Earlier this week, I dove into the deepest position groups for each AFC team. You can find that article here. This article focuses on their NFC counterparts. Among those that I mentioned in my NFC article last year who ended up in the UFL in 2026 were G Sincere Haynesworth (Battlehawks), DE Jacoby Windmon (Aviators), DE Boogie Basham (Defenders), TE Tyler Neville (Battlehawks) and more.
Arizona Cardinals
Tight Ends: The camp numbers indicate Arizona may be planning to keep four tight ends on its roster. Right now, they have seven rostered. Trey McBride has developed into one of the best at his position in the league. Behind him are Elijah Higgins, snagged off waivers from Miami, and 2024 third round draft pick Tip Reiman, who is currently on the team's physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list. Though he can be activated to practice any time this summer, his absence means more reps for those trying to make the 53-man or practice squad, including Rivaldo Fairweather, Teagan Quitoriano, Kenny Yeboah and Jameson Geers. All are veterans except Geers, signed as an undrafted rookie out of Minnesota.
Atlanta Falcons
Special Teams: At least two positions will be up for grabs - with the potential for a third as training camp progresses. At punter, Jake Bailey will be in contest with Matthew Hayball. Bailey is a former Miami Dolphin, while Hayball has experience with the New Orleans Saints. This appears to be a genuine competition. Long snapper finds incumbent Liam McCullough challenged by rookie free agent Philip Florenzo out of Clemson. Florenzo is a former walk-on and a somewhat surprising post-draft signing (he was only the 38th-ranked long snapper in the class according to The Athletic's Dane Brugler). In fact, in college, he only snapped on punts. I say there's a potential for a third because Nick Folk is currently the only kicker on the roster. However, time waits for no man and if the 41-year-old former Alliance of American Football product falters, Atlanta probably won't hesitate to bring in someone to push the veteran.
Carolina Panthers
Defensive Line: Carolina boasts two new starters along its odd-man front: Bobby Brown III, an unrestricted free agent signing from the Rams; and Tershawn Wharton, who came over from the Chiefs in free agency. Second-round pick Lee Hunter adds depth and youth at tackle. A fifth-round pick last year, Cam Jackson is likely to stick for a second season. The ends are a little tougher to figure with competition tight for the two backup jobs expected there. Former Philadelphia Star LaBryan Ray has the familiarity with the defense from previous seasons with the team that should give him an advantage. Jared Harrison-Hunte was on the team largely in a practice squad capacity last year. He'll have an uphill battle to stick despite that time. Elijah Garcia and Kyon Barrs are fringe players and the Panthers brought in three rookie free agents in Aaron Hall, Tywone Malone and Parker Petersen, with Hall the most likely to stick either on the 53-man or practice squad.
Chicago Bears
Tight Ends: Called "one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL" by USA Today, the Bears have consistently kept three tight ends on its initial 53-man roster. If we go with the assumption they'll do that again, the top three are pretty set barring injury. That leaves four players vying for what could be just one spot on the practice squad. Nikola Kalinic, a CFL import, has bounced around the NFL since 2022, never sticking for long in one place. The NFL path has been similar for Qadir Ismail, son of former NFL player Qadry Ismail, since his NFL debut in 2024. In his fourth year with Chicago, Stephen Carlson has played in just three regular season games in the last five seasons. Rookie Hayden Large, mostly a blocker at Iowa, rounds out the group.
Dallas Cowboys
Wide Receivers: There are a couple of spots on the back end of the roster up for grabs, but this position is so deep that accomplished veterans might be left off. After the top four, it'll likely come down to rookie seventh round pick Anthony Smith, free agent pickups Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Tyler Johnson, and 2025 returnees Jonathan Mingo and Traeshon Holden for two or perhaps just one roster spot. Beyond them are intriguing 6'6" Jaden Smith, who missed all of last year due to injury, and two rookie free agents in SMU's Jordan Hudson as well as Georgia Southern's Camden Brown. If Dallas only ends up keeping five receivers, it could mean an extra practice squad receiver sticks around. Figure at least one vet and one youngster waiting in the wings there.
Detroit Lions
Defensive Line: This position is so competitive that Detroit released a defensive tackle before camp even started that one online projection had making the team's roster. Part of the competition stems from three draft picks at the position. Some draft picks from previous seasons, like Mekhi Wingo (sixth round, 2024) and Ahmed Hassanien (sixth round, 2025) will be hard-pressed to find a role. They'd be top candidates for the practice squad if they aren't claimed off waivers, however. Some players that could interest UFL teams include tackle Tyler Lacy, a former Jaguars draft selection who was claimed by Detroit; and Myles Adams, plucked off Seattle's practice squad in 2024. Out of the rookie free agents signed, Eric O'Neill from Rutgers is a name that stands out.
Green Bay Packers
Quarterbacks: No, Jordan Love is not in danger of losing his job. Rather, the interest comes with the #3 spot in Green Bay, one that will likely land the winner on the practice squad as Green Bay usually keeps just two quarterbacks active. Kyle McCord was a sixth-round draft pick of Philadelphia in 2025 and spent all year on the practice squad. He wasn't signed to a futures deal after the season (and it's possible he may have had some conversations with UFL brass around that time), but Green Bay signed him near the end of January. He faces Kyron Drones, a rookie free agent from Virginia Tech. Drones threw for 17 touchdowns and ran for nine more with the Hokies last year during a dismal 3-9 season. McCord has no real connection to this coaching staff despite his drafted status so the two should be on relatively even footing this summer.
