5 UFL Players Who Deserve Another Chance with an NFL Team

The UFL has become another avenue for the NFL to explore for potential roster additions.

If not for spring leagues, the world's best kicker, Brandon Aubrey, wouldn't be on the Dallas Cowboys roster at this very moment.

With the UFL season coming to a close on June 14 and the DC Defenders claiming their first title, NFL organizations are looking to sign some of the talent involved.

A handful of All-UFL performers—running back Jashaun Corbin, guard Cohl Cabral, defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey and cornerback Damon Arnette—have already agreed terms with NFL clubs. More should follow.

While the NFL doesn't have an official minor league, professional football definitely requires a feeder system (beyond college football), especially today when so many limitations are placed on practice time and full-padded sessions.

The UFL is an excellent ancillary promotion to provide opportunities and allow players more developmental time while possibly providing second and third chances at making an individual's NFL dream happen.

Among this year's elite UFL performers, five should definitely get a call from an NFL squad based on their play and remaining upside (all five selections are 28 or younger), starting with a pair of high-profile quarterbacks.

QB Bryce Perkins, Michigan Panthers

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Bryce Perkins' professional football career started nicely as a backup with the Los Angeles Rams and a Super Bowl champion by his second year.

The former undrafted free agent spent three seasons under Sean McVay's supervision, and he's now the reigning UFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.

"So now, this year after spending some time with the Rams and coming here halfway through the year last year, it's still on my heart to play football," Perkins told Jon Gruden for Barstool Sports. "I love football. I love the guys. That's the best part of it. And, you know, I continue to see improvements in my game. And that's a sign for me just to kind of keep going and, you know, whatever happens, happens."

During Perkins' first full season in the UFL, he finished fourth in the league with 1,342 passing yards and provided a nine-to-two touchdown-to-interception ratio (in seven games). He also ranked second with a 69 completion percentage. He's dangerous as a dual-threat option.

As the NFL continues to incorporate the quarterback run game and run-pass options into schemes, the 28-year-old can thrive. He finished 14th in the UFL with 269 rushing yards but tied for second with five rushing touchdowns.

Quarterbacks are always at a premium, because not enough good ones can be found. Perkins has NFL bloodlines—his uncle, father and brother all played in the league—and already overcame so much after suffering a broken neck at the collegiate level.

He should now receive a chance to again play at the highest level and possibly help a squad's depth, while being integrated into the offense with some designed quarterback-run packages.

QB Jordan Ta'amu, DC Defenders

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Jordan Ta'amu has been Mr. Spring Football. He's played well enough between multiple leagues to get cups of coffee with the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings after being an undrafted signee by the Houston Texans.

This year is no different. While Perkins emerged as the UFL's top player during the season, Ta'amu saved his best for last in the league's championship game.

The 27-year-old quarterback shredded the Michigan Panthers defense for 390 yards and four touchdown passes on his way to being named the UFL Championship Most Valuable Player.

"I mean, this stat line is insane," DC Defenders tight end Briley Moore said, per Jacob Camenker of USA Today. "But that's just him. After getting that news (he didn't win league MVP) 24 hours ago, he didn't flinch. He didn't try to do too much. He didn't let him affect him, and he just balled out."

Ta'amu, 27, pulled a Michael Jordan and took that personally. As a result, he raised the trophy at the end of the season.

At his best, Ta'amu can be deadly accurate when operating on time and in rhythm. He doesn't have the biggest arm, but he throws with good anticipation and ball placement. He's more than proved himself to be an able backup somewhere in the NFL.

WR Deon Cain, Birmingham Stallions

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Deon Cain looked like he had a bright future after being a sixth-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts. But it never came together at any of his six NFL stops.

The 28-year-old was clearly the best wide receiver in the UFL. In fact, he's been a standout during all three of his campaigns—all with the Birmingham Stallions—with USFL and UFL championships, a 2023 USFL Championship Game MVP nod and an All-UFL selection this year.

At 6'2", Cain is a physical target who excels after the catch. He thrived as the UFL's top vertical presence this past season. He ranked third with 514 receiving yards, despite missing a game. His six touchdown snags was good for second. He led the league with an average of 57.1 receiving yards per game and 17.7 yards per catch.

His 421 kick return yards also ranked among the league's top five.

Obviously, Cain is already been given multiple opportunities to stick somewhere in the NFL and it just hasn't happened. Despite his history, he continues to show he's capable and someone who can contribute in multiple areas.

Sometimes it's all about being in the right place at the right time. Cain simply hasn't found that particular opportunity quite yet.

OT Yasir Durant, DC Defenders

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The NFL is constantly searching for quality big men, because supply doesn't meet demand. The ability to build legitimate depth along the offensive line is a rare luxury at the highest level.

The chance of landing a young blocker with remaining upside and some starting experience at both the NFL and UFL levels has to be highly intriguing.

Yasir Durant started every game at left tackle for the championship-winning DC Defenders. He emerged as the league's best offensive lineman in 2025 and was named to the All-UFL team as a result.

He's a 6'6", 330-pound blocker with good length and passable movement skills. He started two seasons at left tackle for the Missouri Tigers before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, then the New England Patriots traded for his services. Between the two teams, he provides spot starts at right guard and right tackle.

Upon joining the Defenders, the 27-year-old began his UFL career at guard before bumping back out to tackle in Week 6 of the 2023 campaign. He has been on the blindside ever since, sans one start on the strong side.

This transition happened before. Storm Norton was the top blocker in the XFL during the 2020 campaign. He signed with the Los Angeles Chargers afterward and has been in the NFL ever since.

An NFL team is not going to overlook the chance to add another legitimate option along the offensive line.

LB Tavante Beckett, San Antonio Brahmas

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Tavante Beckett epitomizes why the UFL and spring football exists. He's the type of player who needs a platform to show how well he can play despite the perception of who he is and how he doesn't supposedly fit at the highest level.

Case in point, some NFL evaluators had their minds made up about the 5'11", 220-pound linebacker before he ever put on a uniform.

"You have to use him in a non-traditional role like dime linebacker for him to play. I don't think you will see him on the field as a base linebacker," an anonymous personnel director for an NFC team told NFL Network's Lance Zierlein prior to the 2021 NFL draft.

Beckett lacked size and wasn't a particularly good athlete according to pre-draft testing. The Detroit Lions still gave him a shot, and he made the team's practice squad before being called upon late in his rookie campaign.

After being cut the following offseason, the 27-year-old eventually found a home in the UFL—first with the Houston Roughnecks, then with the San Antonio Brahmas. At both stops, he earned All-UFL team honors.

His natural instincts, ability to seamlessly sift through trash and produce high tackle numbers are what it takes to play the position. A linebacker doesn't need 4.5-speed if he's breaking on the play as it develops. In Beckett's case, his natural feel for the position allowed him to lead the UFL last season with 89 total tackles.

Beckett is a natural chase linebacker, who can immediately help on special teams as well.