Titans and Panthers have been in contact with the UFL's Defensive Player of the Year
Michigan Panthers edge rusher Breeland Speaks just wrapped up a huge season in the UFL. The former Ole Miss standout led the league in sacks with 9.5 and won the league's Defensive Player of the Year award. Now that the season is over and NFL teams are officially able to sign UFL players, the big question […]
Michigan Panthers edge rusher Breeland Speaks just wrapped up a huge season in the UFL. The former Ole Miss standout led the league in sacks with 9.5 and won the league's Defensive Player of the Year award.
Now that the season is over and NFL teams are officially able to sign UFL players, the big question revolving around Speaks: Who will go after him? As of Tuesday evening, we have an answer to that question.
A source tells A to Z Sports that the Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers have both been in contact with Speaks since the UFL season ended. No deals are on the table at this time and nothing has been agreed to, but the interest is there. He could soon be one of many UFL players who could receive an opportunity in the NFL after the league's 2024 season.
Why Speaks makes sense for the Titans and Panthers
The Titans are an intriguing landing spot for Speaks. They could use some help off the edge after losing their 2023 sack leader Denico Autry to the Houston Texans. Speaks could give Sabastian Joseph-Day and TK McClendon a challenge for one of the starting defensive end spots in 2024.
The Panthers could especially use the help. They had the worst pass rush unit in the NFL in 2023 and didn't do much to improve it. Earlier this week we suggested that the Panthers would be the best spot for him due to the open roster that could help him nail down some playing time and the presence of defensive line coach Todd Wash and defensive assistant Dom Capers.
This won't be Speaks first foray into the NFL. The Chiefs took him in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. He started four games as a rookie and appeared in all 16 games that season. He spent two years in Kansas City, recording just 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Speaks has also spent time with the Raiders, Cowboys, Giants, Bills and 49ers. He's ruled the USFL and the UFL in the last two years by leading both leagues in sacks.
We'll continue to keep you updated on this story as more information comes out.
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