After acquiring rights to 14 players via the inaugural XFL Rookie Draft (10 draftees and four UDFAs), the D.C. Defenders went out and obtained two more guys via the waiver system from the Vegas Vipers: DT Robert Windsor and DB Will Adams. The two transactions represent D.C.’s first “non-rookie additions” of the offseason.
DT Robert Windsor
Windsor initially retired from football in April 2022 due to injury setbacks but returned to the gridiron this past spring after the Vipers selected him in the third round of the “Defensive Front Seven” phase during the XFL Draft held in November 2022.
With Vegas, Windsor started in three of the eight games he played before he was transferred to the Injured Reserve for the season’s final two contests. Prior to his season-ending injury, he recorded a respectable 18 tackles, including three for a loss on 242 downs played. Fortunately, D.C. claiming Windsor should indicate he’s healthy again and ready to continue his professional football career in the XFL.
Windsor, a 2020 NFL sixth-round pick out of Penn State, spent most of his rookie season on the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. After being elevated to the Colts’ active roster in Week 11, he saw limited action in games against the Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans before being relegated back to the practice squad for the remainder of the season.
Windsor was forced to sit out the 2021 campaign after two major off-season surgeries on his hip and groin. As mentioned, setbacks and trouble recovering from these surgeries led to his temporary retirement.
At the collegiate level, Windsor redshirted his first season with the Nittany Lions in 2015 before he became a rotational member of their defensive line during his redshirt freshman and sophomore years.
As a junior, Windsor became a full-time starter, recording an impressive 39 tackles, including 11 for a loss and 7.5 sacks as he earned AP second-team all-Big 10 honors. His sack average of 0.63 per game ranked sixth in the Big 10.
In his senior season, Windsor continued to shine as one of Penn State’s most productive defensive front seven components, posting similar numbers (40 tackles, five TFL, 3.5 sacks) and earning third-team all-Big 10 honors and the Lions Pride Outstanding Senior Player Award. Prior to the season, he had been named to the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) watch list.
Already stacked at the defensive line position, Windsor’s the type of guy the Defenders could afford to risk adding with his tremendous upside yet spotty past with injuries. If he could remain healthy at 26, he would be a compelling piece of D.C.’s interior defensive line rotation alongside the likes of Joe Wallace and Jarrell Owens.
DB Will Adams
Adams was drafted by the Vipers in the eighth round of the “Defensive Backs” phase of the XFL Draft and remained with the squad throughout the season. Although he appeared in each game on special teams, he only recorded stats in the team’s regular-season finale against the Seattle Sea Dragons, registering five (solo) tackles.
Interestingly, Adams played for Defenders HC Reggie Barlow during his college career at HBCU Virginia State. This connection likely played a role in D.C.’s decision to sign him.
Adams, a four-year starter with the Spartans, concluded his five-year college career on a high note, earning 2021 first-team all-CIAA honors. He finished second on his team in tackles with 61, including 37 solo tackles which ranked ninth conference-wide.
Adams’ strong performance at the 2022 HBCU combine only further raised his draft stock, as he posted impressive figures that would’ve stood out even at the NFL combine. Scouts took note of his 40.5” vertical leap and 21 bench press reps, as well as his 10 ‘3” broad jump and 4.57 40-yard dash.
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Adams received three rookie minicamp invites before signing with the Washington Commanders. Unfortunately, he was released a month later, in June 2022, before training camp began.
While Adams excelled as a tackle machine at the free safety position in college, his one interception during his last collegiate season raised concerns about his pass coverage abilities. Yet, Adams played cornerback with the Vipers last season, likely because he didn’t have the size to take up the safety position at 6-1 186 lbs.
The Defenders have options for where they’ll play Adams, 25, as both their cornerback and safety positions could use reinforcement after struggling during the 2023 campaign.
Final thoughts
By no means are these guys “home run” additions, but both have considerable upside at their relatively young ages. As I said, Windsor’s impact on the Defenders’ defensive line will be contingent on his ability to stay healthy, while Adams reunites with the coach whom he shined under at the collegiate level.
