We asked our XFLBoard contributors to collectively weigh-in on their choices for a 2020 All-XFL team. Four of our reporters stepped up, took the challenge, and voted for their squads: Jackson Conner, Mike Mitchell, Greg Parks, and Pat Traina. Here are the results!
OFFENSE
PJ Walker, Quarterback, Houston Roughnecks
Walker was undoubtedly the MVP of the league, leading the league in passing yards (1,338) and touchdowns (15). ~ Pat Traina
Not only the top QB in the league, but the MVP through the five weeks of the season. No one at this position was as consistent a playmaker as Walker. ~ Greg Parks
It was only a five-game sample but the argument can be made that Walker was the most dynamic pro quarterback that has played in a non-NFL league in decades. ~ Mike Mitchell
This was honestly a lot harder of a decision than I thought it would be. Josh Johnson and Jordan Ta’amu have very impressive cases for this spot but I had to stick with PJ. Walker leads the league in yards (1338 passing, 99 rushing), in touchdowns (15 passing, 1 rushing) and his team is 5-0. Walker should continue his impressive tear into the second half of the season and find himself back on an NFL roster. ~ Jackson Conner
Artis-Payne was the only RB with more than 15 carries to average over 5.0 yards per rush. He also showed well in the throw game, catching 23 passes. ~ Greg Parks
Toughest position to pick just one player. A large part of success is based on the supporting cast and scheme. ‘CAP’ averaged over 5 yards per carry (highest among all feature backs) and garnered 23 receptions. ~ Mike Mitchell
CAP is one of two running backs with 350+ total yards, averaging 5.1 yards per tote, has the sixth highest elusive rating per PFF and is PFF’s #2 graded running back. That is an impressive resume and what is also equally as impressive is that CAP has taken over the second half of games. In the Renegades two game winning streak, CAP had game-clinching runs and was a major factor in their victories. ~ Jackson Conner
Cam Phillips, Wide Receiver, Houston Roughnecks
Phillips production level was off the charts. (9 touchdowns in 5 games) ~Mike Mitchell
Walker’s favorite target with an explosive nine touchdowns in just five games. Like Walker, Phillips was the clear best receiver in the league. ~ Greg Parks
Philips was the best receiver in the league; leading the XFL in receptions (31), receiving yards (455) and touchdowns (9). ~ Pat Traina
An obvious choice, his 31 catches for 455 yards easily lead the league but the real crazy stat is his 9 TDs. For some reference, the next closest receiver has 4 touchdowns. ~ Jackson Conner
Tre McBride, Wide Receiver, LA Wildcats
Formed arguably the best 1-2 receiver tandem in the league with Nelson Spruce – and a pretty good 1-2-3 if you include Jordan Smallwood. ~ Greg Parks
McBride was hurt to start the season but after his return he has averaged almost 100 yards per game and scored in all three. ~ Jackson Conner
Daniel Williams, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Vipers
Dan Williams was a tackle breaking machine in the open field. ~Mike Mitchell
Donald Parham, Tight End, Dallas Renegades
The top receiving tight end in the league, and it wasn’t really close. ~ Greg Parks
The league’s best diamond in the rough. Parham lived up to his otherworldly physical tools. ~Mike Mitchell
Parham led all tight-ends in every receiving category; 24 receptions for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns. ~ Pat Traina
Donald Parham has been phenomenal this season. In a league that has barely utilized tight ends, Parham is 3rd in receiving yards and 2nd in touchdowns among ALL receivers. Parham has 170 more yards than the next closest tight end (Brandon Barnes) which in itself makes this choice very easy. ~ Jackson Conner
Genessy has allowed 1 pressure and 0 sacks on 317 snaps in a high passing volume offense. ~ Jackson Conner
Behind every great QB is usually a darn good offensive line. Gennesy may have been the best of Houston’s rock-solid group. ~ Greg Parks
Storm Norton, Offensive Lineman, LA Wildcats
The #1 pick in the offensive line phase of the XFL draft lived up to his billing protecting Josh Johnson’s blind side. ~ Greg Parks
Bruno Reagan, Offensive Lineman, St. Louis BattleHawks
A mauler in the trenches for a strong St. Louis squad. ~ Greg Parks
Reagan has allowed 1 sack but only 3 pressures on 368 snaps. ~ Jackson Conner
Damien Mama, Offensive Lineman, New York Guardians
Damien Mama, NY: The USC product played well in both the pass and run game for the Guardians. ~ Greg Parks
Jordan McCray, Center, Tampa Bay Vipers
Tampa’s top offensive line selection anchored a Vipers line that was in flux at various times during the year. They finally seemed to settle on the best starting five when the league suspended play. ~ Greg Parks
DEFENSE
Cavon Walker, Defensive Lineman, New York Guardians
Walker, led the league with 5 sacks. ~ Jackson Conner
The leader in sacks after five weeks wreaked havoc in the backfield of opponents. ~ Greg Parks
