5 intriguing UFL standouts who could quietly make sense for Packers as roster depth and competition remain impactful ahead of training camp
The Packers’ front office has shown willingness to sign players from minor leagues, and there are solid options at multiple positions.
You find football players where you find football players. The Green Bay Packers haven’t shied away from signing pieces from minor leagues, and the best example is what they found in punter Daniel Whelan. There’s an obvious talent gap between the NFL and the UFL, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t viable depth pieces waiting for a new opportunity.
So, let’s go through UFL rosters and see who may be ready to jump to the highest level of football in a couple of weeks.
RB Jarveon Howard, St. Louis Battlehawks
Howard spent the 2024 training camp and preseason with the Packers, showing some good traits. However, an injury derailed his chances to make the practice squad. This is his second UFL season for the Battlehawks, and he spent some time last year with the Buffalo Bills as well.
Howard is 26. This season, he leads the UFL with 430 rushing yards, with 4.3 yards per attempt and nine starts. He’s also had 19 catches for 119 receiving yards. Howard has had more than 60 scrimmage yards per game.
WR Justyn Ross, Birmingham Stallions
Ross was widely regarded as a first-round prospect coming out of Clemson, but went undrafted due to a congenital spine condition. He spent three seasons on the Kansas City Chiefs, a period that included a stress fracture in his foot. This UFL season for the Stallions, the talented player is trying to rebuild his value. He’s had 22 catches for 327 yards and two touchdowns. Ross is only 26, so there’s plenty of time for him to get another shot.
NT Carlos Davis, St. Louis Battlehawks
This is a much more experienced player, as Davis is already 30. But he’s a nose tackle and has had five sacks for the Battlehawks. A former seventh-round pick in the NFL, the interior defensive lineman has played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, and Cincinnati Bengals. It’s his third UFL season, and the first one for St. Louis after two years on the Birmingham Stallions.
TE Zach Davidson, Louisville Kings
Davidson is a huge 6-7, 251-pound tight end. He’s had 17 catches for 234 yards and two touchdowns this season. The offensive weapon was a fifth-round pick back in 2021 and spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, and New York Giants in the NFL. This is his first UFL season, and he shouldn’t be there much longer.
CB Major Burns, Houston Gamblers
Burns has the ideal size to play the cornerback position for the Packers as a 6-2, 209-pound player. He is tied for the lead with four interceptions, and also had eight passes defended. Undrafted last year out of LSU, Burns spent the offseason program and the early part of training camp with the Chicago Bears, but was waived with an injury designation.