By the End of Cut Day, 4 XFL Players Made Initial NFL 53-Man Rosters

By Josh Davis September 9, 2020 0 Comment

More than 50 players from the XFL signed with NFL teams to attend camp. Of the players who did, four made the initial 53-man roster.

It’s been an up and down year for fans of the XFL. The season started out in exciting fashion, but by the middle of the season, the league couldn’t outrun the virus.

The NFL, however, spent most of the off-season business-as-usual.

One important thing to remember; guys that did not make an NFL roster have choices. The Practice Squad, or they revert back to their XFL team.

Players that made it

Carolina Panthers

P.J. Walker: Walker was undoubtedly the best quarterback in the XFL. When his college coach from Temple took over for the Carolina Panthers, Walker was signed in camp. Battling Will Grier for the backup spot, behind starter Teddy Bridgewater, PJ turned a strong camp into a roster spot.

Walker maybe be third on the depth chart behind Grier, but I’m willing to bet that if something were to happen to Bridgewater, Walker would get his shot first. The two play a very similar style of quarterback. It would be an easier transition for the offense. Grier is more of a pocket-type, while Walker and Bridgewater have the ability to escape, and make plays with their feet.

Kenny Robinson: Robinson was a little different from the other three. He chose to opt-out of his last year of college eligibility at West Virginia to play safety for the Battle Hawks in the XFL before entering the NFL draft. Selected in the fifth round by the Carolina Panthers, Robinson made the initial 53. He was the only player from the spring to do so, but now that he has shown it can be done, this may lead to more guys trying it, as long as the current rule stays intact.

Robinson has the best shot of the four to start this season, as he was one of the best prospects at the position in the draft.

Los Angeles Chargers

Donald Parham: The Dallas Renegades tight end led the entire league in receiving at that position. A Stetson University prospect, it was an uphill climb for the guy to make the initial 53 for the Los Angeles Chargers. They have their guy, Hunter Henry. Starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, however, pushed for Parham to be part of the active roster. Taylor has an affinity for his tight ends, and Parhams size and ability makes him a great target. One that opposing teams may not respect enough to pay a lot attention to. At least for now.

Storm Norton: Big offensive tackles are a commodity at the NFL level. If you can show your ability in both the passing game and in the run, you have a better shot at making a roster. That’s exactly what LA Wildcats lineman Storm Norton did. The Toledo star had been the NFL before, with the Lions, Cardinals, and Vikings.

Norton makes two XFL players that made their initial roster (Parham).

Surprising cuts

Theses guys were the surperstars of the XFL, that didn’t make the initial 53-man roster for their NFL teams. Since none were claimed on waivers (deadline was Sunday at 12:30 EDT) the expectation is for them to be named to their respective teams’ Practice Squad:

QB Jordan Ta’amu – Kansas City Chiefs

WR Cam Phillips – Carolina Panthers

RB Jacques Patrick – Cincinnati Bengals

CB Dravon Askew-Henry – New York Giants

Everything for the XFL is still being worked out. While the keys have been handed over to Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson, they’re still in the planning stages for the 2021 season. But look for some of these guys to be back in the league once next spring comes around.

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