Breaking down the notable names on the Houston Roughnecks XFL roster

The Houston Renegades will be coached by June Jones and their offensive coordinator will be Chris Miller, who used to be Jones’ quarterback while with the Atlanta Falcons. Jones was the offensive coordinator and head coach with the Falcons from 1991-1996. He used the “run-and-shoot” offense with Atlanta and across his coaching tenures, pushing the passing up wherever he went.

The Roughnecks don’t have a designated starting quarterback yet, but invested heavily in Connor Cook with the No. 2 pick and went all in on wide receivers. They will throw the ball early and often, which might not be overly efficient, but should give their players good PPR numbers in fantasy.

There are plenty of interesting names on the Roughnecks, including a few NFL players you will recognize.

P.J. Walker, QB, (Indianapolis Colts)

The Roughnecks have two good quarterbacks with Connor Cook and Walker, who was the Roughneck’s “assigned” quarterback before the draft. But instead of committing to Walker, they drafted Cook with the second overall pick. At this moment, Walker is in the lead, Cook is close. Whoever does end up winning the job, should get plenty of usage as a passer.

Sammie Coates, QB, (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Coates was a Round 3 pick of the Steelers in 2015 and ended up playing four years with three teams. He caught 29 passes for 528 yards and two touchdowns in that period. Coates is a burner, as he recorded a 4.43 40 time and should get plenty of work in Jones’ offense.

Kahlil Lewis, WR, (Seattle Seahawks)

Lewis is far from a burner, but he’s skilled and was chosen ahead of Coates in the draft. He spent time with the Seahawks and Falcons as a UDFA, but was unable to make either team. He has made the Roughnecks and appears to be a starter in an offense that spreads the ball around to its receivers while also raining excessive target numbers.

De’Angelo Henderson, RB, (Denver Broncos)

Henderson was drafted by the Broncos in 2017 and has skipped around to four separate NFL teams trying to make their rosters. At Coastal Carolina he put up big numbers, scoring a touchdown in 35 straight games, setting a NCAA record. He also was a more than competent receiver and even has a receiving touchdown while with the Broncos. His main competition for touches is Andre Williams, who wasn’t an adept receiver. In Jones’ offense, Henderson should have plenty of value.