with all the details over every pick – yawn). Chemistry on (inter-squad squabbling is a real possibility I'll just have to live with). Level playing field off. Firing off.

And thus … it begins:

By 2025, the "Second Great Recession" had decimated what was left of the already crumbling Detroit, leading to the municipality's third bankruptcy filing. Previous efforts to rejuvenate the downtown had been abruptly halted by the riots of 2021, and the city's population had dwindled to less than 200,000 souls living a wasteland of abandoned buildings and empty streets.

It became clear the city could no longer support many of its proud professional sporting teams. What's more, the Ford family – owners of the Detroit Lions – had suffered heavy losses and looked to unload the unprofitable NFL franchise.

The NFL, meanwhile, faced troubles of its own. Surging regional divides across the nation had boosted the popularity of college football, as fans flocked to cheer for local universities instead of regional NFL teams. Federal "free college" programs had further cemented the NCAA's growing fan base. And with a long-lagging economy, the NFL saw its share of Americans' diminished entertainment dollars being crowded out by college ball.

In short, Detroit was done. The NFL was desperate for a solution. And in their desperation, the NFL owners turned to a man they didn't fully understand …

Into the NFL's quandary stepped Jack Ledger, social media mogul and tech billionaire. Known as "the man who toppled Facebook," Ledger had built a technology empire far from the skyrocketing taxes of Silicon Valley in his home state of Iowa.

Certain NFL owners had reservations about the 34-year-old Ledger joining their ranks – namely his youth and his much publicized penchant for the dramatic. But when Ledger entered the NFL owner's meeting with a professional multi-media presentation, a clear business plan, a sharpened pencil, and billions of dollars to put on the table … well, money talks, especially to the cash-strapped NFL.

Ledger had money to burn, a stadium to build, and offered the NFL an immediate escape from the nearly war-torn city of Detroit. The vote was close, but the NFL owners agreed to allow Ledger sole ownership of the Lions and to move the team to Des Moines.

There were many in the group who voted no because of the more "unorthodox" requirements in Ledger's proposed deal. More about that later …

But for now, the Lions had a new owner, a new stadium under construction, a new city, and a new name.

Excited to see where this goes!

Thanks, Cat!

Though "Ledger's Lions" had a certain ring to it, the new owner opted for an alternative alliteration, naming the new team The Des Moines Dragons. Handsome new uniforms debuted in deep "Dragon Green" and "Metallic Gold," with accents in "Royal Purple."

The new stadium under construction was dubbed "Joker Field" after Ledger's online site, Joker.com, which Ledger had transformed from a mere domain registry site to the most popular social media site in the world. And true to his word, Ledger had poured insane amounts of money into the construction of his stadium to have it up and ready before the NFL season opener.

So far, so good.

But what about the players? Who would become the first Dragons?

As it turns out, Ledger had certain roster demands of the NFL before he would agree to purchase the old Lions. And at first, the attention the demands brought were a public relations boon for the flailing NFL.

Ledger's demands were simple, but absolute. The NFL was required to agree before Ledger would sign on the dotted line, and the owners and players union eventually gave in:

A. All Detroit Lions currently under contract were immediately released into the free agency pool, even those under rookie contract. Not a single player was retained, nor were the new Dragons financially penalized for voiding these contracts.

B. The Lions already held the 11th pick in the 2025 draft, as well as the 11th pick in every round thereafter. The Dragons forfeited each of these picks, as well as any rights to trade such picks, so long as condition C was agreed upon.

The NFL owners reluctantly acquiesced to condition C, setting the stage for a stunning turn of events …

Condition C was the most fiercely contested condition of the Lions buy-out, but Ledger refused to budge. If the NFL refused, then Ledger would walk away from the Lions and take his billions with him.

"I know the online world better than anyone," Ledger told the owners at the fateful meeting after which he bought the Lions. "I know marketing and modern business. I've made billions in sheer publicity alone. And I'm not interested in buying into a league that's dying. But agree to this condition, and the NFL will see a jolt in the arm that will put professional football on the map like never before."

The NFL owner eventually agreed. But they might not have, had they understood what Ledger meant by "on the map like never before" …

Condition C:

One week after the rookie draft, a single-team expansion draft was to be held for the new Dragons, just as was done for the Houston Texans in 2002. But the rules Ledger required for the draft were significantly different:

a. Rather than exposing only 5 players to the draft (as in 2002), each NFL team was required to leave 15 veteran players eligible, if possible. Any veteran or undrafted rookie free agent in the first year of a contract would be automatically protected and ineligible for the expansion draft.

b. Each team would ALSO leave the players they chose with their 2nd through 7th round picks in the 2025 rookie draft eligible to be selected in the expansion draft. Should the Dragons select a drafted rookie, however, the team losing its player would immediately be allowed to protect all remaining drafted players. Further, the Dragons could only select two rookies from each round, thus 2 players chosen in the second round, 2 in the third, and so on.

c. After ANY player was selected, rookie or veteran, the team drafted from would be allowed to protect an additional 5 players, rookie or veteran.

Condition C set the stage for a wild expansion draft. It also produced a flurry of attention, especially on Joker.com. And when ESPN announced it would televise the expansion draft live, the NFL thought it had hit the jackpot …

With the 2025 NFL draft in the books, all eyes turned to Des Moines, Iowa, and the NFL 2025 expansion draft!

The birth of the Dragons was livestreamed through Joker.com and broadcast by a bevy of ESPN hosts in a full day of live network coverage and commentary. Several talking heads, former players, insiders, and experts brought their witty banter into play as predictions swirled for how Jack Ledger would give shape to the newest NFL team:

Mike Greenberg: "Before the Dragons are on the clock, Adam Shefter, what are you hearing from other teams and GMs around the league?"

Adam Shefter: "I'm hearing a lot of nervous GMs, Mike. Especially over this rule that allows the Dragons to select from rookies that were just drafted. A ton of research and investment goes into each team's draft pick, and there are two teams today who are most likely going to lose their second-round picks only a week after they picked their guys."

Todd McShay: "Obviously, no team is going to like losing out on a second-rounder, but there is a bit of a silver lining for those teams. If their second rounder is taken, they can immediately protect the rest of their draft AND five veterans off their available list. With the Dragons having access to as many as 15 veterans from each team, taking 5 guys off the table is huge."

Greenberg: "And don’t forget, if the Dragons take a veteran, rather than a rookie, from a team, that team can immediately protect 5 players as well, including their rookies. If the Dragons take a veteran, that team can protect their second rounder. Or their second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, if that's the way they want to do it."

Shefter: "To be honest, I'm hearing GMs say that's exactly what they're hoping for. I spoke to a few teams that are dangling a pricey veteran out there on the unprotected list as bait, hoping the Dragons will bite. That way the Dragons eat the salary, AND the losing team can safeguard most of their draft class in one, fell swoop."

Greenberg: "Clever strategy, Adam. And the Dragons are going to have to be clever as well, if they have eyes on more than one player from any team. It's a cat and mouse game, and the cat, if you will, is going to be let out of the cage in just a few minutes. Back after this."

Mike Greenberg: "Let's take a look at some of the players the Dragons may have their eyes on. Mike Mayock, you've looked over the protected and unprotected lists for each team. What do you see as the juiciest targets out there?"

Mike Mayock: "First of all, Mike, just about every second rounder from last week's draft has got to be on the table. The Dragons can only take two from the second round, so they'll have to be choosy, but I could see them snagging draft picks with the first several selections, locking up the players they missed out on last week."

Greenberg: "So it's all about the chess game."

Mayock: "Exactly."

Shefter: "And there's another factor in play here. If you watch how the off-season has shaped up so far, there are several GMs who deliberately renegotiated and signed their vets to new contracts before we got to today. That puts the veteran players in the, quote, 'first year of a new contract,' which according to the draft rules makes them automatically protected from the Dragons. So you've got guys like receiver Danny Alcott in New England. The Patriots signed him to a new, four-year contract right before the draft. That means he's technically in the first year of a new deal, so he's off the table today and staying in Foxborough."

Greenberg: "So many shenanigans behind the scenes. But this draft is about to kick off, so we're running out of time. When we come back from this break, I want your predictions. No more beating around the bush. Which veterans are going to be switching teams? Right after this."

Mike Greenberg: "The time for drafting is almost here, which means it's also time for final predictions. Mike Mayock, Todd McShay, I want to hear two names from you. One easy prediction, the obvious name, the slam dunk choice. And one dark horse, who you think the Dragons might mine a little deeper to get. Mike, let's start with you."

Mike Mayock: "Well, I'm going to go with a theme here, because I think there's a couple of real possibilities for the capital city of Iowa, Des Moines Dragons to take some popular Iowa athletes. The slam dunk prediction is Cornerback Ashton Dodge of the Seahawks. Dodge is a smart, veteran cornerback who is popular with the fans and a mentor in the locker room. And let's not forget, he's a hometown favorite after winning a bowl game with a walk-off pick six for Iowa State eight years ago. Yes, he's 30 years old, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Dragons take a mix of young bucks and seasoned leaders. Dodge is smart, very physical, and he'd be a great leader for a new team."

Greenberg: "Before we get to your dark horse candidate, Mike, I want to hear from McShay. Todd, who is your certain choice?"

Todd McShay: "Well if Mayock is taking Iowa athletes, I have a good idea who his dark horse is, but for me, the slam dunk pick is defensive end Clarence Badalyan out of Kansas City. Frankly, I think everyone is shocked the Chiefs left him unprotected. Sure, he's in the last year of his contract and is going to break the bank next year, but I would have expected the Chiefs to try to trade him to the Dragons, rather than leave him out there for the draft. He can play the 3-4 or move inside and wreak havoc in a 4-3 pass rush. I think the Dragons snag him and pay him the moon to keep him around for a long time."

Greenberg: "Todd, you think you know Mike's dark horse?"

McShay: "Another Iowa athlete? How about Satterfield?"

Mayock: "That's exactly right, Todd. The Houston Texans have left unprotected tight end Kelvin Satterfield, also of Iowa State. The kid is only in his third year, and they love him in Iowa. I'm surprised the Texans left him in the wind, but he has struggled to stay healthy, so it looks like they're just not willing to risk it on the former third rounder. He doesn't have the stats, no one outside of Iowa really knows who he is, but he's fast, he can catch, if he can stay healthy, he could be a star."

Greenberg: "And your final prediction, Todd?"

McShay: "I like the kind of young players you can build around, and right guard Drew Pritchett of the Eagles may be a hidden gem. He's stuck on the depth chart behind their interior line in Philly, so I think they were hoping he'd sneak past the Dragons. I don't see it happening. Pritchett is a road grader, and while he might not be a top pick for Des Moines, he could easily be the starter on opening day."

Greenberg: "The predictions are in the books, and the Dragons are on the clock! When we come back, we'll have the first pick of the 2025 NFL expansion draft!"

Mike Greenberg: "It's pandemonium here in Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa! There are a sea of brand new, Dragon jerseys, Hawkeye and Cyclone jerseys, and it feels like the entire state of Iowa is in this arena right now, screaming and cheering their heads off! NFL Commissioner James Gordon has just announced the first ever draft selection and thus inaugural member, the first Des Moines Dragon, in history, and needless to say, the announcement was a huge hit with the fans here in Iowa. Let's go back and replay the Commissioner's announcement, and I want you to hear how this arena just erupted when the announcement was made."

Cut to video of NFL Commissioner James Gordon: "With the first selection of the 2025 NFL expansion draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Mitch Plante, safety, … {noise drowns out words} … safety, Washington Warriors."

Greenberg: "So that just happened, and needless to say, it was a popular pick here in Des Moines. Plante was drafted just a week ago with the third selection of second round of the rookie draft. But Mitch, repack your bags, you're leaving D.C. to come back to Iowa!"

Mike Mayock: "Mitch Plante, as the hometown fans likely know, was a Jim Thorpe Award finalist for the Iowa State Cyclones last year, and a First Team Big 12 safety."

Todd McShay: "And it makes sense, given Jack Ledger's flair for the public eye, that he would use the Dragons' first pick on an Iowa native. Just like you were suggesting, Mayock."

Greenberg: "I want to touch on two things about this pick. The first is the process. Washington can now protect every other rookie on their team, as well as five veterans, from being drafted by the Dragons. They have 10 minutes – or more, if the Dragons use all of their clock time – to submit the names of those protected players. Because there's a lesser-known rule in this draft that the Dragons cannot select two players from the same team back-to-back. That just gives the other teams more time to submit their lists of protected players to the commissioner and to the Dragons. The other point I want to touch on, I'm actually going to turn over to Mel Kiper. Mel, as always, is the NFL's everything draft-related expert par excellence, and Mel will be on hand with us to talk about what the rookies the Dragons draft bring to the table for their new team. Mel, I assume you can start to hear me now? The noise dying down a bit?"

Mel Kiper: "Yes, Mike, I'm here!"

Greenberg: "Mel, what can you tell us about the very first Dragon?"

Mel Kiper: "It's hardly a surprise the Dragons selected Mitch Plante, a safety out of Iowa State. What is a surprise, frankly, is that he was even available for the Dragons to take. Remember, all first round picks from last week's draft are ineligible for today's expansion draft, and there are many – myself included – who thought Plante would be a first-round rookie selection.

