The Cleveland Browns are looking to fill a lot of holes this off-season and with only so much money to spend, they’d be wise to look at the XFL for answers.
Week two is in the books and it’s time to look at the XFL players who made a case and stood out in week two of the league’s reboot season. The Browns have enough cap space for one or two big offers this off-season but if they bring back a few key players, and sign a few potential key free agents, then the Browns will need to look more economic options.
With the ‘money-ball’ philosophy that surrounds the organization, there are many who misconstrue that as the team not going to offer big deals. That’s not how it’s going to go. What the team will do is value the player’s worth. There aren’t going to be anymore Paul Kruger deals. No more going over the top to sign medicore free agents.
In other words, they’re going to be responsible with the money. Every great NFL team has to have that mindset, which is why we’re here talking about XFL prospects. Each player can sign with NFL teams at the conclusion of the season, and most of them will be coming in with very affordable numbers. If you can sign a few guys from the XFL that turn into starters, then you just saved a lot of money to spend on bigger names. It’s a frugal and smart way of bringing in talent, and one that many NFL teams will be looking to capitalize on.
So with that being said, let’s take a look at the top talents from week two of XFL action and see which names fell off and which ones stepped up after week one.
New York Guardians vs. D.C. Defenders
Defenders quarterback Cardale Jones didn’t have a bad day at all, with another two touchdowns to his name and completing 62% of his throws. He did turn over the ball however which isn’t a good thing. Part of the strong performance for the Defenders came at the expense of Guardians quarterback Matt McGloin who played terribly. The Defenders are now 2-0 with the lopsided win and the Guardians fall to 1-1.
Yet there were a few other players that stepped up that the Browns should look at.
Guardians – DL Bunmi Rotimi
Bunmi Rotimi had another impressive game, with seven total tackles, and one for a loss. While he didn’t register a sack, constant pressure and the ability to seal the edge matter a lot. As does form tackling. Rotimi continues to be a constant presence for the Defenders.
Defenders – RB Donnel Pumphrey
Cardale Jones will be signed by the NFL when the season is over, so instead of focusing on the obvious after week two, let’s give it to Donnel Pumphrey, the leading rusher of the Defenders in week two. He racked up 52 yards on 12 carries. He didn’t score a touchdown but he kept the running attack reliable, forcing the defense to stay honest.
Defenders – WR DeAndre Thompkins/ WR Rashad Ross
DeAndre Thompkins and Rashad Ross had 95 and 92 yards apiece in week two. Ross caught four passes, while Thompkins caught six. Both wide receivers helped Jones have his biggest day yet as a pro, as he showed his deep ball talents.
Those who stepped back
The Defenders Ben Heeney and the Guardians Matt Elam and Jonathan Massaquoi were nonfactors after this week’s game. All three defensive players had big week one’s but had poor performances in week two.
Tampa Bay Vipers vs. Seattle Dragons
The Dragons get their first win of the season but quarterback Brandon Silvers played terribly. Because of his poor play, talent like Austin Proehl couldn’t produce, but they battled as a team and got just enough to eke out a win. The Dragons move to 1-1, while the Vipers drop to 0-2.
Dragons – WR Keenan Reynolds
Reynolds only had three receptions but still hit 87 yards and had the teams lone touchdown. Thanks to the combined effort of the Dragons defense, the team was able to ride that lone touchdown reception to their first win.
Dragons – LB Steven Johnson
Steven Johnson had a big day, with ten tackles and two for a loss. The team’s defense matched the intensity of the other Seattle team, the Seahawks, and was lead by the tenacity of Johnson’s play. Johnson now has 18 tackles through two games, with four for a loss. He’s showing he can be a viable NFL option if you’re on a budget.
Vipers – S Marcelis Branch
The Vipers safety had a standout game. Marcelis Branch had a wicked 12 tackles, two for a loss and a sack. The combined effort of the Vipers wasn’t enough for the team to get a win but he now has 17 combined tackles on the season after leading the defense in tackles for two straight weeks.
Those who stepped back
Two of last week’s top guys failed to step up in this game. Tampa Viper’s Daniel Williams didn’t do much, catching three passes for 22 yards. Fellow standout performer and arguably the Dragons best week one playmaker, Austin Proehl W was hurt by the team’s poor performance at quarterback. He was targeted four times, but only caught one pass, for a loss of one.
Dallas Renegades vs. Los Angeles Wildcats
The Renegades went to 1-1 on the season, while the Wildcats fell to 0-2. Despite the loss by the Wildcats, the team played well, and nearly came back from behind and won the game. They couldn’t string together enough offense, however. Landry Jones struggled in the first half but came alive in the second alongside the running game and lead a strong second-half scoring performance.
Renegades – RB Cameron Artis-Payne
Cameron Artis-Payne fell just one yard short of being the first XFL player to eclipse 100 rushing yards in a game. Despite not breaking the century mark, Artis-Payne is the single-game leader for most yards rushing in the XFL’s rebooted history. He also scored two touchdowns in their win over the Wildcats. With that, he became the first player in the league two score two rushing touchdowns in the same game, as well as the only team who has rushed for two touchdowns in a single game.
