XFL Draft Predictions - Running Back (Part Two)
Four more powerful backs who could hear their names called during the XFL’s 2023 draft!
In Part One of our Draft Predictions series for the RB spot, we detailed eight attractive backs who very well could hear their names called when the XFL draft rolls around later this year. In Part Two, we’ll look at a handful of runners who could join them. Some of these players will be NFL veterans, and some will be up-and-coming players who are not as well-known but deserve a chance to shine in the league in 2023.
Alex Collins – University of Arkansas
Alex Collins being drafted to play in the XFL in 2023 could be an interesting pairing. Collins attending the University of Arkansas racking up just shy of 4,000 total yards and 36 Touchdowns. Following a great career as a Razorback, Collins would forego his Senior season and enter the draft. Thought by many draft experts to be a 3rd round pick, the Seattle Seahawks snagged him in the 5th round in 2016. Collins would scratch and claw up the depth chart for Seattle in 2016 and 2017. With little playing time to work with and no clear roster spot carved out, the Seahawks waived Collins in 2017. He would sign with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad to begin the 2017 season. Following a rash of injuries to the running back position, Baltimore would turn to Collins to tout the rock. Collins would end up leading the team in rushing that year with just south of 1,000 yards and 6 touchdowns. The 2018 and 2019 seasons were not as fruitful for Collins. In ’18, a foot injury ended his season prematurely, and in ’19, an off-field incident would ultimately result in Collins getting released by the Ravens altogether. Seattle would bring Collins back in 202o and 2021, carrying the ball for around 500 yards and 4 scores across the two seasons. With Alex Collins having been a true “Bell Cow” back in the NFL back in 2017, it begs the question as to if the XFL sees Collins that way in their league. With the news that the league plans to “sign more NFL veterans”, it would make sense for Collins to be towards the top of the short list of former players vying for a chance to play professional football at a high level. SFF could see Collins in the league as a true #1 back if both sides are interested.
Buddy Howell – Florida Atlantic University
Buddy Howell is another RB who could see an opportunity via the XFL in 2023. Howell attended Florida Atlantic University where he averaged 5.2 yards per carry throughout his collegiate career. His best season in Conference USA play came in 2016, totaling 870 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns. After not being drafted in 2018, Howell would sign with the Miami Dolphins. His stint in MIA would not last long, being cut in September of that year. The Houston Texans took interest in Howell, claiming him off waivers the next day. Howell would spend the next three seasons in Houston. A core special teams player and the occasional handoff for Howell became his sticking points on the Texans roster. Following the 2021 season, Howell would move on, joining the Los Angeles Rams for the 2021 season. As was his role in Houston, Howell was nothing more than a depth piece with the Rams. He would get a chance to return a few kickoffs in 2021, but outside of that, his role remained the same. As the XFL looks to build eight unique rosters in 2022, Howell could be a true number one back under the right system. With valuable experience in a backfield and on special teams, don’t be surprised is Howell is brought in by a club in the XFL for the 2023 season.
Matt Jones – University of Florida
The return of XFL GOAT Matt Jones could be upon us! Jones attended the University of Florida and had a great Junior season for the Gators. Rushing for nearly 900 yards and six TDs, Jones would forego his Senior season and enter the NFL draft. Jones would be selected in the 3rdround of the 2015 draft by Washington. An impressive rookie season coupled with the departure of then-starter Alfred Morris led Jones to become Washington’s lead back in 2016. An injury would see Jones giving up his starting role and he’d be released in September of 2017. The Indianapolis Colts would claim Jones off waivers. He spent 2017 bouncing around both the active and practice squad rosters for the Colts before being released in 2018. A short stint in Philadelphia with the Eagles the following spring would see an end to Matt Jones in the NFL. Jones has dabbled in alternate football leagues including the XFL. Jones saw action with the St. Louis BattleHawks in 2020, rushing for 314 yards and a touchdown before the league folded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Spring League in 2021 wraps up Jones’ professional football ventures. One thing is certain when it comes to Jones. He’s an absolute unit in short yardage situations and all eight XFL squads need that type of back. At 29 years old, Jones might get another opportunity to play in the XFL in 2023.
Justin Stockton – Texas Tech University
Another former XFL player joins the list in Justin Stockton. Stockton attended Texas Tech University and put up some great numbers as a Red Raider. Stockton played all four years during his time at Texas Tech, averaging just shy of 650 scrimmage yards per season with 24 total touchdowns. Following his Senior season at TTU, Stockton would sign as a UDFA with the Seattle Seahawks. He would be released before the start of the 2018 season but would quickly latch on with the Detroit Lions practice squad. After being released in 2019, Stockton found success in the Alliance of American Football with the Arizona Hotshots. Stockton would be signed once again by the Lions following the AAF’s suspension of operations in 2019. After another release in Detroit, and a brief stint in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Stockton sought out Alternate Football again. This time it was in the XFL with the New York Guardians. He wouldn’t get much of an opportunity in New York and instead set his sights on the Indoor Football League. Stockton is the all-time leading rusher for the Massachusetts Pirates of the IFL and has made a huge impact on the field for the franchise. In early 2022, Stockton signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL but would be released rather quickly. One thing is abundantly clear with Justin Stockton. The guy can play ball and has not had a chance, or a stage, to prove himself. The XFL could be that chance for Stockton to do so.
With NFL rosters consistently being tinkered within, we have no doubts that the XFL Draft will yield some fantastic talent at the Running back position. With that being said…who’d we miss? Comment below on any RBs you’d love to see in the XFL in 2023! #Frenzy