Tracking AAF players who signed with NFL teams in 2019
Wide Receiver/Tight End
87. . WR, Arizona Hotshots. . Rashad Ross. . team
The speedy Rashad Ross was absolutely outstanding in his time with the Arizona Hotshots, leading the AAF in touchdowns catches (seven in seven games). He was also second in the league in receiving yards and was a big play threat deep downfield.
This is great news for the Panthers, who love to push the ball deep.
Ross is also a very good return specialist and made his most significant mark in the NFL (stint with the Redskins) in that regard.
Perhaps the Panthers can use him in that regard.
28. . WR, Salt Lake Stallions. . Demornay Pierson-El. . team
No team has completely re-shaped a single position group on their roster quite like the Oakland Raiders have renovated their wide receiver group.
Demornay Pierson-El is a name many Big Ten fans might remember as a freshman sensation at Nebraska back in 2014 who didn’t really pan out as everyone had hoped.
He had three punt return touchdowns as a freshman with the Huskers.
A 5-9 speedster, Pierson-El will have to catch on with the Raiders as a top return specialist.
TE, Atlanta Legends. . Keith Towbridge. . team. 35.
The Titans have their pass catching specialists at tight end in Delanie Walker (coming back from injury) and Jonnu Smith, a 2017 third-round pick.
Towbridge, a former Louisville Cardinals tight end who caught 17 passes with Atlanta in the AAF, will serve as a blocking specialist at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds.
87. . TE, Arizona Hotshots. . Thomas Duarte. . team
Thomas Duarte was a seventh-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of UCLA by the Miami Dolphins.
Duarte is a move tight end who will have the chance to compete with the Panthers for their last spot at that position on the depth chart.
He has one career regular season game with the Dolphins.
Reece Horn. . team. 59. . Memphis Express.
The Dolphins signed the first player from the Memphis Express to get an NFL deal, and they got an interesting one at that.
Reece Horn was a Division II All-American once upon a time at Indianapolis, and was an undrafted free agent of the Titans in 2016. He spent some time with the Colts and Vikings in addition to the Titans, and also played in Europe.
He was fourth in the AAF in receiving yards when the league folded.
WR, San Antonio Commanders. . Greg Ward Jr.. . team. 54.
Two members of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl team as practice squad members (Ward and CB De’Vante Bausby) and now former San Antonio Commanders have signed NFL deals.
Ward was previously a member of the Eagles and did well enough in the AAF to get another look from his former team.
We all remember Ward for his time at Houston as their quarterback, but he’s a phenomenal all-around athlete and developing his game as a receiver still. This is a solid move.
. WR, Orlando Apollos. . Charles Johnson. . team. 54
In addition to re-signing Greg Ward Jr., the Eagles brought in the AAF’s highest graded receiver, and the player who led the league in receiving yards on the league’s best offense.
Johnson was one of the older players in the AAF, and his experience won out as he was dominant at times with Garrett Gilbert slinging him the rock in Steve Spurrier’s offense.
The Apollos, for what it’s worth, were one of the most well-run organizations in the AAF, and Johnson was a headliner for them.
Johnson had some big moments in 2014 for the Minnesota Vikings when he caught his only two NFL touchdown receptions.