NFL training camps began two weeks ago, and most teams are preparing for their first preseason games later this week. At this point, a pecking order at each position begins to establish itself and coaches map out how many reps each player will receive during the exhibition opener. None of this is set in stone, however, and players still have opportunities in practices and games to make an impression on the staff.
Though we don’t know coaches’ opinions on each player, the closest we can come to gleaning where players stand is in the unofficial depth charts released on the eve of preseason week one. It’s important to note that these depth charts are not put together by the coaches, but rather, by team public relations departments. That said, it is still likely based on what has occurred at practices to this point – in other words, there is a method to the madness.
It’s also a chance to see how close – or how far away – former XFL players are from making the initial 53-man rosters for their respective teams. In this column, I’ll take a look at where each XFL 2020 player appears on depth charts across the league. I’ll also include the player’s NFL uniform number with his XFL team to make it easier to identify them if you choose to follow them in action in the coming weeks. My look at the XFL 2023 players will arrive on Thursday.
Miami: It seemed like an upset last year when S Elijah Campbell (#22 – Defenders) made the Dolphins, but if he does so this year, it won’t be as much of a surprise. Campbell is the direct backup to Jevon Holland at safety, ahead of 2022 undrafted Oregon Duck Verone McKinley III. Backup spots – especially at defensive back – often come down to special teams ability. So while Campbell seems safe for now, he’ll have to continue to prove his worth covering kicks throughout the preseason.
Josh Johnson, 2020 LA Wildcats
Baltimore: Someone accustomed to fighting for a roster spot this time of year is QB Josh Johnson (#17 – Wildcats), and he finds himself in the same situation again. Lamar Jackson is firmly entrenched as #1, while Johnson, listed as the third-team QB, is competing to unseat Tyler Huntley as the #2 while also trying to hold off second-year man Anthony Brown for #3. It seems as if Huntley has locked down the backup job as Johnson’s stock is down so far in camp, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. If Baltimore keeps three QBs, can Johnson best Brown?
Expected to enter camp once again as the team’s long snapper, LS Nick Moore (#46 – Vipers) will instead be out for the season after tearing his Achilles while working out just before camp began. He’s currently on the team’s Active/Non-Football Injury List. In his place, 31-year old Tyler Ott was signed to a one-year deal. If Ott performs well, Baltimore could try to re-sign him to create competition for Moore next summer.
Cleveland: To show just how fluid and unofficial depth charts are this time of year, G Michael Dunn (#68 – Dragons) is listed as second-team left guard for the Browns, behind veteran Joel Bitonio and ahead of former Commander Wes Martin. Yet in the team’s first preseason game last Thursday, it was Dunn earning the start…at right guard. The bottom line is that Dunn is vying for the job of first interior linemen off the bench, and in order to do that, he’d have to be cross-trained at all interior positions anyway. Dunn is likely to make the team as a backup who will be active on game days.
Pittsburgh: At most positions on the initial depth chart, deference is given to incumbents. Nowhere is that more evident than on special teams. So the fact that LS Christian Kuntz (#46 – Renegades) is listed ahead of his competition, fellow XFL alum Rex Sunahara, may not mean a whole lot. It will be interesting to see how preseason game reps are split. That could tell more of the tale the closer we get to cut-down day.
Former Carolina Panther draft pick S Kenny Robinson (#41 – Battlehawks) has made some plays in training camp, but safety is a deep position for the Steelers. Robinson is set as third-team free safety and will likely have to beat out Tre Norwood to make the team. Robinson is a solid candidate for the practice squad, if nothing else. On the positive side, Robinson has run with the first-team at times in practice and is one of the players whose stock is up according to The Athletic.
Austin Walter, San Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas: Injuries have bitten several former XFL players during training camp. RB Austin Walter (#32 – Renegades) is one of them. He was placed on injured reserve on August 3, taking him out of the running for a roster spot. If the injury is not too severe, he could be back on the market if eventually released with an injury settlement.
