For UFL players seeking NFL success, the most consistent pathway has proven to be through special teams. Currently, six former spring football stars are NFL kickers, along with the top-ranked punter, two return specialists who rank among the league’s top 10, and two veteran long snappers. A total of 23 UFL 2026 players are signed to NFL training camp rosters. Here are other 2026 UFL special team standouts the NFL should consider signing.
UFL Special Team Standouts The NFL Should Sign
The most successful spring football kicker in history, former Louisville Kings star kicker Tanner Brown, recently signed with the New Orleans Saints. Assuming he makes the 53-man roster, Brown will join the elite group of Brandon Aubrey, Jake Bates, Andre Szmyt, and Harrison Mevis, as former spring football players who became NFL starting kickers.
An Elite Group of Talented Kickers
Brandon Aubrey-Dallas Cowboys Kicker
Currently in his fourth year in the NFL, Aubrey, a three-time Pro Bowl talent, is ESPN Fantasy Football’s number one kicker heading into the 2026 season. Setting an NFL record with six 60-plus-yard field goals to his credit, Aubrey recently signed a four-year, $28 million extension with the Dallas Cowboys. The agreement will pay him $3,400,000 in 2026.
Jake Bates, Detroit Lions kicker
Making his NFL debut with Detroit in 2024, Bates made quite an impact, scoring 142 points and establishing a new franchise record for the Lions. That season, he also made 19 consecutive field goals, which was the NFL’s second-longest streak for new kickers entering the league. Now, entering his third year with the Lions, Bates signed a one-year extension worth $1,075,000.
Harrison Mevis, Los Angeles Rams kicker
Mevis, a late addition to the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, made the most of his NFL opportunity. Converting 12/13 field goals (including a 52-yarder), along with 39/39 extra points during the regular season, the former UFL star proved his reliability in the postseason by nailing 6/6 field goals and all 9 extra points. Consequently, he secured his place on the 2026 Rams roster with a one-year, $1,005,000 exclusive rights free agent contract in March.
Andre Szmyt, Cleveland Browns kicker
Szmyt, a bright spot for the Cleveland Browns in 2025, converted 24/27 field goals, including a 55-yarder, for 88.9%, along with 25/26 extra points. Szmyt was extended for the 2026 season with a one-year contract valued at $1,005,000.
Lucas Havrisik, Green Bay Packers kicker
In addition, former Arlington Renegades kicker Lucas Havrisik, who briefly filled in for injured Green Bay Packers veteran Brandon McManus, is back with the team this year. Last year, Havrisik memorably set a franchise record last year with a 61-yard field goal. With McManus gone, he’ll now be competing for the starting assignment against 2026 sixth-round draft pick, Trey Smack.
The NFL’s Top-Ranked Punter
Daniel Whelan, Green Bay Packers Punter
Whelan joined the NFL after the 2022 season, following his All-XFL team season with the D.C. Defenders. Since then, Whelan has gone on to distinguish himself as the top-rated punter in the NFL with 162 punts for 7,749 yards with a longest punt of 74 yards. On September 4, 2025, he signed a two-year contract extension with Green Bay worth $7 million that includes a $3.1 million annual value and a $2.1 million signing bonus.
The NFL’s Premier Spring Return Specialists
KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys WR
The number one-ranked return specialist is Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver KaVontae Turpin, who previously played in the USFL for the New Jersey Generals. In 2025, Turpin had 69 returns for 1,814 yards with a longest return of 84 yards. He has 127 career kickoff returns for 3,518 yards and a career-long touchdown return of 99 yards. Turpin also racked up 70 career punt returns for 624 yards with one touchdown and a 60-yard punt return as his longest.
In March of 2025, Turpin signed a 3-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys worth $13.5 million base value with an additional $4.5 million available via performance, making him the highest-paid special teams player in the NFL until Aubrey's 2026 contract.
Jacob Saylors, Detroit Lions RB
Another former UFL return specialist who ranked 9th in the NFL last year is former St. Louis Battlehawks star, Jacob Saylors. Appearing in 16 games last season, he turned in an impressive 33 returns for 897 yards, averaging 27.2 yards per return, with a longest return of 39 yards. Saylors’ performance earned him a one-year contract extension with Detroit valued at $1,005,000.
NFL Long Snappers
Mitchell Fraboni, Denver Broncos LS
Denver Broncos’ Mitchell Fraboni and Cleveland Browns’ Rex Sunahara both got their start in the spring leagues. Before he found success with the Broncos in 2022, Fraboni was with the USFL Pittsburgh Maulers. In March of 2025, he signed a three-year, $4.175 million contract extension with Denver.
Rex Sunahara, Cleveland Browns LS
Sunahara spent two seasons with the San Antonio Brahmas before achieving success with the Browns in 2024. He was recently given a one-year $1,005,000 contract extension for 2026.
Top UFL Return Specialists
Chris Rowland, Orlando Storm return specialist
Rowland, a three-time All-UFL Team pro, has been the league’s top return specialist since the UFL’s 2024 inaugural season. In 2024 and 2025, he handled return duties for the D.C. Defenders and was an integral member of the 2025 Championship team. Selected by the Orlando Storm in the 2026 Draft, Rowland was a powerful utility player for the team.
He recorded 53 receptions for 530 yards with five touchdowns, seven carries for 55 yards, 13 kickoff returns for 377 yards, and 12 punt returns for 132 yards. His longest kickoff return went for 66 yards. When the ball is in Rowland’s hands, amazing things happen, including a 2024 season where he recorded 45 returns for 1,223 yards with one 84-yard touchdown.
Gary Jennings, St. Louis Battlehawks special teams utility player
Another gifted utility player is St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Jennings. He recorded three receptions for 77 yards with one touchdown, one rush for six yards, 441 kick return yards, and 16 special teams tackles, including 12 solo stops.
Marco Ortiz, Houston Gamblers long snapper
Ranking statistics for long snappers are less obvious than for other specialists, but Ortiz was the unanimous number one choice for the 2026 All-UFL Team. Handling long snapping duties for the Houston Gamblers, Ortiz was considered the top LS in the UFL this season, providing a consistent presence for field goals and punts.
Jordan Silver, Louisville Kings long snapper
The Louisville Kings LS is another player who should be considered by NFL teams. Silver played a big role in Tanner Brown’s record-breaking season, as well as snapping for punter Mac Brown. He maintained a 96% strike rate, which was the highest in the league.
As the UFL players already on NFL rosters continue their record-shattering performances, if these premier 2026 players aren't already on NFL team radars, they certainly should be.