With Atlanta Falcons training camp on the horizon, the team has been busy filling in their 90-man roster that will be whittled down to 53 at the end of the summer.
The Falcons signed six undrafted free agents on Monday, and then hosted a pair of wide receivers earlier this week.
They have also invited a pair of XFL standouts to training camp in the form of defensive lineman Kevin Atkins and defensive back Lukas Denis.
Atkins was a five-year standout at Fresno State before being signed as an undrafted free agent last year by the San Francisco 49ers.
He played with the St. Louis Battlehawks this year in the XFL and started nine games with 14 tackles. Atkins was hurt in the draft process last year when he tore a pectoral muscle during his pro=day workout.
Denis was also a member of the Battlehawks last year. He was an NFL Combine invite in 2019 after spending four years at Boston College. He measured 5’11 and 190 pounds. He ran a 4.64 forty with solid agility scores including a 4.09 shuttle and 6.89 L-cone.
Denis had 40 tackles and two interceptions with the Battlehawks.
The XFL is billing itself as a league of opportunity. They work in conjunction with the NFL rather than in competition. They structure their contracts so a player can leave for the NFL if he gets called up, similar to the NFL practice squads.
The XFL has helped several players get NFL opportunities this year including Atkins and Denis with invites to Falcons training camp.
I appreciate these guys getting a chance to earn a living while still playing football. I hope the XFL succeeds and gives these guys more opportunities.