The new version of the XFL is here – and there are a few offensive players the Cardinals could consider for the back of their roster.
In the first-ever XFL game this year, the broadcasting team made the comment that a lot of players were the ones that would fall somewhere between players No. 40-53 on NFL rosters. And that seems to be the case for many of those playing in the new XFL – they’re putting tape out there to potentially find a way to an NFL roster.
So who on the offensive side of the ball should Arizona consider inviting to their camp and maybe even consider signing? Here are six possibilities:
Houston Roughnecks QB P.J. Walker
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The smaller Walker would seem to be a good fit as a backup quarterback in the system like Arizona’s. He has the arm strength and agility as shown in his team’s first game, a 37-17 win over the LA Wildcats.
Walker finished as the second leading rusher as well as throwing for 272 yards and four touchdowns, including a beautiful 50-yard strike.
The XFL’s first day saw Houston Roughnecks quarterback PJ Walker put on a rousing performance.
Look out Deshaun Watson, there’s another quarterback in Houston.
That might be overstepping things but PJ Walker of the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks had a debut game that would make the Texans’ star proud.
Walker, who played college football at Temple, threw for 272 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Roughnecks’ 37-17 victory over the Los Angeles Wildcats Saturday. He also rushed for 27 yards and ran in a two-point conversion.
Walker, who was 23-of-39 with an interception, had four touchdown passes in the first three quarters of the win.
Easy to see now how Walker beat out for Michigan State star Connor Cook for the starting job under veteran and well-traveled head coach June Jones, an offensive wizard.
Jones said he remembered Walker from a game when Temple throttled SMU, 60-40, in 2015. Walker had four touchdown passes and a scoring run of his own in that game. That Friday night, Walker had 268 yards passing and 49 yards rushing.
Walker played at Temple from 2013-16. He threw for 10,668 yards and 74 touchdowns as an Owl.
On May 3, 2017, Walker was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. He was waived that September and was signed to the Colts’ practice squad the next day. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Colts on Jan. 1, 2018. On Sept. 1, Walker was waived by the Colts and was signed to the practice squad the next day. He spent time on and off the Colts’ practice squad before being released on Dec, 26, but was re-signed three days later. He signed another reserve/future contract on Jan. 13, 2019. On Aug. 31, Walker was waived by the Colts and signed to the practice squad the next day, only to be released two days later.
He was not a secret to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who called the XFL office to ask if they could sign Walker for one week ahead of their matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in October 2019, as Walker was a similar player to Lamar Jackson. The XFL blocked the signing, as Walker was already under contract with the league.
Walker has a great mantra on his Twitter account: Hard work beats Talent, When Talent don’t Work Hard!!