Los Angeles Chargers: Los Angeles has six tight ends in camp, and while he hasn’t lived up to the promise he has flashed at times, TE Donald Parham, Jr. (#89 – Renegades) is still sitting pretty to make the team. He’s currently the primary backup to starter Gerald Everett. If Parham can dodge the injury bug, he has a chance to be an offensive mismatch in LA.
Philadelphia: The Eagles are the only team not to have released an unofficial depth chart as of press time. Culling from various other sources that cover the team, however, TE Tyree Jackson (#80 – Defenders) is clearly behind starter Dallas Goedert and backup Jack Stoll. After that, he’s in a dogfight with Grant Calcaterra and Dan Arnold for the third TE job. Philly could keep a fourth tight end as well, increasing Jackson’s odds of making the roster.
Chicago: The off-season brought two new starters at linebacker for the Bears. LB DeMarquis Gates (#43 – Roughnecks) is listed behind one of the new acquisitions, TJ Edwards. After Gates is undrafted free agent Micah Baskerville out of LSU. It’s unlikely both will be kept so Gates will have to continue to earn his keep this summer.
QB PJ Walker (#15 – Roughnecks) moved from Carolina to Chicago this spring and will play the same role with the Bears as he did with the Panthers. Justin Fields is the starter and Walker will back him up. Nathan Peterman and Tyson Bagent are also on the roster, but they likely won’t pose much of a challenge for Walker’s role. Walker and Fields have similar styles, which should help keep the play-calling consistent should Walker be called upon to see game action.
Scott Daly, 2020 New York Guardians.
Detroit: The book on LS Scott Daly (#47 – Guardians) is that he struggled somewhat in 2022, which led to Detroit bringing in veteran Jake McQuaide to push him during training camp. That battle lasted about two weeks – McQuaide was released on Monday, leaving Daly as the only snapper. Detroit could look outside the organization if Daly falters the rest of the way, but right now, it’s his job to lose.
Originally a cornerback, S Saivion Smith (#23 – Roughnecks) is now listed as a safety, specifically, a free safety. Smith has made an impressive comeback from a scary on-field injury suffered last October to put himself in position as backup to Kerby Joseph. His competition is undrafted Brandon Joseph out of Notre Dame. If Smith does get cut, his is a name that could draw interest on the open market.
Minnesota: A favorite of head coach Matt Rhule in Carolina, TE Colin Thompson (#48 – Vipers) is back, this time in Minnesota. The block-first player finds himself sixth and last in line at the position, though he has a chance to get ahead of Nick Muse and Ben Sims, who are directly in front of him. Johnny Mundt is third on the depth chart and has a skill-set similar to Thompson’s. He has some work to do, but with a good preseason, Thompson could make things interesting.
Taylor Heinicke, 2020 St. Louis Battlehawks
Atlanta: The quarterback situation in Atlanta is pretty cut-and-dry with QB Taylor Heinicke (#4 – Battlehawks) expected to back up Desmond Ridder. As such, Heinicke is indeed listed as the backup, with AAF legend Logan Woodside behind Heinicke. Ridder is still an unknown commodity, so like he did in Washington, Heinicke could be called upon to clean up some messes this season.
About a week into training camp, RB Godwin Igwebuike (#42 – Dragons) was added to Atlanta’s roster. As such, he’s listed at the back of the depth chart at that spot. The first three RBs seem safe, and that’s all Atlanta may carry as they also use a fullback. Igwebuike would need to outplay Carlos Washington to perhaps earn a practice squad invite. The good news is Igwebuike has special teams value.
Storm Norton, Los Angeles Chargers.
New Orleans: Exiled from the Chargers after some rough patches when pressed into duty, OT Storm Norton (#72 – Wildcats) hooked up with the Saints as a free agent in March. Norton has staked his claim to backup right tackle behind Ryan Ramczyk. Fifth-year man Koda Martin is third in line at right tackle, behind Norton. A good preseason should solidify Norton’s roster spot.
