A handful of ex-Jets are preparing for their XFL debuts

The Jets Wire takes a look at every former Jets player in the XFL and which are the five most notable players.

With the NFL season coming to a close, the revamped XFL is starting this weekend.

There are several former Jets involved in this new league, which has eight teams with rosters consisting of 52 players each. Not many players have extensive ties to Gang Green, nor did they have long stays in New York.

Here is a complete list of every former Jets player in the XFL:

Alex Balducci, Brandon Barnes, T.J. Barnes, William Campbell, Jeremy Clark, Stacy Coley, Kony Ealy, Obum Gwacham, De’Angelo Henderson, Darius James, Anthony Johnson, Taiwan Jones, Tre McBride, Robert Nelson, Nick Novak, Santos Ramirez, David Rivers, Edmond Robinson, Jalen Saunders, Jake Schum, Jacquies Smith, Shamarko Thomas, Jon Toth and DeAngelo Yancey

With that said, let’s take a look at the five most notable ex-Jets in the XFL.

DE Kony Ealy: Houston Renegades

The Jets claimed Kony Ealy off waivers from the Patriots in 2017 after New England traded a second-round pick to Carolina for his services.

In 15 games played for Gang Green, Ealy recorded 11 total tackles, one sack, nine passes defended and an interception. He left the Jets in free agency for the Cowboys but was cut before the season. Ealy spent time with Oakland before landing in the XFL.

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Several former Jags set to take field in XFL’s return

Tre McBride is one of several former Jags who could be an early contributor in the XFL, which will have its first game on Saturday.

The NFL season may be over with Super Bowl LIV in the books, but thanks to the return of the XFL, football season will continue. The first couple of games will kick off Saturday February 8 and will run through April 19, which will mark the date of the league’s championship game.

Last month, all eight teams finalized their rosters and several Jags manage to stick. Here are the 17 former Jags who will be apart of the XFL’s return:

DC Defenders

CB Doran Grant
CB Jalen Myrick
DT Tony Guerad
S Cody Brown

Houston Roughnecks

CB Saivion Smith
OL Demetrius Rhaney
OL Avery Gennesy
S Cody Brown

Los Angeles Wildcats

WR Tre McBride
RB Dujuan Harris
RB Elijah Hood

New York Guardians

RB Tim Cook III
LB Nick DeLuca
DT T.J. Barnes

St. Louis BattleHawks

DT Marcus Hardison

Tampa Bay Vipers

QB Chase Litton
CB Bryce Canady
TE DeAndre Goolsby

Analysis

The New York Guardians, Los Angeles Wildcats, and DC Defenders will be worth watching the most if you’re looking for former Jags who could have a big impact.

For the Guardians, linebacker Nick DeLuca could be a big contributor in terms of tackles as he’s one of the few names above who has played in a regular season football game with the Jags. He started in two games for the Jags and participated in nine, accumulating 10 tackles and a sack.

Running back Tim Cook could be a bruiser type tailback for the Guardians at 6-foot-0, 247 pounds, and I could see head coach and former Jags assistant Kevin Gilbride utilizing him a lot this XFL season. Additionally, defensive tackle T.J. Barnes is a player who could eat up double teams in the middle of the Guardians’ defense at 6-foot-7, 365 pounds.

The Defenders’ defense could have some early contributions from corners Jalen Myrick and Doran Grant. Myrick offers elite speed and ran a 4.28 at the 2017 combine, so he could be utilized both on defense and maybe on special teams.

Grant, on the other hand, played alongside Myrick a lot in the 2017 preseason when with the Jags. His scrappiness should definitely get him some time on the field as he proved to be someone who was always near the ball in the Jags’ preseason practices.

Lastly, the name to look out for with the Los Angeles Wildcats is that of receiver Tre McBride. He was close to making the Jags’ final roster last year but was ultimately beat out by C.J. Board. If his hands have improved, he could be a go-to guy for the Wildcats through the air as he offers them a target with good size (6-foot-0, 210-pounds).