UFL teams are betting against several Kansas City Chiefs rookies with recent college draft selections

Several UFL teams are betting against some Kansas City Chiefs rookies as they vie to make the 53-man roster or practice squad for the reigning Super Bowl champions. The UFL held their annual college draft on Wednesday morning and several rookies who were signed by the Chiefs in undrafted free agency following the 2024 NFL draft […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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Former offensive lineman Griffin McDowell runs through a drill Thursday March 21, 2024 during Gator Pro Day. On-Field Drills were held in the Condron Indoor Practice Facility. Athletes performed broad Jump; 40-yard dash; Pro Shuttle L Drill. On-Field Position Workouts included WR/TE/RB, QB, OL. The annual event was held at Condron Indoor Practice Facility in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun

Several UFL teams are betting against some Kansas City Chiefs rookies as they vie to make the 53-man roster or practice squad for the reigning Super Bowl champions. 

The UFL held their annual college draft on Wednesday morning and several rookies who were signed by the Chiefs in undrafted free agency following the 2024 NFL draft were among the players selected. 

Here's a look at those who were taken in the UFL draft:

Round 2, Pick 3 – Arlington Renegades select OL Griffin McDowell

Round 3, Pick 8 – Birmingham Stallions select RB Emani Bailey

Round 4, Pick 7 – San Antonio Brahmas select CB Miles Battle

Round 8, Pick 4 – DC Defenders select LB Curtis Jacobs

Round 9, Pick 7 – San Antonio Brahmas select CB DJ Miller

Round 10, Pick 8 – Birmingham Stallions select OT Ethan Driskell

Explaining the UFL college draft process

The rules of the UFL college draft are pretty simple. There are 10 rounds in the draft with eight picks in each round.

For players to be eligible for the UFL college draft pool, they must have been eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft, but not selected by any team. The UFL basically lumps together every NFL undrafted free agent for their college draft. They also have to be at least three years out of high school OR have waived all college eligibility left to be selected.

Players selected in the UFL college draft will have their rights held by the team until the player reports to the team or the team gives up the player's rights. Each player who signs a UFL contract will be given an opt-out clause if an NFL team comes calling during the upcoming season.

What does the Chiefs' players being drafted in the UFL college draft mean?

McDowell, Bailey, and Battle have no obligation to go and play in the UFL just because they've been drafted. If it turns out that they make the 53-man roster or practice squad in Kansas City, or wind up on another NFL roster or practice squad, being selected in the UFL draft will be nothing more than a cliff note on their Wikipedia page. 

UFL evaluators treat the college draft as an opportunity to snag talented players who might be seeking an opportunity outside of NFL football if they don't catch on with their respective NFL teams. They're counting on the fact that not everyone can make NFL rosters and that some undrafted players will undoubtedly get lost in the shuffle during 53-man roster cuts.

McDowell is currently playing the center position in Kansas City and could prove to be key developmental depth. Jacobs is another player who could find himself as a key depth piece for the Chiefs. Bailey, Battle, Miller, and Driskell are playing at some positions where there's tons of competition. They could potentially find themselves looking for work after training camp and the preseason and find that opportunity in the UFL. 

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