"But Plante fell through to the second round, Washington picked him up, and now the Dragons have swooped in and stolen him away. And this guy is a steal. He has a nose for the ball, with 5 interceptions his senior year and 13 over his college career. As Mike Mayock pointed out, a Jim Thorpe Award finalist. And this guy is also a HUGE hitter. I mean he crushes people over the middle. He's blazing fast, and he hits like a sledgehammer. Truly an exceptional athlete, and not only should he start for the Dragons, but he may have ProBowl selections in his future.

"The knock on Plante is that he is a little short for the safety position, only 5'10", so he may struggle with some of the taller tight ends around the league, and he doesn't shed blockers well, so he can get lost close to the line. I think that's why he fell to the second round, but in space this guy is a headhunter and a playmaker, and Dragons are off to a (dare I say it, Mike?) a blazing start."

1. SS Mitch Plante, R, 47/71

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the second selection of the 2025 NFL expansion draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … tight end, Kelvin Satterfield, Houston Texans."

Mike Greenberg: "Another eruption from the crowd here at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines! I think this is a popular pick as well."

Todd McShay: "Kudos to our broadcast partner, Mike Mayock. You actually called this one before the draft."

Mike Mayock: "Well, it looks like Jack Ledger, owner of the Dragons, is making a popular statement to the fans right away, drafting two players, back to back, from Iowa State University. And like I said before the show, Satterfield is a fast tight end who can get down the seam in a hurry or make the cut and run away from linebackers in the flat. He's only in his third year in the league, and I suspect he would have been on the Texans' protected list if it weren't for a high-ankle sprain that plagued him most of his rookie year and a broken leg that cost him his sophomore campaign. He just hasn't been able to get on the field."

Greenberg: "I want to bring something up, here. This makes two picks, back-to-back, of Iowa State Cyclones. But this is 'The Hawkeye State,' right? Can we expect the Dragons to pick some Hawkeyes?"

McShay: "They may call it the Hawkeye State, but the Iowa Hawkeyes have fallen on tough years of late. After the unexpected retirement of long-time coach Kirk Ferentz due to health concerns several years ago, the Hawkeyes have been cellar dwellers in the Big 10, while Iowa State has been the team to beat. The Cyclones have two top 10 finishes nationally in the last 5 years, and with churning out players like Plante and Hatterfield, it's easy to see why."

Greenberg: "Will the Dragons pick another Iowa State player next to score the Cyclone hat trick, or will we see another school represented today? More from the 2025 NFL expansion draft right after this."

2. TE Kelvin Satterfield, 3, 51/67

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the third selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Colby Gibson, tackle, New England Patriots."

Mike Greenberg: "Gibson … is he a veteran, or …?"

Mike Mayock: "No, he's a rookie, second round pick of the Patriots."

Greenberg: "Oh! Another rookie, another second rounder. That means the Dragons have used both of their second round rookie selections – just like you predicted, Mike, starting with players they missed out on last week but have the chance to select today – but that means the Dragons are done with second rounders. Every other team in the NFL besides Washington and New England, their second round picks are safe."

Adam Shefter: "And you gotta believe there are 29 general managers around the league who are breathing a huge sigh of relief right now."

Todd McShay: "No kidding. But can I point out something? This is funny. The Dragons' first two selections were Iowa State alumni. Colby Gibson was drafted out of … wait for it … the University of Northern Iowa."

Greenberg: "What? Another Iowa player? Are you kidding me? Dragons Owner Jack Ledger is clearly looking to make a positive PR splash by grabbing players from Iowa right off the bat. Dragons fans have to be happy about this."

McShay: "It is a curious choice, though."

Greenberg: "Let's hear more about that from Mel Kiper. Mel is standing by, ready to give us the low down on any players plucked from the rookie pool. And with Colby Gibson being taken off the board, the Dragons have used up their second-round rookie picks. Mel Kiper, what do you think of this selection?"

Mel Kiper: "Greeny, I have to admit, I am dumbfounded by this choice. Colby Gibson was selected with the 28th pick of the second round last week. Surely the Dragons would have benefited more from a higher selection, like linebacker Johnny Junker, who the Eagles took with the first pick of the second round, or if they wanted a tackle, why not grab Ken Whitfield from Cleveland, who was taken at 2.11?"

Mike Greenberg: "Could it be, Mel, that the Dragons are planning to pluck veterans from Philly or Cleveland, or that they have an eye on a third rounder from those teams? Taking a second rounder from a team, our viewers should understand, means that team gets to protect every other player in their draft class as well as 5 additional veterans."

Mike Mayock: "It could be that there was just no one else on the Patriots' eligible list the Dragons were interested in."

Todd McShay: "Or maybe Jack Ledger was just reaching for another Iowa player."

Kiper: "If he was, it was too much of a reach. Or at least, I think he had better options. But let me tell you about Gibson. He's a strong, powerful blocker out of Northern Iowa, where he really pushed the competition around. At 6'3" with long arms, he's got the build you want for an NFL tackle. But there are questions about how his game will translate, and that's why he slipped to the second round. He hasn't seen NFL-caliber competition, and can he develop the footwork needed to stop the elite pass rushers he's going to see at the next level? He was a good choice for the Patriots, who are set at left tackle for now and don't need to push Gibson into the lineup. But was he a good choice for the Dragons? We may find out sooner than Gibson is ready for."

3. LT Colby Gibson, R, 26/67

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the fourth selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Dale Griffin, linebacker, Tennessee Titans."

Mike Greenberg: "Someone get me the biographical information on Griffin. Is this our fourth Iowa player?"

Mike Mayock: "No, Griffin is from Vanderbilt."

Greenberg: "There it is! Our first player who didn't come out an Iowa school. Looks like Jack Ledger was starting with a trifecta of Iowans to pump up the crowd – and it worked marvelously, I should say – but we're moving on to the rest of the roster. Gentlemen, what can you tell us about linebacker Dale Griffin?"

Mayock: "This was a player I had on my watch list. Tennessee drafted Griffin in the fourth round last year, and his spent his rookie season backing up middle linebacker Gary Schulz. But Griffin looked solid in preseason action and practices, and I was a little surprised Tennessee left him available, but then, when you have to leave 15, there are going to be some quality players."

Todd McShay: "And these are the kind of players that you might expect the Dragons to target. Younger up-and-comers that will get more of a look on a new team than sitting on someone else's depth chart. I know several squads left older and pricey veterans on their unprotected list, but so far the Dragons aren't biting. Clearly Ledger is thinking long-term."

4. MLB Dale Griffin, 2, 46/67

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the fifth selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Mitch Wells, cornerback, Indianapolis Colts."

Mike Greenberg: "Now, THIS player was on my prediction list. I don't care about the contract disputes, I don't care about his more diminutive size, Mitch Wells can PLAY. And how the Colts could leave a 25-year-old player with a ProBowl on his resume on the unprotected list, I don't get it."

Adam Shefter: "The only way Wells makes it onto the unprotected list is the 15-player mandate. And I think the Colts realized: one, his contract demands and threatened holdout were going to be a distraction; and, two, every GM in the league knew Indy was shopping Wells, so his trade value was rock bottom. Frankly, I think Indianapolis unloaded a headache, and it's Jack Ledger's headache now."

Greenberg: "I'm guessing Ledger will happily take a pair of aspirin if he can take Wells, too. There just aren't that many lockdown corners available."

Mike Mayock: "And that's where you're touching on it. Wells is a man-to-man specialist who sticks like glue, even to receivers six inches taller than he is. And he hits ball carriers like a safety. He has speed to burn, and along with the rookie safety, Mitch Plante, he'll give the fledgling Dragon secondary a measure of legitimacy."

5. CB Mitch Wells, 6, 61/61

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the sixth selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Ashton Dodge, cornerback, Seattle Seahawks."

Mike Greenberg: "And BOOM! My man, Mike Mayock, goes two for two on the predictions!"

Todd McShay: "Not only that, but adding the veteran Dodge to Wells and Plante gives the Dragons instant respectability in the secondary. What's more, all three are head hunters who strike fear into opponents. Do you remember when Seattle was known as the Legion of Boom? It looks like the Dragons are building the same model."

Greenberg: "Have you ever seen the fans at a draft so pumped? This is the third Iowa State player to find his way onto the Dragons roster, and these Iowans are eating it up."

McShay: "It's a raucous atmosphere in the Wells Fargo Center, to be sure. Six picks in the books, and four of them from Iowa schools …"

6. CB Ashton Dodge, 8, 60/60

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the seventh selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Fred McLane, guard, Denver Broncos."

Mike Mayock: "Going right back to Iowa, the Dragons take the first Hawkeye of the night!"

Mike Greenberg: "Second year player out of the University of Iowa, what can you tell us about him, Mayock?"

Mayock: "He's stout, strong, a mauler in the trenches. He's only 21, so he's still growing into his body and still raw in terms of technique, but he was good enough at Iowa for Denver to take him last year in the third."

Todd McShay: (quietly interrupting) "Um, guys … ?"

7. G, Fred McLane, 2, 34/68

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the eighth selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Malachi Ellison, tackle, New York Giants."

Mike Greenberg: "Now, we're starting to see the selections many expected. The Dragons got their second-round picks early, and now they're putting the veteran pieces in place. I like this move. Ellison is a starter in this league, and the Giants were pushed into leaving someone solid on the draft-eligible list."

Mike Mayock: "The Giants drafting a tackle in the second round this year actually makes a lot of sense now. They were reading the tea leaves. Clever."

Greenberg: "What do you mean?"

Mayock: "The Giants must have calculated that if Ellison were taken in expansion, they would have a rookie in place to replace him. But if the Dragons took their 2nd round rookie, the Giants likely would have used one of their 5 veteran protections on Ellison. Either way, the Giants have a tackle – Ellison or the rookie."

Greenberg: "Well, now the Dragons have a tackle. Two of them and a guard. Just like the secondary, the O-line is shaping up."

Todd McShay: (interjecting): "No way!"

Greenberg: "What?"

McShay: "Guys … you aren't going to believe this …"

8. T Malachi Ellison, 9, 53/53

Mike Greenberg: "What is it, Todd?"

Todd McShay: "So the Dragons have taken 8 players thus far, and we know that 5 of them are from Iowa universities. 3 aren't - Griffin, Wells, and Ellison."

Mike Mayock: "That's what I'm seeing."

McShay: "But check this out: Dale Griffin played his HIGH SCHOOL ball … in Williamsburg."

Greenberg: "So?"

McShay: "Williamsburg, IOWA. And Wells? Grew up in Avoca, Iowa. And now Ellison? Grew up in Sloan, Iowa."

Greenberg: "Are you serious?"

McShay: "Hat tip to the people on Joker.com for making that factoid go viral, but I've double-checked it with the NFL Stats Bureau. It's true: Every player the Dragons have selected so far played either high school or college ball in Iowa."

{ stunned silence }

Mayock: "Well, it's not like they're bad players. I mean - Plante, Wells, and Dodge are a good-looking start to this secondary. And I predicted they'd take Satterfield."

Greenberg: "But you also predicted Jack Ledger would make a splash by taking Iowa players. It looks like your prediction was more spot on than you realized."

McShay: "But surely they can't be limiting their selections to exclusively Iowa players. Can they?" …

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the ninth selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Myles Kinney, receiver, Chicago Bears."

Mike Greenberg: "Kinney. Out of …. ?"

Mike Mayock: "Iowa State."

Todd McShay: "Oh … my … "

Greenberg: "Will the Dragons make it ten? I mean, I can see taking the top ten from Iowa as a publicity stunt. But then, then you have to start building the rest of the team, right?"

9. WR Myles Kinney, 5, 52/52

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the tenth selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Craig Fredrickson, linebacker, New York Jets."

Mike Mayock: "Fredrickson was the Jets' third-round pick this year. He's a rookie …"

Mike Greenberg: "Great! We can go to Mel—"

Mayock: "Out of tiny Cornell College."

Greenberg: "OK …"

Mayock: "In Iowa."

10. MLB Craig Fredrickson, R, 28/59

Mike Greenberg: "Thank you, Mel Kiper, for the breakdown on the Dragons' most recent rookie pick. But now the suspense actually builds. Jack Ledger has done the most extraordinary thing: Guiding the Dragons to select 10-straight players from Iowa. When will the streak end? I speculated earlier that he would stop after 10. Guys, anyone want to make a prediction?"

Todd McShay: "On when the streak ends?"

Greenberg: "Yes! Let's get the predictions in quick, before Commissioner Gordon announces the next pick. At what pick do the Dragons take a player with NO Iowa ties at all? A player who has never played in Iowa? Todd McShay, why don't—"

Mike Mayock: "The next pick is in now."

Greenberg: "Oh!"

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the 11th selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Herb Dallesandro, safety, Buffalo Bills."

Mayock: "From … the University of Iowa."

Greenberg: "11 picks! 11 picks from Iowa! I feel like, what was the name of that character from Sesame Street?"

McShay: "The Count?"

Greenberg: "The Count! Yes. Eleven! 11 picks from Iowa … ha, ha, ha!"

11. FS Herb Dallesandro, 6, 52/52

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Commissioner James Gordon: "With the 20th selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Rod Corbett, receiver, Philadelphia Eagles."

Mike Greenberg: "Wait a minute … Corbett. According to my screen, Corbett grew up in New Jersey. Played ball for Northwestern. That's in Illinois! Is this the end of the streak?"

Mike Mayock: "Corbett played for Northwestern College, not University."

Greenberg: "Don't tell me."

