Which NFL players might not make an NFL roster and be offered a spot playing for the XFL?
The quality of play in the XFL in season one under new management was strongly influenced by the number of players with NFL experience they were able to sign. Many of those that ended up playing major roles with teams last season were participants in NFL training camps in the summer of 2022. Though XFL teams now have a returning core of players entering season two, they’re always looking to upgrade if they’re able.
That’s where this list comes in: NFL teams will end up cutting talented players at the end of camp in order to curate their 53-man rosters and practice squads. Included in those cuts will be ones made at each team’s deepest positions. The XFL and its eight franchises will be there, attempting to scoop up those that are released to be either added to the fall draft pool or directly onto 90-man off-season rosters.
This is the third year I’ve put out this list of each team’s deepest position groups heading into training camp. The object is to look at those places where 2024 XFL players are most likely to come from, and give fans a guide for who to look for when watching preseason games. Last year’s part one can be found here; part two here. If you click those links and read my analysis from 2022, you’ll see several names that ended up in the XFL this spring, including Ben DiNucci, Anthony Hines, Austin Proehl, Glen Logan, and Cameron Nizialek.
As always, part one will start with AFC teams. Be on the lookout for part two, NFC teams, in the coming days.
Baltimore Ravens
Wide Receivers: In terms of pure numbers, there are 13 receivers in training camp vying for anywhere from five to seven final roster spots (with 2-3 potentially landing on the practice squad). That still leaves several players who will be looking for work come September. The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, Baltimore’s beat reporter, believes five players at the position to be “written in ink” for the final roster. Like so many other positions, special teams play may determine the last one or two spots. It’s a mix of veterans and youngsters competing for reps at the back end of the rotation: Mike Thomas, James Proche, and Laquon Treadwell bring experience, while Tarik Black, Shemar Bridges, and Dontay Demus, Jr. have youth on their side. Of particular interest is Demus, who many predicted would get drafted in April but who comes to Baltimore as an undrafted free agent (UDFA). Injuries have held him back and he’ll have to show he’s over them to probably just earn a spot on the practice squad.
Buffalo Bills
Defensive Line: Complicating the numbers game at defensive line is the potential for one or more players to start the season on the Reserve/Physically-Unable-to-Perform list. They would not count against the 53-man roster, opening up spots for others who impress in the preseason. As it stands, the Bills are likely to keep four on the interior, and four or five on the edge. Journeymen Eli Ankou and Cortez Broughton are on the outside looking in for a spot at defensive tackle. An intriguing player there is 300-pound nose tackle DJ Dale, a UDFA out of powerhouse program Alabama. The end position is just as competitive, with 2022 CFL draft pick Kingsley Jonathan vying for a place on the roster. Former Colt Kameron Cline and 2015 first-round draft pick Shane Ray, who has been out of the NFL since 2019, are XFL candidates if they don’t make the Bills.
Cincinnati Bengals
Linebackers: Three undrafted free agents will try to unseat a couple of veterans for the last two spots in the linebacker room. They’ll have to outplay their competition on special teams to make their mark. A couple of fourth-year players in Joe Bachie, Markus Bailey, and Keandre Jones will look to hold off UDFAs Shaka Heyward (Duke), Jaylen Moody (Alabama) and Tyler Murray (Memphis). Two of these players could be kept on the practice squad after final cuts. Heyward and Moody in particular are interesting prospects, while Bachie and Jones are former undrafted free agents themselves. All three vets have been with Cincinnati for multiple years, so they’ll have the leg up in knowing Lou Anarumo’s defensive system and what Darrin Simmons expects on special teams.
Cleveland Browns
Offensive Line: In a rarity, none of the starting five positions are expected to be up for grabs as Cleveland returns their first-team line intact from 2022. The real competition will be for depth. Gigantic fourth-round pick Dawand Jones may need a redshirt year before he’s ready to contribute, leaving James Hudson as the potential swing tackle. On the inside, former XFL Seattle Dragon Michael Dunn is likely to nail down a backup job. Nick Harris, who went into camp last year as the starter at center before suffering a season-ending injury, and this year’s sixth-round selection Luke Wypler will battle for what could be just one roster spot behind starter Ethan Pocic. Others on the bubble include OT Tyrone Wheatley, Jr., a former player in The Spring League; G Wes Martin, who put up 38 reps on the bench press at his pro day in 2019; G Colby Gossett, on his second tour with the Browns; and OT Hunter Thedford, who played in the USFL in 2022 as a tight end.
