Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (South Carolina) is currently with the Cleveland Brown, but was selected by the Birmingham Stallions in the College Draft.
The league name may have changed, but the process is the same: General managers and coaches across the UFL will be paying close attention to NFL training camp practices and preseason games in order to find players to populate their team’s rosters in 2025. NFL teams carry up to 90 players in training camp, though only 53 will make the regular season roster with an additional 16 on the practice squad. That leaves, potentially, almost 700 players who will begin the NFL season as free agents, and many of them will likely be courted by the UFL.
Digging deeper, there are particular position groups from each NFL team that UFL players are more likely to come from, those position groups that are especially deep and will be hard for quality players to crack, leaving them to possibly look for work in a spring league. My goal with this column, as it has been the last three years that I’ve written it, is to explore each team’s deepest position groups to figure out where UFL decision-makers could be looking for talent. This will be broken into two parts, first looking at AFC teams, and later, NFC teams.
Last year’s AFC column spotlighted players that ended up in the UFL, like LB Christopher Allen (Roughnecks), TE Kaden Smith (Defenders), WR Kevin Austin, Jr. (Stallions), DE Garrett Nelson (Brahmas), and WR Jerome Kapp (Battlehawks),
Baltimore Ravens
Cornerbacks: Usually when I choose a position to feature here, there will be a lot of undrafted free agents on the back-end of the depth chart fighting for spots. After all, those are the players that in all probability will be attracted to play in the UFL to earn more reps and get noticed in a way they couldn’t by getting limited playing time in camp. Ravens corners, however, feature just one undrafted free agent: Bump Cooper, Jr., out of Oregon State. Suffice to say, Cooper has the longest of long odds here. There are 12 corners on the roster and just three rookies. So players with NFL experience will be looking for work come September. Among them could be Christian Matthew, who has bounced around the NFL since entering as a UDFA with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022; Ka’Dar Hollman, on his eighth team in six years; and a pair of recent fourth-round picks of the Ravens, Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion Williams. UFL teams looking for corners with a little more experience could end up farming Baltimore’s position group.
Buffalo Bills
Offensive Line: Buffalo spent three 2024 draft picks along the line, pushing returnees down the depth chart. That’s in addition to the three undrafted free agents that also came aboard. Center runs three-deep, where they have a starter, a fifth round draft choice this year, and veteran Will Clapp. Clapp and his 21 games of NFL starting experience would be a great catch for any UFL team, as it’s hard to see a path for him onto Buffalo’s roster. A couple of recent UDFAs, G Alec Anderson and OT Richard Gouraige, will be pushed for both a roster and practice squad spot. The battle at guard is particularly interesting since, aside from the two starters, none were drafted. That means no one gets preferential treatment over another. Anderson and Kevin Jarvis, both hold-overs from last year’s team, will face competition from three rookies in Gunner Britton (Auburn), Mike Edwards (Campbell) and Keaton Bills (Utah). None of the three are slouches and all can win a backup job this summer.
Cincinnati Bengals
Defensive Line: In projecting the team’s 53-man roster for The Athletic, Bengals beat writer Paul Dehner, Jr., referred to the defensive line as the position “toughest to crack” because of its depth. He predicts the team will keep 10 along the defensive line, and they carried 17 to open camp. The team has spent a lot of free agent money and draft capital in the two-deep. Dehner has two spots open, one at defensive end and one at defensive tackle. Several players will be doing battle there, with DE Cam Sample and DT Zach Carter expected to be the favorites. Dehner notes “the battle for jobs at the back of the depth chart will be hotly contested.” Among the key figures at defensive tackle trying to unseat Carter are former Jacksonville Jaguars draft pick Jay Tufele, who plays the nose; Travis Bell, a waiver-wire pickup from the Atlanta Falcons; and Devonnsha Maxwell, a second-year player who spent all last season on IR. At end, it’s D-III standout rookie free agent Justin Blazek; 2022 seventh-round draft pick Jeffrey Gunter; and rookie sixth-round pick Cedric Johnson, all looking up at Sample.
Cleveland Browns
Wide Receivers: Over the course of the last three calendar years, the Browns have swung major trades for big-time receivers: In 2022 it was Amari Cooper; 2023 brought Elijah Moore; and this year, they nabbed Jerry Jeudy. Those three will comprise the starters at the position. Two recent third-round draft picks, David Bell and Cedric Tillman, are slated for backup duty, both needing to have big camps to stay in those roles. Further down the depth chart is intriguing third-year man Michael Woods II, and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer fourth-round pick, Jaelon Darden, who owns 4.46 speed. Another 4.4 player, Jalen Camp, is likely on the outside looking in along with two players with UFL ties: Matt Landers, who spent time with the Arlington Renegades and San Antonio Brahmas this past season; as well as rookie Ahmarean Brown, selected by the Birmingham Stallions in the College Draft.
