New York Jets: 9 XFL players who can help Gang Green in 2020
By Ed Stein
The New York Jets have had a productive start to free agency. They still need more help, some soon to be available XFL players can help.
The XFL has officially canceled the remainder of its season. As of 9 a.m. EDT on Monday, March 23, all XFL players are free to sign with NFL or CFL teams. Although the league, as a whole, wasn’t NFL quality there were several players who excelled. New York Jets General Manager Joe Douglas should bring some of XFL stars into camp to compete for jobs this summer.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, observers believed that there were 50 or so NFL caliber players in the XFL this year. The reality is many of them were in that league for a reason. However, there were those who just needed a chance to show what they could do. He will be in competition with the other 31 general managers to land talent.
Douglas has something to offer other GM’s may not. Gang Green is not a very deep team. There are several jobs available. Making the New York Jets out of camp means playing time in either a backup or special teams role. That isn’t to say any of these players coming up couldn’t become a starter one day, some guys need more time to develop. That was what made the XFL such a good idea.
When the AAF folded up shop in 2018. over 50 players earned NFL contracts, Of that number, roughly 30 percent, made it to Opening Day of 2019. If there is a lesson to be learned from the last time a developmental league was around, there are players out there who can play in the NFL. It’s a matter of finding them.
With that in mind, here are nine players, formerly under contract to the XFL who can help Gang Green in 2020.