Tracking AAF players who signed with NFL teams in 2019
Edge players/Linebackers
. team. 42. . San Diego Fleet. . Damontre Moore
Damontre Moore was the heir apparent to Von Miller at Texas A&M as their top pass rusher, and he put himself in the top 64 discussion as a prospect with his collegiate career, but his production and potential has not added up to NFL success to this point.
With that said, Moore was the best edge defender in the AAF and things may finally be clicking for him.
He got a deal with the 49ers, an intriguing scenario where he can compete for a backup job and perhaps get his career back on track.
The former James Madison star had 14 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble in his time with the Apollos, the best team in the AAF.
Ankrah is a former FCS All-American who has a chance to crack the Redskins’ rotation off the edge this season.
. Jayrone Elliott. . team. 59. . San Antonio Commanders
Jayrone Elliott is another really fun signing for the Dolphins, who made a couple of good ones. Elliott led the AAF with 7.5 sacks in eight games.
Where have I heard the story of the Dolphins signing a stellar sack artist from another professional league before?
He spent three years with the Packers and a year with the Dallas Cowboys before getting his shot in the AAF and now with Miami.
Tyrone Holmes. . team. 59. . San Antonio Commanders.
It was clear watching some AAF games that the San Antonio Commanders had one of the best defenses in the league, and that’s been reflected by the number of players they’ve sent to the NFL.
Holmes, a former FCS defensive player of the year with the Montana Grizzlies, was the bookend pass rusher with Jayrone Elliott, who also signed with the Dolphins.
The 2016 sixth round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars has already had five stints with NFL clubs. The Dolphins are the sixth NFL team to give him a shot.
123. . San Diego Fleet. . Shakir Soto. . team
Soto had stints in the NFL with the Broncos and Raiders, and gets a shot now to make it with the Dallas Cowboys.
Soto is an intriguing type of player as an undersized defensive lineman who is probably most effective rushing from the inside.
He will be an outside-in player for the Cowboys and will have to prove his worth as a versatile threat rushing the quarterback.
. Atlanta Legends. . JT Jones. . team. 55
Though the offensive line play in the AAF wasn’t entirely phenomenal, pass rushers were able to showcase their skills and JT Jones — a former Miami (OH) star pass rusher — showed out in his stint.
He racked up four sacks and 13 quarterback hits with the Legends and now gets a chance to try and compete for a rotation spot with the Steelers.
LB, Salt Lake Stallions. . Greer Martini. . team. 60.
Martini was in training camp with the Green Bay Packers last year and spent some time in the AAF with the Salt Lake Stallions. Martini played his college football at Notre Dame and gives the Vikings another depth piece at a reasonable price.