6 XFL players Chargers could consider signing

The Los Angeles Chargers might look to sign these six XFL players.

The XFL cancelled the remainder of their 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic last week.

As a result, players of the league are now allowed to sign with NFL teams as of today. This is noteworthy because originally players wouldn’t have been allowed to sign with teams until after the 2020 NFL Draft.

With that being said, here are six XFL players the Chargers could consider signing:

WR Cam Phillips

There wasn’t any other receiver in the league on Phillips’ level in the five-week stint.

The 24-year old was targeted 44 times for 31 receptions, 455 yards (14.7 average) and nine touchdowns. He won XFL Player of the Week in three weeks.

Phillips began his professional football career with the Bills after going unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent two offseasons with Buffalo before joining the XFL last year.

Given the need for depth at the wide receiver position, Phillips would be a fine acquisition.

OT Storm Norton

The Chargers shored up the offensive tackle position with the signing of Bryan Bulaga. However, the retooling is far from over, and they will be looking for more depth.

Norton was the No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Wildcats in the XFL’s offensive line draft. The 25-year-old ended up as Pro Football Focus’ highest graded XFL offensive lineman.

Norton went undrafted out of Toledo in 2017. He’s spent time with the Lions, Cardinals, and Vikings.

TE Donald Parham

The Chargers franchise tagged Hunter Henry, ensuring that he will be back next season. Behind him is Virgil Green, who hasn’t stepped up in the receiver role and Sean Culkin, who has drawn durability concerns.

Parham, the 6-foot-8 and 240 pounder led XFL tight ends with 24 receptions for 307 yards and four touchdowns.

Even though he is a liability in the blocking department, the former Stetson product has an impressive skillset in the receiving game where he dominates at the catch point and has the straight-line speed to attack the seam and make plays down the field and in the red zone.

CB Elijah Campbell

The Chargers addressed the cornerback position with the signing of Chris Harris Jr. But it’s expected that he will primarily play in the slot, which leaves a need to be filled on the outside.

Campbell was Pro Football Focus’ top graded coverage cornerback. He broke up two passes, blocked one punt and had a 60.9 passer rating when targeted. For his efforts, the 5-11, 190 pounder also made CBS Sports’ “All-XFL Team.”

RB Matt Jones

The Chargers running back room is made up of Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson after Melvin Gordon signed with the Broncos days ago. Even though they could roll with just those two, they would benefit from Jones’ skillset.

Jones, the 6-foot-2 and 227 pounder has very good athleticism for a big back and is a physical pile-mover who is difficult to bring down. That physicality also shows up in the pass blocking department where defenders struggle to get by him.

The 27-year old ranked second in the XFL with 314 rushing yards. Jones, who played with the Redskins for two seasons combined for 950 rushing yards during two seasons with the team from 2015 to 2016.

LB Jameer Thurman

The Chargers released Thomas Davis prior to the new league year. While they have Denzel Perryman, Drue Tranquill and Kyzir White slated to start, they need to add more depth at such a critical position on the defensive side of the ball.

Prior to the XFL, Thurman enjoyed a productive career in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Calgary Stampeders, amassing 134 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles in two seasons. The 6-foot and 225 pounder had 28 tackles and one interception with the DC Defenders.