What is the story about?
John Spytek talked about the UFL when asked before the draft, and the Las Vegas Raiders haven’t signed a UFL player in nearly 2-3 seasons. UFL players have shown an ability to bounce back to the NFL level, especially on special teams with Jake Bates, Brandon Aubrey, and Kevontae Turpin. Other including Vikings DT Jalen Redmond, who logged 51 pressures & 5 sacks last season, Falcons LB Ronnie Perkins, Patriots T Yasir Durant, and Broncos LB Dondrea Tillman. The Raiders are going to consistently churn
their roster, looking for the best possible players that can make an impact, as GM John Spytek has mentioned on numerous occasions. The UFL season lasts till June 13th, and players are eligible to sign at any time, though most sign at the beginning of June till training camp.
* These are not necessarily the top players in the UFL, some players I haven’t listed because of a variety of reasons which include a non scheme/roster fit, better options for the player on other teams, age, or players that likely choose to stay in the UFL *
Stats are as of 4/28 – 4/30
RB Marcus Yarns, Houston Gamblers
- Yarns, a former UDFA in 2025 is just 24 years old and after spending 2025 on the Saints practice squad, Yarns has logged his time in the UFL with 35 attempts, 212 yards, and a touchdown while also forcing 11 missed tackles, a 64% breakaway rate, and another 33 yards as a receiver. He has fumbled twice, but Yarns is an athlete and it shows with the chances at the UFL level. He has a 4.45 40, electric long speed, and shows subtle short area quickness. Las Vegas could look to add Yarns to depth for their runningback core.
WR Lucky Jackson, Louisville Kings
- Jackson originally began his career in the indoor football league, then the CFL, and finally the UFL before spending the 2023 – 2025 season with the Vikings. The 6’0, 180 WR has 4.38 speed and it shows in the UFL where he’s logged 18 receptions, 240 yards, three touchdowns, and an 87.5% contested catch rate (7/8). Jackson didn’t play much for the Vikings, with just 50 snaps. Jackson is deserving of an NFL opportunity after this season, he’s shown good lower body flexibility, fluid hips, and has been a strong route runner.
WR Elijhah Badger, Orlando Storm
- Badger has 17 receptions, 308 yards, and three touchdowns which includes a 81 yard reception. He’s converted 3 of his 4 contested catches, has 0 drops, and averages 9.2 YAC/reception. Badger, just 25 was a UDFA in 2025, he shows fluid hips, is able to sink and run routes, and his YAC is the best quality trait he has. Badger logged a 4.41 40, showed strong route running in his NFL preseason appearances with the Chiefs, and turned down a practice squad role to prove himself in the UFL. Badger projects as a possible bottom of the roster WR at the NFL level, and also can contribute on special teams.
T Gottlieb Ayedze, Maryland
- Ayedze, originally signed with the Eagles in 2024 as a UDFA, before spending 2024 with the Raiders. At 6’4/310, Ayedze has good movement skills, and he’s carved a strong career so far at the UFL level. Ayedze never started playing true tackle till 2022 at Frostburg State, and he’s developing into his body well at just 26 years old. He’s played time at RG and LT, though he’s best at G and should provide an NFL team depth in that role. He’s allowed just one sack, a hit, and 5 pressures through 300 snaps with 5.1 YPC lead blocking as well, ranking among the better UFL offensive lineman. He should earn a chance to return to the NFL this season, and he can provide a team good depth on the interior.
T Armani Taylor-Prioleau, Birmingham Stallions
- Taylor-Prioleau is a massive 6’9, 301 and bounced between teams at the NFL and UFL level. He spent time in 2020 with the Browns, seeing a few snaps, then the Bears, Cowboys, Chiefs, and another stint with the Browns. Taylor-Prioleau then transitioned to the UFL where he’s been the best T in the league and shows NFL potential as a 4th option. He’s logged 1074 snaps the last three seasons allowing just 3 sacks, 3 hits, and 17 pressures with a near 50/50 split at LT & RT. This season at LT, he’s allowed just 1 pressure in 102 snaps. Taylor-Prioleau likely isn’t going to push for real NFL snaps, but he should be a candidate to sign as a free agent in a training camp setting to provide depth and push for a bottom of the OL roster spot. Las Vegas is weak at tackle, and Taylor-Prioleau should be a key candidate to take a shot on.
