Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Plenty of former Redskins players make XFL rosters

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Josh Johnson #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Josh Johnson #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 03: Rashad Ross #19 of the Washington Redskins takes the ball to end zone to score a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 03: Rashad Ross #19 of the Washington Redskins takes the ball to end zone to score a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Receiving weapons

There are some familiar names here as well. One player on the list was actually productive for the Redskins while the rest were only with the squad for a short time.

WR Rashad Ross, D.C. Defenders. Ross spent parts of three seasons with the Redskins and was a solid kick returner for the team. In 2015, he averaged 24.4 yards per kick return and was able to bring one back for a touchdown. And as a receiving weapon, he totaled 184 yards and a touchdown on just eight catches and it looked like he had upside as a receiving weapon.

However, Ross fell behind some other players and was cut shortly into the 2016 campaign. He went on to become one of the true star players in the AAF and that earned him an opportunity to win a roster spot with the Carolina Panthers and Ron Rivera. He wasn’t able to make the team.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

WR Simmie Cobbs, D.C. Defenders. Some thought Cobbs had a chance to be a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Instead, he fell to the ranks of the undrafted where the Redskins scooped him up. Cobbs didn’t quite make the team, but his 6-foot-3 frame and decent receiving skills earned him a spot on the practice squad.

What Cobbs is more known for is his decision to sign with the New Orleans Saints off the practice squad. The Redskins offered him a spot when the Saints did, but he turned them down to join the playoff contender. This sparked panic among ‘Skins fans, as losing a player with Cobbs’ upside to a team that had developed undrafted receivers well was concerning.

As expected, that panic was a bit of an overreaction. Cobbs didn’t make much of an impact for the Saints and was waived among final cuts in 2019. And now, he’ll have another chance to prove himself in Washington.

WR Tre McBride, L.A. Wildcats. A former seventh-round pick by the Tennessee Titans, McBride signed a reserve/futures deal with the ‘Skins in 2019 after failed stints with the Titans, Chicago Bears, and the New York Jets.

McBride was thought to have upside after logging eight catches for 144 yards with the Bears in 2017, but ultimately, he didn’t pan out. The Redskins cut him after the 2019 NFL Draft to make room for some other now-familiar young talent at receiver (like Steven Sims).

WR De’Mornay Pierson-El, St. Louis Battlehawks. Pierson-El signed with the Redskins as part of their undrafted free agent class in 2018. He didn’t last a month before being cut.

TE E.J. Bibbs, New York Guardians. Bibbs spent most of 2017 training camp and the preseason with the Redskins before being waived with an injury settlement.

TE Donald Parham, Dallas Renegades. The 6-foot-8 undrafted free agent out of Stetson spent time with the Redskins during the 2019 offseason. His elite size intrigued many who thought he should have a chance to make the roster or at least remain on the practice squad. Ultimately, he lost a spot on the roster to JP Holtz then returned to the practice squad before being waived again.

Home/Commanders News