Mayock: "Northwestern College … in Iowa."

Greenberg: "Surely you can't draft an ENTIRE team from just one state! Can you?"

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Commissioner James Gordon: "And with the 40th and final selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Ricardo Heuring, defensive end, Jacksonville."

Greenberg: "And Ricardo Heuring is from …"

Mike Mayock: "7th round rookie out of Iowa State University."

Todd McShay: "This is ridiculous! It's a farce! Jack Ledger and the Dragons hadn't selected a Jacksonville Jaguar all day, and when they finally do, it's a seventh round rookie who likely won't even make an NFL roster. There were quality veterans on Jacksonville's unprotected list!"

Adam Shefter: "What's even worse, Todd, is that many GMs caught on to the Dragons' Iowa-only scheme early. After their first player was taken, and they had the chance to protect more players, they specifically protected their players with Iowa roots. Everyone caught on, it seems, and it put the Dragons at a real, competitive disadvantage."

Greenberg: "Shefty begs an interesting question. The Dragons have built the core of their team around Iowa-based players. If we assume they do the same with free agents and undrafted players to continue building the team … how much of a handicap is that? What does kind of 'competitive disadvantage' will they have?"

McShay: "I'm going on record right now. If they don't bust out of this Iowa-only nonsense, if they try to build an entire team from one state … I predict they don't win a single game."

Greenberg: "Ouch!"

McShay: "It's not anything against the state of Iowa, which has produced many fine players. But not an entire squad. Not an NFL-caliber player at every position. Sure, the secondary looks ready to play on Day 1. But the defensive line, the running backs ... and where are they getting a pass rush from? You heard it here first: O-and-16."

Jack Ledger did, indeed, fill the remainder of his roster with free agents, all with roots in the state of Iowa. He did so quietly, as if it were just par-for-the-course NFL business.

But in other cities around the nation, NFL owners were stewing. Whispers were heard of owners calling it a "joke," a "farce," and recommending sanctions on the new Des Moines Dragons franchise. Commissioner Gordon was visibly unhappy with Ledger's antics. On sports talk radio and TV, Todd McShay was not the only pundit to predict dire fortunes for the Dragons.

What all the doomsayers didn't count on, however, was the bombshell Ledger was about to drop on a hastily called NFL owners meeting to discuss the controversy …

"How about a magic trick?"

The NFL owners met in Dallas, home of the grand statesman of old-timer NFL owners, Jerry Jones. The emperor of all things Cowboy, however, had not aged well. And neither had his franchise. The arrest of Ezekiel Elliott in 2020 had taken much of the gleam off the silver and blue and tarnished the team with fans. Like much of the NFL, the Cowboys were being propped up more by old money than by new blood.

Though the meeting was held behind closed doors, word of the strange happenings in Dallas still leaked out.

Allegedly, Jack Ledger was actually late to the meeting. The owners were already in board room, some meeting by teleconference – one even made the statement that the expansion draft had been nothing but a "cheap publicity stunt" – when the Dragons' owner walked in … laughing. A long, pronounced, mocking laugh. Ho, ho, he, he, ah, ah, ah.

"And I thought my jokes were bad," reports say he began.

When an NFL owner immediately retorted a threat of "pulling" the Dragons' 2026 first round draft pick, Ledger ignored it.

"How about a magic trick?" Ledger said instead.

Placing a single sheet of paper on the table, clearly marking the millions of dollars the Detroit Lions had been losing every year, Ledger said: "I'm going to make this red ink disappear."

Then, every cell phone in the room rang simultaneously. It was a simple file texted to every owner. In it … records that the Des Moines Dragons sold 20,000 season tickets to Joker Field by the time the expansion draft had concluded. Sold 40,000 before the weekend was out. Records that over 87 million people had reacted to the draft on Joker.com. And finally, within the first week, the Des Moines Dragons had sold its maximum allowable 60,000 season tickets to a 65,000-seat stadium that hadn't even been built yet, leaving only 5,000 available tickets to the general public for game day.

"Ta-da! It's … it's gone," Ledger said.

"Oh, and by the way," he continued. "The publicity stunt wasn't cheap. You ought to know," and here he drew a paper from his purple suit coat documenting the NFL owners' vote agreeing to the expansion draft rules. "You bought it."

An AFC North owner reportedly stood in a show of bravado, but another owner said, "Sit. I want to hear what he has to say for himself."

"Let's wind the clocks back a decade," Ledger said. "NCAA football couldn't touch any of you. I mean, what happened? Were your balls deflated? Hm? You see, a guy like me–

"A freak," came a condescending comment from somewhere in the room.

"A guy like me … look, listen," Ledger said, losing patience. "I know why you choose to have your little, ahem, 'group-therapy' sessions in Dallas. I know why you're afraid to look at the ratings. The NCAA. See, the NCAA has shown fans your true colors, unfortunately. Detroit, it's just the beginning."

Then, referring to one of the owners on teleconference, Ledger said, "And as for the TV's plans to 'boost' your fanbase, the NCAA is everywhere."

"What do you propose?" asked an owner.

"It's simple. We, uh, kill the NCAA's monopoly on fans."

"If it's so simple, why haven't you done it already?"

"I already have."

"You're crazy," said the AFC North owner.

"No," Ledger said with a menacing glare. "No. I'm. Not. If we don't deal with this soon, little Green Bay here won't be able to get a nickel for his grandma."

"Enough from the clown!" protested an attendee.

"All right. So, listen, why don't you give me a call when you want to start taking things a little more seriously?" Ledger said. Then he threw down on the table the Joker from a Bicycle deck. "Here's my card."

And he walked out of Dallas a free man …

Are the Dragons 'Serious'?
Jason Todd, Des Moines Register

The joke is on you, National Football League!

Or is it?

Jack Ledger, the "Clown Prince of Social Media," has set the stodgy pro football league on its ear by building his new Des Moines Dragons franchise entirely from Iowa-grown players. Over the objections of his fellow NFL owners and NFL Commissioner James Gordon, Ledger has only bought toys for his team's brand-new roster from one store: Iowa high schools and universities. The approach contrasts sharply with a league that typically drafts and signs all-star talent from across the country.

Ledger has been uncharacteristically quiet about his unorthodox approach to building an NFL team. Requests for interviews have gone unanswered. His public appearances have been limited to other business interests.

The only clue we have to Ledger's thinking is the Dragon owner's post on Joker.com depicting a slithering green dragon emerging from the heart of Iowa on a darkened map of the U.S. and clutching a pair of footballs. Then, the dragon turns its face up in a massive, red grin, pops the footballs in its talons like a pair of whoopee cushions, and intones the cryptic line, "Why so s-s-serious?"

What did Ledger mean by it? Sports pundits have interpreted the post to mean everything from a joke being played on the NFL to Ledger intentionally trolling the very pundits trying to make sense of it all.

There's little doubt, however, that the fans are definitely buying into Ledger's particular, peculiar brand of humor.

The first Dragon has yet foot on a practice field, and Joker Field (currently under construction) has yet to boast a single blade of grass, but the team has already sold out its first three home games of the season and every season ticket package available. That's right – if you want to hop on the Dragon bandwagon, you're going to need to get in line.

"I'm lovin' it! I'm absolutely lovin' it," said Bob Kane, a University of Iowa alum from West Des Moines. "I see it all as a challenge to the rest of the nation. Ledger is basically saying, 'Our Iowa boys can take on the rest of the country all by themselves!'"

Bill Finger, a Drake grad from Beaverdale and a proud, new, Dragon season-ticket holder, couldn't agree more.

"I had stopped watching the NFL years ago, but I'm all in now," Finger told the Register. "We've got our own team, and it's OUR team, and that's something I can cheer about!"

And while the other NFL owners may be looking at Ledger askance, for a professional sports league that has seen its popularity plummet over the last decade, the enthusiasm Dragons fans have for pro football in Iowa is something the NFL should be cheering about as well.

Hm, perhaps "the Dragon experiment" isn't such a joke after all. Or at least, perhaps Ledger isn't as crazy as the pundits say he is.

Dragons Pre-Season Preview
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Training camp for the Des Moines Dragons has come to a close, the NFL preseason is about to begin, and it's time for a look back at what we've learned about the all-Iowa roster.

Training camp highlights

Throughout camp, as many pundits predicted, the Dragons secondary stole the show. Veteran CBs Ashton Dodge and Mitch Wells blanketed every receiver they faced and provided key leadership in the locker room. It's clear the entire team is looking up to these two. Rookie safety Mitch Plante turned heads several times, as well, jumping routes with surprising speed and racking up INTs in multiple practices.

Tight end Kelvin Satterfield, meanwhile, was a star for the offense as both a security blanket for the QBs and a playmaker. Most importantly, the oft-injured former Cyclone has stayed healthy throughout camp.

In the trenches, veteran guard Burt Taylor has been a beast in the run game, consistently tossing the Dragons' young defensive line about like rag dolls, opening wide lanes for presumed starting RB Drake Boyette.

Training camp question marks

The biggest question, naturally, is who will quarterback this young club? Veteran journeyman Nathaniel Witt has the upper hand right now, based on his experience and his legs. Witt was the leading rusher, as a quarterback, for the Hawkeyes nine years ago, and he's still as dangerous as ever in the open field. But Witt's ceiling as a passer could leave room for competition from rookie Bart Dubord, who is more of a field general, or even Tony LaBrosse, who was also a scrambler at Iowa and may have the better arm.

And the biggest concern is the defensive line, where the Dragons boast only one player with more than a year of experience. They're green, they're unproven, and in training camp, the Dragons O-line dominated the youngsters across the ball from them.

Predictions

The NFC North represents a diverse skill set – the ballhawking secondary in Green Bay, the dominating run game behind Adam Devine in Chicago, or the passing attack in Minnesota with star QB Kris Van Pelt. Every one of these rivals tests the Dragons in areas of weakness.

It's hard to see anyone passing up Minnesota for the division crown, and the Dragons don't have the proven muscle up front to slow down Chicago. The best bet is that Des Moines will battle with Green Bay for the #3 spot, while neither looks poised yet to grab a wild card spot.

Dragons take the field for the first time

Joker Field wasn't yet finished in time for the first Des Moines Dragons preseason game, so the faithful in green, gold, and purple made their way north to nearby Ames, Iowa, and Iowa State University's Jack Trice Stadium.

For the capacity crowd of 63,700, it was a glorious beginning to the new franchise.

For many of the players on hand that day who had graduated from ISU, it was a homecoming to Ames. And they played like it.

What's more, Coach Jim Wells made the surprising decision to play the team's starters for most of the game –– and the crowds ate … it … up.

The starting Dragons completely dominated the N.Y. Jets' second and third stringers. Quarterback Nathaniel Witt played the full first half, completing 10 of 12 and a pair of TD passes to former ISU standout WR Miles Kinney, who picked up like he never left Ames.

The real star of the game, however, was second-year RB Drake Boyette, a late-round pick last season who returned to Jack Trice like a man determined to win his hometown girlfriend back. Boyette racked up 113 yards and looked unstoppable with a 4.52 average per carry and a fourth quarter touchdown.

The defense also looked surprisingly stout, as the Dragons won their first ever (preseason) home game by a convincing 33-7 margin.

Des Moines Dragons Coach Jim Wells, a former University of Iowa assistant under Kirk Ferentz and former offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, is famously a man of few words. Never has that been more clear than in the formation of the Dragons, where Wells steadfastly refused to talk to the press. Not an interview, not a social media post, not a quote.

Was that just because of his reticence to talk publicly? Or was Jack Ledger coordinating it behind the scenes? If the latter, it will surely only add to Ledger's legend as a public relations god, for at the conclusion of the Dragons' first pre-season game, when Coach Wells was compelled by NFL rules to take the podium (for the first time), the press room was overflowing with cameras, mics, and reporters. The entire sports media universe had shown up, it seems, to listen in on the first public words spoken by the Dragons' captain.

The 60-year-old, gruff and wizened coach, bedecked in a Dragon-green windbreaker, stepped up to the microphone cluster. His responses to reporter questions, per trademark Wells, were clipped, but thoughtful:

"Coach Wells, were you aware prior to your hire of Jack Ledger's plan to build a team entirely of Iowa players?"

"He picks 'em, I coaches 'em. That was the deal."

"So you were aware of the plan ahead of time?"

"What's it matter? He could pick kangaroos, for all I care. He picks 'em, I coaches 'em. That was the deal."

"Are you concerned at all that building a team of players from only one of the 50 states could put the Dragons at a disadvantage?"

"No."

"Do you believe you can win this kind of team?"

"Yes."

"Coach, how do you think you can win without access to 95% of the available players?"

"We'll win with the players we have, just like every other team."

"Coach, can you explain why you kept the first-string players in through most of today's game?"

"Brand new team. The first string needs all the time together they can get."

"So it wasn't just a publicity move, to make sure the Dragons win their first game?"

"I like to win. If you don't, you're in the wrong business."

"Do you think the Jets will take it as an insult that your starters beat up on the backups?"

"They don't want to see how their young guys perform against NFL starters? I would."

"But what if they take offense at the Dragons running up the score?"

Wells gave the reporters a moment of silence, a scowl, then said, "Let 'em."

Remaining preseason

In their second preseason game, the Des Moines Dragons came crashing back to earth. It was a road game, and Coach Wells did bench several starters to test his team's depth. But any way you slice it, the Dragons looked atrocious. The offense totaled only 155 yards, while coughing up 6 turnovers, in a brutal 42-3 loss.