OL Michael Gonzalez, Orlando Storm
- The youngest on this list, Gonzalez will turn 23 in May and the 2025 UDFA has made his mark in the UFL allowing just 1 sack, a hit, and 3 pressures in 316 snaps at LG for the Storm. He spent some time with the Vikings after being released by the Falcons early into training camp, allowing a hit in 88 pre-season snaps. Gonzalez chose to bet on himself at the UFL level, and looks to be a hot commodity this off-season as a potential depth C/G that can legitimately make an NFL roster. Las Vegas is deep on the interior, but Gonzalez would be able to push for a roster spot, or be a top candidate for the practice squad with a future ahead of him.
EDGE Kenny Willekes, Columbus Aviators
- I don’t know if Willekes goes back to the NFL, the 28 year old will turn 29 in July and it’ll likely be his last shot at the chance. He spent 2020-2022 with the Vikings, 2025 with the Steelers and the rest in the UFL. He’s 6’4/265 and shows an ability to play across the defensive line, but does do best as a 3-4 7-Tech. Willekes, through 6 games, has 28 tackles, 5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 23 pressures, and a UFL leading 27.5% pass rush win rate. Willekes has posted 3 seasons of a 22% or higher win rate, his run defense has remained excellent, and Willekes also has improved each season where he’s on pace in 2026 to have a career high in tackles (55), TFL (8), and Sacks (7). Willekes is a good run defender, he’s got a good frame, and he’s developed his technique. At 28, the margin is closing but I’d expect he gets a look this off-season for an NFL training camp. Willekes plays with an intense motor, is a former walkon, and does have some NFL experience with 17 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 17 pressures, and 6 TFL in 215snaps.
EDGE Cam Gill, Louisville Kings
- Gill, turns 29 in December, and the 6’4/240 EDGE rusher has bounced around between the NFL and UFL spending time with the Buccaneers, Panthers, Lions, and Vikings. He was signed to Tampa while John Spytek was the GM, and handled portions of their UDFA scouting, which could help in bringing him to the NFL for the Raiders. Gill earned a few snaps for the Buccaneers including a sack in the Super Bowl, but injuries derailed his career. He’s remained healthy, and in 213 snaps this season has 21 tackles, 25 pressures, 4.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 17 stops, and a FF for the Kings. His 23.7% pass rush win rate leads the UFL. The former Wagner standout was an athletic monster, and while undersized he shows good bend, twitch, and burst, along with the potential to develop into an NFL caliber situational pass rusher like he did early in his career. Gill is on pace to be the UFL DOPY, or at least a finalist, and he should be a hot target for the Raiders to help build depth off the EDGE competing with Cian Slone, Brennan Jackson, and Charles Snowden.
DT Devonnsha Maxwell, DC Defenders
- Maxwell, turns 27 in May, and the 6’1/290 defensive tackle, is a pure pass rush specialist but has shown a massive improvement in the run game this year largely after bulking up to 305. He’s logged 11 pressures, a 11.8% win rate, 3.5 sacks, 6 hits, and 15 run stops. His sacks, run stops, and hits lead all UFL IDL, and Maxwell should see a chance at an NFL roster this preseason. He’s a limited athlete, and injuries derailed the start of his NFL career, but Maxwell shows a good first step, anchors well, and does a good job getting into the backfield. He’s reminiscing of Jalen Redmond who has seen a massive career revival, and likely a massive payday, after a season at the UFL following his first season at the NFL level.
NT Travis Bell, Louisville Kings
- If the Raiders want to add another NT, I doubt it’s Bell but I’ll touch on him. He spent 2023 and 2024 with Raiders DL coach Travis Smith in Chicago, and so far has 4.5 TFL, 13 run stops, and just 4 pressures in 222 UFL snaps. Bell, 6’2/315 has a solid anchor, good violence in his hands, and plays with pure power. He’s limited athletically, and can be undersized but shows a good understanding of leverage. He’s just 26 years old and would compete for the Raiders depth NT job with Gary Smith, Brodric Martin, and possibly Brandon Cleveland though I don’t see a ton of upside from the former 7th rounder.
