The Alliance of American Football was begun not as a competitor to the National Football League but rather as something of a developmental opportunity for players overlooked by the NFL. So far, a dearth of quality offensive linemen allowed the AAF's defenders to take center stage on opening weekend and two former Texas A&M players could be getting a second chance at the NFL if they continue to play like they did last week. Brent Sobleski with Bleacher Report profiled ten players in all with San Antonio Commanders linebacker Shaan Washington and San Diego Fleet defensive end Damontre Moore being highlighted for their efforts.

Sobleski writes "According to Pro Football Focus, Moore posted an eye-popping nine quarterback pressures in his first AAF action. That's an impressive number regardless of the level of competition." Washington had a sack that forced a fumble and became an instant hit on social media with his hit and added another sack as well before his night was done. Sobleski notes that "Washington added another sack and showed he's the type of edge defender best suited for a 3-4 scheme or sub-package usage."

Washington came to Texas A&M as a high school safety from Alexandria, La., in the class of 2013 but he immediately moved to linebacker and started the final two years of his career. He led A&M in tackles as a senior in 2016 with 104 to go along with 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. His performance wasn't good enough to get him drafted but it did lead to a free agent contract with Minnesota in 2017. However, he was placed placed on the Physically Unable To Perform list and was eventually released before ever playing a down in a regular season game.

When Moore declared for the NFL Draft after his junior year in Aggieland, his future looked incredibly bright. Moore was a consensus first-team All-American after piling up 12.5 sacks. He was projected as a possible Top 5 overall pick in early mock drafts but disappointing workouts caused him to fall to the third round, where he was taken by the New York Giants.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound defender lasted three seasons with the club before being waived for a violation of team rules. Moore was out of football for much of the 2015 season before spending the final three games with Miami. He was signed by Seattle in the middle of the 2016 year but was injured after four games.Moore was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys in the spring of 2017 and it was thought that there was a real opportunity for him to make it with the Cowboys given their lack of defensive line depth at the time. However, he was suspended by the NFL for two games for violations of the NFL's substance abuse policies. He never got going in Dallas and was credited with seven tackles and four hurries in his brief time with the Cowboys before being let go after an off the field incident. Moore then played in three games for the Oakland Raiders in 2018 and had one tackle.