ARLINGTON, TX – August 27, 2026 – With NFL cut day approaching Sunday, every former UFL player has one final opportunity this summer to prove they belong on an NFL roster. Here are five questions that will be answered by the time final rosters are set.
On cut day, each NFL team must trim its roster from 90 players to 53, meaning more than 1,100 players will see their NFL dreams put on hold. The odds are especially steep for players who entered camp on a tryout or camp invite. Yet against those odds, several former UFL players have played themselves into legitimate contention for a roster spot.
1) Will Tanner Brown survive the Saints kicking competition?
The 2026 UFL Special Teams Player of the Year has taken a rocky road through a three-man kicking competition in New Orleans. For the first few weeks of his tenure with the Saints, Brown battled Charlie Smyth for the starting job. After struggles and inconsistency from both kickers, New Orleans brought in veteran Daniel Carlson.
The expectation was that either Brown or Smyth would be cut. Instead, all three remained in the competition, setting up a true battle for the job. The test truly began Wednesday night during the Saints' final preseason practice at Tulane University. New Orleans hosted a three-session kicking competition, and Brown was the only kicker to convert all seven field-goal attempts, including a 54-yarder.
Now, it comes down to one final opportunity. The Saints will face the Dallas Cowboys Friday night at AT&T Stadium in their final preseason game. Can Brown turn his strong practice performance into an NFL job?
2) Can Ian Wheeler sneak onto Buffalo’s 53-man roster?
One of the most intriguing UFL-to-NFL stories this summer has been the continued rise of Ian Wheeler. It’s not often that running backs make the jump from the UFL to the NFL, but the 2026 United Bowl MVP has given Buffalo little choice but to consider him.
After an impressive training camp, Wheeler has continued to produce in the preseason. He has led the Bills in rushing in both of their preseason games, totaling 97 yards and a touchdown. The problem? Buffalo's running back room is crowded. James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson and Frank Gore Jr. are all competing for roster spots, leaving Wheeler with one final opportunity to separate himself.
Whether it comes through another splash play, his ability in pass protection or his work on special teams, Wheeler has already put himself in the conversation. One more big performance could be enough to keep the 2026 United Bowl MVP in Buffalo.
🗣️"I'd like to break a long run"#Bills RB Ian Wheeler on what he wants to do in tonight's preseason finale against the Steelers🔊⬇️
— One Bills Live (@OneBillsLive) August 27, 2026
Check out Ian's entire interview from today's show here:https://t.co/BXoV0MQoeZ pic.twitter.com/DoRJH2sbdv
3) Are the Kaden Davis rumors true?
All preseason, the talk at Chicago Bears camp has been the emergence of Kaden Davis. The former Houston Gamblers wide receiver has exploded onto the scene in Chicago and fit in quickly, leading many to believe Davis has a legitimate shot at cracking the final roster.
For players on the roster bubble, special teams can often be the deciding factor. Davis has checked that box while also producing on offense, becoming a valuable piece of special teams coordinator Richard Hightower’s unit.
“Outstanding talent. Kaden is a great guy to be around. There’s a kid that has fought time in and time out. Been cut. I’ve got a ton of respect for him.”
Davis starred in Chicago’s first preseason game, hauling in four passes for 88 yards in the first half. If he makes the roster, however, his biggest contribution could come on special teams. That doesn’t mean his offensive opportunities are disappearing. Davis rapidly advanced from third-team reps to first-team reps during camp, so don’t be surprised to see him involved on both sides of the ball Saturday when Chicago closes out its preseason.
4) Who earns a spot in Detroit’s receiving room?
If you thought Buffalo’s running back room was crowded, take a look at Detroit’s wide receiver room. Among former UFL players, Tay Martin, Tarik Black and Lucky Jackson are all competing for opportunities. But the leading name has been the former Columbus Aviator Martin.
Martin has been one of the pleasant surprises of Lions camp for head coach Dan Campbell, working his way all the way up to first-team reps with Jared Goff and Detroit’s explosive offense.
What has separated Martin from the pack, however, has been his work on special teams. Martin has posted an 80.6 special teams grade via PFF through two preseason games. He has primarily contributed as a kick and punt returner while also working on kick-return coverage. The physically strong receiver has the explosive ability to make plays on offense, but in a loaded receiving room, one more strong performance could be what separates Martin from the competition.
5) Who on defense earns a spot?
There are plenty of former UFL defenders with a legitimate shot at sticking on NFL rosters, but five names stand out heading into the final weekend: Major Burns, Jayden Price, Keshawn Banks, Shaun Wade and Cam Gill.
Burns might be the easiest name to point to. The former Houston Gamblers defensive back is just 24 years old and went undrafted in 2025 before starring in the UFL this spring. He finished as an All-UFL honoree after leading the league in interceptions and has carried that momentum into the preseason.
That’s Major 🫡 pic.twitter.com/bb1ETebqbS
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 26, 2026
Jayden Price has also burst onto the scene in New Orleans after spending time with both the Birmingham Stallions and Arlington Renegades. Price recorded an interception in the Saints’ first preseason game and has continued to make his case as a potential slot corner.
Then there’s Keshawn Banks, who has simply made the most of his opportunity in Atlanta. The former Orlando Storm defender posted a 90.2 defensive grade in his first preseason game, leading the Falcons. Across two games and 48 total snaps, Banks has recorded an 88.1 defensive grade via PFF. Another strong performance could push him even closer to a roster spot.
Shaun Wade has made his presence felt for the Philadelphia Eagles, forcing a fumble in back-to-back preseason games by punching the ball away from ball carriers. Wade additionally led the Eagles with an impressive 10 tackles last week. His ability to contribute on both defense and special teams gives him another path onto the roster.
And last, but certainly not least, is 2026 UFL Defensive Player of the Year Cam Gill. Gill impressed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game before recording his signature preseason moment in Week One, when he sacked Buffalo quarterback Kyle Allen. Through the preseason, Gill has posted a 72.8 overall defensive grade via PFF and could be one more big play away from strengthening his case.
For all five, this final preseason game represents one last chance to make an impression.
More than 100 former UFL players are expected to suit up this weekend for the final NFL preseason week. With cut day rapidly approaching, the stakes have never been higher. For many of them, this is their last shot.