The 2023 XFL season is in the books, and now, the real fun begins for the players involved in the spring start-up league.
They get to show NFL teams that they deserve a chance to compete for spots on 53-man rosters and practice squads.
NFL teams have been in hot pursuit of some of the XFL's top talents from the 2023 season. Not every one of the league's stars will ultimately get a chance to prove themselves in NFL camps, but many have been invited to rookie minicamps, tryouts and other visits with teams across the NFL.
And thus far, a handful of players have agreed to make the jump from the XFL to the NFL. The most notable among them is Ben DiNucci, who has arguably the most upside of any XFL quarterback prospect.
It's too early to say whether any of these players will make the final rosters or practice squads. Even so, XFL fans will be excited to see how their favorite players fare as they battle for NFL jobs during OTAs, training camp and eventually, the preseason.
Below is a run down of the XFL players that have signed NFL contracts in the days since the XFL's 2023 season officially came to a close.
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Ben DiNucci, Broncos
- Position: Quarterback
- XFL team: Seattle Sea Dragons
DiNucci was arguably the best quarterback in the XFL during the 2023 season, throwing for a league-high 2,671 yards, 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while leading the Sea Dragons to the playoffs and a 7-3 record. He was originally a seventh-round pick of the Cowboys in 2020 and made one start for the team in a loss before being waived in 2022.
Now, DiNucci will battle former Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano for the third-string quarterback job behind Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham with Sean Payton's Broncos.
John Parker Romo, Lions
- Position: Kicker
- XFL team: San Antonio Brahmas
Romo led the XFL in field goals made playing for the Brahmas, converting on 17 of 19 attempts and making a league-best 57-yard kick for San Antonio. The former Virginia Tech kicker will now battle Michael Badgley for the kicking job with the Lions in his first NFL opportunity.
And before you ask, no. He isn't related to Tony Romo.
Jacques Patrick, Broncos
- Position: Running back
- XFL team: San Antonio Brahmas
Patrick was the XFL's second-leading rusher in 2023, totaling 443 yards and five touchdowns on 115 carries in the ground-dominant Brahmas offense. At 6-2, 236 pounds, he profiles as a potential short-yardage power back for the Broncos but will have to do battle with eight other running backs and full backs as he looks to earn a roster spot in Denver.
Patrick previously had stints with the Bengals, 49ers, Ravens, Panthers and Bengals again from 2020 to 2022 after succeeding with the XFL's Tampa Bay Vipers in 2020. The 26-year-old will look to stick during his last NFL chance.
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Bryce Thompson, Dolphins
- Position: Safety
- XFL team: Seattle Sea Dragons
Thompson was a playmaker for Seattle's solid stop unit and generated 34 tackles, four TFL and two interceptions as an active safety on defense. That was enough to earn him a chance to compete for a spot in the Dolphins' secondary under Vic Fangio.
Thompson went undrafted out of Boise State in 2021 but latched on with the Saints as an undrafted free agent. He has two tackles over 78 snaps in eight career NFL games. All of his action came on special teams, so that may be his best chance to earn a spot in Miami.
Luq Barcoo, Steelers
- Position: Cornerback
- XFL team: San Antonio Brahmas
Like Thompson, Barcoo was productive in his first XFL season. The Brahmas cornerback generated 31 tackles and an interception before signing with the Steelers after a tryout.
Barcoo went undrafted out of San Diego State in 2020 but ended up with the Jaguars. He played in three games with one start and generated 10 tackles and a pass defense in limited action. He also spent time with Cardinals, 49ers, Chiefs and Jets before giving it a go in the XFL.
Lukas Denis, Falcons
- Position: Safety
- XFL team: St. Louis Battlehawks
Denis had a strong college career at Boston College but only played for the Buccaneers briefly in 2022 before landing with the XFL's Battlehawks. He responded by recording 37 tackles and two interceptions for St. Louis' defense.
Now, Denis will look to carve out a role with the Falcons. Atlanta has added four safeties to its roster — including Denis and Jessie Bates — so Denis might be able to lock down a roster spot if Ryan Nielsen wants to change things up on the back end of his defense.
Jack Heflin, Saints
- Position: Defensive line
- XFL team: Houston Roughnecks
Heflin has landed back in the NFL after spending parts of the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Packers and Giants. He has one tackle in five career games and is now joining the Saints, who lost several defensive linemen during the offseason.
While with the Roughnecks, Heflin recorded 25 tackles, three TFL and one sack. That was good enough to land him on the All-XFL defensive team for 2023.
Niko Lalos, Saints
- Position: Linebacker
- XFL team: Seattle Sea Dragons
Heflin wasn't the only defensive player the Saints targeted from the XFL. They also signed Lalos, who recorded 35 tackles, seven TFL and 1.5 sacks with the Sea Dragons.
Like Heflin, Lalos has a bit of NFL experience, as he played six games for the Giants in 2020, recording six tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. This is his second stint with the Saints after he spent two weeks with them ahead of the 2022 season.
Austin Faoliu, Seahawks
- Position: Defensive lineman
- XFL team: Seattle Sea Dragons
Faoliu will remain in Seattle while making the jump from the XFL to the NFL. The Oregon product was named to the All-XFL defensive team after recording 24 tackles, two TFL and one sack and will look to crack what is a fairly unsettled Seahawks defensive tackle rotation.
