With the preseason officially wrapping up, it was the final opportunity for UFL to NFL athletes to prove themselves to their respective NFL teams. We’ve seen well over 60 UFL players sign NFL contracts – but not all of them are going to stick on a team, or practice squads for that matter.
There were plenty of UFL athletes who made a case for themselves in the preseason this week: so let’s break it all down.
Carolina Panthers
QB Bryce Perkins, Panthers
From one Panthers team to another, the UFL’s MVP made his way to Carolina earlier this week to fill in for an injured Andy Dalton. He ended up starting the full second half for the Panthers, throwing for 71 yards – completing 10 of 11 pass attempts. Outside of a lost fumble, he played well, rushing for 29 yards as well. He had a strong 79.5 Offensive Grade, via PFF.
Atlanta Falcons
RB Jashaun Corbin, Brahmas
DE Ronnie Perkins, Stallions
S Henry Black, Brahmas
The Atlanta Falcons signings were busy on Friday night. RB Jashaun Corbin finally got the action that we were waiting for all preseason long – rushing for 51 yards on just 11 carries. His burst and athleticism was on display all night. Additionally, he had two kick returns for 47 yards.
Safety Henry Black had another fruitful day, playing 40 snaps and racking up four tackles in the loss. Meanwhile, former Stallions DE made his Falcons debut, and impressed with: 3 tackles, 3 defensive stops, 4 QB pressures, and an outstanding 80.2 Pass Rush Grade via PFF. Having signed to Atlanta just a few days before playing in this game, you can’t ask for much better than that. Sadly, Perkins has been released as of publishing this article.
Dallas Cowboys
DT Perrion Winfrey, Stallions
DB Michael Ojemudia, Defenders
Perrion Winfrey has been an absolute gem for the Cowboys, to no one’s surprise. After earning All-UFL honors with the Stallions, Winfrey has made legitimate waves in Dallas – starting in all three preseason matchups. Perrion racked up 4 tackles, a sack, a PD, and two QB hits in the win.
Michael Ojemudia saw a bunch of snaps (45) in his Dallas debut as well. He totaled five tackles on the night, allowing three receptions for 33 yards according to PFF.
Los Angeles Rams
QB Dresser Winn, Showboats
Sean McVay opted to give Dresser Winn the start for Los Angeles on Saturday, and he didn’t disappoint. The former Memphis Showboats signal caller returned to the Rams this offseason, and nearly led them to the preseason win against Cleveland. Winn completed 15 of 23 pass attempts for 191 yards, and a touchdown. After what was a rather rough start to the game, Winn settled in nicely – and made a few throws that showcased his NFL potential.
Pittsburgh Steelers
DT Kyler Baugh, Battlehawks
EDGE Kenny Willekes, Panthers
Kyler Baugh made the most of his snaps, racking up a tackle and a sack on just nine total snaps. He combined with former Michigan EDGE rusher Kenny Willekes on the sack of Bryce Perkins. Willekes played 15 snaps of his own, with two tackles and a strong 82.5 Pass Rush Grade via PFF. As of Friday morning, Kenny was released by Pittsburgh.
San Francisco 49ers
WR Malik Turner, Panthers
DL Shakel Brown, Roughnecks
EDGE Jaylon Allen, Showboats
After hardly seeing any action last week, Malik Turner made a name for himself with the 49ers this week. He led the team with three receptions for 41 yards – picking up first downs on every catch. With WR depth a bit shaky in San Francisco, he might be in a position to make the practice squad.
Shakel Brown looked decent on his 23 snaps, with a QB pressure and a pass batted down at the line. Jaylon Allen has consistently gotten pressure on opposing quarterbacks each and every week – and continued that trend with two QB pressures on 25 snaps.
New York Jets
OL Liam Fornadel, Defenders
OL Samuel Jackson, Roughnecks
DB Mario Goodrich, Stallions
K Harrison Mevis, Stallions
Liam Fornadel may have just solidified his spot on this Jets roster, or at least the practice squad. He started at center for the Jets once again, with outstanding 84.2 Run Block/81.0 Pass Block Grades. Fornadel didn’t allow a single sack or pressure on 69 snaps – just adding to his tremendous effort all preseason long.
