Top UFL Dispersal Draft Targets by Position

With the UFL now in full force, there will be plenty of talent available to be signed and drafted by the eight members of merged league.

Author:
Anthony Miller
Publish date:
Jan 4, 2024 9:57 AM EST

The UFL has gotten the attention of the football world as the 2024 season has a light at the end of the tunnel. Players who are part of teams not joining the league are more in the dark.

There has been much speculation as to how the league will be handling the remaining players who were signed with the other eight XFL or USFL teams not in existence. It started with the draft proposed for Dec. 27 and the date now being Jan. 15.

There will be plenty of talent to pick from, as UFL teams will become stronger with the combined talents of the two leagues. Here are the top players at each position who are available to be drafted.

Top UFL Prospects at Each Position

Position – Player (Former Team)

QB – Case Cookus (Philadelphia Stars)

The Chef has been one of spring football’s best quarterbacks over the last two years, cooking as the starter since taking over the Philadelphia Stars’ quarterback job with Bryan Scott’s injury in 2022. He has thrown for 3,629 yards and 28 touchdown passes, adding 494 rushing yards. Cookus is a proven winner and took much punishment behind the Stars’ lackluster offense last season.

RB – Wes Hills (New Orleans Breakers)

One of the breakout stars of the 2023 USFL season was Hills. He finished the season as the league’s rushing champion with 679 yards, adding 10 touchdowns and 278 receiving yards. The versatile running back would be able to jump into any backfield and carry the load as the lead back.

WR – Jahcour Pearson (Seattle Sea Dragons)

The XFL saw its most explosive wide receiver in the league break onto the scene in Pearson. He led the league in receptions (60) and receiving yards (670), as well as adding four touchdowns. With Seattle out of the picture, Pearson will be sought after by all teams and should be one of the top picks at receiver.

TE – Cody Latimer (Orlando Guardians)

The Orlando Guardians did not have much that went right for the team in 2023, but veteran NFL pass-catcher Cody Latimer transitioned from receiver to tight end in the XFL. Latimer excelled, finishing third in the league in receptions (50) and yards (593), catching four touchdowns. While the former Denver Broncos receiver is 31, Latimer is a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties covering him.

OL – Alex Mollette (Houston Roughnecks)

The core of the Houston Roughnecks offensive line started with Mollette, who dominated in the middle. He was named All-XFL Team at center, as the only offensive lineman on the Roughnecks to earn a spot. The new Roughnecks will be inheriting the Houston Gamblers’ roster, leaving Mollette an option on the offensive line in the draft.

OL – Paul Adams (New Orleans Breakers)

One of the best rushing attacks in the USFL was thanks in part to Adams showcasing his athleticism on the line pulling and blocking for Hills. Adams’ performance helped him earn a spot on the All-USFL Team at guard. He’s another athletic guard who will play a big factor in the running game for any UFL team.

DE – Adam Rodriguez (Philadelphia Stars)

Rodriguez has been one of the best pass rushers in the USFL for the last two seasons for the Philadelphia Stars. Rodriguez has recorded 67 tackles and 15 sacks in 2022 and 2023. With Philadelphia no longer in the league, the UFL needs an elusive pass rusher like Rodriguez.

DT – Caeveon Patton (Orlando Guardians)

One of the best run-stoppers in the XFL, Patton dominated the middle of the line for the Orlando Guardians. He led all defensive linemen in tackles with 40, starting in all 10 games. Patton earned an All-XFL Team selection making him an easy choice for any team looking for strength and power.

LB – Trent Harris (Houston Roughnecks)

Former Roughnecks coach Wade Phillips developed the best pass-rushing defense in the XFL with Harris being the star. Harris led the XFL in sacks with 9.5, adding 12 tackles for loss and 30 total tackles. It landed Harris on the All-XFL team last season and a potential roster spot on a UFL team.

CB - Ajene Harris (Houston Roughnecks)

One of the XFL's top ball hawks in the secondary Ajene Harris would be one of the top cornerbacks in the UFL. Last season for the Houston Roughnecks, Harris finished with 31 tackles and a league-high five interceptions. Harris should be one of the top picks in the draft who should find a home early.

S – Deontay Anderson (Vegas Vipers)

Deontay Anderson was one of the top defensive backs in the XFL finishing the season as the leading tackler among safeties with 52. Anderson added three tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, and nine pass deflections in 10 games. His coverage skills separated him from other safeties in the league while also being a hard hitter coming from the secondary.

K – Luis Aguilar (Philadelphia Stars)

At one time last season, former Philadelphia Stars kicker Luis Aguilar made eight field goals in one game. Aguilar has been one of the top kickers in the USFL the last two seasons, converting 25-of-29 kicks with a long of 56 yards. The All-USFL kicker should have landed in the NFL already, so the UFL makes logical sense.

P – Mac Brown (Orlando Guardians)

Attention can be given to Brown on his passing skills, completing two passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. But he made plays in the punting game. Brown averaged 44.8 yards per punt with a long of 60 yards. The 25-year-old punter could be a possibility for a roster spot, especially after the D.C. Defenders had their punter Daniel Whelan join the Green Bay Packers.

Pittsburgh Maulers Troy Willaims (11) throws downfield before being tackled by Birmingham Stallions Dondrea Tillman (99) during the second half of the USFL Championship game Saturday evening at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, OH.

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