Denver Broncos
Safeties: It’s a new-look safety room in the Mile High City: Gone are stalwarts Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons. Denver brought in Brandon Jones as a free agent from Miami and will count on PJ Locke to grab hold of the other starting spot. That leaves four players to compete for what will likely be two backup spots – and potentially one or two practice squad openings. The favorites are likely JL Skinner and Caden Sterns. Sterns and second-year man Delarrin Turner-Yell are starting training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list, giving some deeper backups more reps. Rookie free agent Omar Brown, a draft pick of the DC Defenders, and Keidron Smith, on his third team in two years, will be the beneficiaries of those extra reps. Even if one or two players remain unsigned from this group after the dust settles, anyone who finds themselves in that position could improve a UFL secondary.
Houston Texans
Running Backs: Even more depth was added here on the eve of camp when the team signed former Los Angeles Ram Cam Akers. Joe Mixon appears to be the clear lead back, with Dameon Pierce having the opportunity to spell him. After that, it’s wide open. Dare Ogunbowale is the incumbent but he’s more of a special teamer, which could give him a bigger leg up given the emphasis on kick returns this year. Akers is in the mix now, and if Houston keeps four running backs (which they did last season), the diminutive JJ Taylor could win that final spot with a good camp; if only three backs are kept, the roster maneuvering gets a little tighter. In addition, two accomplished rookie free agents are likely fighting for a practice squad invitation: Jawhar Jordan from Louisville and British Brooks from North Carolina. There’s even competition at fullback, with Troy Hairston and Andrew Beck both currently rostered, though Beck can also play tight end.
Indianapolis Colts
Tight Ends: This is the second straight year tight end appears to be Indy’s strongest spot at the outset of training camp. While most teams keep three, or four at most, Indianapolis kept five TEs on their initial roster in 2023. They may do it again, given they have seven in competition right now. The numbers could come down to whether or not the Colts decide to keep a third quarterback. If they do, that may whittle the tight ends down to four. There are real question marks here, even at the top of the depth chart, with presumed starter Jelani Woods battling injuries and his primary backup, Mo-Allie Cox, carrying a hefty price tag. Second-year player Jordan Murray, a TE/WR hybrid at Hawaii, will do battle with Eric Tomlinson, on his ninth team in eight seasons, as well as 2022 sixth-round pick Drew Ogletree. If I’m a UFL team, I’m hoping Will Mallory doesn’t make the cut, as he’s the most intriguing among the back-end group.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Defensive Line: Jacksonville is moving to more of a 4-3 look under new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, and they’ve already stockpiled bodies to ease that transition. Formerly considered outside linebackers, Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen are among those that will rush from the end position this year. Owing to the transition, the Jaguars spent three draft picks along the defensive line. There is a mix of veterans and youth on the interior, with Arik Armstead in his 10th year, Adam Gotsis in his ninth and Roy Robertson-Harris in his eighth, teamed with rookies Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson, as well as second-year man Tyler Lacy. There’s unlikely to be room for all of them. At end, De’Shaan Dixon made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2022, but his climb will be steeper this year. The only undrafted signing along the line this year is Andre Carter out of Indiana. He had 11 tackles for loss in 2023.
Kansas City Chiefs
Linebackers: There may be other positions deeper on the Kansas City roster, but for our purposes in scouting for potential UFL talent, linebacker is where to watch. There are three solid starters and three capable backups. They could keep anywhere from five to six. On the third-team depth chart are three undrafted free agents, any of whom could muck up the chances of those backups making the roster. Cam Jones, a UDFA who made the team last year, and Jack Cochrane both played all 17 games for the Chiefs in 2023, while Cole Christansen bounced on and off the team’s practice squad. They will be tested by rookies Swayze Bozeman out of Southern Mississippi; Curtis Jacobs, a D.C. Defenders draft pick from Penn State; and Central Connecticut’s Luquay Washington. Kansas City won’t keep three linebackers on the practice squad, so at least one or two could make the jump to the UFL. (Washington was waived just prior to the posting of this article)
Las Vegas Raiders
Tight Ends: Vegas surprised a lot of people by picking Brock Bowers out of Georgia in the first round after spending a second-round pick on Michael Mayer last year. In the end, Bowers’ skillset and ability to create mismatches was too tempting to pass up, and having two quality pass-catchers at the position will aid whoever wins the QB battle between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. Mayer is the only TE on the roster from opening day last year. Harrison Bryant and Zach Gentry may be in a fight to win the final spot on the depth chart if Vegas only keeps three again. Given the deficiencies in blocking of Bowers and Mayer, the better of the two at that between Bryant and Gentry may emerge victorious. Behind them are two recent undrafted free agents trying to hang on: Cole Fotheringham, who has spent the bulk of the last two years on the Raiders’ practice squad; and John Samuel Shenker, who was on and off the practice squad four different times in 2023.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterbacks: There’s a new head man in town, the polarizing Jim Harbaugh, himself a former quarterback. Harbaugh was brought in, in part, to maximize Justin Herbert’s abilities at the position. Herbert has put up excellent numbers in his career, but he has yet to taste playoff success. That will become an expectation under Harbaugh. Easton Stick has been Herbert’s backup (or back-to-the-backup) for five seasons now. Stick was 0-4 as a starter last season and could find his job in jeopardy if Max Duggan performs well. Both men will have to earn their stripes with a new coaching staff. Six-foot six-inch rookie Casey Bauman out of tiny Augustana rounds out the QB room. He’s unlikely to make the team, but the fight for the backup job (and potentially third-string job) could be interesting to watch play out.