Former Roughnecks OL Samuel Jackson didn’t see the same success. He allowed a sack, alongside three pressures on 57 snaps at tackle. Stallions kicker Harrison Mevis, who’s in a competition with Nick Folk, had just one field goal attempt from 55 yards, and missed it.
It was a stronger week for CB Mario Goodrich – who didn’t see any targets, and had four tackles. Outside of a DPI penalty, he looked good. As of writing this article, Goodrich and Jackson have been released.
Houston Texans
WR Cornell Powell, Defenders
CB Damon Arnette, Roughnecks
For someone who just joined the team this week, Cornell Powell fit right into the Texans lineup. He led the team with 63 yards on just six receptions, as a reliable target for all of Houston’s quarterbacks in this game. Considering Cornell’s previous NFL experience, his success this Saturday was no surprise.
Damon Arnette – who came up with an interception last week – had a bit of a quieter outing, with just one assisted tackle on 21 snaps vs. Detroit.
Buffalo Bills
WR Deon Cain, Stallions
EDGE Nelson Ceaser, Brahmas
Deon Cain continued his trend of recording at least a reception per game this preseason. In Buffalo’s win over Tampa Bay, Deon had two catches for 21 yards on three targets.
Meanwhile, former Brahmas edge rusher Nelson Ceaser – who signed with the team just days prior to W2 of the preseason – made the most of his snaps in this one. Nelson had 2 tackles, a sack, a TFL, and 2 QB hits. Sadly, he has already been released by the Bills as of today.
Detroit Lions
RB Jacob Saylors, Battlehawks
RB Deon Jackson, Defenders
TE Steven Stilianos, Brahmas
TE Gunnar Oakes, Panthers
OL Gunner Britton, Defenders
DB Nick Whiteside, Battlehawks
DB D.J. Miller, Panthers
The Detroit Lions hold more UFL players than any team – and rightfully so. They’ve seen solid production from the majority of their guys all preseason long. RB Jacob Saylors had another strong performance, rushing for 32 yards – while adding 27 receiving yards and 43 kick return yards to his total tally for over 100 All-Purpose Yards. Defenders RB Deon Jackson had just two carries for three yards, but had a catch for 18 yards on a screen.
The tight ends in Gunnar Oakes and Steven Stilianos did virtually nothing – playing a combined eight offensive snaps. Defenders OT Gunner Britton looked excellent at tackle, with an 80.7 Pass Blocking Grade on 17 total snaps.
Unfortunately, the DB’s didn’t have their best days. Nick Whiteside, who’s had a tremendous camp, was beat all day by Houston’s wideouts. He allowed seven receptions on eight targets for 94 yards. D.J. Miller racked up six tackles, but allowed four catches for 31 yards and a touchdown. It’s worth noting his coverage on the score was strong – he was simply outsized on the play.
Cleveland Browns
TE Sal Cannella, Renegades
LB Charlie Thomas III, Renegades
LB Marvin Moody, Roughnecks
CB Keenan Isaac, Roughnecks
For a third straight week, Sal Cannella totaled three receptions in a preseason game for the Browns. He totaled 20 receiving yards, also posting a strong 73.7 Offensive Grade via PFF.
Charlie Thomas III joined Cleveland just a few days prior to this game, totaling two tackles and a TFL on 30 snaps. Moody, who spent time with the Browns last preseason, was featured on just seven snaps. Finally, CB Keenan Isaac only saw the field for 14 snaps, but totaled two tackles.
Denver Broncos
EDGE Garrett Nelson, Brahmas
DB Micah Abraham, Battlehawks
Garrett Nelson has had a strong preseason with Denver so far, and capped off his campaign with one tackle and a QB pressure on 21 snaps. Meanwhile, former Battlehawks DB Micah Abraham played 27 defensive snaps, up from six the week prior, but didn’t record any statistics.
Arizona Cardinals
OL Dohnovan West, Battlehawks
DT Kyon Barrs, Renegades
DB Steven Gilmore, Stallions
Kyon Barrs has been nothing short of spectacular this preseason – putting himself in a position to make Arizona’s roster, or at least the practice squad. Barrs had three tackles, a sack, and three defensive stops on Saturday night. Across all three games, Kyon boasts a strong 84.2 Defensive Grade via PFF.