The backups sputtered again in the Dragons' third preseason game in Jacksonville, but the defense saved the day, with an unexpected pass rush and a pick six from dimeback Irv Smith to seal the 24-12 victory.

Back at home for preseason game #4, the starters came out of the gate very rusty. Young RB Drake Boyette fumbled the ball away on the very first offensive play. And while Boyette did manage to play better in limited action, a sloppy day all around led to a loss, the Dragons falling to the Bills, 17-10.

Dragons Pre-Season Wrap-up
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Watching the Dragons in preseason filled this Iowan with both signs of hope … and of dread.

Let's talk hope first: In the limited action of pre-season ball, second-year running back Drake Boyette ran the ball with good vision behind an offensive line that looks capable of blowing open some holes. The passing attack showed more punch, particularly in the first preseason game, than previously anticipated. And rookie safety Mitch Plante has been flying around the field, making plays like a star in the making.

Now the dread: It's clear this team has little depth. When the Dragons starters were not on the field, the reserves looked overpowered, outrun, and lost playing at an NFL level. Some of that is their youth, and some of that … well, it won't be popular to say it, but some of it may be that Iowa may not have produced a full, 53-man roster worth of NFL-ready talent.

But ready or not, the NFL season is upon us. The Dragons open on the road in Los Angeles, facing the Chargers in Week 1.

Season 1, week 1: The Dragons take the field for the first time

While dragons may be typically associated with fire and brimstone, the Des Moines Dragons began their football franchise in frigid form. On an unseasonably cold and cloudy day in Los Angeles, the fledgling Iowa franchise managed just two plays before fumbling the ball away. The fumble was returned for a touchdown, and the Dragons' season started down 7-0.

But something stirred in the squad's secondary, as the opposing Chargers were stymied in the air. Los Angeles failed to find a first down in the first quarter, and the second started with an interception by Des Moines' safety Herb Dallesandro.

And even while the Dragons' offense stumbled, the veterans in their secondary donned the mantle of leadership. Captain cornerback Ashton Dodge added an interception, and Dallesandro swatted 3 passes out of the air, consistently confounding the Chargers.

Twice the heralded defenders gave the Dragons the ball in opponents' territory. And then …

And then, an echo of glory resounded. A fire, once dim and smoldering, was re-ignited in an old heart. Dragons quarterback Nathaniel Witt, who ten years ago had led the Iowa Hawkeyes to victory on the strength of his arms and indomitable legs, found within himself a fount of youth.

At a pivotal moment in the third quarter, the former Hawkeye evaded an oncoming blitzer, looked off a retreating secondary, and burst out of the pocket for a scrambling first down. Again and again, Witt eluded the rush by rushing for yards. Then, just as the defense keyed in on the athletic QB, Witt found receiver Preston Evans for the very first Dragon touchdown.

The fourth quarter turned into a battle of field position, as the two teams exchanged field goals and punts. But the Dragons were pushing the Chargers back and back in the battle. Forcing a three-and-out and then another, the Dragons had compelled the Chargers to punt from their own end zone. With only 3 minutes left on the clock, and trailing 13-17, the Dragons returned the punt into Charger territory.

Nathaniel Witt was given one more chance. One more drive to forever determine which foot the Dragon franchise would begin upon.

A completion. Another. Another. Within 4 plays, Witt had the Dragons knocking on the door, 1st and goal from the Charger 5 with barely more than a minute to play.

Inside the 2-minute warning, Witt faked the handoff to the back, than turned to look for the tight end in the flat on a play-action pass. But the Chargers had read it perfectly. The tight end was locked down. Witt looked for his secondary receiver but saw only two Charger defenders charging in on him. The wily quarterback pulled a pump fake to send the first pass rusher skyward, then tucked the ball and spun to elude the second. He ran left along the line, but the pocket had broken down, and a linebacker came free. Witt lunged forward, slipped out of the linebacker's grasp, then cut to the right. His tight end target turned to run block, and Witt took off into open green, ten yards from the end zone. Just ten yards, and the Dragons would take the first lead in Des Moines pro football history. Just 9 more yards, just 8, just 7, just 6, just 5. Sidestepping a safety who cut the angle too sharply, Witt lunged forward from the four, diving for the goal line …

… TOUCHDOWN!

Nathaniel Witt had helped this franchise find its footing, on the strength of his own legs! Dragons took the lead, 20-17, with barely more than a minute to play.

Three plays later, the L.A. Chargers faced a 4th down with no choice but to go for it. QB Broderick Checkovich out of the shotgun fired a rocket to the receiver on a slant … but Dragons veteran CB Mitch Wells read it perfectly! He stepped in front, snagged the pass, and sealed the victory! Dragons win! Dragons win their first ever NFL contest!

(So much for 0-16, Todd McShay!)

Week 2: At Minnesota
Despite riding the high of their first victory, the Dragons entered Week 2 with some serious injury concerns. Especially for a team with suspect depth, missing a pair of o-linemen from the starting lineup spelled bad news. The offense struggled mightily, surrendering a brutal 7 sacks.

It didn't help the Dragons were playing preseason NFC North favorites, the Minnesota Vikings, on their home turf.

Again, it was the Dragon defense keeping the team in the game. The secondary knocked down 5 passes and held the Vikings to only 1-of-8 on passing 3rd downs.

Ultimately, however, wasn't enough to stop the division leaders at home, Dragons fall 20-14.

Week 3: Denver comes to Des Moines

Welcome to Des Moines suburb Altoona, Iowa, home of Adventureland, Jethroni Pepperoni, and now … Joker Field, the gorgeous, new, outdoor stadium that serves as home and lair for the Des Moines Dragons.

The stadium is not only a technical marvel – having been built in record time and at record expense – but it's also a monument of modern beauty. Dragon green seating surrounds a field accented in purple and gold, while a handful of lucky fans are made eligible each Sunday to be upgraded into "The Dragon's Den," a cave-like box seat experience that already has fans clamoring for a chance to be included. Massive screens, a permanent dragon's maw leading out of the locker room, and fire cannons that launch massive flames into the sky make Joker Field a fun house for fans. Rumors on social media even hint that Dragons owner Jack Ledger intends to bring live jousting back to life in the NFL's offseason!

But could the team on the field match the enthusiasm over the field itself?

No. Not even close. Denver walks into town and completely spoils the Dragons' grand home opening with a 35-3 beatdown. Ouch.

Monday press avail with Coach Jim Wells

Coach! Coach Wells! How do you explain this weekend's big loss?

Turnovers. 5 of them.

Do you think Denver may just have more talent than the Dragons' roster?

Even out the turnover battle, then we'll see how the talent stacks up.

So you don't think the loss is indicative of the Dragons' problems with fielding an Iowa-only team?

Nope.

But do you think a better roster would turn the ball over less?

Great teams play bad games. Turnovers happen.

But do you think you have the talent it takes to win in this league?

Look: I know what you're fishing for, and you aren't going to land that here. Next question.

Coach, how do you feel the team played overall?

The score was 35-3. What do you think?

What about the defense?

We held the enemy to 288 total yards. Proud of the guys for that.

What will it take to right the ship?

Reduce turnovers. Land more big plays.

What are your thoughts looking forward to next week?

Seattle could be the best team in the league. I look forward to the upset.

1-2 Dragons travel to 3-0 Seahawks

What started on an exciting note, with rookie SS Mitch Plante returning an INT 98 yards to the house, unraveled in spectacularly bad fashion.

QB Nathaniel Witt may have had the worst game in NFL history. 12 completions for 69 yards. 4 sacks. 3 INTs. It may be that Witt's first game in the Dragons uniform was the last bit of spark he had left in the tank. Iowa fans are calling for the younger guys to get their shot.

Dragons lose, 31-10

First Quarter report

Record: 1-3
Offense rank: 31st
Points per game: 30th
Defense rank: 17th
Points allowed: 27th
Turnover margin: 28th
Division Rank: 3rd, ahead of 0-4 Green Bay

Rumblings grow over Dragons QB situation
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

He was a hero in Game 1. By Game 4, he's become the scapegoat.

Des Moines Dragons QB Nathaniel Witt faced the toughest defense in the league Sunday (#1 in yards against, #1 in rush defense, #1 passing defense, #1 in creating turnovers) – and he turned in one of the worst games in NFL history. Only 69 yards passing. A QB rating of 9.5.

The game represents rock bottom for an already subpar season for the quarterback. Witt has thrown for a scant 2 touchdowns over 4 games, while throwing 6 picks. His 55.9 QB rating is the second worst for any starting QB through that same period.

And with Witt at the helm, the Des Moines Dragons' offense has been anemic all year, even in the opening victory. The team ranks 31st out of 32 NFL teams in total yards gained. 30th in points scored.

Dragons owner and GM Jack Ledger is conducting an NFL experiment such as the league has never seen before, fielding a roster made exclusively from players with Iowa ties. But Witt's struggles are leading fans to ask: Is it time Ledger cut ties with Witt? Or will we watch the entire experiment fail?

1-3 Dragons host 3-1 Cardinals

One week after fans were screaming for QB Nathaniel Witt's head, and two weeks after Des Moines was utterly destroyed in its home opener, the Dragons give the home crowd something to cheer about.

Witt showed that he still has something in the tank, even if he needs to be carried by a run game and defense. But completing 7-of-10 on 3rd down and tossing a pair of early TD passes may have calmed some of the critics.

The real game ball in this affair, however, goes to the defense. Holding the visiting Redbirds to 1-of-12 on 3rd down and 0-3 on 4th down is how it's DONE.

The Dragons bottle up the Cards' run game, stifle the passing game, and there's joy in Mudville again, as the Dragons score their first home victory, 27-6.

2-3 Dragons host 4-1 Bears

The brutal stretch of league-leading opponents continued with the Bears coming to town. The good news is the sold-out crowd got an entertaining, if not particularly pretty, game to see.

This contest came down to two gladiators zipping all over the field – The Dragons' scrambling QB, Nathaniel "Crazy Legs" Witt, vs. the Bears' all-star pass rusher, Andy Walters.

4 times, Walters Brought Witt to the ground. But most of the game, it was a greyhound chasing a rabbit, as Witt ran 11 times for 55 yards, scrambled for 3 first downs on 3rd down, and generally wore out the opposing defense.

In the end, Witt extending plays and the Dragons' smothering pass defense just kept the Bears off the field, and when Des Moines Safety Herb Dallesandro ran back a pick-6 with 33 seconds left, the deal was sealed: Dragons win, 22-10.

3-3 Dragons host 3-2 Vikings

Welcome back to sold-out Joker Field for another upset special!

Ever since Dragons QB Nathaniel "Crazy Legs" Witt hit rock bottom in Week 4 against Seattle, it's been nowhere but up for the 10-year veteran.

Minnesota had absolutely no answer for Witt's scrambling, and in trying to stop him, the Vikes left open too many passing lanes. Witt didn't put up big numbers, but he was efficient, protected the ball, and kept Minnesota guessing all day long.

Final numbers for Witt: 115.4 passing rating, 4 runs of 10 yards or more, one passing TD, one rushing TD, and most importantly … a Dragons win, 29-14.

4-3 Dragons at 4-3 Chiefs

The brutal schedule continued. The Chiefs at Arrowhead are never an easy game. And this time, the Dragons faced a rough reality: Their all-heart QB was riding a bum knee. With only one game to go until their bye, Coach Jim Wells decided to let Nathaniel Witt rest through two weeks to return healthy for the latter half of the season.

That meant the first career start for the 4-year veteran QB out of the University of Iowa, Tony LaBrosse. Like Witt, LaBrosse was a threat with his legs. But unlike Witt, LaBrosse was more wet behind the ears than wily.

In the end, however, it wasn't LaBrosse who disappointed, but the Dragons' vaulted D.

Kansas City's young gun QB shredded the Dragons like hasn't been seen this season, and though LaBrosse spun it well, he just couldn't keep up. Dragons drop a tough one, 30-17.

Des Moines Dragons Half-Way Report
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Could the hometown Dragons be turning the corner? Or is their 4-4 record at the halfway point an indicator of an inconsistent, mediocre team?

Let's make the case for the former. The Dragons have beaten the NFC North leading Bears. Three Des Moines victories have come over opponents with winning records. The Dragon D, led by a veteran secondary with all-star talent, ranks 8th in the NFL. No team in the league has found an answer for QB Nathaniel Witt's scrambling ability, especially on 3rd down, and Witt will be returning from injury after this week's bye.

Couple that with a much easier schedule coming up, and you might think the Dragons can push for a wild card spot in the NFC playoff picture.

But let's make the case now for mediocrity. Witt's legs have given this team a spark, but so far, his arm has been a wet spaghetti noodle. The QB is on pace for only 2,500 yards in the air and less than 15 touchdowns on the season. The passing attack is completely anemic, and preseason stud RB Drake Boyette has yet to make a positive impact. The offense overall ranks 30th in the NFL, and the team is in on the negative side of the turnover margin.

The real blame for the offense's woes, however, needs to fall on the offensive line. The unit currently ranks last in run blocking and last in protecting the QB. Rookie Colby Gibson has been completely overmatched by NFL talent at LT, and veteran RT Malachi Ellison may be doing even worse. Granted, any offensive line that is thrown together for the first year is going to suffer from underdeveloped cohesion and communication, but the front 5 – with the possible exception of C Jimmy Alcott – looks completely lost out there.

