Where former spring football players fit into NFL preseason depth charts – UFL edition

Through the first few weeks of training camp, NFL fans are forced to rely on coverage from beat writers and team-approved websites for the blow-by-blow of each day. It’s hard to get a handle on where the players stand at each position. The closest we get is when depth charts are released prior to the first preseason game. With the first preseason games on the horizon, those depth charts have been unleashed on the world.

There are two important things to note about these depth charts:

1. They are unofficial and are compiled by team public relations and communications staff, NOT by the coaches; and
2. Many of them give deferential treatment to veterans over rookies

Now, that’s not to say these depth charts can’t be instructive; they are, after all, the best guess based on what has been observed over the course of almost a dozen practices. At this time of year, these rankings are fluid, just as rosters are, and players will be up and down based not only on practice performance but also work in the three preseason games.

For spring football fans, this is the first time we get a glimpse as to the chances those players have of making their teams’ 53-man rosters at the end of this month. This series will look at where each of them stand on those depth charts. I’ve broken this up into three articles: Players from the UFL in 2024; players from the USFL in 2022 and 2023; and players from the XFL in 2020 and 2023.

This first article will profile players who have signed with NFL teams following this UFL season. I’ve included their jersey number so that you may keep this list handy if you want to track them during exhibition games you  watch. This list does not include players who signed after Monday, August 5, as most depth charts were released then and would not reflect anyone signed after that.

Atlanta: In Atlanta’s 3-4 defense, DT Prince Emili (#71 – Brahmas) is one of the men in the middle. He’s listed as fourth team defensive tackle. Versatility will be key for Emili as the two backups ahead of him are both rookie draft picks, making it a long shot that he’s able to crack the rotation there. Perhaps he can show value enough to back up another position along the line.

Both OT Julien Davenport (#79 – Brahmas) and OT Jaryd Jones-Smith (#75 – Battlehawks) are listed at left tackle, both behind former Seattle Sea Dragon Barry Wesley. Wesley was injured much of last year, and both Davenport and Jones-Smith have some NFL experience. This will be an interesting battle to watch play out.

He played tight end in the XFL in 2023, linebacker in the NFL later that year, then was back to tight end in the UFL this year. Now finding himself in the NFL again, TE Jordan Thomas (#46 – Stallions) is sticking at tight end. Atlanta lists two starters at the position and Thomas, who just signed a few days ago, will start from the rear as the third-string at one of the spots.

Chicago: The Bears listed just two starting linebacker positions and LB Javin White (#60 – Panthers) is placed as what would be considered an outside linebacker. He shares fourth-team duties with undrafted rookie Paul Moala, listed below Moala on the depth chart. He’d likely have to jump him and third-team ‘backer Micah Baskerville to make the 53-man roster.

Cincinnati: Despite signing as camp opened, CB Nate Brooks (#41 – Panthers) is already listed as a second team corner, behind starter Cam Taylor-Britt. Brooks is ahead of third-year man Allan George, a UDFA in 2022, and fifth round rookie Josh Newton. It’d be difficult to envision Newton not making the team (the Bengals have buried most of their rookies on the depth chart), but this is a nice start for Brooks.

On offense, WR Hakeem Butler (#82 – Battlehawks) has already made some splash plays during practice. He’ll look to find some consistency, something he lacked with the Steelers last summer. Cincy lists three starters at receiver and Butler finds himself behind Tee Higgins, rookie Jermaine Burton, and Kwamie Lassiter II at one receiver spot. It’s not unrealistic to imagine Butler jumping Lassiter at some point, but will that be enough to get him on the final 53?

Cleveland: Right guard is a battle of Za(c)ks, where rookie third round pick Zak Zinter currently holds down second-string duties ahead of G Zack Johnson (#68 – Stallions). Third-string is not the worst place to be at this moment, but behind Johnson is Wyatt Davis, who spent all of 2023 on IR with the New York Giants. If Davis is healthy, he has the potential to leapfrog Johnson in the pecking order.

