Five XFL players who could be on NFL's radar

The XFL is a great opportunity for players overlooked by NFL teams to get noticed. Each week, Pro Football Focus highlights the best players who could be on the radar of NFL teams.

Through the early stages of the eight-team league's second reboot, here are five who could get a closer look by the NFL.

Linebacker Clarence Hicks | Seattle Sea Dragons

The outside linebacker and edge rusher is quickly making a name for himself as one of the league's best pass rushers, albeit in limited opportunities.

Per Pro Football Focus, out of 42 edge defenders, Hicks has the eighth-fewest pass rush snaps (15) but is tied for 16th most pressures with five.

He signed with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2022 but failed to make the 53-man roster. He played four years at UTSA and recorded 10.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss as a senior.

He also showed good instincts in pass defense in college, such as on this interception in the red zone against Western Kentucky in 2021.

Quarterback D'Eriq King | DC Defenders

King, like Hicks, has excelled in limited action. He has backed up former Ole Miss QB Jordan Ta'amu, primarily as a change-of-pace guy. King is 4-for-5 passing for 21 yards and one touchdown but has been more impactful as a runner with 14 carries, 56 yards and two touchdowns, including this one on an option handoff in Week 2.

He could be on a similar career arc to former XFL QB P.J. Walker. King spent time on the Carolina Panthers practice squad last season — the same team Walker started seven games for over the past three seasons.

Wide receiver Jontre Kirklin | Houston Roughnecks

A long career at LSU ended with Kirklin filling in at quarterback in the Texas Bowl against Kansas State. LSU lost 42-21, but arguably the most memorable play came on the final snap when Kirklin completed an 81-yard touchdown to wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr.

Kirklin's been the one doing the catching in the XFL — he is tied for the league lead in touchdown receptions at three. Kirklin committed to LSU as a cornerback but shifted to wide receiver before the 2019 season. He went undrafted in 2022 and spent time as a member of the Arizona Cardinals practice squad last year.

He has 13 receptions for 204 yards with the Houston Roughnecks while split out wide on 91.2 percent of his snaps.

Running back Max Borghi | Houston Roughnecks

After going undrafted in 2022, Borghi bounced around the NFL, first signing with the Colts and then spending time with the Broncos and Steelers. He never latched on, but he and Kirklin contribute to one of the XFL's best offensive units.

He ranks third in the XFL in rushing with 143 yards and is the only running back with multiple rushing touchdowns.

Borghi is also a factor in the passing game, with 10 receptions for 64 yards on 11 targets. He showed off receiving skills at Washington State as early as his freshman season in 2018 when he got caught up in "Minshew Mania" on this touchdown reception.

Cornerback Michael Joseph | DC Defenders

Joseph might force the Bears to play him this season. Since 2018, he has been signed, waived, activated, released, put on reserved lists and designated to the practice squad by Chicago 20 times, per Pro Football Reference. He played for the first time in Week 15 of the 2021 season, totaling nine snaps.

Joseph already has three interceptions this season, including two pick-sixes.

If he keeps it up, the next thing he snags might be a spot on an NFL roster.