ELF: 2024 Paris Musketeers – A Roster Breakdown
By Michael Voitek
The Paris Musketeers had a somewhat disappointing 2023 season going 6-6, but for a first-year team it was still solid. The expectations are sky-high in 2024, but let’s break down the roster to see if they are contenders or pretenders in the 2024 European League of Football season.
The team consists of 52 players with four American imports and six European imports.
Offense
Quarterback
At quarterback, the team brings back Zach Edwards, a former all-star in the ELF. Edwards struggled at times last year but much of that due was due to poor offensive line play. Still, Edwards also has to be a bit smarter with the ball. If he can keep his composure, the Musketeers should be great this year.
Running Back
Jason Aguemon returns as the Musketeers top running back, but he wasn’t as effective as the team needed last year, rushing for only 333 yards in 12 games. Most of this team’s rushing attack came from Zach Edwards (569 yards), but for this team to be effective, Edwards will need to stay in the pocket and deliver the ball while his running backs get it done on the ground.
Wide Receiver
At wide receiver, this team adds a 1st team all-star in Anthony Mahongou while also signing German Football League standout, import Austin Mitchell.
Mitchell went to Southeastern Louisiana University and is an absolute burner, running a 4.55 40 yard dash. Playing in the GFL last year with the Dresden Monarchs, Mitchell was statistically far and away from the GFL’s top target racking up a league-best 94 catches, 1,627 yards, and 20 touchdowns, good for the top of the league in all three categories. Look for this duo to lead the way for this team.
The Musketeers have also beefed up the receiving corps with homegrown tight end Kevin Mwamba.
Offensive Line
This offensive line needs to improve greatly if the Musketeers have any chance of becoming champions this year after Zach Edwards led the league in sacks taken last year. To boost this front, Paris added great players in Lewis Thomas and former CFL player Toby Lettman. They should be much improved from 2023.
Defense
Defensive line
On the defensive front, this team will be led by second team all-star Aslan Zetterberg who comes over from the Stuttgart Surge. Look for Stanley Zeregbe, Mamdou Sy, and Vincent Buffet to also make some noise as homegrown players.
Linebacker
The strength of this team is in their linebackers this year with Dauson Dales returning for another year. Dales was fifth in the ELF with 93 total tackles last season.
To help him out, the Musketeers signed former Notre Dame and UCLA linebacker Jordan Genmark Heath from Sweden. Genmark Heath is an E-import and brings amazing talent to the ELF.
Defensive back
At defensive back, the Musketeers signed the best defensive player in the league last year, Maceo Beard. Beard led the league in interceptions for the Helvetic Guards in 2023 and is a huge signing for this team. Joining him is Chandler Jones, a former Division-I cornerback at University of Louisville who should be one of the top defensive backs in the league this year.
Wrapping up
This roster is good, really good. The defense may have had the best offseason of any in the ELF, but I do worry about this offense and their rushing attack. The offensive line has improved and if Edwards can cut down on turnovers (12 interceptions last year) this team will no doubt be at the top of the league by year’s end. Time will only tell how this mostly new group holds up, but the football in Paris should be a lot better this year.
Offseason Grade: A
