UFL Standouts get a Shot with the Cowboys

The UFL, or United Football League, is coming to a close. As the season ends, which players have a shot at the NFL?

The Cowboys have been successful in recent years by acquiring players from the UFL.

As the Cowboys prepare for training camp, they have UFL talent Brandon Aubrey, known for his exceptional kicking abilities, and USFL standout KaVontae Turpin, a standout return specialist.

Who else might the team bring in to bolster its roster before the start of training camp?

The All-UFL Team

Offense

Quarterback – Adrian Martinez, Birmingham Stallions

Running Back – Jacob Saylors, St. Louis Battlehawks

Wide Receiver – Hakeem Butler, St. Louis Battlehawks; Daewood Davis, Memphis Showboats; Marcus Simms, Michigan Panthers

Tight End – Jace Sternberger, Birmingham Stallions

Offensive Tackle – Jaryd Jones-Smith, St. Louis Battlehawks; Bobby Evans, Arlington Renegades

Offensive Guard – Zack Johnson, Birmingham Stallions; Kohl Levao, San Antonio Brahmas

Center – Mike Panasiuk, St. Louis Battlehawks

Defense

Defensive Line – Carlos Davis, Birmingham Stallions; Daniel Wise, Michigan Panthers

Edge/Outside Linebacker – Chris Odom, Houston Roughnecks; Breeland Speaks, Michigan Panthers

Inside Linebacker – Tavante Beckett, San Antonio Brahmas; Willie Harvey, St. Louis Battlehawks

Cornerback – Deandre Baker, D.C. Defenders; Nate Brooks, Michigan Panthers; Ajene Harris, Arlington Renegades

Safety – Kai Nacua, Michigan Panthers; A.J. Thomas, Birmingham Stallions

Special Teams

Kicker – Jake Bates, Michigan Panthers

Punter – Marquette King, Arlington Renegades

Long Snapper – Jordan Ober, Michigan Panthers

Return Specialist – Chris Rowland, D.C. Defenders

Several players selected for the All-UFL team gained recognition during their impressive college careers. Others, initially first-round NFL draft picks, have found a successful path in the UFL after a lesser stint in the NFL.

Adjusting to the NFL’s intensity takes time for some players. A few might have what it takes to be part of the Cowboys’ roster.

Let’s look at a few players who are having workouts for the Cowboys, and who could help with depth.

UFL players coming in for workouts

The Cowboys have started inviting UFL standouts and as of this writing, three players are confirmed to have workouts.

According to Patric (No C) Walker on X, Deandre Baker, Gareon Conley, and Willie Harvey, Jr. will work out for the Cowboys.

📝 Confirmed workouts for the #Cowboys — all from the UFL (expand for full post):

Deandre Baker, CB
Gareon Conley, CB
Willie Harvey, Jr., LB

🔑 Baker is a former 1st-round pick out of GEORGIA who played for the Giants and Chiefs before landing All-UFL honors with the DC…

— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) June 11, 2024

These three players could add valuable depth to a defense. Baker and Conley, both former first-round picks, have had legal issues but seem ready for a comeback after maturing.

Deandre Baker, a 5’11”, 193lb corner from the University of Georgia, was the 30th pick in the 2019 draft by the New York Giants.

He accumulated 81 tackles and 10 pass deflections in the NFL over three seasons with the Giants and Chiefs. In the UFL, he added 22 tackles in a 10-game season.

Gareon Conley, 6’0″, 190lbs, was the 24th pick in the 2017 draft by the Oakland Raiders.

Over four NFL seasons, he tallied 94 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 touchdown, and 29 pass deflections. His UFL stats include 25 tackles and 2 interceptions.

Willie Harvey Jr., a 5’11”, 230lb linebacker from Iowa State, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Browns.

Recently in the UFL, he led with 78 tackles, nine for a loss, defended six passes, and forced two fumbles in 10 games.

Their talent is evident; they just need the right opportunity to shine in the NFL.

UFL prospects for the Cowboys

The Cowboys can hold off on looking at special teams, as we are set in that category, but what players could help at other positions?

Wide Receiver is a position that can always be looked at for outside help, but what does the UFL offer?

I give you Hakeem Butler a 6’6 230lb receiver and a former 4th-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019. He stuck with the Steelers for a couple of years and then went to the Eagles.

During his NFL career, he only played two games and had one target and no receptions.

In the UFL, Butler had 45 receptions for 652 yards and 5 touchdowns.

This imposing wide receiver would be an ideal red zone target or a first-down target for the Cowboys.

Jacob Saylors a 5’11 199lb running back who is still only 24 years old had a good year in the UFL.

In the UFL he had 460 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns, 151 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns.

If expanded out to an NFL season he is averaging 4.6 yards a carry which would be more than our current running backs.

Just having these two players could challenge the existing players. It would be beneficial to bring them in for a workout before other teams have the chance.

If we miss out on seeing these two, the prior three players mentioned are crucial due to injury concerns.

It appears the UFL is shaping up to be the NFL’s developmental league, which is a positive move.

Allowing players extra time to hone their skills without occupying a roster spot is advantageous for both the leagues and the athletes.