Defensive Backs: This marks two years in a row the DBs were selected as the deepest position group in L.A. The team might end up keeping fewer corners than most others because their top nickel back is also a safety, Quentin Lake. Cam Lampkin and Alex Johnson are among the veterans who will try to convince the Rams to keep an extra CB, but they'll have to fight off undrafted rookies Al'Zillion Hamilton (who starts camp on the PUP list) and Nyzier Fourqurean. Fourqurean is an interesting case: He didn't play last season because he was suing the NCAA to grant him an extra year of eligibility. The consensus among those on the Rams beat is that safety is deeper than corner. It got deeper when former Birmingham Stallion Alex Cook was signed. Though he may not make the team, rookie UDFA Nick Andersen is a name to watch for the practice squad.
Minnesota Vikings
Linebackers: How could the deepest position group in Minnesota NOT be somewhere on Brian Flores's defense? There is a lot of intriguing youth here, especially in the backup positions. There are also several rookie free agents from years' past that made the team and will be vying to keep their jobs. They include Ivan Pace Jr., Chazz Chambliss, Tyler Batty, and Bo Richter. Former safety Jamal Adams was just signed to further add depth to this group. This year's UDFA crop looking to make their own mark will be Jacob Roberts out of Wake Forest, Kansas Jayhawk Bangally Kamara and Colorado's Arden Walker. All of this could leave three-year veteran Josh Ross as the odd man out.
New Orleans Saints
Running Backs: Though Alvin Kamara remains, New Orleans has a new lead back in Travis Etienne, who came over as a free agent from Jacksonville. It will be interesting to see how Kamara is used and how carries are distributed among the top two. What is likely the final two spots are headed by Devin Neal, a sixth-round pick last year, and Kendre Miller, who has struggled to stay healthy. Fifth-year player Ty Chandler will have a say in that running back battle, as will former Denver Bronco draft pick Audric Estime. Undrafted rookie C.J. Donaldson from Ohio State completes a very competitive room.
New York Giants
Defensive Line: Dennard Wilson is the new defensive coordinator under legendary head coach John Harbaugh, in his first year leading the Giants. Of the 12 defensive linemen on the roster, only two remain from 2025. Because of the new faces, as well as the new scheme and coaching staff, it's really hard to gauge even a preliminary depth chart this early in camp. Running a three-man front, the Giants are likely to keep five or six at the position. Even some of the veterans added this off-season, like Zacch Pickens, Josh Tupou and Marlon Davidson, may struggle to make the team. Aside from draft pick Bobby Jamison-Travis, rookie free agent Anquin Barnes Jr. is really the only youngster on this veteran group.
Philadelphia Eagles
Offensive Line: Whereas the Giants stocked their defensive line with experience, the hallmark of Philly's O-Line is youth. It's a big part of what their success has been built on over the last several years, even as their renowned line coach, Jeff Stoutland, has moved on. Nine of the players currently viewed as backups on the depth chart entered the NFL either this year or last. Rookie sixth round pick Micah Morris at guard, and tackle Cameron Williams are among those bubble players looking to get noticed in camp. Willie Lampkin and Jake Majors are both talented centers and it's possible neither of them makes it if Drew Kendall, cross-training at guard but strictly a pivot player in college, is seen as the top backup there. Further on down the line are Hollin Pierce, a mountain of a man out of Rutgers, and rookie UDFA Jaeden Roberts. All would be good candidates to bolster a UFL offensive line.
San Francisco 49ers
Defensive Line: The big news in camp already is injuries, including two of the starters beginning the summer on the PUP list, with two others recently placed on injured reserve. Somebody has to take those missing reps, so we'll see who steps up. There are two 2026 draft picks in the mix for playing time in Romello Height and Gracen Halton. Sebastian Valdez spent his rookie season on the practice squad last year and is an interesting piece in the middle of the line. The 49ers just brought aboard Quinton Bell and K.J. Henry to buttress against the injuries, though neither is likely to make the squad. There are three undrafted players, and each are names remember: Mikail Kamara (Indiana), James Thompson Jr. (Illinois) and Bryson Eason (Tennessee). It would not be a shock to see one of them upset a veteran for a roster spot.
Seattle Seahawks
Linebackers: The surprise Super Bowl champions of last year return their defensive-minded head coach and coordinator on that side of the ball. They also return much of their defense, including their linebacking corps. In fact, the only new face is a single rookie free agent signing in Marvin Jones Jr. Chris Paul, Connor O'Toole and Jalan Gaines are players that came into the league last year and who will have to fight to make the roster or practice squad. Paul is the most interesting as his big knock coming out was his size. Seattle stashed him on the practice squad all last year. They'll battle, among others, Chazz Surratt for playing time.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterbacks: Though there's controversy surrounding Baker Mayfield's future in Tampa, the backup spots will be where the real action is this pre-season. Jake Browning was signed to caddy for Mayfield and his spot seems safe. That leaves the third QB derby to take place between second-year man Connor Bazelak and rookie free agent Jalon Daniels. Bazelak has the advantage of being in the offense for the second year, while Daniels is more athletically gifted and can use his legs to make plays. He's the kind of QB who can have success in a league like the UFL because of that playing style. Even if he doesn't make the team, he'll get valuable pro reps in camp and be able to put work on tape for the other 31 NFL teams and for leagues like the UFL.
Washington Commanders
Cornerbacks: Amik Robertson steps into the starting nickel role, coming over from Detroit in free agency. Mike Sainristil and Trey Amos are former second round picks who will start on the outside. Dime looks will likely be provided by a combination of Akhello Witherspoon and Rasul Douglas. Where Quan Martin fits as a second-round pick in 2023 remains to be seen. Beyond them are a lot of young players who are looking to get established. Tre Hawkins, Darius Rush and Car'lin Vigers are second-year players trying to gain a foothold on a roster spot. Rush may be the best bet of that group. Northwestern's Fred Davis II is a notable prospect signed after this year's draft.