The XFL has suspended play for the remainder of its 2020 season due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Originally, players from the league had not been permitted to sign contracts with NFL teams until April 27. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, players have since been advised that they can immediately sign a contract with an NFL team following their exit physical with their respective teams.
The Kansas City Chiefs could take a serious interest in players from the XFL to round out their 90-man offseason roster. The team signed Orlando Apollo’s CB Keith Reaser to a very affordable contract following the AAF’s season in 2019. The same type of signings could be on the way for Kansas City with the XFL.
Here’s a look at five players from the XFL who the Chiefs could look to sign:
Houston Roughnecks WR Cam Phillips
This player genuinely has a case to be the most dominant player to emerge from the league. Phillips led the XFL in receiving yards (455), receptions (31) and touchdowns (9). He also led the XFL in passer rating when targeted according to PFF.
What I like about Phillips is that he made some really tough catches. In doing so, he showed off strong hands and was able to get some hard-earned yards after the catch. Something that will spark the interest of NFL teams is the talent he showed as a blocker.
There will likely be some competition to sign this player as he was easily the most impressive skill position player. Luckily for Kansas City, they have the benefit of having the best quarterback in football as a good draw for a player like Phillips to come and join the team.
Houston Roughnecks WR Nick Holley
Holley was listed at running back but utilized as the slot receiver for the Houston Roughnecks. While he hasn’t been as productive as his teammate Phillips, he still managed to have a really good season. He recorded 21 catches for 267 yards and two touchdowns. He also was the second-best in the XFL in passer rating when targeted according to PFF.
What Holley was able to show most with the XFL is that he can stay healthy. He’s had a myriad of injuries throughout his career including three torn ACLs and a broken back. This time around he didn’t suffer any injuries and was able to showcase his skill as a receiving threat.
New York Guardians DT Cavon Walker
If this name sounds familiar, pat yourself on the back, because you’ve followed the Kansas City Chiefs closely. Walker was a reserve/future signing with the team following the 2018 season. He spent the 2019 offseason with the Chiefs but didn’t make it through final roster cuts.
Why would Kansas City be interested in bringing Walker back after they already cut him once? He led the XFL in sacks with 4.5 and he also had nine quarterback hits and five tackles for loss on the season. That production, combined with familiarity with the scheme and coaching staff could make him a good fit to return to the Chiefs.
Houston Roughnecks CB Deatrick Nichols
Nichols was a highly-productive player on the defensive side of the ball for the Houston Roughnecks. He added six passes defended and a sack in addition to his league-leading interception total with three interceptions. In 2018, Nichols spent time with the Arizona Cardinals. He was waived as a part of final roster cuts ahead of the 2019 season.
Nichols has inside to outside versatility at the corner position. He ran a 4.44 coming out of college, so he definitely has the speed for the NFL game. The big problem has always been size with him, as he’s listed at 5-feet-9. Now that he has produced in the XFL, I expect a team to forget about his size and give him a shot in the NFL.
Tampa Bay Vipers CB Tarvarus McFadden
Kansas City brought in McFadden for a tryout at their rookie minicamp this season. He didn’t make it past that tryout, but now that he has some proven success under his belt he could earn another opportunity. The Tampa Bay Vipers were among the worst teams in the XFL, yet McFadden still managed to get 10 total tackles, two interceptions and three passes defended. One of those interceptions was returned for a 78-yard touchdown.
McFadden went undrafted out of Florida State following the 2018 NFL draft. He boasts the prototypical size that NFL teams are looking for at 6-feet-2 and 205 pounds. He also has good length, which was often put on display in the XFL.
