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4 XFL free agents Cleveland Browns need to sign

By Elliot Kennel

CARSON, CA - MARCH 08: Tre McBride #15 of the LA Wildcats gets past safety Robenson Therezie #37 of the Tampa Bay Vipers at Dignity Health Sports Park during an XFL game on March 8, 2020 in Carson, California. L.A. won 41-34. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - MARCH 08: Tre McBride #15 of the LA Wildcats gets past safety Robenson Therezie #37 of the Tampa Bay Vipers at Dignity Health Sports Park during an XFL game on March 8, 2020 in Carson, California. L.A. won 41-34. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – MARCH 1: Deatrick Nichols #32 of the Houston Roughnecks intercepts a pass during the XFL game against the Dallas Renegades at Globe Life Park on March 1, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Andrew Hancock/XFL via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – MARCH 1: Deatrick Nichols #32 of the Houston Roughnecks intercepts a pass during the XFL game against the Dallas Renegades at Globe Life Park on March 1, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Andrew Hancock/XFL via Getty Images) /

3. Deatrick Nichols, Cornerback, Houston Roughnecks

Deatrick Nichols was the XFL interceptions leader, picking off three passes in their shortened season. That made him one of the best defensive stars of the new league.

He is a legitimate prospect out of South Florida where he played four years. In each of his last three years, he was named either First-Team or Second-Team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) after recording 175 tackles, 11 interceptions, 24 passes defenses, three forced fumbles,  and 14.5 tackles for loss. He also turned in a 40 yard dash time of 4.44 seconds, proving he can fly.

Should Cleveland add him, it wouldn’t be his first shot in the NFL. That came back when he played with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 and 2019 and got into two NFL games.

Nichols had two picks against ex-Steeler Landry Jones in the XFL and, if he likes making picks from Steeler quarterbacks so much, maybe he should be given the opportunity to collect some more.

There may be a role for Nichols as a slot corner (after seeing T.J. Carrie get released), especially against the speedy Wes Welker type slot receivers that seem to be the trend these days.  A slot corner might not play every down, but it is the type of player that might be found on current XFL rosters.

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