In stacking the team up against their record, it's true the Dragons have faced a tough slate of opponents. And yes, it does get easier from here on out, including two games against the 1-7 Green Bay Packers. But if the Dragons can't do better than the 17.5 points per game they're currently averaging … it's hard to imagine anything more than mediocrity.

Report Card
Passing: F – I wanted to give them a D, but 30th in the league says it all.
Rushing: D – If it weren't for Witt's scrambling, this grade would be lower.
O-line play: F – Is there such a thing as an F-?
Pass defense: B+ – The secondary is capable and competitive.
Pass rush: D – Rookie DE Ricardo Heuring has a surprising 6.5 sacks, but no one else is getting there.
Run defense: B – Particularly up the middle, the team has been stout.
Special teams: C – Punter Rick Clark is leading the NFL in average, but the kickoff unit is woefully subpar.
Coaching/intangibles: B – Coach Wells has been a steady, assertive force, but he needs to fix that O-line.

During the Des Moines Dragons' inaugural season bye week, owner and GM Jack Ledger doubled down on his strategy of an Iowa-only roster, negotiating extended contracts for several of the Iowa players on the Dragons roster.

Most notable extensions were accepted by:

Team captain and secondary leader FS Herb Dallesandro, 6yr vet (56/56)
League-leading P Rick Clark, 2nd year player (67/67)
Starting MLB Dale Griffin, 2nd year player (49/61)
Team captain and defensive front leader DT Gilbert Powell (46/46)
Team captain and receivers leader FL Myles Kinney (57/57)

4-4 Dragons at 1-7 Green Bay

QB Nathaniel Witt returned from injury to face the cellar dweller Packers on their frozen tundra home turf. And the Packers showed why they're so pathetic, unable to even get a first down before the final drive of the first half.

Witt was nearly flawless, completing 25 of 30, no picks, no sacks, and tacking on 41 rushing yards, powering a convincing 26-10 victory at Lambeau.

5-4 Dragons vs. 0-9 Raiders

Who could be worse than the Packers? Well, the Raiders came to town and … ended their first 3 drives with turnovers in their own territory. On their fourth possession, they botched the punt, giving Des Moines the ball on the Raiders' 14 yard line.

Before the first quarter was over, the Dragons were up 24-0, a margin they coasted to an easy 24-3 victory.

6-4 Dragons host 8-2 Eagles

The turnaround of the Dragons' season, from 1-and-pathetic to 6-4 really fired up the Iowa faithful. Few knowledgeable fans expected Des Moines to really challenge for a title in Year 1, but a winning record and knocking on the door of the NFC North title had far exceeded even what the most ardent Dragon backers expected.

What's more, no one expected the Dragons could keep up the winning streak against the NFC East's crown jewel.

But the Dragons made a name for themselves in defying expectations (0-and-what again, Todd McShay? Oh, that's right, the Dragons haven't been 0-and-anything since they were 0-and-0!).

The Eagles game will long be remembered in Iowa lore. When NFL Films makes their documentary about this amazing season, "The Eagles Game" before a sold-out crowd at Joker Field will undoubtedly steal the show.

On its first possession, Philly drove 76 yards for a TD.

On his first possession, Nathaniel Witt drove the Dragons 77 yards and capped it off with a scrambling TD.

Philly answered back with a field goal. Des Moines followed up with a field goal of their own. Then the defenses of both squads clamped down, and it became a slugfest, both teams grinding it out for field position, trading turnovers, swapping sacks, scratching and clawing for the lead.

But Philly had found the upper hand, and with 1:53 left in the ballgame, Nathaniel Witt was given a 17-10 deficit and one more chance for glory.

He ran, he threw, and with 7 seconds left in the game, he found WR5 Lucas Stephens down the sideline, 35 yards for the score!

In overtime, Philly again got the upper hand, winning the coin toss and, consequently, first possession. But on the second play of the extra period, Eagles RB Adam Gribbon tangled with Dragon LB Ross Flanagan, and the ball hit the dirt. Des Moines nickelback Broderick Garcia dove on the fumble, and gave the Dragons the ball in Eagle territory.

Five plays later, Dragons kicker Gerald Small lined up for the biggest kick of his career, a 51-yarder, which just glanced inside the upright to seal the stunning upset victory, 20-17!

And just like that, the upstart Dragons took possession of first place in the NFC North.

7-4 Dragons host 2-9 Packers

Hosting the Pack on a beautiful fall day, a long-overdue hero emerged. RB Drake Boyette ripped off a long run on the first drive and capped it off by catching a TD pass.

Then, at the start of the 4th quarter, trailing by 10, Boyette fired up the engines. The young runner ripped of a TD run to pull the game close, then with 33 seconds left, he ran in another to put the Dragons up for good. On the day, Boyette ran for 124 yards, a 7.29 average, 2 TDs, and another in the air. Game ball to the running back in Des Moines' 24-20 victory.

8-4 Dragons travel to 3-8-1 Rams

Despite the string of good news, there was some bad news brewing in Week 14: The Dragons' lauded secondary was banged up bad. Star CB Ashton Dodge was out with a strained patellar tendon, and secondary leader FS Herb Dallesandro was on the bench with a sprain. Both looked doubtful to return in the regular season. But would there be a playoffs to return to?
The Rams game definitely left the question in doubt. The turnover bug returned, and the secondary was clearly suffering. Dragons lose, 9-29.

8-5 Dragons visit 5-8 Saints

The Dragons' hopes for postseason play were quickly fading as fast as their health. In a game where QB Nathaniel Witt was constantly running for his life, being sacked 6 times, and yet running for 96 yards, the rest of the team let him down. Dragons lose, 24-16.

8-6 Dragons host 6-8 49ers

The Dragons' secondary was in shreds, as CB Broderick Garcia was also lost to injury. Des Moines had to resort to signing people off the street to play. But would their playoff hopes also be torn to shreds?

WR1 Myles Kinney had been relatively quiet all season long, but not in this one. Kinney scored his first 100-yard game on 8-of-9 targets, and a special teams TD allowed the Dragons to win their final home stand, 23-17.

9-6 Dragons travel to 8-7 Chicago

Going into the final game of the season, Des Moines held the slimmest possible lead over the 9-6 Vikings for the NFL North lead. But with Minnesota playing lowly Green Bay, the Windy City bout was a must-win for Jack Ledger's crew.

But in a game that will forever tarnish the legacy of what he did, lifting this team on his back so many times in its inaugural season, QB Nathaniel Witt laid and absolutely rotten egg. 113 yards. 3 INTs. 3 sacks.

His final play of the day – maybe of his career – came midway through the fourth, when the Dragons got a tiny glimmer of hope following a blocked punt that set them up on the Bears' 22-yard-line. But on the first play, Witt throws a poorly timed pass that's picked off, dashing not only the Dragons' hope for a victory, but their playoff hopes as well.

Backup QB Tony LaBrosse came in afterward to try to inject some life into the team, but it was too little, too late, and the Dragons' season ends with a loss, 27-6.

Alas, so close, and yet to have just missed. The Des Moines Dragons close their regular season 9-7, just outside the playoff picture.

Statistical Season Recap

Team Passing: 28th
Team Rushing: 12th
Total O: 27th
Team Scoring: 26th
Team Pass D: 3rd
Team Rushing D: 10th
Total D: 3rd
Team Scoring D: 12th
Turnover margin: 21st (-2)

Individual top performances:

QB Nathaniel Witt: 2676 yards passing, 13 TDs, 19 INTs, 69.2 rating. Led the team with 766 rushing yards.
RB Drake Boyette: 690 yards, 3.69 ave, 5 TDs.
WR Myles Kinney: 68 catches on 116 targets, 724 yards, 6 TDs, 8 drops
MLB Dale Griffin: 90 tackles
RDE Ricardo Heuring: 7 sacks
LDE Myles Harmon: 23 hurries
CB Mitch Wells: 5 INTs, 83.6 PDPct
FS Herb Dallesandro: 8 passes defensed
LG Burt Taylor: 34 KRBs, 7 pancakes, 17.8 OPct
P Rick Clark: 49.2 Ave, #1 in NFL

Team profit: $118, 360,000
Attendance: 98.9%

Des Moines Dragons: Post-Mortem
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

I'm not sure I will ever experience an NFL season like this again.

From the elation of learning the NFL was coming to Iowa, to the contentious controversy over the expansion draft, the dire predictions of gloom, the elation of the very first Dragon game (and victory!), the crushing first home loss, the unforgettable Eagles game … the biggest roller coaster ride in Altoona wasn't at Adventureland, but at Joker Field.

And now, I can't help but feel like a young child at a birthday party whose balloon has just been popped. Nine and seven. One game, one breath, one sliver shy of the most improbable of endings, a playoff run for the expansion, all-Iowa Dragons.

But let us not allow the current deflation to lead us to despair.

The friggin' Dragons won 9 friggin' games, man!

Remember when the pundits said we wouldn't win one? When they laughed at a team made exclusively of "corn-pickers" and "pig (expletive)ers"?

How 'bout dem apples, y'all! This isn't a season for discouragement! This is a season for celebration! An expansion team won NINE games. NINE! And they did it with all … Iowa … players.

Dragons owner Jack Ledger did something astonishing: He put Iowa on the map! And not just for presidential primaries and state fairs on a stick. It was a gutsy, all-on-the-line gamble, and while Ledger didn't exactly hit jackpot, he at least made every head in Vegas and beyond spin like a maple seed in a tornado!

And can you even imagine what this is going to do for recruiting to Iowa's college programs?

Nay, I say put aside the Templeton Rye of despair for another day. This is a day to break out the champagne! NFL football is alive and thriving in Iowa. Who would have ever thought we'd see this day?

DES MOINES DRAGONS YEAR 2:

A huge shakeup happened in Des Moines following the Dragons' first year. Coach Jim Wells and GM Jack Ledger parted ways. Speculation ran wild, but true answers to what happened were hard to come by. Wells' refusal to talk to the media except when compelled to and Ledger's policy of acting on social media like he wasn't an NFL owner and general manager left the sports media nothing but scraps to speculate upon.

The most anyone heard about the situation was leaked reports from a closed-door players' meeting Ledger held with the returning veterans. According to certain "sources," Ledger was diplomatic in wishing Wells well, but said only that the Dragons were "transitioning from an experiment to a legitimate, NFL contender" and that required "a different kind of coach."

Whether that meant Ledger canned Wells, saw some greener grass on another hill, or whether Wells had asked to be released from his contract … no one knows to this day.

But after the meeting, Coach Wells took an assistant coaching job with the Arizona Cardinals, and the Des Moines Dragons went searching for a new coach.

Dragons get new coaching staff

In their second season, the Dragons brought in an entirely new coaching staff, led by former Tampa Assistant Head coach and new Dragon Head Coach Kevin O'Dea. The 56-year-old former offensive lineman and O-line coach was considered a "players' coach" in Tampa, where he often worked with mentoring the young players. He was also a critical part of Tampa's draft day war room, and the consensus in the media is that he was brought in to repair some of the Dragons' abysmal O-line play.

The Dragons also scored a major coup in the offseason by luring Seattle Offensive Coordinator Tom Cable to Des Moines. Cable had become one of the most respected names in offensive gameplanning, and his presence gives O'Dea's staff instant credibility.

O'Dea brought with him Tampa's former secondary coach Andrew Hatchette to be the Dragons' defensive coordinator. Hatchette was a scheme master in Tampa, but he has never been in a coordinator role before and is considered a bit untested.

Finally, the Dragons brought in Nickolas Troutman of Penn State to be the assistant head coach. Troutman had shown an excellent eye for recruiting, for developing young players, and for churning out productive running backs in college, and the hope is that he'll be able to repeat that success in the NFL.

Business

The Dragons actually dropped their ticket prices, looking to keep the fan enthusiasm going. They did not use their franchise tag, and with a 9-7 record, they tied for the 18th draft pick spot.

In Free Agency, the Dragons only targeted two players, and – as expected – both boast an Iowa pedigree. Both also signed with Des Moines:

TE Darren Crozier, 48/48, a 6th year player out of Perry, Iowa, was signed away from Oakland, who didn't really use the undersized, but all-guts bowling ball who is both a powerful blocker and a tenacious receiver over the middle.

RT Percy Yanez, 15/40, a 2nd year player out of the University of Iowa, is green, but shows good technique in the run game.

ESPN Draft Profile: Des Moines Dragons

The Dragons have to be considered one of the most intriguing teams in this years' draft. Not because of speculation over what they might do, but because of the absolute certainty over what they seem bound to do. Des Moines GM Jack Ledger steadfastly refuses to field any player who hasn't played either high school or college ball in Iowa. That severely limits his choices come draft day.

Despite what they say about "best talent available," every typical NFL team takes into account two factors on draft day: How good the player is and where the team's needs and future needs lie. But for the Dragons, a third factor has been introduced: Where the players are from.

Not only are Ledger and new Head Coach Kevin O'Dea handcuffed by the third factor, but they're also facing the reality that every other GM in the league knows who they're targeting. If the Dragons want to trade up, for example, teams will know exactly who the Dragons are after. And the teams sitting behind the Dragons in draft position know which players are safe. This puts the Des Moines team at yet another competitive disadvantage in a league where every coach and GM is scrambling for the tiniest of advantage over their rivals.

