The best NFL landing spots for 6 of the UFL's best players
The UFL season is all wrapped up after the Birmingham Stallions dominant 25-0 win over the San Antonio Brahmas in the UFL championship game on Sunday. As of Monday, UFL players are now able to sign with NFL teams. With that in mind, we've picked the top six players in the league and then NFL […]
The UFL season is all wrapped up after the Birmingham Stallions dominant 25-0 win over the San Antonio Brahmas in the UFL championship game on Sunday. As of Monday, UFL players are now able to sign with NFL teams. With that in mind, we've picked the top six players in the league and then NFL teams that would be the best fit for them. Let's jump into it.
Adrian Martinez, QB, Birmingham Stallions
The UFL MVP had a big season in 2024. He not only showed to be one of the best passers in the league, but he also led the UFL in rushing yards too. He's a super elusive guy that can run on a defense at any moment and he's hard to stop.
Martinez may not have a chance to be a starter in the NFL because there's still questions about his arm strength, but he could potentially be a premium backup quarterback some day. He just needs to find the right spot and the right quarterback coach to work with.
Best fit: Miami Dolphins
There's a good combination of coaching for Martinez in Miami. Not only do you have Mike McDaniel who is a good offensive mind, but you also have Darrell Bevell as the quarterback coach and he's worked with mobile guys like Russell Wilson in the past and helped them get to their best level.
Breeland Speaks, Edge, Michigan Panthers
The UFL's Defensive Player of the Year is definitely going to get some looks from NFL teams this year. He spent last season with the 49ers, but that was a crowed room for him to be in with Nick Bosa, Chase Young, Dre Greenlaw and company. So he never saw the active roster.
Speaks needs to head to a team where there could be some opportunity for him to play. That might mean he'd have to go to a team that's not very good and has the space for him to get that time.
Best fit: Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were the worst pass rushing team in the NFL last season and they didn't do a ton to fix that are outside of adding Jadeveon Clowney. The big reason why this is a good fit, besides the room for him, is the coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball. He'd work with defensive line coach Todd Wash who was a big part of the Sacksonville Jaguars defensive success when he was their DC and worked really well with the Lions for years as well. The legendary Dom Capers is on the staff too. Some good defensive line minds there.
Hakeem Butler, WR, St. Louis Battlehawks
The Offensive Player of the Year award winner made some headlines after the conference finals when San Antonio Brahmas head coach Wade Phillips approached him on live TV and told him that he would reach out to people he knows in the NFL on his behalf.
Butler had a nice season that saw him lead the league in receiving yards and finish near the top of the league in receptions and touchdowns as well. He was a force to be reckoned with. Butler is a guy that should already be in the NFL, he's just had the worst luck with injuries. There's a spot that would work for him though.
Best Fit: Detroit Lions
The Lions just signed the UFL's kicking sensation Jake Bates, but they shouldn't be done poaching from the league yet. Butler fits what the Lions offense needs really badly after Josh Reynolds left. A big bodied guy that can make contested catches. Detroit is a place where he could make the roster and play right away.
Jace Sternberger, TE, Birmingham Stallions
The former third-round pick has looked really good in the UFL. He's looked like the kind of receiving tight end that the Packers hoped he would be when they took him in 2019. He was good enough to be named to the All-UFL team. It's time for another shot in the NFL.
Best fit: New York Jets
The obvious reason here is to pair him with former Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett. He was the guy that utilized Sternberger the most. The Jets also have a need for a tight end to backup Tyler Conklin in 2024. Sternberger could come in and immediately challenge Jeremy Ruckert and Kenny Yeboah for that spot.
Carlos Davis, NT, Birmingham Stallions
Davis was a force in the middle for the Stallions this past season, He showed that he can stop the run, but he also really showed that he can get after the quarterback. Davis finished second in the league with seven sacks. The former seventh-round pick is someone that should definitely be able to find a spot on an NFL roster.
Best fit: Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are in desperate need of a nose tackle at this point. They just had the weirdest free agency in the league. They decided to do next to nothing and missed their chance to get someone to come in. The team did draft Justin Rogers and Mazi Smith is still in town, but Davis is a guy that could come in and immediately be a rotational player for them.
Andre Szmyt, K, St. Louis Battlehawks
Jake Bates was the UFL kicker that everyone talked about this year, but he may not have been the best kicker in the league. That would be former Lou Groza award winner Andre Szymt.
Szmyt was money this year. He went 19-21 and hit from long often. His high on the year was a 61-yarder. There were teams that were interested in Bates and didn't get him, but they have a second shot here with Szmyt.
Best Fit: Washington Commanders
This one is layup. The Commanders just released Brandon McManus and now they have a need for a starting kicker. Szmyt is a guy that would fill that role right away for the team. This was the easiest one to fill.