LB Jaheim Thomas, Louisville Kings
- The UFL struggles to get talent at two spots which involve the linebackers and offensive line, as fitting with the NFL wanting a plethora of talent there. Thomas, just 23, didn’t’ sign with an NFL team after the draft, and he instantly went to the UFL. He’s 6’3/235 and this season has logged 45 tackles, 3 TFL, 4 PBU, and a FF. He leads all UFL linebackers in stops with 17, has allowed just 82 yards on 13 receptions (19 targets), and also has the lowest QBR allowed among UFL linebackers. He’s shown good athleticism, strong instincts, and Thomas has a good tendency to break on the ball. The former Wisconsin linebacker has great length, 7 ST tackles, and he’s an instinctual linebacker who’s proving his worth in his first year of professional football. He’ll turn 24 in July, and Thomas should be a hot name should he leave the UFL, where I imagine he’ll have a chance to compete for an NFL roster spot with his depth at linebacker and special teams value.
LB Eugene Asante, Houston Gamblers
- Asante is 25, and he’s seen snaps grow during his time with the UFL, the 2025 UDFA is just 6’0/225 but in his first chance to see playtime, after an injury in 2025, Asante has logged 22 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 PBU, and a FF through 5 games. He’s allowed only 1 reception, for -2 yards, and his QBR allowed of 27.1 is the best in the league. Asante has an ability to play weakside linebacker, he’s done well on special teams so far with 5 tackles and one miss, while also only missing 1 tackle on defense for a 4.8% rate. Asante is young, he’ll turn 26 after this season, and despite some size concerns he’s shown good instincts, athleticism, and tackling to at least earn a shot at the NFL for training camp.
CB Shaun Wade, Dallas Renegades
- Wade, a 5th rounder in 2021, has bounced around with the Ravens, Patriots, Chargers, and Bears. He’s logged 28 tackles, 2 PBU, and has allowed a 94.3 QBR, 285 yards, and 26 receptions through 20 NFL games with 7 starts. In his first season at the UFL, Wade, who turns 28 in September, has allowed just 10 receptions, 65 yards, and a 17.5 QBR on 20 targets with an additional 3 INT, and 5 PBU. He leads the UFL in forced incompletions, and still shows the traits to be an NFL depth cornerback. The UFL is deepest on the back seven, and Wade should be a name to jump back to the NFL this off-season. He’s not appeared in an NFL game since 2023, but his UFL film shows the same player that was originally drafted out of Ohio State nearly 5 years ago. He’s a fluid mover, breaks on the ball well, and his run defense has improved with better form. Wade works best in zone, can play the slot and boundary, and would help provide a depth option for the Raiders who also works on special teams.
CB Deantre Prince, Louisville Kings
- Prince has spent some time in the NFL after being a 5th round pick by the Jaguars where he played in 10 games during the 2024 season with 9 tackles, 2 PBU, and allowed 4 receptions, 80 yards, and a touchdown in 101 snaps. He’s been sensational for the Kings opposite of Bryce Hall, with just 9 receptions on 19 targets, 113 yards, a TD, and 62 QBR with 5 PBU and an interception. Prince has struggled in run defense, but he’s shown good athleticism to work in coverage, has fluid hips, and quick feet. He’ll need to get better at tackling to make an NFL impact, but teams should be biting at Prince with his 6’0/185 frame and a 4.38 40 along with notable 3-Cone and Shuttle testing.
CB Bryce Hall, Louisville Kings
- Hall should arguably be in the NFL still. The 28 year old, is 6’1/202 and the former 5th rounder has 122 tackles, 21 PBU, 3 interceptions, and two touchdowns in 40 games (26 starts). He’s struggled with injuries, but is staying healthy this season for the Kings, and it’ll allow with him back into the NFL this season. Hall has great length, size, and physicality, he works best in zone coverage, and he should see a few looks as he still shows good footwork, hip flexibility, and natural instincts. He’s had a lot of boom or bust in his NFL career, but he’s shown a good ability to work the slot, boundary, and stays a solid run defender at both spots. He’s allowing 0 receptions on 2 targets, with an interception and PBU through 88 snaps this season.