Miami Dolphins
Defensive Backs: Youth is served at the bottom of the Dolphins defensive back depth chart. Miami signed four undrafted free agents covering the cornerback and safety positions, in addition to drafting Cal S Patrick McMorris in the sixth round. There are no rookies among the two-deep at any DB position right now; that could change as training camp moves along. Expect 10 or 11 to make the team in total here, though new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver could have other ideas. CB Ethan Bonner, a rookie free agent in 2023 from Stanford who stuck on the practice squad all year, will face battles from numerous UDFAs this year for possibly the last corner spot. Storm Duck and Isiaiah Johnson may be the favorites to do just that. At safety, McMorris is no guarantee despite his draft status. Mark Perry from TCU and Rhode Island’s Jordan Colbert will be his main competition.
New England Patriots
Offensive Line: Though the Bill Belichick era in New England is over, his fingerprints remain on the offensive line. Of the current top 10 linemen on the projected Patriots depth chart, all but three were originally drafted or signed by New England. Belichick always made sure to take care of that position, knowing its importance to a team’s offensive success. Because of this, New England has built tremendous depth here, a legacy that has carried on even without him as new de facto general manager Eliot Wolf selected two linemen in this year’s draft. Two key players, G Cole Strange and C Jake Andrews, started camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. That will allow others the opportunity for snaps. Rookie free agent Charles Turner III from LSU steps into the backup center spot with Andrews out. Atonio Mafi, who started five games as a fifth round rookie last year, could be pushed out of a job. Fellow journeyman guard Michael Jordan may meet the same fate. OT Vederian Lowe is another young player with starting experience that may succumb to the numbers game at the position.
New York Jets
Running Backs: Because the Jets are one of the few teams left to roster a fullback, that could mean one less running back for them to keep. If they stick with three and a FB, Breece Hall as the starter, backed up by two 2024 draft picks in Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis would be it. However, there is talent in those players they’d be cutting. Israel Abanikanda, a fifth round pick last year, gained valuable experience last year in a handful of games. Xazavian Valladay, another second-year player, is the kind that would excel in the UFL, a smaller back that can make plays in the open field and in the pass game. Tarik Cohen is a veteran that was recently brought aboard though he wouldn’t fit the profile of someone that would be interested in playing in the UFL, though stranger things have happened.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Linebackers: Pittsburgh’s history is littered with quality linebacker play, from Jack Lambert to Greg Lloyd to Kevin Greene to James Harrison to T.J. Watt and many others. It’s the heart of the 3-4 defense they’ve run for so long. The top three outside linebackers are set; the four others would likely be fighting for either the final OLB role or one or two practice squad spaces. Of particular interest are Jeremiah Moon, a waiver claim from the Ravens, and UDFA Jacoby Windmon out of Michigan State. Expect four inside linebackers as well and all four appear to be locks, unless Cole Holcomb starts the regular season on the PUP list. If that’s the case, then Tyler Matakevich, Tyler Murray, and Mark Robinson will duke it out for to take Holcomb’s place until he returns.
Tennessee Titans
Special Teams: You didn’t think I’d close this column without featuring special teams, did you? Tennessee has competition at both kicker and punter, a rarity these days in training camps. Sixteen-year vet Nick Folk missed just one field goal all year in 2023, his first in Tennessee. He faces a challenge from UDFA Brayden Narveson. Narveson features the phrase “Pressure is a Privilege” in his social media bio, so you know he’s mentally tough. The NFL is sniffing around several UFL kickers, so come 2025, teams may need to stock back up. Narveson is unlikely to win the job in Tennessee unless Folk begins to show his age. Incumbent punter Ryan Stonehouse was injured late in the year, replaced by Ty Zentner. Due to Stonehouse’s injury, the Titans brought both to camp this year. If Stonehouse proves healthy, the job should remain his. As a bonus, the punt return competition may come down to rookie Jha’Quan Jackson Kearis Jackson; the loser may end up looking for work.
