XFL Draft: Most interesting players in the XFL draft pool
Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson
Jacoby Ford is a former track star who has elite-level speed and quickness on the football field. He was a fourth-round pick by the Oakland Raiders in the 2010 NFL Draft. While Ford was able to make an impact using his speed at times, he was far too inconsistent of a player to stick around in the league.
Ford may not be the most complete wide receiver, but 4.28 speed does not lie. It is going to be fun to see Ford on a football field again.
Jonas Gray, RB, Notre Dame
Jonas Gray was a solid backup running back at Notre Dame who never really got much of an opportunity to prove himself. He was a powerful back who showed a bit of burst, but Gray was always behind someone on the depth chart in college.
He is best known for his time with the New England Patriots in 2014. Gray was added to the active roster as a bit of an afterthought, but quickly became a major part of the offense. In November of that season, the Patriots pounded Gray down the throats of the Indianapolis Colts, as he carried the ball 38 times for 201 yards and four touchdowns.
Gray was never able to capitalize on the success of that one game with the Patriots, but he was awfully impressive on that night. He has not been on an NFL roster since 2016 so it will be interesting to see if Gray has any juice left in the XFL.
Tyree Jackson, QB, Buffalo
Tyree Jackson was the player who I was most excited to see in the XFL draft pool. He is also the kind of guy who this league could really end up benefitting. Jackson is an extremely talented quarterback prospect who has a nice combination of mobility and arm talent that should give him a chance to grow into a professional quarterback.
However, he is an extremely raw player who the NFL simply has not had time for. He spent training camp and the preseason with the Buffalo Bills, but he is too far away from being ready for the NFL game for them to keep him around.
Jackson is an extremely talented player, but his lack of accuracy and poor decision-making is obviously a concern. Coming into the XFL gives Jackson the opportunity to work out the kinks in his game and show off his skill-set. I am extremely curious to see how this XFL opportunity works out for Jackson.
T.J. Jones, WR, Notre Dame
After a productive career at Notre Dame, T.J. Jones ended up getting drafted in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. A smooth and reliable target in the middle of the field, Jones ended up sticking around for four years with the Lions but has struggled to find work after his rookie deal.