Congratulations to the New York Guardians for discovering such an under the radar player. ~Mike Mitchell
Will Sutton, Defensive Lineman, Seattle Dragons
A former 2nd round draft pick in the NFL, Sutton showed he still has it with five QB hits and four tackles for loss. ~ Greg Parks
Wil Sutton showed his pedigree. ~Mike Mitchell
Sutton is also producing at a high level with a top-5 run defense grade to go along with 10 total pressures, 2 sacks and 3 QB hits. ~ Jackson Conner
Nikita Whitlock, Defensive Lineman, Tampa Bay Vipers
Small for a defensive tackle, Whitlock still managed to produce to the tune of 19 tackles and five for loss.~ Greg Parks
Whitlock has clogged up lanes as PFF’s #1 rated run defender but is also 2nd among defensive linemen with 12 total pressures. He is the clear best DL in the league. ~ Jackson Conner
Bunmi Rotimi, Defensive Lineman, New York Guardians
Rotini leads all edge rushers in QB hurries (12) and tackles (18) and even though he only has 1 sack, those stats are a tribute to the disruption he has caused. ~ Jackson Conner
Another under the radar player discovered by the Guardians. ~Mike Mitchell
Stephen Johnson, Linebacker, Seattle Dragons
One of the most active and effective every down backer in the entire league. ~ Mike Mitchell
The league leader in tackles also made six of them for loss. ~ Greg Parks
Steven Johnson has been a tackling machine as he leads the league with 36 of them. ~ Jackson Conner
Beniquez Brown, Linebacker, Houston Roughnecks
The Roughnecks offense gets all the attention, but their defense, led by Brown, was underrated. ~ Greg Parks
Brown has been impressive on multiple fronts, allowing 4.7 yards per target, collecting 6 total pressures and 31 tackles. ~ Jackson Conner
Jamar Summers, Cornerback, New York Guardians
Summers was as advertised. A true shutdown corner who gave up no touchdowns, committed no penalties and made game changing plays. ~ Mike Mitchell
Summers was debatably the defensive player of the year in the AAF and he had carried his success to the XFL. Summers has been targeted 24 times on 307 snaps and has only allowed 10 catches for 140 yards and 0 touchdowns. That is good for a 41.7% catch rate and 5.8 yards per attempt when targeted. Summers also has an interception and a pass breakup and unlike most other corners he has not been penalized. ~ Jackson Conner
Dravon Askew-Henry, Defensive Back, New York Guardians
A hybrid DB’s, who was an elite player all season. ~ Mike Mitchell
Ajene Harris, Cornerback, Houston Roughnecks
Not just an accomplished returner, Harris broke up seven passes in just five weeks of play. ~ Greg Parks
Josh Hawkins, Cornerback, Dallas Renegades
Hawkins, a true man corner, held Cam Phillips to one catch in the “Texas Throwdown.” ~ Mike Mitchell
Teams didn’t often throw in this ballhawk’s direction as the season progressed. ~ Greg Parks
Josh Hawkins has also been extremely impressive in coverage this year. On his 305 snaps, Hawkins has been targeted 23 times allowing 10 catches for 152 yards and 0 touchdowns. That is good for a 43.5% completion rate, 6.6 yards per attempt and a measly 29.6 passer rating when targeted. Hawkins also tags on two interceptions and three pass breakups. ~ Jackson Conner
Rahim Moore, Safety, DC Defenders
Through four weeks, he had not allowed a first down in coverage according to PFF. ~ Greg Parks
Rahim Moore has been absolutely outstanding in coverage but has been surprisingly efficient as a pass-rusher as well. Moore has five total pressures in just 16 pass rush snaps. In coverage Moore has allowed 3 receptions for 9 yards on 12 targets, a whopping 0.75 yards per target and a 0.0 passer rating against. Moore also tacks on 2 interceptions and 2 pass breakups. ~ Jackson Conner
SPECIAL TEAMS
Austin MacGinnis, Kicker, Dallas Renegades
A perfect 10-10 in field goals. If not him, then who? ~ Greg Parks
MacGinnis never missed a field goal. (10/10) and led the league in yards per kickoff and touchbacks (4). ~ Mike Mitchell
Drew Galitz, Punter, Dallas Renegades
50% of Galitz’s punt were inside the 20, Galitz has zero touchbacks, and his net punt is the highest in the league at 40.7. ~ Jackson Conner
Toughest position to pick from, with so many good punters such as King, Niswander, and Vogel. Galitz was third in the league in punting average. (43.7) but more impressive than that was his hang time on punts. Opposing punt returners averaged only 4 yards per return. (Best in the XFL) ~ Mike Mitchell
Dallas: Third in the league in gross average, first in net punting, no blocked kicks. That’ll do. ~ Greg Parks
Austin Walter, Kick Returner, Dallas Renegades
Walter was just starting to scratch the surface to become a difference maker. ~ Mike Mitchell
Walter has returned 17 kicks for 431 yards (25.4 average) and has a return touchdown. ~ Jackson Conner
The Renegades special teams were pretty good. Walter registered the first kick return for a touchdown that didn’t involve trickery. ~ Greg Parks
Tough the Defenders started off so strong, fell apart in 2 away games and now only has 1 player on the list….