Dallas: Perhaps the best shot a UFL player has at making a 53-man roster resides in Dallas with LB Willie Harvey, Jr. (#55 – Battlehawks). Though nothing is guaranteed, Harvey debuts on the depth chart as a second stringer behind Demone Clark. Rookies Jason Johnson and Brock Mogensen are behind him, two undrafted free agents. This is Harvey’s job to lose.

WR Kelvin Harmon (#84 – Defenders) hasn’t been able to make hay at the receiver position. In the NFL for the first time since 2022, Harmon is fifth behind Cooks on the WR depth chart. Someone named “David Durden” is ahead of him, though I’m not sure if that’s a real person or if the Dallas PR team is having a little fun.

Rounding out the spring football receivers in Dallas is WR Deontay Burnett (#6 – Renegades). The most recent addition of the three, Burnett finds himself on the outside looking in for a roster spot. Much like Harmon, he’s fifth on the depth chart, behind CeeDee Lamb, who has yet to report due to contract issues with the team. Burnett could move up a spot or two with an impressive exhibition season, but that still might not be enough to make the roster.

Denver: DE Dondrea Tillman (#92 – Stallions) has been occasionally recognized on social media for his work during this training camp. It hasn’t translated to depth chart recognition, however. He’s listed as a weakside linebacker in Denver’s 3-4 scheme, and is on the fourth team. Nik Bonitto and Durrell Nchami currently best him in the backup derby at the position.

Detroit: As of this writing, he’s the only kicker on the roster. Yet K Jake Bates (#43 – Panthers) could soon find some competition for his spot. He’s had an up-and-down camp, clearing long kicks but struggling at times with consistency. Detroit has already tried out a number of other kicking options, including fellow UFL alumni, but has yet to settle on any. Perhaps they’ll wait to see how Bates performs in game action during the opening preseason tilt.

A recent signing, G Jacob Burton (#67 – Panthers) slots in third on the depth chart at the guard position on the right side of the offensive line. He’s ahead of the team’s sixth-round draft pick, Christian Mahogany, but that’s likely because the team placed Mahogany on the non-football illness list at the end of July. With Mahogany out and Netane Muti recently placed on IR, there is an opportunity for playing time for Burton.

Houston: It’s been a long road for DE Malik Fisher (#79 – Defenders) to even reach this point. Two seasons with the D.C. Defenders after a career at Villanova, overlooked by the NFL entering the pro scene. In Houston’s four-man front, Fisher debuts on the depth chart as a deep backup at one end, stuck on the fourth team, listed underneath Solomon Byrd (for all intents and purposes, the fifth team).

Indianapolis: Signed when DE Samson Ebukam tore his Achilles in practice, DE Levi Bell (#61 – Panthers) is on the fourth team ahead of only Ebukam, who has yet to be placed on injured reserve. Bell has only been a Colt for about a week, making the preseason games extra important in his attempts to make an impression on the coaching staff.

Minnesota: One of the first UFL players signed into the NFL in June, DE Jalen Redmond (#61 – Renegades) hasn’t been able to climb the depth chart. He’s third-team defensive lineman behind Jonah Williams, who is on his second stint with the Vikings. That’s a vulnerable spot that Redmond could take over.

New England: The first of three UFL signings by the Patriots this offseason, G Liam Fornadel (#63 – Defenders) is listed as third-team left guard, below another third-teamer at that spot, veteran Michael Jordan. Notably, the Pats placed backup center David Andrews on injured reserve Monday, bringing his season to a premature close. If the team decides to move second-team LG Atonio Mafi to backup center, that opens up a backup role for either Jordan or Fornadel.

New England grabbed DT Josiah Bronson (#75 – Showboats) recently, so he hasn’t had much of an opportunity to make an impression. To that end, there are four defensive tackles ahead of him (including the USFL’s Jeremiah Pharms, Jr.), as he shares third-team duties with an even more recent signing in 12-year vet Mike Purcell.

