6 XFL Players to keep an eye on for the Chicago Bears this offseason

The Chicago Bears should keep an eye on Deontay Burnett

Deontay Burnett, WR - Houston Roughnecks

Another wide receiver the Chicago Bears should keep an eye on is Deontay Burnett. Burnett is a wide receiver for the Houston Roughnecks and a former receiver for the Jets and Eagles. Unlike Josh Gordon, Burnett is only 25 years old and has long-term upside.

Deontay Burnett played at USC and went undrafted. He played in five games for the Jets in his rookie season (2018) and caught 10 of 15 targets for 143 yards. He did not last in New York, but ended up on Philladelphia's roster in 2019. He only played in one game and caught two of four targets for 48 yards. I played in two games for the Eagles the next season, catching three of four passes for 19 yards. He only has one drop over that span too. He spent time on the Titans and 49ers practice squads over that three-year span as well.

One reason I think Burnett struggles to catch on is that he has yet to participate on special teams. If you are a back-end receiver, special teams is almost a must. Burnett has zero snaps during his three-year stint in the NFL. That said, he had a great first game of the 2023 XFL season. He caught eight balls for 88 yards and a touchdown. He had a highlight-reel, one-handed catch too!