That said, let's take a look at who everyone in the NFL knows the Dragons have their eyes on - the talent from Iowa - and where said players are currently project to be drafted:

1st Round
OT Dashawn O'Connell attended South Carolina, but he went to high school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He would also fill a major need position for the Dragons. But he's considered by many a top 10 talent, so if Ledger and O'Dea want O'Connell, they will likely need to trade up from the 18th spot to land him.

FS Darren Terrell out of Iowa State could fall to the bottom of the first or top of the second. If the Dragons trade down, he's a likely target, but the Dragon secondary is already the team's top position of strength.

2nd Round
No Iowa native players are projected to be picked in the 2nd, unless Terrell falls, so expect the Dragons to use their 2nd rounder as natural trade bait.

3rd Round
Both of Iowa's offensive tackles, Myron West and Bob Hansen, could be selected in the third, as well as Notre Dame grad Mitchell Riepl, who originally hails from Dubuque, Iowa. Hawkeye CB and KR Calvin Minnig might also land here. If the Dragons do trade out of the second, it might be to pick up extra picks in the third to grab more than one of these players.

Other notables:
ISU WR Bernard Russell – He's small and clocked a slow 40, but he was productive in college at a position the Dragons need help
University of Iowa Safety Brock Riley
ISU Guard Amos Shepherd
NC Guard Edgar Edge, who was O'Connell's high school teammate in Cedar Rapids
ISU DE Frankie Rhodes – More of a run stuffer than a pass rusher, and the Dragons really need help in sacking QBs
Ol' Miss TE Dustin Murphy, who originally hails from Camanche, IA

Could the Dragons be baited into overpaying in draft or trade capital in order to land exactly and only these players? Almost certainly. So how will the Dragons avoid being raked over the coals?

Inside the Dragon draft room

At 6 a.m. on draft day, the new Dragons' coaching and scouting staff rolled into the Omni Hotel at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans to make final preparations for the 2026 NFL draft. When they turned on the lights in the designated "war room" for the Dragons, however, they were greeted by a grinning figure in the dark, already hard at work.

Dragons' owner and GM Jack Ledger had the phone to his ear, furiously working the trade lines.

The wide grin, however, soon turned to a grimace. Over the next few hours, while the staff set up the draft board, computers, and phones, Ledger grew increasingly agitated. The staff gave the maniacal mastermind a wide berth when he reportedly threw a cell phone across the room, crushing it against the wall. They gave him an even wider berth when he calmly pulled another phone from his pocket and resumed calling … like he had meant to destroy the first phone all along.

The phone he crushed had an exclusive line set up to the Baltimore Ravens. It was no secret that Ledger's top target in the offseason was Ravens offensive guard Branden Evans, the young stud out of Iowa State who had future All-Pro written all over him. But Baltimore would not trade the fan favorite Evans, despite all Ledger's pleadings.

Ledger then began working multiple teams, looking to trade down in the first. The scouting staff was not as high on Cedar Rapids kid OT Dashawn O'Connell as other GMs, and Ledger's eyes had fallen to Cyclone safety Darren Terrell at the bottom of the first instead.

But here again Ledger was thwarted. Perhaps the other GMs knew they had Ledger over a barrel. Perhaps Ledger had burned too many bridges. Whatever the case, the draft bell was nearing, and still there was no trade in place to position the Dragons to take an Iowa player.

The staff looked nervously toward Ledger. Would he finally relent and choose a non-Iowa player at 1.18? Or would he make the reach pick and take Terrell ten picks too high by most draft estimates?

When the bell struck and the first pick was on the clock, nervous eyes looked toward Ledger. But still the Clown Prince of Social Media kept to himself, and then …

… and then he was overheard quietly giggling. A mischievous gleam came to his eyes. And he turned to the war room with a renewed, powerful confidence, saying, "So this is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object!"

The 2026 Draft begins

Ledger strolled up to the huge touch screen at the front of the room, which both televised the draft and marked the Dragons draft board, with player names that could be dragged and dropped into any place at a whim.

Ledger's fingers hovered over any number of names, while he mused to himself, "Now, our operation is small, but there's a lot of potential for aggressive expansion. So, which one of you fine gentlemen would like to join our team?"

When the 10th pick came in, the San Francisco 49ers unexpectedly passed on the top tackle on the board – including on the Dragons' board – Dashawn O'Connell.

Instantly, the Dragons' phone lines lit up. Multiple trade offers started to gather steam, as GMs began to wonder what price Ledger would pay to move up for O'Connell.

But the Dragons weren't as high on O'Connell as some believed. Ledger rejected multiple offers.

And still, O'Connell slipped down the draft.

At 1.16, the Houston Texans were on the clock. They had a passable interest in O'Connell, but Tampa Bay at 1.17 would definitely target the tackle. If the Dragons did want the Cedar Rapids native, it was now or never on the trade clock. Houston or bust.

While the Texans were on the clock, the call came in. Ledger had traded the 1.18 and 2.14 to move up to the 1.16, while also snagging the Texans' 3.14 and next year's 4th.

A first and a second for a higher first, a third, and a fourth. It was a reasonable deal after all.

And to no one's surprise, the Dragons selected South Carolina alum, but Cedar Rapids native, OT Dashawn O'Connell with their first ever rookie draft pick.

Just catching up on this, good stuff!

Thanks!

The Dragons 2026 Draft Class

1.16 – OT Dashawn O'Connell, South Carolina (Cedar Rapids, IA)
3.14 – CB/KR/PR Calvin Minnig, Iowa
3.20 – OT Bob Hansen, Iowa
4.19 – S Riley Brock, Iowa
5.18 – RG Edgar Edge, North Carolina (Cedar Rapids, IA)
6.17 – TE Renaldo Barrett, Iowa State
7.20 – DE Frankie Rhodes, Iowa State

Commentary:
Mike Mayock: "I give the Dragons credit for addressing the offensive line and special teams with their first three selections. Ledger's trade up while adding picks was a reasonable move, and I don't feel the Dragons stretched with any of their choices. My biggest concern, however, is the team has not really addressed its receiver corps, and I can't help but wonder if they would have had better trade and draft choices if Ledger wasn't committed to his Iowa-only approach."

Mel Kiper: "I have O'Connell graded as the top tackle in the draft, but it's a weak O-line class overall, so his stock wasn't as high as many predictions, and we saw that play out in the draft. He's well coached and was effective for the Gamecocks, but he lacks the elite athleticism to be a true, top 10 talent. Looking down the draft list, Minnig should help solidify the Dragons' return game, and he's mature for his age. He could find a nickel or dime spot in that capable Dragon secondary sooner, rather than later. I'm not as sold on the later picks in this draft. They appear safe enough, but you'd like to see a team take a few chances with high-upside guys in the later rounds."

Skip Bayless: "The Dragons' draft is crap, just like I told you it would be. You can't build a team through the draft by ignoring 95 percent of the available players. And here you see the results of that. Overpaying to get an overrated tackle, then settling for scraps through the rest of the draft, when what they really need is a quarterback, some receivers, a running back – heck, anybody who can make a play on offense. Iowa colleges didn't produce playmakers this year, so the Dragons couldn't draft any? Stupid! This is the kind of boneheaded strategy that is going to send Jack Ledger's little experiment down in flames."

Dragons Pre-Season Preview
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Training camp for the Des Moines Dragons has come to a close, the NFL preseason schedule is about to begin, and it's time for a look back at what we've learned about the all-Iowa roster.

Training camp highlights

All eyes are typically on the rookies, but it's awfully difficult to discern how well offensive linemen will play based on camp performances. So far, first rounder Dashawn O'Connell is looking solid, and he will likely push veteran RT Malachi Ellison for playing time. And though he's not as physical as the other members of the secondary, Iowa CB Calvin Minnig is smart beyond his years and nothing short of explosive in the return game. The Dragons may have gotten a steal, snagging Minnig in the third round of the draft. Fourth round pick, S Riley Brock, showed a good nose for the football with some showy picks in camp and could push to provide some playmaking punch at dimeback.

As for the veterans, the most outstanding performance came from MLB Dale Griffin, who is flying all over the field, and I daresay, at only 24 years of age, has the look of a cornerstone leader and possible all-star player for the Dragons. The other player that impressed was 22-year-old DE Ricardo Heuring. The "Man-child," who led the Dragons in sacks last year as a 6'5", 295-pound, peach-fuzzed 21-year-old, is starting to grow into his size 14 shoes. His ability to get around the corner and get to the QB is really starting to develop. Not bad for the final pick of the expansion draft!

Training camp question marks

The biggest problem last year was offense, and it's hard to see how it's not going to be an Achilles' Heel again. The receiving corps continues to struggle against the Dragons' accomplished secondary, and while GM Jack Ledger added depth at the O-line in the offseason, he didn't bring in the kind of game-changers that one would think could ignite last year's stagnant O.

Predictions
The Vikings are still the class of the NFC North, and it's hard to see the 3rd overall pick, QB Ross Jamison, being enough to lift the Packers out of the basement, especially in his rookie year. This leaves the Bears and Dragons to duke it out for a wildcard spot, and I'm afraid that without big improvements on offense, the Dragons will miss out on the postseason again.

Dragons Pre-Season Recap

The Dragons finished the preseason game schedule 2-2, winning both home games, while dropping both road contests. The two losses, however, were by a combined 4 points, so it should give fans some hope.

And while the preseason doesn't provide as accurate a predictive look at the regular season as we might like (see last year's raving reviews for Dragons' RB Drake Boyette), there were a few players who managed to stand out.

1. Shakeup at backup QB – Last season, Tony LaBrosse beat out Bart DuBord for the #2 spot. But this preseason, DuBord was absolutely on fire, while LaBrosse was equally abysmal. There's no question DuBord has passed up LaBrosse for the #2 spot, and if veteran QB Nathaniel Witt falters, some might wonder if DuBord has shown enough to be the answer.

2. Punter keeps up the power – Des Moines Punter Rick Clark led the NFL in gross punting average last year, and in the preseason averaged over 50 yards per boot. This guy just kicks the ball like he's on the moon, and gravity is no object. It remains to be seen, however, whether the Dragons' special teams can cover his monster kicks.

3. An emerging force – In the Dragon expansion draft, final pick of the day Ricardo Heuring was a physical specimen (6'5, 295 pounds at RDE), but his skills lagged far behind his physique. So far this season, he's looking far more disruptive, and his 4 sacks in the final preseason game definitely turned some heads.

4. A spark on offense? – RB2 Cooper Saucedo busted off some big runs in limited action. Look for the new Dragons' coaching staff to try to get Saucedo the opportunity to make some plays in the regular season.

5. A new ballhawk in the secondary – Fourth round pick Riley Brock showed a nose for the football at Iowa, and with two picks in the preseason, the young safety has secured a spot on the roster.

New coach, new Dragons?
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

It's time to retire the "Nathaniel Witt and the No-Names" nickname for the Des Moines Dragons.

It's true that last season's squad seemed to ride the shoulders, or rather the legs, of a scrambling QB who not only led the team in rushing but seemed to lead the team by heart and grit alone. And it's true that few players outside the secondary truly distinguished themselves as playmakers. The only Dragon to finish on the NFL leaderboard in any statistical category, whether rushing, receiving, tackling, sacking, or forcing turnovers, was the punter.

But all of that is so last season.

If Week 1's thrilling, exasperating, shocking, ugly, messy victory over the Green Bay Packers revealed anything, it's that the young Dragons have some emerging stars ready to make a splash in the NFL.

Chief among those young stars may be the 24-year-old MLB Dale Griffin, who showed flashes last year, but in the 19-16 win over the Packers was seemingly omnipresent, racking up 17 tackles as a big part of holding Green Bay to only 6 offensive first downs.

Even the offense showed some star power, as 22-year-old RB Drake Boyette topped 100 yards rushing, including 5 runs of 10 yards or more, and the 27-year-old "graybeard" WR Miley Kinney scorched the Pack for 13 catches and 195 yards. These young guns ain't last years' Dragons!

And how fascinating that that these young stars seemed to emerge even as Nathaniel Witt was forced to retreat. A broken foot suffered in the second quarter will sideline the old guard for most of this season. Meanwhile, though it's far too early to declare that 2nd-year QB Bart Dubord has officially taken the baton from Witt, his performance both in preseason and in relief of Witt has definitely caught the attention of the fans, media, and you have to believe the new coaching staff.

What's more, these young playmakers have come ready to put on a show. If Week 1 is indicative of what's to come, watch out world, the Dragons have some bite. Though special teams was a complete and utter disaster that nearly cost Des Moines the game (3 missed FGs, 3 fumbled punt returns), the rest of the stats are stunning: 545 yards of offense for the Dragons, to a mere 195 for the Packers; 28 first downs to 8; and a time-of-possession advantage of 43 minutes to 29.

In short, the young Dragons completely dominated week 1, and if it weren't for special teams blunders, would have dominated the scoreboard. But most noticeably, they're doing it without Nathaniel Witt. And for the first time, a handful of them are looking like All-Stars while doing it.

Season 2, Week 2: 1-0 Jax visits 1-0 Dragons

The Dragon defense held strong again, led by young stud SS Mitch Plante, but the offense under 2nd-year QB Bart Dubord was mediocre. In the second half, Dubond withered under six sacks and threw a pair of pick sixes, crushing not only hopes of victory, but much of the enthusiasm that the young gun would be the heir apparent to the QB mantle. Dragons lose before a sold-out crowd, 27-10.

