Why Vikings fans should root for the XFL’s Dallas Renegades

Former Vikings offensive linemen in Dallas:

Willie Beavers – OT

Willie Beavers is one of the bigger names in the XFL. The Vikings drafted Beavers in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He appeared in two games for Minnesota as a rookie, but he then failed to make the team’s roster the following year.

Beavers was later signed to the Vikings practice squad and then bounced around the NFL. In addition to Minnesota, he has spent time with the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers, who cut him at the end of the 2019 preseason.

Beavers will turn 27 this year so he is still plenty young. He has the ability to play both guard and tackle and it looks like he’ll start out his career with the Renegades at tackle.

The biggest knock on Beavers in the NFL was his lack of physicality. He often didn’t play with much fire and he preferred just engaging with his man as opposed to driving him backward and out of the play. Beavers has a chance to prove that he can play in the NFL and was worth that fourth-round pick the Vikings used on him. But he’s got to find that fire.

John Keenoy – C

John Keenoy is a name most Minnesota fans probably won’t remember. He was signed after the 2019 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan. He showed the ability to play guard and center, but he ultimately couldn’t crack the Vikings’ final 53-man roster.

Keenoy is only 22-years-and the XFL is the perfect opportunity for him to hone his skills and put some good tape together for NFL teams to peruse.