The signing of S AJ Thomas (#35 – Stallions) represented New England’s third bite at the UFL apple. At free safety, he’s behind Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins, and Brenden Schooler (also a third-teamer, listed with Thomas). Schooler has become New England’s latest special teams maven in the mold of Matthew Slater, so he may need to knock off Hawkins, a 16-game starter for the Atlanta Falcons as recently as 2022.

New Orleans: The Saints have turned over their receiver room quite a bit this summer. They added WR Kevin Austin, Jr. (#81 – Stallions), and he has turned heads in the limited time he’s had to practice. He’s fourth-team receiver, ahead of another recent signing, Marquez Callaway.

Even more recent than the Austin signing is that of WR Samson Nacua (#89 – Panthers). It’s hard to read to much into his position on the depth chart given he’s brand new, but at least for now, he’s listed as sixth team and last at one of the two listed starting WR spots.

New York Giants: The top running back in the UFL, RB Jacob Saylors (#28 – Battlehawks), appears to have not made much of a dent in training camp quite yet. Saylors is sharing fourth-team duties at the position with Jashaun Corbin, notably behind rookie free agent Dante Miller, listed on the third team. More specifically, Saylors is listed even behind Corbin. However, Corbin was waived/injured on the same day the depth chart came out, meaning he’ll end up on injured reserve after clearing waivers. That makes Saylors the sole fourth team RB.

New York Jets: One of the players observers were most excited about having a real chance to make an NFL squad was G Kohl Levao (#60 – Brahmas). Injuries along the line have opened up opportunities for Levao, who right now stands as the third team right guard, ahead of UDFA Brady Latham. Levao may have to beat out Jake Hanson or Wes Schweitzer for a job, or settle for a practice squad role.

The Jets recently signed two receivers from the UFL. One of them, WR Isaiah Winstead (#31 – Renegades), is fourth team at one of three receiver spots, ahead of only Mike Williams, who is on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and once activated, will leapfrog Winstead.

It’s a similar uphill climb for the other player brought aboard in the last few days, WR Brandon Smith (#38 – Defenders). Smith is the fifth team receiver behind starter Garrett Wilson and others. Right now, Smith and Winstead are camp bodies, but the depth chart could be shaken up over the course of three preseason games.

The UFL MVP, QB Adrian Martinez (#15 – Stallions), appeared to learn a lot about being a pro QB under Stallions head coach and offensive guru Skip Holtz. Martinez now takes those lessons on to the Jets. A late signing after camp began, Martinez finds himself fourth on the depth chart. Fifth is rookie draft pick Jordan Travis, who was placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list prior to camp due to an injury he suffered last year at FSU. Once he is activated, the Jets will likely jettison a QB; Martinez has to hope he outperforms UDFA Andrew Peasley during that time.

Seattle: Four players are listed on the depth chart at slot receiver, where Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the starter. WR Marcus Simms (#18 – Panthers) is at the bottom. Easop Winston, Jr. is ahead of him so Simms could conceivably beat him out; the question is, how many slot receivers will Seattle keep?

On the outside, WR Ty Scott (#0 – Defenders) would seem to be even more of a longshot. He is fifth behind Tyler Lockett. As with many of these UFL players, those ahead of him are advantaged by having gone through OTAs and off-season workouts with the team. What a large percentage of UFL players are likely fighting for, Scott included, is to impress enough to make the practice squad – or to impress another team with preseason game tape.

Tampa Bay: There are a lot of spring football fans rooting for TE Sal Cannella (#49 – Renegades). The reality is, however, that he has a steep hill to climb. There are seven tight ends on the Bucs’ roster, and Cannella is number seven on the first depth chart. It’s still early, and while the names ahead of him aren’t blue-chip players, the odds remain long for Cannella to stick.