Before joining the XFL, Faoliu spent two seasons with the Cowboys after going undrafted in 2021. He only appeared in one game for the team and recorded two tackles. He spent most of his time in Dallas on the practice squad.
C.J. Brewer, Buccaneers
- Position: Defensive line
- XFL team: Houston Roughnecks
The Buccaneers added Greg Gaines and Calijah Kancey to their defensive line during the 2023 offseason, but Brewer will be competing for a job with the team as well. The Coastal Carolina product went undrafted in 2022 but spent time with the Bills, recording two tackles in two games with the team.
Brewer (6-2, 290 pounds) logged 17 tackles, two TFL and 2.5 sacks while playing for the Roughnecks in 2023.
Antwuan Jackson, Panthers
- Position: Defensive line
- XFL team: Seattle Sea Dragons
Jackson went undrafted in 2022 after enjoying a solid career at Ohio State. He wasn't able to gain traction in the NFL, so he went to the XFL to play for the Sea Dragons. He recorded 20 tackles and one TFL as part of Seattle's defensive line rotation and that was enough for him to get a chance with the Panthers.
Carolina signed a couple of defensive linemen — Shy Tuttle and Deshawn Williams — in free agency during the offseason. Jackson will compete for a depth role for the team, and perhaps take on a larger one if Tuttle or Williams fails to live up to expectations.
LaCale London, Falcons
- Position: Defensive lineman
- XFL team: St. Louis Battlehawks
London was one of the most productive players in the XFL, recording 33 tackles, five TFL and three sacks during his time with the Battlehawks and parlaying that into an opportunity with the Falcons. He previously spent parts of three seasons with the Bears from 2020 to 2022, dressing in just one game.
London joins an influx of new defensive linemen joining the Falcons and is one of three players that the team has signed out of the XFL thus far.
Barry Wesley, Falcons
- Position: Offensive tackle
- XFL team: Seattle Sea Dragons
Wesley was the first XFL offensive lineman to officially ink a contract with an NFL team. The 6-6, 310-pound tackle will join the Falcons to provide depth and competition at the offensive tackle position as the team searches for a high-upside fourth tackle and developmental practice squad talent.
Wesley started five games for the Sea Dragons, who only allowed 11 sacks in 2023, good for the second-fewest in the XFL. The Colorado State product went undrafted in 2022 but is just 23 years old.
Jaryd Jones-Smith, Commanders
- Position: Offensive tackle
- XFL team: St. Louis Battlehawks
Jones-Smith was an All-XFL talent while blocking in front of A.J. McCarron for the Battlehawks last season. The 27-year-old is listed at 6-7, 320 pounds and played his college ball at Pitt. He went undrafted in 2018 but spent time with the Texans, Dolphins, 49ers, Raiders and Ravens from 2018 to 2021.
Ironically, this is the second time that Jones-Smith will be playing for a team named the Commanders. He played for the AAF's San Antonio Commanders in 2019. He will look to make a longer-lasting mark in Washington as he battles Trent Scott for the team's fifth offensive tackle spot.
Charleston Rambo, Eagles
- Position: Wide receiver
- XFL team: Orlando Guardians
Rambo is the first member of the Guardians to make it back to the NFL after signing a contract with the Eagles. He racked up 35 catches, 430 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games and had the fifth-longest catch in the XFL last season (81 yards).
The Eagles have arguably the best receiver duo in the NFL — A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — but are still searching for depth to complement them. That could allow Rambo a chance to latch on, though he will face stiff competition from a group of veterans that includes Quez Watkins, Olamide Zaccheaus, Britain Covey and Tyrie Cleveland.
Hakeem Butler, Steelers
- Position: Wide receiver
- XFL team: St. Louis Battlehawks
The Steelers have added a potential red-zone weapon in Hakeem Butler. The 6-6 wide-out was the XFL's second-leading receiver, generating 51 catches and 599 yards while working with A.J. McCarron and recording a league-high eight receiving touchdowns.
Pittsburgh traded for Allen Robinson during the 2023 NFL offseason and has 6-4 Miles Boykin on the roster, but Butler will add another potential-packed, big-bodied receiver to Pittsburgh's roster. He will have to fight for a roster spot, but the Steelers once rostered 6-5 Penn State product Derek Moye in 2013 solely to serve as a huge red-zone target. Butler could carve out a similar role to that if all goes well.
Gary Jennings, Panthers
- Position: Wide receiver
- XFL team: St. Louis Battlehawks
Butler isn't the only Battlehawks receiver getting a chance to go to the NFL. Jennings — a fourth-round pick by the Seahawks in the 2019 NFL Draft — will also be making the leap, and he will play for the Panthers.
Jennings posted 11 catches for 149 yards and three touchdowns in nine games playing with McCarron and the Battlehawks. The Panthers will be the 26-year-old's eighth different NFL team, and he will have to crack a crowded depth chart to make it in the NFL.
Jordan Thomas, Panthers
- Position: Tight end
- XFL team: Orlando Guardians
The Panthers also took a chance on another pass-catching weapon: Jordan Thomas. The 2018 sixth-round pick of the Texans will be granted a chance to battle for a depth tight end role with the Panthers after he caught eight passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns last season with the Guardians. That included an 84-yard touchdown catch, the third-longest play in the XFL last season.
Thomas recorded 20 catches for 215 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie in Houston back in 2018. The 6-5, 277-pound target is a good receiver and should have a chance to stick in the NFL as he enters his age-27 season.
