A trio of XFL standouts the Eagles could consider adding for training camp
There’s some talent in the XFL, and you can best believe the Eagles won’t hesitate to swoop in and steal some if they deem someone worthy.
The Philadelphia Eagles are loaded with talent, but there are still some holes they need to fill. Expect some surprises. Rest easy knowing they will turn over every rock during the process of roster building. Believe it or not, they’re watching the XFL even if some of you have stopped doing so.
The needs are well known. Philly could benefit from adding more depth to their running back room. Upgrading at slot receiver wouldn’t hurt. The defense could use some help, so yea, in addition to the current crop of free agents and the coming NFL Draft, yes, the Eagles will be digesting some spring football. Again that includes the XFL and the coming USFL season.
There are a lot of familiar names in the XFL. Some of which belong to former NFL stars including
A. J. McCarron (Cincinnati Bengals), Ben DiNucci (Dallas Cowboys), Brett Hundley ( Green Bay Packers, and Marquette King ( Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders). We have even seen NFL receiver Josh Gordon. These days, he’s balling out for the Seattle Sea Dragons.
Some of the former Eagles in the XFL include Ajene Harris, Reid Sinnett, DeVante Bausby, Josh Hammond, and Bruce Hector. Harris has been solid through seven games, as he’s the XFL’s leader in interceptions. So far, he has five picks on the season.
The XFL’s season is almost over, and another USFL campaign approaches, Here are three prospects from the former that would be solid acquisitions for the Birds.
Abram Smith, running back, DC Defenders
Philadelphia signed running back Rashaad Penny in free agency to assist in filling the hole that Miles Sanders’ departure created. The former Seattle Seahawk is a question mark however having developed a reputation for being fragile after a rash of injuries early in his career.
Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Trey Sermon are in the fold, but it feels like it would be a wise move to add someone else to the committee. Doing so could help keep Penney healthy.
Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs are among the hot topics with the NFL Draft nearing, but if neither one of them lands with Philly or if the Birds are looking to add training camp bodies for competition in an attempt to potentially find a gem, Abram Smith of the DC Defenders is an option. Through the first seven weeks of the XFL season, he has emerged as the leading rusher.
Smith has run all over his opponents. With three games remaining in the Defenders season, 654 rushing yards and six touchdowns are the result of his efforts so far.
His best game of the season came in Week 3 versus the St. Louis Battlehawks. He racked up 23 carries for 238 yards with three touchdowns during a 28-20 win for DC. The Defenders are the best-rushing team in the XFL, and Smith is a big reason for that. Can you imagine what he’d do as a member of Philly’s rushing attack behind the best offensive line in the NFL?Trent Harris, linebacker, Houston Roughnecks
Trent Harris, linebacker, Houston Roughnecks
We don’t say this often, but Philadelphia had one of the best linebacker corps in the NFL last season, but it can’t be denied that the unit lost talent by way of losing T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White. Trent Harris (Houston Roughnecks) is currently the XFL’s leader in sacks (seven). He has also collected 20 tackles and ten TFLs so far this season.
His best game so far was a Week 1, four-sack performance versus the Orlando Guardians. Houston earned a 33-12 victory in that one. The Roughnecks lead the XFL in team sacks (23).
Harris is someone many Birds fans know well thanks to the two seasons he spent with the New York Giants. He has played for five NFL teams so far in his career.
Jordan Williams, linebacker, Arlington Renegades
Another linebacker prospect the Birds could poach from the XFL is San Antonio Brahmas star Jordan Williams. He’s the XFL’s leader in tackles at the time of this story’s release. He racked 65 through his first seven games. That includes ten tackles that have resulted in losses and one scoop-and-score fumble recovery on his resume.
In four of the seven games that he appeared in for the Renegades this season, he has recorded a double-digit tackle total. His best game came in Week 6 versus the Arlington Renegades. He racked up 14 tackles in that one. That was also the game where he returned the aforementioned fumble for a touchdown during the 15-9 win. He has helped the Brahmas defense rack an XFL-leading 52 tackles that have resulted in a loss of yardage. As is the case with Abram Smith and Trent Harris, he’d be an interesting addition if the Eagles are looking for camp bodies.