Browns: 3 names to keep an eye on after first XFL game

D.C. Defenders – QB Cardale Jones

The D.C. Defenders didn’t look perfect offensively, with Cardale Jones missing some very easy throws, and some receivers just being out of position but Jones showed that he has something to offer teams as an NFL player.

Jones, a former 4th round pick to the Buffalo Bills in 2016 served as a back up for future Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor. A lot of Bills faithful thought he was going to be the QB of the future but it ended up not being the case, as he was traded just a year later to the Los Angeles Chargers. He was waived a year later and signed to the practice squad in 2018. He’d find his way to the Seattle Seahawks before again getting cut.

Now with the XFL Defenders, he’s showing he has skills to win games. He posed 291 yards, with about a 62% completion percentage, finishing the day with two touchdowns to his name. He added another 28 yards rushing, but Jones isn’t much of a runner. He’s about 250 pounds and barely breaks the 5.0-second mark on the 40-yard dash. Bringing him in to be a Taysum Hill-type backup is not in the cards here.

Jones would serve no more for the Browns than as a traditional backup who might be able to win a game or two in spot starts. Any Browns fan thinking that Jones is the “answer” to replacing Baker Mayfield is struggling with reality. Mayfield is not close to being replaced and is absolutely the long-term option at the position. Jones just adds depth to a team that needs it.