SAF Major Burns, Houston Gamblers
- Burns should be the most sought after UFL player this off-season, and he should make an NFL impact as well. The 2025 UDFA signed with the Bears, then landed on the Gamblers after not making the roster during cuts. The 23 year old, turns 24 in less than a month and this season through 5 games has 25 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 INT, 7 PBU, and a FF. He’s allowed just 3 receptions, 11 yards, and a 1.7 QBR. Burns shows good tackling, he has great form, good physicality at 6’2/205, and he works across the field both with a near 30/30/20/20 split between strong safety, free safety, slot cornerback, and nickel defender. Burns has really really good instincts, he uses his length to break on the ball, and despite some struggles his first pre-season, Burns has developed the ability to identify concepts and collapse. You can’t teach ball skills or instincts, and Burns shows a lot of both, which will get him NFL looks.
K Tanner Brown, Louisville Kings
- The Raiders have Matt Gay, and they also have Kansei Matsuzawara, or the Tokyo Toe. That said, Brown spent time with ST Coordinator Joe DeCamillis in 2023, and he could return as another kicker into the mix for 2026. He’s converted 10/11 of his PAT, 14/15 on his field goals which include a 7/8 from 40+ yards including a 57 yarder. Brown has a good leg, and he can hit from deep consistently, he’s shown good accuracy, and despite his lack of true NFL experience, Brown should be a guy that teams look towards to take over their kicking issues. He’ll have NFL looks, especially at just 26 years old, and Browns’ connection with DeCamillis could cause him to end up in Las Veags as a third kicker.
Other Names:
- WR KJ Hamler -> Former 2nd rounder, no NFL game since 2022. Smaller WR with speed, has 8 receptions, 161 yards, 2 TD in three games before a hamstring injury. Has true 4.2 speed, could be a sneaky depth signing with upside for the Raiders looking to add to bottom of their receiver room.
- WR Lawrence Keys -> Keys has just 10 receptions, 118 yards but he’s proven his worth on ST with 32 KR, 757 yards, and a long of 55 yards the last two seasons. He’s spent two seasons in the UFL, and as a below average receiver he’d have to make it solely off his ST value similar to Kevontae Turpin.
- WR Hakeem Butler -> Former 4th rounder in 2019 of the Cardinals, big frame at 6’5/227. Explosive player for UFL level, drop issues, seems to be coming into his full potential but at 30 there’s a very limited ceiling and likely past his window. Could compete for depth role, likely needs to stay in UFL and carve career there.
- WR Erik Ezukanma -> 4th rouner in 2022 for the Dolphins, growing as a receiver this season with 4 receptions, 115 yards, TD. No drops, works as a big slot at 6’3/210. Elite special teams player with 13 tackles and just 2 missed tackles in 6 games. 26 years old, will make a camp roster for ST gunner ability & can work as a bottom roster WR
- T Ryan Nelson -> 6’6, 340 works best at T but has versatility at LT, RG, and LG. Allowed just 0 sacks, and 13 pressures this season. Spent time in the NFL with the Chargers, 26 years old. Moves well for his size, pure power, candidate for low roster or practice squad on the OL.
- EDGE Keshawn Banks -> Productive with 4.5 sacks, 27 pressures, 16.5% win rate. Likely a 4-3 end more than a 3-4 EDGE rusher. Bounced around NFL, younger player. Shows good power, anchor, could push for a roster or practice squad spot as a run defending DE.
- ILB Dyontae Johnson -> 2023 UDFA, spent 2023-2024 with the Giants practice squad with 15 tackles, 2 TFL in his career. 6’2/230, average athlete. Suffered season ending injury in NFL, shown good ability to play at the UFL level. Productive, good instincts, wins on special teams, elite tackler (0 missed tackles in 175 ST & defensive snaps)
- CB Steven Jones Jr -> Former 2021 1st team All American, has 17 PBU & 2 INT in three seasons at the UFL. Only 27 years old, 5’10/190 boundary and slot cornerback. Shows good ball skills, special teams ability, and he’s improved each season. Run defense is a struggle, see a chance to push for a bottom of the roster spot at CB.
- SAF Qwynnterrio Cole -> Former Raiders S, spent time with them in 2022 as a UDFA. Struggled to tackle, has allowed just 3 receptions, 14 yards, and a 49.3 QBR this season with an interception and three breakups. Instinctive defender, has worked well rotating between slot cornerback and free safety. Tackling will prevent him from making a true NFL impact.