Season 2, Week 3: 1-1 Tampa visits 1-1 Dragons

QB Bart Dubord is dying on the vine. So are hopes for this season. Without a viable quarterback … how can the Dragons hope to succeed? With a line that's given up 11 sacks in the last two games, how is even a viable QB to succeed? 93 net passing yards in a total stinker of a loss, 19-11.

Season 2, Week 4: 1-2 Des Moines visits 2-1 Dallas

Two things are now certain for the Dragon D: 1. This defense is legitimately formidable, and 2. MLB Dale Griffin (on pace for 126 tackles) and SS Mitch Plante (PDPct of 92.7) are cornerstones.

Two things are certain for the Dragon O: 1. The O-line still sucks, and 2. QB Bart Dubord, while not useless, is not the answer.

What's really tragic, however, is the way the Dragons are in complete self-destruct. Four turnovers and 10 penalties in this one, and a cumulative -7 turnover margin on the season, has led to Des Moines being the cellar dweller, #32 in points scored, accentuated by this brutal road loss, 16-3.

The Dragons' Disastrous First Quarter
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

I look back now at the glowing column I wrote after the Des Moines Dragons' season-opening victory, and I can't help but wonder if I jinxed the team.

Since that opening win, the Dragons have dropped three straight, have stumbled into becoming the worst offense in the NFL, and the young QB I praised now appears to have been a one-hit wonder.

Yes, the gloom lies heavy over the Dragons like a fog wafting up from the Des Moines River into the East Village. And even while sit here at Zombie Burger and rap out these words, I fear it’s the Dragons who, without captain, my captain Nathaniel Witt, have become the walking dead.

Two, glaring, statistical realities have marred the season thus far: The Dragons are dead last in points scored per game at a paltry 10.8 per contest, and the Dragons are almost dead last in turnover margin, having lost seven more than they've gained through four games.

Yet not everything I wrote in that first column is off target. Dragons MLB Dale Griffin is playing like an All-Star, on pace for a whopping 168 tackles on the season. Safety Mitch Plante is outstanding in a secondary and a defense that is stifling opponents, ranked #2 in the league in yards allowed.

But where, oh, where will the Dragons find some offense? After the opening victory against Green Bay, the running game has completely gone to sleep, and young QB Bart Dubord has managed a mere 3 TDs … on the season.

After last year's 9-7 winning record, I think Iowa fans came to expect the Dragons would be competitive, even with the all-Iowa angle owner Jack Ledger insists upon. But to win in this league, you need playmakers, and outside of the injured rookie kick returner Calvin Minnig, the Dragons really didn't add any in the offseason.

If the Dragons are going to break the jinx, it's going to take more than we've seen from the squad so far. But with Nathaniel Witt sidelined for most of the season, perhaps the most we can hope for is Iowa high schools and universities to produce some playmakers for the high draft picks we're likely to "earn" this year.

Season 2, Week 5: 1-3 Des Moines visits 3-1 Philly

A 42-yard rumble by unlikely hero FB Richard Robinson sparked an 80-yard opening drive for a touchdown. And while the rest of day offensively was hardly much to look at, MLB Dale Griffin and SS Mitch Plante once again led a gem of a defensive game, as the Dragons get an unexpected win, 16-10.

Season 2, Week 6: 3-1 Giants visit 2-3 Dragons

The sold-out home crowd got to see more of an aerial show than advertised, as QB Bart Dubord and WR1 Miles Kinney lit it up early, pushing the Dragons to a 20-7 lead at half time. Dubord finished the day with 315 yards and a 102.8 QB rating, while Kinney racked up 151 yards and a score on 10 catches.

But the running game proved unable to sustain a more conservative second half, and the Giants powered back into it. Injuries to Dragons' nickel and dime backs softened up the secondary, and somehow, the Dragons fell to a heartbreaking 23-20 loss.

Season 2, Week 7: 2-3 Bears visit 2-4 Dragons

In a game that would either spell the end of the season or could potentially breathe new life into the Dragons, the offense was truly offensive. Young QB Bart Dubord didn't even top 50 yards in passing (that's right, 8 completions for 50 yards … total).

But in th kind of support performance Nathaniel Witt could have only dreamed about last season, the rest of the Dragons put on a show. Safety Herb Dallesandro started things off right with a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter. RB Drake Boyette put up 148 yards and 2 scores with a 7.8 ypc average. The defense swarmed the Bears QB, registering 7 sacks and 10 defended passes, as a resilient Dragon squad gave the sold-out crowd a victory, 27-13.

Season 2, Week 8: 3-4 Dragons travel to 4-3 Green Bay

Stick a fork in him. Bart Dubord is done. Sacked 5 times in this one, only 5 TDs in 8 games, he's just not ready for the main stage. And with Nathaniel Witt coming back, hopefully, after the week 9 bye, Dubord should not see the field again this season.

In a game where the defense just couldn't hold, the offense gave its usual inept effort, and the Dragons drop a brutal 37-10 loss against the worst-to-first Packers.

Hope for the Dragons?
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

There isn't much joy in Altoona these days. At 3-5, the Des Moines Dragons aren't completely out of the playoff picture, but their chances look dim.

Could there yet be hope for this season?

Let's be honest. This team is mostly dead. Not quite dead. But mostly.

The biggest problem, of course, is the rookie class, which has failed to make any sizeable impact. Granted, GM Jack Ledger's first-round pick was an offensive lineman, and his performance has been solid, but a team that lacked playmakers last year still lacks them after an offseason that didn't bring any new spice into an already bland mix.

The Dragons' leading receiver has one touchdown. One. TE Kelvin Satterfield, who may be a sweet grape just rotting on the vine in Des Moines, has none. To go with his one from last year. The team leader in sacks, Ricardo Heuring, has a total of 4 this season. And only two players have even a single interception.

In many ways, the wheels have fallen off the bus.

But these things I hold as bright on the horizon: First, I have seen with my own eyes that MLB Dale Griffin is a stud. So is SS Mitch Plante. The secondary is collectively strong (when they aren't decimated by injuries, which seems like often). And second, after the Week 9 bye, last year's hero, QB Nathaniel Witt, is expected to return from injury.

Will it be enough? Last year, Witt led the Dragons to just short of the finish line. It was a truly legendary feat of will. This season, it may take more than that. It may take a miracle.

Statistical NFL Rankings for the Dragons at halfway point:

Rushing O: 13th
Passing O: 24th
Total O: 27th
Scoring: 30th
Turnover margin: 30th
Rushing D: 9th
Passing D: 5th
Total D: 2nd
Scoring D: 15th

Bye week business

Once again, this season, Dragons GM Jack Ledger used the off week to do more than rest. Instead, he completed negotiations that have been quietly going on behind the scenes to bring back key Dragon players for next season and beyond.

Specifically, Ledger renegotiated the contracts of:
OLB Ross Flanagan (38/49) – At just 22 years of age, Flanagan has nailed down a starting OLB spot on a top-level NFL defense. Flanagan is undersized, but the former Hawkeye is a sound technician and versatile athlete.

TE Bradley Coles (42/42) – The 26-year-old product of Iowa's Waukon High School, Coles is a mentor in the locker room, a special teams contributor, and a lunch pail worker.

CB Ashton Dodge (57/57) – Fan Favorite and anchor of the secondary, Ledger signed Dodge to a team-friendly contract that may make him a Dragon for life.

LG Burt Taylor (40/40) – The 27-year-old Taylor is a leader in the locker room and a dominating run blocker. His pass blocking may leave something to be desired, but Ledger has shown quite a bit of loyalty to players who are a positive influence on their teammates.

Of note, Ledger did NOT sign K Gerald Small to an extension. Small will be a free agent at the end of the year, but rumors are the Ledger is not happy with Small's accuracy, which has slipped precipitously this season, especially from long range.

Season 2, Week 10: 5-3 Washington visits 3-5 Dragons

Joker Field was sold out to see the long-anticipated return of QB Nathaniel Witt. What they got instead was a heckuva show put on by the Dragons' secondary.

Witt was abysmal. Yuck. Nevermind that.

RB2 Cooper Saucedo showed some of the flash he hinted at in the preseason with a pair of rushing TDs, but the real story was a pick 6 by CB Mitch Wells, another pick by SS Mitch Plante, and yet another pick 6 by FS2 Amari Kantkowski. The secondary held Washington to a pathetic 88 yards in the air on the way to a defensively decisive victory, 34-9.

Season 2, Week 11: 4-5 Dragons visit 5-4 Minnesota

The Dragon offense is still stumbling. But with a defense like this … do you even need an offense? Judging by this week's game, the answer appears to be no.

FS Herb Dallesandro, SS Mitch Plante, and FS2 Amari Kantowski all racked up picks, while P Rick Clark booted 9 punts with an average of 53 yards per in this ugly, bone-crushing defensive victory, 10-3.

Season 2, Week 12: 6-4 Colts visit 5-5 Des Moines

The 2nd hardest schedule in the league thus far continued for the Dragons … but so did Nathaniel Witt's winning streak since returning from injury!

This time, Witt found his groove, and the Dragon offense – while still not flashy – was relentlessly efficient. The running back tandem of Drake Boyette and Cooper Saucedo each ran for more than 4.5 per clip on the way to a combined 164 yards rushing, and Witt completed 16 of 19 and a pair of TD scores.

Rookie DE Frankie Rhodes somehow managed to find the quarterback three times as the sold-out crowd witnessed a 17-9 victory.

Season 2, Week 13: 6-5 Dragons visit 4-7 Arizona

Yes, Nathaniel Witt plays QB, which means he plays on offense. But somehow, he's inspired the Dragon defense. The overall numbers may not look good, but two key numbers stand out: Des Moines held Arizona to 0-for-12 on third down; and 3 INTs, including a pick-6 for CB Mitch Wells.

Is it just me, or do Des Moines fans everywhere hope this secondary never, ever ages?

Dragons win, 23-13.

The Three-Quarters Surge
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

My, how four straight victories can change the feel of a season.

The Des Moines Dragons now sit at 7-5, 2nd in NFC North behind upstart 8-4 Green Bay. The Dragons are currently holding the NFC's top wild card spot … for now.

What is it about QB Nathaniel Witt that inspires such performances from the rest of the team? Because the Dragons have been en fuego since his return, yet very little of that credit can be attributed to him.

The offense is still sputtering, ranking 26th in yards gained and 29th in NFL in scoring, with a grand total of 9 passing TDs in 12 games. Truthfully, Des Moines would be dead last in total points were it not for defensive touchdowns.

The #2 ranked defense, however, has come to bat for the team in recent weeks – stiff against the run (#5 in ypc) and devastating vs. the pass (#2 in ypa and total yardage).

Looking ahead, the next four opponents have a combined losing record, and with two NFC North tilts against the two teams behind them in the division standings, the Dragons hold their fate in their own hands.

Can Witt and the Dragon D power their way to the playoffs after such a shaky start? Time will tell if this recent run of success is a true resurgence … or just a temporary power surge.

Season 2, Week 14: 7-5 Dragons visit 3-9 Texans

A three-headed Dragon rushing attack pulverized the Texans today, as RB Drake Boyette, RB2 Cooper Saucedo, and QB Nathaniel Witt all topped 4 yards per carry on 10-15 carries apiece, gobbling up tons of clock in chewing their way to 14 unanswered points in the second half.

The underdog Texans' fate was sealed, however, by another outstanding performance from the Dragon secondary. CB Ashton Dodge swiped a pair of picks, while FS Herb Dallesandro added a pair of passes defensed and a pick, without surrendering a single catch.

The Dragon passing attack wasn't much, but TE Kelvin Satterfield's first TD of the year, a go-ahead score in the third quarter, was enough to hold on for a 24-21 victory

Season 2, Week 15: 7-6 Minnesota visits 8-5 Des Moines

The Dragons' 5-game winning streak was put to the test against last year's division winner. The Vikes, led by star QB Kris Van Pelt, are especially capable on 3rd down, a fact made even more formidable by the temporary loss of Dragon SS Mitch Plante to injury.

All of that meant precisely jack to Nathaniel Witt, however, who completely took over the game with 78 yards rushing and a 106.2 QB rating day. Once again it was a TD to Witt's new favorite target, TE Kelvin Satterfield, that brought home the bacon, padding a lead that not even a furious charge from Minnesota in the fourth could overcome. Dragons get a very heartening win, 29-27.

Season 2, Week 16: 9-5 Dragons visit 8-6 Titans

Winners of 6 in a row, the most dangerous threat to the Dragons' improbable playoff run now came in a trip to Tennessee. Boasting one of the best running backs and offensive lines in the game, Tennessee came to play, not needing to test the Dragon secondary to hold their home field.

The truly brutal blow, however, came early in the first quarter, when Nathaniel Witt went down to injury. And with the loss of "The Captain," you could feel the air quickly deflate from the Dragons' sails.

Could a playoff berth still be salvaged? It didn't feel like it after a heart-breaking 31-12 loss.

Season 2, Week 17: 9-6 Dragons visit 5-10 Bears

Going into the final week of their second season, the Dragons held on to the wild card spot for dear life. What they couldn't hold on to, however, was a capable starting quarterback. The Dragons were forced to enter the game with Bart Dubord back at QB and with star SS Mitch Plante watching from the sidelines with a bum knee. The Dragons were also missing two starting O-linemen, and the injuries looked insurmountable.

