The UFL saw a 100% increase in players making the initial 53-man rosters of NFL teams compared to XFL 2023. Okay, so they went from one in 2023 to two in 2024, not as impressive as the percentage increase indicates, but that doesn’t make it any less factually correct (UFL, feel free to use this in one of your press releases touting the success of the league putting players in the NFL!).
Several UFL players landed on practice quads when they were first formed a week ago. However, the frequent turnover of that 16-man list has already claimed five players who are now without a team. The following are players who, as of Wednesday evening, will head into week one of the season earning a paycheck from an NFL team.
One of the two players that survived cut-down day wasn’t much of a surprise. K Jake Bates (Panthers) had his ups and downs during training camp practices and preseason games. Nevertheless, the Detroit Lions never saw fit to bring in another kicker to push Bates. If he can establish some consistency, Bates has a high ceiling due to his strong long, evidenced by the long field goals he made in the UFL in 2024.
Staying in the NFC North, DE Jalen Redmond (Renegades) fought through an injury-riddled UFL season to lead Arlington in sacks and tackles for loss. Still, he was among the first wave of UFL signings into the NFL. Among those that Redmond beat out for a roster spot along the defensive line were two former Minnesota Viking draft picks in Jaquelin Roy and James Lynch. Redmond is tentatively slated to back up Jonathan Bullard in Minnesota’s 3-4 base defense.
One of six Birmingham Stallions players from 2024 to find a home on initial practice squads, DE Jonathan Garvin (Stallions) showed enough pass rush prowess during the preseason to make San Francisco’s taxi squad. The 49ers added the most recent UFL practice squad signee in LB DaShaun White (Panthers). White stayed out west after having a short stint in Las Vegas Raiders training camp. He didn’t see much action this summer – just 25% of the defensive snaps in the third preseason game – after being signed late in the process, making this somewhat of an interesting addition.
One of the best corners in the UFL last year was CB Nate Brooks (Panthers). He played with some of the top Cincinnati backups during exhibition games, translating that performance into a practice squad contract with the Bengals. He is one of two cornerbacks currently on Cincy’s practice roster.
WR Deon Cain (Stallions) is already on his second team in the last week. He was shuffled on, then off Buffalo’s practice squad. Carolina rescued him from the free agent scrap heap and brought him aboard. The Panthers kept five receivers on their 53-man roster, a relatively low number these days. If an injury strikes or an elevation is needed on Sundays, Cain is likely to get the call (the other practice squad receiver is Jalen Coker, a rookie who was also a draft pick of the Memphis Showboats).
Some Denver Broncos fans sites and beat writers predicted that DE Dondrea Tillman (Stallions) would survive cut-down day, so well did he perform this summer. Alas, he too had to settle for the practice squad. Dallas’s wide receiver corps was always going to be a tough position to crack for WR Kelvin Harmon (Defenders). Add to the fact that he hasn’t taken an NFL regular season snap since 2019 and the odds were incredibly long that he’d even get signed let alone have a shot of making the team. Merely earning a role on the practice squad, therefore, could be seen as a major victory for him and the UFL.
Three UFL players made the practice squad of the New York Jets. Add in one from the XFL and one-quarter of Jets practice squadders have spring football pedigrees. The most interesting of the three is QB Adrian Martinez (Stallions). The UFL MVP beat out undrafted rookie Andrew Peasley for the number three job. Given Aaron Rodgers’ age and the fact that he’s coming off a serious injury (ruptured Achilles), Martinez may find himself as the number two option at some point this season.
Also in The Meadowlands are WR Brandon Smith (Defenders) and G Kohl Levao (Brahmas). A former Dallas Cowboy, Smith was signed by D.C. early in the 2023 season. He had an opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals last year, but stuck this year. This is Levao’s first bite at the NFL apple after going undrafted – and unsigned – following the 2022 Draft. He took the indoor football route, which led him to the XFL, then the UFL, both with San Antonio.
New Orleans took a shot on the measurables that make WR Kevin Austin, Jr. (Stallions) so intriguing. His numbers with Birmingham were stunted by the fact that the team had other talented pass-catching options around him. The Saints will continue to develop him on the practice squad.
New England was the landing spot for two UFL veterans and both made the practice squad: G Liam Fornadel (Defenders) and S AJ Thomas (Stallions). Like Levao, Fornadel had no NFL interest after his college eligibility dried up. And like Levao, his 2023 XFL performance resulted in being shut out of the NFL again. Both kept at it and earned opportunities this summer, making the most of them in the process. Thomas, an All-UFL selection after leading the league in interceptions, previously spent time in the NFL with the Chicago Bears.
Not long after he was signed to the practice squad, the Green Bay Packers placed RB Nate McCrary (Panthers) on practice squad injured reserve. McCrary found himself frequently inactive during the early part of the UFL season, sitting behind Wes Hills and Matthew Colburn. However, he ended the season as a starter and was effective down the stretch.
Two UFL players remain on injured reserve: WR Marcus Simms (Panthers) with the Seattle Seahawks and OT Alex Taylor-Prioleau (Stallions) with the Washington Commanders. Simms was injured early in camp, while Taylor-Prioleau’s injury came after the third preseason game. Both will be out for the year and will remain under contract with the team, unless they are released with injury settlements. That could happen at any point.
