Quarterback Josh Johnson, XFL, LA Wildcats At NY Guardians 29 Feb 2020 – Credit Adam McCullough
Through the first few weeks of training camp, NFL fans are forced to rely on coverage from beat writers and team-approved websites for the blow-by-blow of each day. It’s hard to get a handle on where the players stand at each position. The closest we get is when depth charts are released prior to the first preseason game. With the first preseason games on the horizon, those depth charts have been unleashed on the world.
There are two important things to note about these depth charts:
They are unofficial and are compiled by team public relations and communications staff, NOT by the coaches; and
Many of them give deferential treatment to veterans over rookies
Now, that’s not to say these depth charts can’t be instructive; they are, after all, the best guess based on what has been observed over the course of almost a dozen practices. At this time of year, these rankings are fluid, just as rosters are, and players will be up and down based not only on practice performance but also work in the three preseason games.
For spring football fans, this is the first time we get a glimpse as to the chances those players have of making their teams’ 53-man rosters at the end of this month. This series will look at where each of them stand on those depth charts. I’ve broken this up into three articles: Players from the UFL in 2024; players from the USFL in 2022 and 2023; and players from the XFL in 2020 and 2023.
This first article profiled players who have signed with NFL teams following this UFL season. You can find that here. The follow-up article on USFL players in the NFL can be found here. I’ve included their jersey number so that you may keep this list handy if you want to track them during exhibition games you watch. In this final installment, I look at XFL 2020 and 2023 players that are active on NFL teams.
Atlanta: Last year’s swing tackle, OT Storm Norton (#77 – Wildcats) is back in Atlanta for another go-round. He’s listed as the backup right tackle, though in order to be active on gamedays, the third tackle has to be ready to play either the left or right side in a pinch. Norton has experience doing just that.
There is some buzz that QB Taylor Heinicke (#4 – Battlehawks) could be on the trade block this summer. Atlanta revamped their quarterback room, signing Kirk Cousins to a monster deal and then surprising the football world by using their first round pick on another QB, Michael Penix, Jr. Heinicke’s best hope is that Penix won’t be ready for the number two job and instead they’ll keep the former Battlehawk as a backup and Penix as the third option. Atlanta has rotated through a couple number four QBs this summer, indicating they may be looking to replace Heinicke.
Working his way into the defensive line rotation last year, DT LaCale London (#94 – Battlehawks) proved to be a valuable depth piece toward the end of the season. Those contributions are not reflected in the first depth chart, however: London is fourth out of four at one defensive end position behind Ta’Quan Graham and rookie Brandon Dorlus.
The good news: WR Chris Blair (#19 – Defenders) is listed as the direct backup to Drake London on Atlanta’s depth chart. The bad news: Recently signed James Washington is one of the players behind him. Washington, a former second round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, may be the biggest competition for Blair’s spot. Still, a good sign this early that Blair is running with the twos.
Another player listed on the second team is OT Barry Wesley (#69 – Sea Dragons). Wesley was sidelined with an injury much of last season and sits as the backup left tackle. It’s a spring football battle royal for that spot, as the two players behind him on the depth chart spent time in the UFL this year. At least it seems likely one player from the XFL/UFL may get that position on the 53-man this year.
Third-team safety is where S Lukas Denis (#41 – Battlehawks) currently resides. Denis would have to beat out DeMarcco Hellams for a spot, which seems unlikely at this point. A second season on the Atlanta practice squad would not be out of the question for the Boston College grad.
Baltimore: It’s been a long time since QB Josh Johnson (#17 – Wildcats) could safely count on a roster spot in training camp. As Baltimore opens its preseason slate, Johnson is likely to get a lot of work. He’s listed as the primary backup to former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who is not expected to play much during these exhibition games. Johnson is ahead of two rookies: Sixth rounder Devin Leary and undrafted free agent Emory Jones.
After wresting the Ravens’ long snapper job away from incumbent Morgan Cox in 2021, LS Nick Moore (Tampa Bay Vipers – #46) spent the next two seasons doing the longer-than-usual snapping for Baltimore. In 2023, however, Moore tore his Achilles in the offseason and was out for the entire year. Baltimore brought in rookie Randen Plattner at the position, but expect Moore to win the job back, provided he’s full healthy and able.
Cleveland: In March, G Michael Dunn (#68 – Dragons) signed a 1-year, $1.3 million deal to stay in Cleveland. He is a key cog as an interior backup along the offensive line of the Browns. It’s where he fits in the team’s initial depth chart, behind starter Joel Bitonio on the left side. Undrafted G Javion Cohen is behind him, more likely a practice squadder than anything else, so expect Dunn in a familiar role again in 2024.
Denver: After spending some time with AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers before stopping over in the XFL, WR Michael Bandy (#83 – Roughnecks) is now trying to earn a spot in the Mile High City. He has a long way to go, as he is fifth on the depth chart at one WR position, ahead of rookie Devaughn Vale, a seventh round pick (head coach Sean Payton is notorious for being tough on rookies – first round pick Bo Nix, the likely opening day starter, is listed third on the depth chart).
