After a promising start to the season, the XFL has been forced to cancel its 2020 campaign due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. It lasted just five games, but that was likely enough to earn a bunch of players new opportunities in the NFL.
The XFL is allowing its players to sign with NFL teams starting Monday, and the Rams should keep their minds open. They could use help on the offensive and defensive lines, as well as at safety and linebacker.
There are a number of intriguing options available and the Rams should consider these nine, in particular.
S Kenny Robinson, St. Louis BattleHawks
Robinson is in a unique situation because he still has draft eligibility and could be selected next month. The Rams should have him on their radar as a ballhawk on the backend, especially after watching Marqui Christian leave for the Jets. Robinson could be a third safety for the Rams, giving them a true free safety on the roster. He had two interceptions in the XFL this season to go along with seven in two years at West Virginia.
CB Jamar Summers, New York Guardians
Summers had nearly identical stats to Smith’s, making 16 tackles with one interception and two passes defensed. He went undrafted in 2018 and signed with the Steelers, but he never made the 53-man roster. He bounced around with the Dolphins and Lions last offseason before being cut in August. The Rams are deep at cornerback, but Nickell Robey-Coleman is gone so adding some help couldn’t hurt.
QB Luis Perez, New York Guardians
Perez signed with the Rams after going undrafted in 2018, but he couldn’t stick around on the practice squad. He finally got the chance to start in the XFL before the season was halted, throwing three touchdown passes with one interception and 418 yards. He has the potential to be an NFL quarterback, and after shining in the AAF and XFL, perhaps he’ll get another chance. The Rams currently only have John Wolford as Jared Goff’s backup.
OT Storm Norton, Los Angeles Wildcats
Norton has prototypical size for the NFL, standing 6-foot-8, 308 pounds. He went undrafted in 2017 but made the Vikings’ 53-man roster in 2018 and was active for one game – though he never played an offensive snap. He looked good in the XFL and could get a shot on some team’s roster for the offseason heading into training camp. The Rams could use tackle depth even after re-signing Andrew Whitworth, so he could be an option.
S Derron Smith, Dallas Renegades
Smith was a sixth-round pick out of Fresno State in 2015 and while he struggled to stick in the NFL, he did help himself in the XFL. He made 16 tackles, picked off one pass and had two PBU, fitting nicely in a free safety role as a centerfielder. He isn’t the fastest defender, running a 4.61 at his pro day five years ago, but he looks the part of an NFL safety.
CB Deatrick Nichols, Houston Roughnecks
Nichols led the XFL with three interceptions and six passes defensed, also recording three tackles for loss, one sack and 24 total tackles. He was one of the best defensive backs in the league and will get looks from NFL teams as a result. He’s undersized at 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, but the Rams just parted with a small nickel corner in Robey-Coleman. Nichols’ lack of size shouldn’t scare the Rams away.
DT Cavon Walker, New York Guardians
Walker isn’t the biggest defensive tackle at 6-foot-2, 284 pounds, but he could move outside to defensive end in a scheme like the Rams’ – or possibly back up Aaron Donald. He led the XFL with 4.5 sacks and had nine QB hits, making five tackles for loss. His production should land him on an offseason roster somewhere.
K Austin MacGinnis, Dallas Renegades
The Rams haven’t yet signed Greg Zuerlein, which leaves a vacancy at kicker. MacGinnis made all 10 of his FG tries and had the strongest leg, leading the league in touchbacks with four. If the Rams don’t feel great about paying up for Zuerlein, MacGinnis is a legitimate option.
LB Steven Johnson, Seattle Dragons
Johnson was the league’s top tackler, making 48 stops with an XFL-high six tackles for loss, too. He broke up two passes and has the size to stick on an NFL roster, weighing 239 pounds at 6-feet tall. The Rams are desperate for linebacker help and should give Johnson a look.