Denver Broncos
Linebackers: Vance Joseph returns to Denver where he was head coach from 2017-2018, only this time he’s stepping in as defensive coordinator. He’ll keep the 3-4 base that was run by his predecessor Ejiro Evero. That means the Broncos are carrying several LBs on their training camp roster, including a trio of intriguing undrafted free agents. ILB Seth Benson fits the mold of many at the position who came before him at Iowa: A thumper that can take on the run with aplomb, but who lacks the athleticism to be a pass rush force. Thomas Incoom was expected to be a late-round pick in April but he’ll enter a deep competition at the EDGE/OLB position after playing defensive end at Central Michigan. Marcus Haynes is another pass-rushing college DE transitioning to OLB. If any one of them wins a job, it could be at the expense of others like Christopher Allen, Aaron Patrick, and Ray Wilborn.
Houston Texans
Running Backs: Houston is one of the few teams that still utilizes a fullback, which throws a wrench into the numbers game at this position. They have a new offensive coordinator, Bobby Slowik, to go with new head coach DeMeco Ryans. Slowik comes from San Francisco where Kyle Shanahan has helped turn FB Kyle Juszczyk into a Pro Bowl player. Both Andrew Beck and Troy Hairston will see snaps at the fullback spot this summer: Beck is more a FB/TE combo who excels at special teams while Hairston made the team as a UDFA last year. A new coaching staff may have different ideas on how to deploy them. At RB, Dameon Pierce came on strong as a rookie last year before ending the season on injured reserve. Behind him are former Bills starter Devin Singletary and pass-catching specialist Dare Ogunbowale. Journeyman Mike Boone is also on the roster along with young legs in Gerrid Doaks, a 2021 seventh-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, and UDFA Xazavian Valladay, an older rookie (25 years old) who averaged over 5.0 yards per carry in each of his five seasons at Arizona State.
Indianapolis Colts
Tight Ends: The common theme among Colts tight ends is size. They have some big bodies at the position, a trait that several XFL teams covet in their tight ends as well. Though most teams keep three, Indy could keep four given their depth; or they could use a player as trade bait toward the end of training camp. Players on the outside looking in include 6’5″, 246 lb Pharaoh Brown, a sixth-year vet out of Oregon; 6’5″, 260 lb Drew Ogletree, a sixth-round draft pick of the Colts last year from Youngstown State; and 6’5″, 249 lb Kaden Smith, a sixth-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2019. Barring injury, it’s difficult to see any of them beating out the top four on the depth chart, leaving them perhaps to fight for a practice squad role.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Wide Receivers: What was once a team weakness has become a strength. They paid Zay Jones and Christian Kirk big money last off-season to come to Jacksonville and both paid dividends in the pass game. Their under-the-radar November trade for suspended Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley, who has since been reinstated, will give them more ammo this year. There are spots to be won behind these three, with special teamer and spark-plug Jamal Agnew likely to win one of them. Sixth-round draft pick Parker Washington could back up the slot. Tim Jones and Kevin Austin Jr., undrafted free agents in 2021 and 2022 respectively, have spent the majority of their time on the practice squad. Kendric Pryor was claimed off waivers from the Bengals at final cuts last year but was inactive for nearly every game. TE/WR hybrid Jacob Harris and former Broncos draft pick Seth Williams are joined by three undrafted free agents in doing battle at the end of the rotation.
Kansas City Chiefs
Defensive Backs: True, it may not be Kansas City’s actual deepest position, but in terms of scouting for the XFL, there is intrigue here because the Chiefs made the unusual move to bring six undrafted free agent defensive backs to training camp. These are the kinds of players that are most likely to find their way to the XFL in 2024. At 5’9″, Reese Taylor is likely pigeon-holed for nickel back duties and, like many other defensive backs, special teams. Due to injuries at nickel this summer, Taylor may get a real opportunity. S Anthony Cook of Texas played 60 games with the Longhorns in his career. Though not a rookie, CB Lamar Jackson (not to be confused with the OTHER Lamar Jackson) has been through the NFL grind and is buried on the depth chart at corner. XFL teams have already had their eye on Chiefs DBs, with CB Anthony Witherstone, a UDFA cut after rookie minicamp, being selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks in the league’s Rookie Draft. Witherstone was just re-signed by the Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders
Defensive Line: The Raiders spent three of their nine draft picks on the defensive line in an effort to improve the overall depth. That may end up pushing some holdovers out of a job. Vegas could keep as many as ten at the position given they run a 4-3 operation under second-year defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Some recent draft picks like Matthew Butler (fifth round, 2022), Malcolm Koonce (third round, 2021) and Neil Farrell, Jr. (fourth round, 2022) could have some pressure on them this summer. Deeper on the depth chart are rookie UDFAs Adam Plant of UNLV and George Tarlas of Boise State. Vegas may struggle to find a spot for their seventh-round pick this year, Nesta Jade Silvera, who would be a top candidate for the practice squad. An improvement in pass rush is a major goal of the defense this year so if you can get to the QB, they’ll find room for you.
