One of the lasting legacies of the original XFL was it launched the NFL careers, or re-launched them, for several players. The two most memorable former XFL players that went onto the NFL were Rod “He Hate Me” Smart and Tommy Maddox. The latter won the XFL Most Valuable Player award and league championship before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers. He parlayed re-joining the NFL by winning Super Bowl XL as the Steelers signal caller. Football fans are debating whether or not the DC Defenders can continue their winning streak in the XFL. Gridiron fans can visit Librabet to get a bet bonuses before wagering on the XFL games this weekend.
The XFL could launch more NFL careers of football players, especially with the playing quality improved this time around. Could these XFL players earn an NFL contract next season?
XFL Players Earning NFL Opportunities
- Rashad Ross, wide receiver – DC Defenders
Rashad Ross was a well-traveled NFL wide receiver with much of his time being on practices. Ross only caught nine passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns during his time in the NFL. Last season saw Ross play on the Carolina Panthers practice squad before being drafted by the XFL’s LA Wildcats. The Los Angeles team sent Ross to DC where he has six receptions, 147 yards, and one touchdown.
- Jordan Ta’amu, quarterback – St. Louis Battlehawks
St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback Jordan Ta’amu has youth on his side compared to some of the other skill players in the XFL. Ta’amu is just 22 and playing his first professional football season with the Battlehawks. Ta’amu was undrafted out of Ole Miss and played for the Houston Texans practice squad in 2019. Ta’amu has thrown for the XFL’s second-most yards in 2020 with 493. He has also rushed for 109 yards.
- Nelson Spruce, wide receiver – LA Wildcats
LA Wildcats wide receiver Nelson Spruce has done his chances of an NFL contract no harm with 192 yards receiving. In XFL Week 2, Spruce scored two touchdowns and tallied 89 yards receiving on just six passes. Undrafted out of Colorado in 2016, Spruce failed to make an NFL roster bouncing around to four different practice squads. The LA Chargers should have an eye on Spruce.
- Cardale Jones, quarterback – DC Defenders
The DC Defenders are unbeaten with two wins from two games and Cardale Jones has shown himself to be a strong-armed quarterback. Jones has completed 77.8 percent of his passes while throwing four touchdowns. The former Ohio State Buckeye quarterback was drafted in 2016 by the Buffalo Bills where he made just 11 passes in one game played. After stops with the LA Chargers and Seattle Seahawks, Jones landed in the XFL. This could be his chance to earn a spot back on an NFL roster.
- P.J. Walker, quarterback – Houston Roughnecks
In a league desperate to discover high-quality quarterbacks, Houston Roughnecks signal caller P.J. Walker has stood head and shoulders above every other quarterback in the XFL. Both agile and strong armed, Walker has been prolific throwing seven touchdowns in two games. The 24-year-old went undrafted out of Temple in 2017 playing on the Indianapolis Colts practice team. Walker is surely attracting NFL attention after having some time to getting more snaps under his belt.
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