The XFL is in full swing and unlike its 2001 predecessor, it appears here to stay. But like the 2001 version, there are actually a ton of players that will be given an opportunity to play in the NFL. Last season the Cleveland Browns gave a few Alliance of American Football stars a chance, and a couple landed on the final roster including Garrett Gilbert and D’Ernest Johnson.
The XFL looks to be full of even more talent. Here is one player from each positional group that would be a great addition to the current Cleveland roster.
Phillip Walker, QB, Houston Roughnecks, 5-11, 216 pounds
Walker went undrafted in 2017 after having an extremely productive college career at Temple and leading them to their first back to back double-digit win seasons in school history. He bounced back and forth from the practice squad to active roster for the Indianapolis Colts from 2017-2019 and after his latest release decided to take his talents to the XFL.
Most people have been focused on Cardale Jones and his season has been more statistically impressive, but Walker is younger at only 24 years old, has less talent around him and has a more similar playing style to Baker Mayfield. Walker also had an uphill battle to even start in the XFL as Connor Cook was slated to be the team’s poster boy. Through two games, Walker has completed over 60% of his passes for 449 yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception.
De’Veon Smith, RB, Tampa Bay Vipers, 5-11, 223 pounds
It was not surprising that Walker went undrafted in 2017, but Smith going undrafted was shocking. Smith has the resume of a mid-round selection as a productive back coming from Michigan and the size to take on an NFL workload, but his vision was rough. Smith was with the Miami Dolphins for a short time in 2017 and the Washington Redskins for a period in 2018, but that was the end of his NFL road. Despite being signed by the Orlando Apollos of the AAF, he joined the team deep into the season.
Smith is on one of the worst teams in the XFL and has very little help in front of him, but has managed to carry more than his share and be extremely productive with 27 carries for 125 yards and a solid average of 4.6 yards per carry.
Smith is currently second in the league in rushing and has clearly worked on his biggest weakness, which should result in an NFL team taking another chance on the 25-year-old. Cleveland should be taking a deep dive into the Ohio native’s film.
Dan Williams, WR, Tampa Bay Vipers, 6-2, 215 pounds
“Tha Threat” had a statistically spectacular collegiate career at Jackson State and followed that up with an equally impressive pro day, where he ran his forty at 4.51. However, he failed to get drafted and received a shot with the New York Jets. He likely went undrafted due to his lack of explosion in his cuts and this has also been the reason he has struggled to stick in the league.
In addition to having a cup of coffee in New York, Williams spent time in Washington and was actually in Cleveland for a month in 2019.
Like the players listed above, Williams is still young at only 25 and has obviously put in serious work to make himself a more explosive and agile weapon on the perimeter. Williams has nine receptions for 145 yards through two games and has accomplished that despite the quarterback position already in flux for Tampa Bay.
Jon Toth, C, DC Defenders, 6-5, 307 pounds
Toth was widely considered a mid-round talent going into the 2017 NFL Draft considering his reliability and consistency displayed during his time at Kentucky, but his lack of power scared teams away from selecting him. After going undrafted, Toth received a shot with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles but failed to land a consistent roster spot.
With the DC Defenders, Toth has displayed massive improvement to his power and has shown the ability to maintain blocks for an extended period. At only 26 years old, Toth deserves another shot at the NFL. He has the athletic profile and size to provide depth at a number of positions across the line.
Olubunmi Rotimi, DE, New York Guardians, 6-4, 273 pounds
Rotimi was a very productive edge rusher at Old Dominion and signed with the Chicago Bears after the 2018 draft. The former walk-on left Old Dominion second in school history with 19 sacks and has the ability to play end in either a 4-3 or a 3-4 like he did in Chicago. Despite having a great first step, his closing speed leaves something to be desired.
Rotimi has been a force off the edge for New York and has already managed 16 tackles and one sack through two games. Rotimi consistently beats his opponent off the ball and appears to be less of a liability in space than he was previously. It will be interesting to see how soon teams double team him.
Jameer Thurman, LB, DC Defenders, 6-0, 230 pounds
Thurman went undrafted in 2017 after playing at a high level for Indiana State and received no NFL calls, but he did head north of the border to the Canadian Football League. The backer was an integral part of the Grey Cup-winning Calgary Stampeders defense from 2017-2018. He played so well in the CFL, that the Chicago Bears gave him a shot in 2019, but he was unfortunately cut before the regular season.
Thurman is a pretty versatile piece on the defensive side. He typically plays on the inside for DC, but he is more than capable of providing depth on the outside. Thurman ranges all over the field and has already tallied 12 tackles through two games. His biggest issue has been his inability to shed blocks, but he has done a great job of dominating oncoming blockers this season.
Ajene Harris, CB, Houston Roughnecks, 5-10, 181 pounds
Another undrafted player, Harris came out of USC and was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2019 Draft, but was eventually released. Harris is still raw as he spent the start of his college career at receiver, but that is evidence of his athleticism. One of the reasons Harris went undrafted and few know his name is due to his college career being riddled by injuries.
Harris has been lockdown in coverage and all over the field with 12 tackles through two games. At only 23 years old, Harris looks like he is still developing and the extra reps he is getting in the XFL are making him some money. It would not be shocking to see Harris as someone’s nickel corner come next fall.
