Deon Cain has bounced back and forth between the USFL/UFL and the NFL for two seasons now. Winning two championships with the Stallions in the process. Now he gets his latest NFL opportunity. He worked out for Miami, Minnesota, and Buffalo before signing his contract.
The Stallion’s success has resulted in the elevation of countless players including Deon Cain two seasons in a row now.
Chances in Buffalo
Deon Cain has signed with the Buffalo Bills who also signed former Seattle Sea Dragons quarterback Ben DiNucci, and journeyman wide receiver Damiere Byrd. Buffalo currently has 14 healthy receivers on the roster after signing Byrd and Cain. Cain’s ability to return kicks certainly helps his case to make the roster but even at this position, he’s competing with Kj Hamler, 6th-round pick Daequan Hardy, Ty Johnson, and Darrynton Evans.
This will not be an easy roster to crack but, he wouldn’t be there at all if Buffalo didn’t see a need after Chase Claypool was placed on injured reserve. They also waived Bryan Thompson. The one thing to consider here is the fact that Buffalo has overhauled this receiver room after trading Stefon Diggs away. They also let Gabe Davis, Deonte Hardy, and Trent Sherfield go via free agency. This amounts to four of their top five wideouts last season, and those were the only five wide receivers to catch a pass last season.
These four players combined for 2,165 yards through the air last season. They have since been replaced by 2nd round pick Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, and Kj Hamler, as well as the hope that 2023 UDFA Tyrell Shaver and 2023 5th-round pick Justin Shorter can step up. The only returning wideout from 2023 is Khalil Shakir, a 2022 5th-round pick with 49 receptions for 772 yards and 3 touchdowns to his name. Buffalo is likely banking on him to repeat his playoff performance in season this year. In 2023 he managed 10 receptions for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns.
I put Cain’s chances of making this team at about 25-30%. With this much turnover, there is a chance but the Bills aren’t likely to keep more than 7-8 (including the practice squad) out of the 14 players currently there. Special teams play certainly helps but keep in mind Cain doesn’t return punts, and is strictly a kick returner and gunner, competing against other players who can play all facets of special teams.
Stallions Production
In two seasons with the Birmingham Stallions Cain has caught 49 passes for 618 yards and 5 touchdowns. He has one carry for 10 yards and 36 kick returns for 887 yards and 2 touchdowns. He added 1 tackle as well.
Cain played primarily out wide but has shown he can play in the slot, return kicks, on kick and punt coverage units, or even help out on the field goal block unit. He even has lined up in the backfield. This value will not be lost on his new team.
Another One Coming?
Damarcus Mitchell might be the next Stallion to sign a contract. This will be his fourth team to show some sort of interest according to UFL Analyst. If we count Joshua Pryor, Mitchell would be the fourth defensive lineman to sign an NFL contract, and ironically Taco Charlton is not one of the four.
Mitchell played 97 snaps in five games for the Stallions in 2024. He produced 11 pressures, 9 hurries, 1 QB hit, and 1 sack in 65 pass-rush snaps. This breaks down to a pressure rate of 17%. Mitchell has spent time with the Patriots during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He played in 4 preseason games and 1 regular season game.
He saw a total of 77 snaps including 47 pass rush snaps. He produced 5 hurries, 2 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. In 2022 he graded out fairly well with a 67.5 overall grade and 75.9 pass-rush grade. Despite this, he ended up on the practice squad for the better part of two seasons. Now he’s hoping to find another opportunity to make an active roster but time is running out on that possibility in 2024.
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