Wildcats – WR Nelson Spruce
Nelson Spruce does it again in week two. Spruce caught six receptions, for 89 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 193 yards receiving for the year and has become one of a handful of players who made plays in both weeks one and week two. At this rate he’s not going to be a slot receiver in the NFL, he’d be a starter.
Wildcats – LB Tre’ Williams
The linebacker from Los Angeles stepped up in a big way. The Auburn product had seven tackles total and helped keep the Renegades discombobulated throughout the first half. Ultimately he couldn’t help the defense stop Landry Jones and the Renegades but he continues to stay consistent could be a potential guy in the Browns linebacking corp.
Those who stepped back
There wasn’t anyone from week one that fell off. The Dallas Renegades didn’t register top-three stand outperformer from last week, as the St. Louis BattleHaws too all three slots. As for the Wildcats, only Spruce cracked the top three against the Roughnecks.
St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Houston Roughnecks
The St. Louis BattleHawks couldn’t keep pace with the Houston Roughnecks and lost a heck of a game. The shootout was determined by turnovers, as Roughnecks QB P.J. Walker didn’t commit one turnover, while steller BattleHawks player turned the ball over twice on key drives. Both players are among the three best in the XFL after week two and both played well. Injuries to the offensive line slowed down the BattleHawks offense but it was Walker’s dynamic play that kept the BattleHawks defense guessing. The BattleHawks are 1-1 now while the Roughnecks move to 2-0.
Roughnecks – QB P.J. Walker
P.J. Walker didn’t have a big day throwing the ball, only topping 170 yards. Yet he ran for another 27 and threw for three impressive touchdowns against a vaunted BattleHawks defense. Walker might be the best quarterback in the league right now, alongside Jordan Ta’amu and Cardale Jones.
Roughnecks – WR Cam Phillips
Walker threw for three touchdowns in week two and all three went to former Virginia Tech wide receiver Cam Phillips. He only amassed 63 yards on eight receptions but pulling in a new league record for touchdowns is more than enough to get him on the list.
BattleHawks – QB Jordan Ta’amu
Ta’amu made two big mistakes but he still had an incredible game. He had 320 yards, completing 30 passes on 37 attempts and also threw for three touchdowns. Sure, he did have two interceptions but those two bad plays aren’t enough to take away from Ta’amu’s great game. He’s going to be on an NFL team if this keeps up.
Those who stepped back
While Nick Holley had a good week, he didn’t register a touchdown. Terrence Gavin wasn’t as big of an impact player this week and with how Walker torched the defense, even strong play from Dexter McCoil couldn’t make a difference.
After the first two weeks of the XFL season, it’s pretty clear who the NFL will be eyeballing to sign once the XFL season is over. Several offensive linemen have performed very well, but as of right now it’s too soon to say who’s playing consistent enough to warrant making the top of a list.
The quarterback play has been shotty at best, and it’s pretty obvious there are only four quality starters in the league right now. Matt McGloin could still make a case for himself but he needs to put together a better performance going forward.
#1) QB Cardale Jones
Right now Jones is arguably the best quarterback in the league right now and is the clear cut MVP front runner heading into week three.
#2) P.J. Walker
P.J. Walker is right behind Jones and barely ahead of Ta’amu in terms of production. He’s a dual-threat and could possibly be a starter in the NFL.
#3) Jordan Ta’amu
Despite turning the ball over twice in week two, Ta’amu has shown a high rate of efficiency in the passing game. He’s completing 77.5% of his passes, with four passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.
#4) Nelson Spruce
The leading wideout for the XFL is Nelson Spruce who continues to be a deep ball threat and show his solid hands despite the coverage. A sizeable target and a guy who should be in the NFL to start the 2020 season.
#5) Bunmi Rotimi
The best defensive end right now in the XFL is Bunmi Rotimi. He’s able to get depth, make it hard on the quarterbacks and has shown to be consistent so far through two weeks.
#6) Marcelis Branch
The best safety so far has been Marcelis Branch, who has shown tremendous playmaking abilities all over the field. He’s not just a good tackler but has shown to be able to get to the quarterback from the secondary.
#7) Cameron Artis-Payne
He might be the best running back in the XFL right now. After not playing much in week one, Artis-Payne exploded in week two.
#8) Steven Johnson
Steven Johnson may not be the most dynamic playmaker in the XFL but he’s able to tackle just about anyone. His physical play could be just what an NFL team needs to shore up the middle.
#9) Dexter McCoil
Dexter McCoil is the most accomplished secondary player in the XFL. He was a two-time All-Star in the CFL and is a mammoth player in the secondary.
#10) Nick Holley
The extremely versatile Nick Holley is a multi-purpose player who can amass yards from any position on the field. He’s skilled and super athletic; if he can stay healthy he’ll be guaranteed an NFL spot in the fall.