Detroit: Back after missing half of 2023 with a knee injury, LS Scott Daly (New York Guardians – #47) will look to regain his spot as the Lions’ deep snapper. The veteran who replaced him last year, Jake McQuaide, was not re-signed. Detroit did bring in a rookie free agent, however, to allow Daly to ease back into things. That player is Hogan Hatten, and Daly is listed as the first-teamer at the position. Like the situation in Baltimore, consider Hatten simply insurance at the position until further notice.
Green Bay: Despite an up-and-down first season, P Daniel Whelan (#19 – Defenders) is unchallenged in Packers training camp for his spot. He is number one on the team’s depth chart. That isn’t to say the team can’t bring in competition for him at any point, but right now, all signs point to him as Green Bay’s punter (and holder on field goals/extra points) in 2024.
Los Angeles Chargers: For years, TE Donald Parham, Jr. (#89 – Renegades) has teased his potential. Injuries have always gotten in the way from him taking the next step. It has again this summer, as he’s been held out of practices because of those injuries. Hayden Hurst and Will Dissly are listed as co-starters on the Chargers depth chart with Parham on the second team. If he can’t shake the injury bug, though, he could be on his last legs in LA.
Miami: An under-the-radar XFL contributor in the NFL has been S Elijah Campbell (#22 – Defenders). Campbell has become a trusted backup and core special teamer for the Dolphins the last few seasons. He is listed as the immediate backup to Javon Holland at one safety spot. However, sixth round draft pick Patrick McMorris is vying for his spot. It could be one of McMorris or Campbell that makes the team, or Miami could finagle a way to keep both.
Minnesota: It’s a little misleading to say that WR Lucky Jackson (#81 – Defenders) is a fourth-team receiver with the Vikings; they list two players on the third team, so it’s more like Jackson is on the fifth team. He is ahead of rookie free agent Ty James out of Mercer. Trishton Jackson and Jeshaun Jones are the main competition for Lucky.
New Orleans: A couple of rookies surround DT Jack Heflin (#95 – Roughnecks) on the Saints depth chart. Sixth round pick Khristian Boyd is already the backup to Khalen Saunders, with Heflin behind him. On the fourth team is UDFA Kyler Baugh. Sixth rounders are not locks to make a team but the fact that Boyd is running with the twos already shows great confidence in the rookie.
Next to Heflin on the line is DE Niko Lalos (#57 – Sea Dragons). New Orleans went with the dreaded “OR” at starter, not singling out Carl Granderson or Chase Young for the spot, instead listing them both. Lalos is third team – which in this case really means fourth – with Tanoh Kpassagnon, currently on the PUP list, behind him. Lalos’s prospects don’t look great, but it’s also the third year he’s been with the team, which can’t hurt.
New York Giants: The enticing athleticism of TE Tyree Jackson (#84 – Defenders) has allowed him to stick around the periphery of the NFL since his transition from quarterback. Jackson got into two games late in the season for the Giants in 2023, including one start. Nevertheless, he’s the sixth of six tight ends on the depth chart.
New York Jets: On and off the roster three different times in 2023, DT Bruce Hector (#98 – Renegades) finished the season on the active roster of the Jets. New York deploys two defensive tackles in its base defense; Hector right now finds himself behind Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu at one of those spots. Fotu was an offseason free agent signing from the Arizona Cardinals. A good preseason showing could do wonders for Hector’s chances of making the team.
Pittsburgh: At times, the Steelers have brought in competition for LS Christian Kuntz (#46 – Renegades) as Mike Tomlin is one of the few head coaches that likes to have special teams battles in camp. Alas, this year Kuntz has the job wrapped up, barring injury or implosion.
Pittsburgh carries six safeties in camp and will likely keep four on the roster to start the regular season. S Nate Meadors (#38 – Battlehawks) is third team at the free safety spot. It will be difficult for him to get promoted, as standing in his way is Miles Killebrew, a special teams captain in the Steel City.
Seattle: The Seahawks were major beneficiaries of the quarterback shakeup in Washington this year. They got the young but experienced Sam Howell from the Commanders in a draft pick swap, and he’ll back up starter Geno Smith. Then there’s QB PJ Walker (#15 – Roughnecks), the journeyman signed to carry the clipboard. With a new head coach in the Emerald City, there’s no history to look back on to see if they’ll carry a third QB on the active roster or the practice squad. It doesn’t seem like Walker can unseat Howell so his best bet is to be Seattle’s number three.
While Walker represents XFL 2020 in Seattle, DT Matthew Gotel (#77 – Brahmas) is an XFL 2023 graduate with the Seahawks. Based on his depth chart positioning, Gotel is poised to make a run at a roster spot. He’s the second-string nose tackle behind Jonathan Hankins. Behind Gotel is Cameron Young, a 2023 third round draft pick currently on the PUP list. Gotel can make it difficult for Seattle to keep Young over him with his performance in the coming weeks.
Tampa Bay: In his second season with the Buccaneers, DT CJ Brewer (#95 – Roughnecks) is listed as nose tackle for Tampa. This will be a tough rotation for him to crack, as the dependable veteran Greg Gaines is ahead of him. Another year on the practice squad is possible, if no other team claims him after cut-down day.