Steven Gilmore saw more flight for the Cardinals in this past game – racking up two tackles and a PBU on 25 snaps. Dohnovan West, who was just signed a few days ago, didn’t take any snaps.
New Orleans Saints
TE Seth Green, Renegades
OL Barry Wesley, Stallions
C Mike Panasiuk, Battlehawks
DB Jayden Price, Renegades
For a second straight week, TE Seth Green recorded a reception, despite limited reps. He had one catch for five yards. His teammate in the UFL and now in New Orleans, Jayden Price, had three tackles – but allowed three receptions for 37 yards on just 18 snaps.
Barry Wesley had a strong showing at left tackle, not allowing any pressures on 30 snaps. Mike Panasiuk saw the field for just seven plays, allowing a pressure.
New England Patriots
C Alec Lindstrom, Showboats
LB R.J. Moten, Panthers
As of writing this article, R.J. Moten was released by the Patriots. He had one tackle in their loss to the Giants, but gave up two completions for 43 yards and a touchdown via PFF.
Meanwhile, former Showboats standout center Alec Lindstrom played 17 snaps – allowing one pressure but boasting a positive 64.9 Offensive Grade via PFF.
Jacksonville Jaguars
OT Ricky Lee, Renegades
CB Keni-H Lovely, Panthers
After coming away with an interception last week, Keni-H Lovely saw quite a bit more playing time for Jacksonville this week (37 snaps). He racked up five tackles – but in coverage, allowed four receptions for 65 yards on four targets.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t an ideal outing for former Renegades OT Ricky Lee. He allowed two sacks and four pressures, playing 55 snaps in week three.
Miami Dolphins
OT Mason Brooks, Defenders
CB Cam Dantzler, Showboats
Mason Brooks signed to Miami this week, and understandably so saw just four snaps of action. Former Showboats CB Cam Dantzler – who made an immediate impact once he joined Memphis off of IR midway through the season – looked sharp. He had four tackles on just 18 snaps of action.
Los Angeles Chargers
OT Ryan Nelson, Panthers
DB Nehemiah Shelton, Showboats
Disappointingly, Nehemiah Shelton didn’t have a strong performance in his first preseason action. On just six snaps, he allowed a touchdown on one target, with a poor 35.4 Defensive Grade via PFF. Ryan Nelson continued taking snaps at guard (both left and right in this game), allowing two pressures on 41 snaps. He did have a positive 67.8 run blocking grade, via PFF.
Other UFL to NFL Performances
Brahmas DT Jacob Sykes, Eagles: Sykes, who’s made a few plays for the Eagles the last two weeks, didn’t have his best showing against New York. Sykes had just one pressure on 34 snaps, with no recorded statistics. PFF’s Defensive Grade for him was just 41.2.
Roughnecks TE Geor’Quarius Spivey, Chiefs: Spivey, who many expected to be a camp body for Kansas City, was exactly that. He played just six snaps the final game, with a poor Offensive Grade of 28.3 via PFF in the final preseason game.
Brahmas EDGE Marcus Haynes, Colts: Haynes saw some snaps in the second half for Indianapolis, and continued to pour on the pressure in their blowout win over Cincinnati. Marcus had a tackle, a sack, and a QB hit for the Colts.
Brahmas WR Jacob Harris, Buccaneers: Harris didn’t record any receptions for Tampa Bay this time around. He was primarily seen on special teams, with limited offensive opportunities in the final preseason game of the year.
Brahmas WR Kawaan Baker, Packers: Baker was on the field for 16 offensive snaps with Green Bay – but didn’t record any receptions or targets.
Final Thoughts
So far, over 60 UFL players have signed NFL contracts. You can stay up to date on all UFL to NFL movement with our official tracker.
It will be a tough couple of days ahead for a lot of these players – as most will more than likely be cut by their respective teams. For some, it could mark the end of their professional journeys altogether. Regardless, each UFL player should be proud of how far they’ve come – and how much they accomplished this past preseason.
What are your thoughts on these UFL to NFL storylines from week one of the preseason? Who needs to stick with a team on their roster or practice squad? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
