4 XFL standouts the Vikings should consider for 2020

Jordan Ta’amu – QB (St. Louis BattleHawks)

Minnesota’s quest for a backup quarterback will be an interesting one this year. The Vikings could draft a fresh new face to sit behind Kirk Cousins or they might go out and pay an experienced veteran to give some leadership from the sideline.

There is also the slim chance Minnesota decides to find a quarterback from the XFL to groom. Jordan Ta’amu has been a fun weapon for the BattleHawks through two games and he should be in the NFL next season.

I must confess, Ta’amu was one of my favorite quarterbacks in the 2019 NFL Draft. He is a dual-threat option with the ability to survive with minimal mistakes and the skill to improvise with his legs.

Through two games in the XFL, Ta’amu has completed 50 of his 64 attempts for 493 yards and four touchdowns. He has also added 109 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Ta’amu’s success in the XFL is not much of a surprise. He started for more than a season in the SEC and he was a dynamic quarterback for Ole Miss. He threw for 5,600 yards and 30 touchdowns in 19 career games at the school. Ta’amu also completed 64.5 percent of his collegiate passes. In his final college season, he threw for 3,918 yards in addition to 342 yards on the ground.

Ta’amu would be the perfect backup quarterback. He can make plays with his legs when the pocket breaks down and he limits the negative plays. He may not be a gunslinger, but he will keep the offense alive. While not a replica of Cousins, Ta’amu brings a skill set to the table that a backup needs.

I firmly believe Ta’amu will be in the NFL soon. He is young and exciting under center and at the very least, someone will bring him in as a developmental project. With no backup on the Vikings’ roster for 2020, I would put my chips in on Ta’amu.