Tracking AAF players who signed with NFL teams in 2019
Defensive Back
. CB, Orlando Apollos. . Keith Reaser. . team. 124
The Kansas City Chiefs are not being picky about where the can find some defensive help this offseason, even bringing in players they’ve cut in the past.
Keith Reaser was one of the most dominant players at the cornerback position in the AAF, a league filled with strong cornerback play.
He will get the chance to play with Kansas City this year and have a pretty substantial role.
. team. 45. . CB, San Antonio Commanders. . De'Vante Bausby
De’Vante Bausby led the AAF with five interceptions counting his stellar pick-two at the end of the season.
The long, speedy corner was a problem all year for AAF quarterbacks and should be able to get a CB4 or CB5 role with the Denver Broncos, who have completely re-done their cornerback position this offseason.
. team. 60. . CB, San Antonio Commanders. . Duke Thomas
Thomas is a former Texas Longhorns cornerback who was undrafted in 2016, spent some time with a couple of NFL clubs, and then went North of the border to sign on with the Toronto Argonauts’ practice squad.
He led the Commanders’ stellar defense with 22 tackles this past season, and also added an interception and fumble recovery.
. team. 60. . S, San Antonio Commanders. . Derron Smith
Derron Smith has a chance to be the best signing of any coming from the AAF.
He was a ball-hawk on the back end of the Commanders’ defense, picking off three passes and setting the tone with dominant coverage.
Smith was a sixth-round pick in 2016 and was a strong prospect coming out of Fresno State.
He has a chance to crack the Vikings’ defensive back rotation right away.
team. 55. . CB, Birmingham Iron. . Jack Tocho.
Tocho played college ball at North Carolina State before getting drafted in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
He spent his rookie season on Minnesota’s practice squad and then was signed to Washington’s practice squad last year.
He’s got excellent length at the position and played on one of the better defenses in the AAF.
. DB, San Diego Fleet. . Kameron Kelly. . team. 55
The former San Diego State star signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a UDFA in 2018, and made some splash plays this past season as a defensive back with the Fleet.
With great length and ball skills, Kelly is just starting to find his footing as a converted safety playing cornerback.
He could be a gem for the Steelers.
. Orion Stewart. . team. 48. . S, San Antonio Commanders
At this point, nearly the entire San Antonio Commanders starting lineup defensively has been signed to an NFL team.
Orion Stewart made an appearance with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Baylor, but didn’t make Denver’s final roster.
He was a playmaker at Baylor and did a fine job with the Commanders. He’s an interesting pickup for the Bucs.
team. 60. . S, San Diego Fleet. . Jordan Martin.
Jordan Martin’s story could end up being one of the coolest from the entire AAF. His contract with the Vikings is his first NFL contract, unlike the majority of players on this list who already had a quick shot in camp/preseason play and didn’t make it.
Martin spent time in college at Toledo and Syracuse and was invited to the East-West Shrine Game.
He would have been a rookie in 2018 but didn’t get a shot in the league. Now, after putting some things on tape in the AAF, Martin gets a shot with one of the league’s best defenses.