With the UFL set to begin its final week of play between the D.C. Defenders and Michigan Panthers, the UFL to NFL pipeline has begun taking shape. Per UFL Insider Mike Mitchell, UFL players were allowed to start signing with NFL teams as their individual seasons ended.
Currently Roughnecks DB Damon Arnette is set to work out for the Houston Texans, along with Brahmas Long Snapper Cam Lyons. The Memphis Showboats also are in the workout cycle with Keaton Ellis working out for the Browns per PFN insider James Larsen. Arnette is the most notable of the trio, with the former 1st round pick revitalizing his career after off the field issues prematurely ended his NFL career in 2022.
Last season the UFL saw 75 players earn NFL contracts with the Showboats, Brahmas, and Roughnecks accounting for 21 of those signings collectively. While the UFL to NFL signings also serve to be a great reminder of the league’s effectiveness from a talent evaluation standpoint, some of the signings do often cannibalize each other. Recently, 2024 Battlehawks Kicker Andre Syzmt was released from the Browns roster after opting to sign a futures deal with Cleveland rather than return to St. Louis.