Los Angeles Chargers
Defensive Backs: Another team featuring a bevy of undrafted defensive backs, there will be multiple camp battles not only for backup jobs in LA but starting ones as well. The competition for fourth safety on the roster should be Raheem Layne versus the field; Layne was on the practice squad as a rookie last year, elevated to play in six games. His biggest challenges will come from 2021 seventh-round pick Mark Webb and rookie UDFA AJ Finley. Other intriguing undrafted players include Ohio State CB Cam Brown, projected by some to be a mid-round pick in April; and Indiana CB Tiawan Mullen, a first-team All-American in 2020. The projected backups at corner and safety are all young, with only one of the 12 having entered the NFL before 2019.
Miami Dolphins
Linebackers: Veteran coordinator Vic Fangio takes over Miami’s defense in 2023. He faces a tall task not only with the top quarterbacks in the division Miami will face twice (Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers), but also in their non-divisional draws: Among them, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Justin Herbert. The Dolphins’ offense should be high-powered once again, putting pressure on the defense to get enough stops. At linebacker, Miami has some pass-rush juice with Bradley Chubb and Jalean Phillips on the outside, and players adept at stopping the run on the inside in David Long and Jerome Baker. There’s a spot or two to be had, with perhaps multiple openings on the practice squad depending on how things shake out. Seventh-rounder Cameron Goode spent most of his rookie year on the practice squad in 2022. He’ll vie for a spot with undrafted Aubrey Miller, who was coached by Deion Sanders at Jackson State, and another UDFA, Garrett Nelson from Nebraska.
New England Patriots
Offensive Line: Covering the team for The Athletic, Chad Graff noted that offensive line was a weak spot for the Patriots in the spring. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them tinker here by adding and subtracting players throughout camp. They drafted three interior linemen in April, high enough that they’re likely guaranteed roster spots – though nothing is guaranteed so long as the unconventional Bill Belichick is leading the team. If he doesn’t make the team, a veteran like James Ferentz is more likely to find a landing spot elsewhere in the NFL than try his hand at the XFL. Younger players like Chasen Hines (sixth-round pick in 2022), Bill Murray (DT convert undrafted in 2020) and Kody Russey (center who was inactive while he was on the 53-man last year) could end up XFL-bound if they don’t make the Patriots.
New York Jets
Wide Receivers: General Manager Joe Douglas has stocked what was once a bare cupboard with weapons galore for new QB Aaron Rodgers. Naturally, Rodgers’s old friends Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb are now on the team, though Cobb’s roster spot should be far from guaranteed. Mecole Hardman was added to man the slot. There are four undrafted free agents in this group, with Southern Miss’s Jason Brownlee the most likely candidate to win a spot as one of the final 53. He’ll likely have to bump out Alex Erickson or Malik Taylor to do so. Irvin Charles was a late-season addition from the practice squad and will have a hard time breaking through this group. He could end up back on the PS if he can outperform this year’s crop of UDFAs in Xavier Gipson, TJ Luther, and Jerome Kapp.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Special Teams: Pittsburgh is the first team in which this position is the same as was listed in last year’s write-up. They’re one of the few teams that has created competition at all three specialist spots. Both K Chris Boswell and P Pressley Harvin were able to fend off opposition last year, but they’ll have to do so again to retain their positions. Boswell had a career-low field-goal percentage last year and will be challenged by BT Potter, a rookie free agent out of Clemson. Harvin held off future Seattle Sea Dragon Cameron Nizialek last year. He increased his gross and net punting average in his second year but will face off against former New York Jet draft pick Braden Mann to make the roster this year. At long snapper, incumbent Christian Kuntz has played well in his three seasons in the Steel City. Pittsburgh brought in Rex Sunahara for his second go-round with the team to see if he can out-duel Kuntz. Both Kuntz and Sunahara are veterans of the XFL, Kuntz in 2020 with the Dallas Renegades and Sunahara in 2023 with the San Antonio Brahmas. One of them could be back in the XFL in 2024.
Tennessee Titans
Tight Ends: Another repeat from last year. Passing game coordinator Tim Kelly was promoted to offensive coordinator in February, and unlike in past seasons under head coach Mike Vrabel, it appears as if Tennessee’s offense will ditch the fullback. They have some tight ends that can double there (like Trevon Wesco) but more importantly it leaves open the possibility of an extra roster spot going to a fourth tight end. Chig Okonkwo had a strong rookie season and will be elevated to starter this year. Behind him are Wesco and rookie Josh Whyle. A quartet of players are vying to potentially be the fourth tight end. Kevin Rader brings the most experience and is more of a blocker and special teamer, something the final TE will have to excel at. Thomas Odukoya returns as part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program. Justin Rigg and Alize Mack round out the competition.
