Branch, Stevens Head Cobra Picks

Cliff Branch, former Raider wide receiver, and Matt Stevens, former UCLA quarterback, head a list of 12 players named Tuesday as territorial and at-large free agent picks by the Los Angeles Cobras.

The Cobras open their first Arena Football League season April 30 against the New York Knights at the Sports Arena.

In addition to Branch and Stevens, the Cobras selected Eric Beavers, quarterback; Eric Arrington and Brian Clark, linemen; Michael Jones, lineman-linebacker; Joe Kelly and Matt McKnight, wide receiver-defensive back; Wade Lockett, running back-defensive back; Yepi Pauu, linebacker-running back; Tony Palamara, lineman-linebacker, and Ken Olson, kicker.

These 12 free agents will join more than 200 players attending the league-wide preseason training camp that begins Thursday at Orlando, Fla.

After two days of drills, the league’s six teams will draft 35 players each. Nine of Tuesday’s 12 Cobra free agents can be protected in that draft, which will be held Sunday.