Five UFL players who make sense for the Packers in 2024
The Green Bay Packers pro scouting department is always ready to analyze players wherever they are. In 2020, they signed Reggie Begelton from the CFL's Calgary Stampeders. Last year, they added quarterback (and now converted wide receiver) Alex McGough from the USFL and punter Daniel Whelan from the XFL. Now that both American minor leagues […]
The Green Bay Packers pro scouting department is always ready to analyze players wherever they are. In 2020, they signed Reggie Begelton from the CFL's Calgary Stampeders. Last year, they added quarterback (and now converted wide receiver) Alex McGough from the USFL and punter Daniel Whelan from the XFL.
Now that both American minor leagues have merged to form the UFL, it's easier for Packers director of pro personnel Richmond Williams to find pieces.
Last week, for example, the team worked out offensive lineman Liam Fornadel, but he ended up signing with the New England Patriots. Nonetheless, there are still plenty of available options.
Let's discuss some of them.
WR Hakeem Butler
Disclaimer: Butler is 28 and has already had several NFL opportunities. But his spring performance has been strong over the last two seasons for the St. Louis Battlehawks, and he's still getting better. In 2023, he made the All-XFL Team and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Released without making the 53-man roster, he returned to the Battlehawks in the UFL and was named the offensive player of the year. In 10 games, he had 45 receptions, 652 yards, and five touchdowns, without drops. Butler is 6'5, 227 lbs, so he's the physical type of receiver the Packers tend to like.
A former fourth-round pick in 2019, Butler has played for the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Steelers in the NFL. Before signing with the Battlehawks, he also had some CFL experience for the BC Lions and Edmonton Elks.
K Andre Szmyt
The Packers considered signing kicker Jake Bates, but he signed with the Detroit Lions instead. So what about signing a more consistent option? Bates made headlines because of his long kicks, but finished the season converting 77% of his field goals. Andre Szmyt of the St. Louis Battlehawks converted 90% (19 of 21). And, by the way, he had a 61-yard field goal, so his leg is not a problem whatsoever.
A former Lou Groza Award winner in 2018, he finished the UFL season as the field goals leader. He also led the kickers in scoring. Last season, he went undrafted and spent some training camp time with the Chicago Bears.
EDGE Breeland Speaks
Speaks is pretty much in the Hakeem Butler bucket, in a sense that he's also 28, he's had a lot of NFL experience without panning out, and for the second consecutive season he played well in the spring to generate NFL buzz. A second-round pick in 2018, he's played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Buffalo Bills.
Just like Butler did with receiving yards, he led the USFL in sacks in 2023, which led him to a contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He didn't make the team and went back to the Michigan Panthers in 2024 to play in the UFL, where he had 9.5 sacks (led the league), 31 tackles, a forced fumble, and two passes defended.
The Packers are mostly set at edge defender, but Speaks would be an experienced, productive rotational piece.
S Markel Roby
The Houston Roughnecks secondary had some interesting names, like former Packers cornerback Kiondre Thomas and former Commanders CB Jimmy Moreland. Even so, Roby was the main piece of the unit as a free safety. He finished up the season with 52 tackles, a tackle for loss, eight passes defended, and three interceptions. As he has no NFL experience, the proposition to give him a first shot is particularly interesting.
TE Jace Sternberger
Sternberger might not have a great relationship with head coach Matt LaFleur from his time in Green Bay, but the former Packers third-round pick still has a lot of talent. And he showed that once again during the 2024 season, making the All-UFL team and helping the Birmingham Stallions to reach the title. Sternberger had 454 yards and four touchdowns.
In the NFL, the tight end has played for the Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Buffalo Bills.
LB Willie Harvey
Update: we had mentioned him as an option, but right after that he signed with the Dallas Cowboys.
Undrafted in 2019, the off-ball linebacker spent three seasons on the Cleveland Browns, but played only 48 special teams snaps and no defensive snaps. Last year, he moved down to the minor leagues and has played for the St. Louis Battlehawks as well.
In 2024, he led the UFL in tackles (76), including nine tackles for loss, and also had four sacks and two forced fumbles.
Harvey is slightly undersized for the linebacker position, but as a bottom of the roster player, he would be mostly a special teamer and a situational defensive piece, so it would be easier to adjust around that.
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McGough was the USFL MVP in 2023
