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Las Vegas Raiders: 5 Potential training camp invites from the XFL

ByMatt Holder|
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 15: A detailed view of a NY Guardians XFL football in front of an XFL logo on the sideline before the game between the DC Defenders and the NY Guardians at Audi Field on February 15, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 15: A detailed view of a NY Guardians XFL football in front of an XFL logo on the sideline before the game between the DC Defenders and the NY Guardians at Audi Field on February 15, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 22: P.J. Walker #11 of the Houston Roughnecks throws a pass during the second quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Vipers at Raymond James Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 22: P.J. Walker #11 of the Houston Roughnecks throws a pass during the second quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Vipers at Raymond James Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Quarterback P.J. Walker, Houston Roughnecks

If there is such a thing as a quarter season XFL MVP award, P.J. Walker would run away with the trophy. He leads the league in passing yards and touchdowns by wide margins – 136 and 4, respectively – and has the second-best passer rating at 112.0. Adding 87 rushing yards and a score on the ground gives him a total of 835 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season.

Beyond the stat sheet, the signal-caller has shown some dynamic playmaking ability by adjusting his arm slot and making impressive throws on the run, see the videos below.

Dating back to his college days, Walker is no stranger to success as he’s Temple’s all-time leader in wins, passing yards, touchdowns, completions, total yards, and total touchdowns. After college, he spent a couple of years on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad but never saw any game action which could be a result of the stigma surrounding his size, he stands at 5’11”. However, the XFL superstar did catch the eye of Andrew Luck in Indianapolis as apparently, Luck put in a good word to his father – XFL commissioner Oliver Luck – about his former teammate.

While it would be a tremendous reach to say that Walker can replace Derek Carr as the Raiders’ starting quarterback, the dynamic playmaker could still be a good fit for the team. The Athletic’s Vic Tafur reported last week that backups DeShonne Kizer and Mike Glennon are not expected to make the move to Las Vegas. Unless Nathan Peterman made dramatic improvements while on injured reserve, it looks like the team has a need for a second-string QB.

Walker could definitely fill that role and head coach Jon Gruden used to rave about Rich Gannon’s ability to make plays with his feet and execute unscripted plays. Also, the coach stated last year that Russell Wilson changed mindset when it comes to short quarterbacks.

Are Walker and Wilson the same player? No, but it might be worth seeing what the XFL superstar can do in training camp.

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