But the lowly Bears entered the contest with an offense even worse than the Dragons. Could they be bad enough to allow the Dragons to slip past and into the playoffs?

Alas, not even the Bears could be as bad as Dubord behind a decimated line. The Dragons barely managed 200 yards of offense, and suffered a snoozefest loss, 13-10.

Des Moines Dragons are playoff bound!
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Last seasib, QB Nathaniel "The Captain" Witt compelled the Des Moines Dragons to a winning recird by seemingly sheer willpower alone.

This season, Captain Witt outdid even that monumental feat. Witt could only stay on the field for six complete games … but all six were wins! And now, thanks to that six-game win streak and some fortuitous bounces of the oblong pigskin, the Des Moines Dragons are playoff bound!

Yes, the Atlanta Falcons dropped their last game of the season as well, allowing the now Captain-less Dragons (for Witt is injured again) to back into the playoffs for the first time in Des Moines history.

There's just something magical about Witt and the Dragons. Few expected the team to be any good, much less a winning squad last year. Few expected the Dragons to recover from losing their starting QB early this season. But somehow, some way, the Dragons have built a team of players from Iowa alone and have managed not one, but two-for-two winning seasons.

Now, the Dragons are off to familiar ground – the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field - to take on the 11-5 Packers in the Dragons' first ever playoff game.

Season 2, Wildcard Round: 9-7 Des Moines travels to 11-5 Green Bay

Captain Witt was sidelined with injury. Backup QB Bart Dubord suffered a similar fate. In its first ever playoff game, the Dragons were forced to field their #3 QB Tony LaBrosse, a 5th year veteran from the University of Iowa with only 1 start to his NFL resume.

SS Mitch Plante returned from his injury, but would it be enough to stop the Packers? Green Bay boasted a stellar defense, #3 in the league overall and #4 in rushing the passer. Against the Dragons' porous O-line, it didn't look good.

As expected in a matchup between two top-10 defenses, the game was a brutally low scoring slugfest. Green Bay was clearly the better team, but the Dragons' outstanding punter kept pinning Green Bay deep, with 5 of 8 punts downed inside the 20. As the Packers pushed forward, any hope of a big play was ripped away, as the Dragons picked off not one, not two, but three passes.

Meanwhile, Des Moines kept grinding the ball forward, running surprisingly well and keeping their young QB from the deep drops the Packer pass rush feasts upon. The Dragons notched a field goal, only to see Green Bay return. Another Dragon field goal. Another from Green Bay. Another Dragon field goal. Yet another from Green Bay. And at the end of regulation, the score stood an ugly tie, 9-9.

In overtime, Des Moines got the ball first, but true to the day, suffered a 3-and-out. Green Bay got the ball next and did the same.

Then, tragedy struck.

Green Bay punted the ball to Dragon rookie Calvin Minnig. The youngster desperately tried to make the play that Des Moines was missing all day, but on the return … fumbled. Green Bay recovered. Four plays later, Green Bay ran it into the end zone, handing the dominant Dragon D and impotent O a heartbreaking 15-9 loss.

I'm following along... great idea and looking forward to the continued adventures...

Thanks!

I'm further along in the dynasty than what I've reported thus far. So I can say with both ominous and hopeful tones, that both darker and lighter days are ahead for the Dragons!

Season 2 Statistical Season Recap
* Previous year's rank in parentheses

Team Passing: 28th (28)
Team Rushing: 14th (12)
Total O: 25th (27)
Team Scoring: 28th (26)
Team Pass D: 5th (3)
Team Rushing D: 15th (10)
Total D: 6th (3)
Team Scoring D: 4th (12)
Turnover margin: 19th (21)

Individual top performances:
QB Bart Dubord: 1830 yards passing, 8 TDs, 8 INTs, 71.1 rating.
RB Drake Boyette: 810 yards, 3.84 ave, 4 TDs.
WR Myles Kinney: 82 catches on 137 targets, 916 yards, 7 TDs, 3 drops
MLB Dale Griffin: 111 tackles
RDE Ricardo Heuring: 6 sacks, 18 hurries
CB Ashton Dodge: 6 INTs
SS Mitch Plante: 5 INTs, 9 passes defensed, 86.6 PDPct
LG Burt Taylor: 38 KRBs, 8 pancakes, 38.4 BPct
P Rick Clark: 50.6 Ave, #1 in NFL gross ave, #1 in yards, #1 in net yards, #4 with 43 punts downed inside 20, All-League 2nd team

Team profit: $32.9 M (118.3 M)
Attendance: 99% (98.9)

All work an no play not enough for the Dragons
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Historically, the Bears, Broncos, and even Jaguars in recent years have all had some measure of success with a team that's all defense but lacking on offense. Yet, with the exception of the '85 Bears, those teams typically all fell short of the ultimate prize.

Even the '85 Bears, however, had Walter Payton. And those Broncos eventually did find their way to Super Bowl glory once they swapped out Tim Tebow for Peyton Manning.

So … who is our Payton? (Or Peyton?)

The Des Moines Dragons' dominating defense may be a thing of beauty, but you just can't win enough playoff games to get to the dance by only kicking field goals. The Dragons' nine total points in their first-ever playoff game is evidence that something's missing in Des Moines.

Look, I love being a Dragon fan. I love the Iowa-only angle. I think the last two seasons have been a glorious ride, showing the whole league that you can win (even make the playoffs!) by fielding an entire team of Hawkeyes, Cyclones, and other Iowa homies.

But we gotta get an offense. Nathaniel "Captain" Witt has a heart bigger than all Iowa – heck, bigger than Texas – but in two years, the Dragons have not had a single 1,000-yard rusher nor 1,000-yard receiver. Witt has yet to eclipse 3,000 yards passing. That's not merely an underemphasized offense; that's offensive.

The 2026 season was another gut-wrenching, roller coaster of a year. And even if he never plays another game for Des Moines, Captain Witt deserves to have his number retired to the ring of fame at Joker Field, because he's a walking legend.

But please, Mr. Ledger, please … would you get us an offense?

DES MOINES DRAGONS YEAR 3

Business:
Modest price increase. No franchise tag. No coaching changes. 23rd draft pick in the upcoming draft.

Free Agency:

The Dragons only made one free agency signing, but it was perhaps the most significant free agency signing to date: C Emmanuel Almodovar (50/50), a 26-year-old Hawkeye who has been a respectable starter for Cincinnati last 2 years. He looks to become the Dragons' starting center for years to come.

ESPN Draft Profile: Des Moines Dragons

Des Moines enters the draft in need of playmakers – a starting-caliber quarterback, a wideout, perhaps a running back, and a pass rusher. The offensive line and defensive line could use an upgrade. A replacement at kicker should be a consideration.

This is somehow, improbably, a playoff team, largely based on the strength of its secondary and budding star MLB Dale Griffin. But to be a legitimate contender, Des Moines has to find a way to put more points on the board.

Unfortunately for GM Jack Ledger, who has inexplicably limited himself to drafting and signing players exclusively from Iowa, those needed pieces may not be available in this year's draft. The University of Northern Iowa's team has been abysmal in recent years; Iowa State is on a major downturn, and the University of Iowa is hardly an Alabama or Michigan, producing multiple NFL players each year.

That said, let's take a look at which Iowa prospects the Dragons might target:

1st Round
OT Roman Glover, Iowa State – Glover is a powerful run blocker who shows excellent technique in both the run and passing game. He doesn't have the elite measurables of a top 10 pick, but would likely fall to the bottom of the first, right were the Dragons sit at 1.23. If they want him, he will likely fall into their lap.

2nd Round
SS Manuel Pinkerton, U of Iowa – An instinctive, hard hitter, Pinkerton would be projected higher, but for a slow 40 time at the combine that leaves some to wonder if he can keep up in coverage. The Dragons don't really need a safety, but if they want him at 2.22, he'll likely be on the board.

Other notables:
Iowa just hasn't produced any other high draft picks, but in the mid to late rounds, you could see the Dragons draft:

P Dylan Jefferson, Cal – a consistent, refined punter who grew up in West Des Moines
QB Dakota Corriveau, U of Iowa – The Hawkeye signal caller has a decent arm and a decent head on his shoulders, but his consistency and completion percentages aren't eye-popping enough to consider in the higher rounds
RB Lamar Boldin, U of Iowa – A workhorse for the Hawkeyes who put up solid, between-the-tackle numbers over a 5-year college career.
WR Kaleb Lyon, U of Iowa – Corriveau's main target in college, Lyon might be effective in slot, but he doesn't have downfield speed the Dragons need or that the NFL requires
RB Logan Cyrus, ISU – A potential special teams contributor at the next level, Cyrus is a 6'1, 236-lb freight train with surprising speed.

Sleeper
LB Dustin Cable, U of Iowa - Cable who showed flashes as pass rusher and could be a special teams contributor, but he's more zealous than talented and lacks discipline. Still, as a project with upside …

The NFL's "Agent of Chaos"
by Adam West, Sports Illustrated

Down a disturbingly dark and purple hallway, deep in the bowels of Joker Field in Altoona, Iowa, a security guard apologized for the flickering lights overhead.

"It's all kind of creepy," he admitted, referring to the buzzing and popping of the lights that feel more like an abandoned subway tunnel than a brand new NFL stadium. "The bulbs actually work fine. So do the circuits. But Ledger keeps the electricity on some kind of interrupter. He actually likes it this way."

The guard was referring, of course, to the reclusive and mysterious owner and general manager of the NFL's Des Moines Dragons, the "Clown Prince of Social Media" himself, Jack Ledger. The owner who bought the Lions and moved them to Des Moines, only to stock the team with players exclusively from Iowa, has been a virtual recluse since the controversial move. No media interviews. No podium talks. Many of the players have never even met him.

His eccentric ways have even spawned a meme that runs on his own social media network, a tagline question, "Who IS the Joker?"

For the first time since the Dragons came to life, I was about to find out. Granted the first, exclusive, one-on-one interview with the mastermind who lives not in a press box, but in the basement. Not in the spotlight, but down a hall with flickering lights.

The security guard keyed a code into a metal door painted neon green, in sharp contrast to the purple. The door unlocked with a clang. Then the guard merely nodded me through and left me at the end of the hallway, either to go in … or not.

Upon entering, it was clear I was in no ordinary NFL GM's office. No mahogany desk. No crystal decanter of scotch on a side table. No trophies on the wall or autographed footballs.

Only a plain, metal desk in the center of a room filled with televisions and computer monitors. And sitting behind the desk, his fingers steepled before him and his unusually wide grin, sat Ledger.

"Come in," he said. "Sit."

I tried to make small talk. To break the ice. Start with pleasantries.

He would have none of it.

"You came here to ask questions," he said, cutting me off. "So ask. Question number one? What's behind door number one?"

I looked over my notebook filled with bullet points and potential questions. In the stark light of the office, lit only by the radiating light of the screens all around me, many of my planned questions suddenly seemed so quaint. Trivial. Even chummy. And with Ledger's disquieting grin almost leering back at me, the Dragon king seemed more interested in making chum out of me than being a chum.

I decided to cut to the heart of it while I still had time.

"How long do you intend to maintain your commitment to Iowa-only players?"

His answer was brief: "I'm a man of my word."

"But what's the bigger plan? Surely you can't hope to win Super Bowls that way."

"Do I really look like a guy with a plan?" he asked, skeptically. "You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it! You know, I just ... DO things."

It was not the answer I had expected. For the rest of my all-too-brief 20 minutes in the belly of the Dragon beast, none of the answers I got matched my expectations.

I tried pressing the issue of his larger goals: "You're Iowa-only strategy has been incredibly effective at building a fan base. The Dragons are selling out nearly every game now."

"It's not about money," he replied, cutting straight to the heart of my implied question. "It’s about sending a message."

"Which is?"

“Nobody panics when things go 'according to plan,' even if the plan is horrifying!" he said. "No, my philosophy is to introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos."

"So you're purposely antagonizing the NFL with your unorthodox ways? Won't football fans eventually feel … I don't know …"

"No, you don't know, do you?" he asked. "You think I'll be the villain, the bad guy. But I assure you, Mr. West, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve."

"So you're an innovator?" I asked.

His response still chills me as I write this. I can't honestly say I know what he meant by it.

"I'm an agent of chaos.”

Part of me wanted to believe the Clown Prince was putting on a show for my benefit. Like I had stumbled into a Halloween performance or perhaps down the rabbit hole. But Ledger seemed so … sincere. He also seemed … dare I say it?

Insane.

How else do you describe an interview so utterly surreal? What kind of billionaire works from an isolation chamber that looks more like a surveillance room in an inner city police precinct than an office? Who purposefully flickers the lights in the hallway on the way to his inner sanctum?

I wanted to understand him more. He wanted to speak in vagaries. I wanted to understand his plan. He insisted he had none. I wanted to know where the Dragons are going. He led me down paths until I got lost.

I'm sorry, dear reader, that I can't give you a more comprehensive picture of the man behind the Dragons. I'm sorry that the interview didn't answer many of your questions, for it didn't answer hardly any of mine.

I can only conclude that of among all the obscure and disjointed things Jack Ledger told me that day, before I tucked tail and power walked back up that creepy, flickering purple hallway into blessed daylight once more, he did say one thing that couldn't have been more clear and couldn't have been more true:

“They laugh at me because I'm different," Ledger said. "I laugh at them because they're all the same.”