ARLINGTON, TX – November 6, 2026 – From Houston to Dallas. After returning to spring football last season, Kevin Sumlin is now the head coach of the Dallas Renegades and has a similar group of players with him. As the Renegades prepare for the 2027 UFL Draft, here are three areas I believe they should prioritize.
1: Build the Offensive Line
Is it really a Kevin Sumlin offense if it isn’t a high-speed, no-huddle spread scheme that blends Air Raid and West Coast concepts? Historically, that system has been dominated by an elite passing quarterback. In 2026, Sumlin’s quarterback room was riddled with injuries throughout the spring, preventing one quarterback from truly stepping up and earning the starting spot.
Last season, the team averaged just 18.9 points per game, which ranked last in the UFL. Despite rushing for upwards of 125 yards per game, the passing game struggled due to a lack of consistency under center. The quarterback room as a whole finished with just six passing touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Entering 2027, Sumlin has already assembled a new group of quarterbacks. That list includes new faces such as TJ Finley and Emory Jones, who were both acquired this week. With the returns of Hunter Dekkers and John Rhys Plumlee still up in the air, acquiring a quarterback in the draft doesn’t seem crucial.
Instead, I believe the offensive line should be the next priority. Great teams are built in the trenches, and Sumlin’s offensive unit needs a significant improvement in pass protection to give his quarterbacks a chance to operate. The Renegades surrendered 22 sacks last season, leaving little room for their signal-callers to find a rhythm.
If the Renegades are going to be throwing the ball all across the field, it begins with an improvement of their offensive line.
2: Replenish the Receiving Corps
Struggles under center led to struggling numbers in the receiving department. However, Jalen Moreno-Cropper, Lawrence Keys III, and Kaden Davis all parlayed strong spring seasons into NFL opportunities. In fact, both Moreno-Cropper and Davis currently reside on NFL practice squads as versatile weapons.
The Renegades could use the draft to replenish their receiving corps and add another weapon to complement their new-look quarterback room. If Jontre Kirklin and Justin Hall return, that provides multiple veteran presences. However, I believe adding even more is also critical. Kirklin accounted for 306 yards, while Hall hauled in 281 yards. Adding another reliable pass-catching threat could be exactly what this offense needs.
Last season, they got very little production from their tight end room. If Sumlin opts to add a pass-catching tight end earlier in the draft, I think that could have just as positive of an impact on the Renegades’ offensive outlook in 2027.
With an already strong rushing attack, this offense could be just a few pieces away.
3: Add Depth to the Secondary
Sumlin’s defense was a strong suit in 2026. They ranked fourth in the league in scoring, allowing 20.8 points per game, and fourth in total defense, allowing 287.4 yards per game. They were especially strong up front, surrendering just 91.0 rushing yards per game, second-lowest in the UFL.
Their front seven was led by Malik Fisher, a Defensive Player of the Year finalist, who will return in 2027. Fisher finished second in both sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (11). He also helped anchor a defense that held opponents to just 34% on third down, one of the best marks in the league. However, the secondary took a hit this offseason.
Both Major Burns and Ameer Speed parlayed strong spring seasons into NFL opportunities. As it stands today, Burns is on the Miami Dolphins practice squad, and Speed is an every-week contributor on the Dallas Cowboys’ active roster.
Last season, the Renegades operated primarily out of a 4-3 defensive scheme and ran zone coverage on roughly 80% of their snaps. That approach helped the Renegades finish middle of the pack in passing defense, allowing 196.4 passing yards per game, a testament to the strength of their secondary. With Burns and Speed moving on to the NFL, adding depth will be critical to maintaining that production in 2027. Specifically, I believe versatile defensive backs who can thrive in a zone-heavy scheme should be a priority.
The Renegades’ defense is their strongest asset, and restoring personnel is vital for them during the UFL Draft later this month.
No team saw more players earn NFL opportunities than Kevin Sumlin’s group. All season, the Renegades seemed to be a few plays away from putting all the pieces together and making a run. However, they continued to fall short.
Building up the offensive line, adding another pass-catching threat, and bolstering the secondary could be the difference between another frustrating season and a team that makes a serious run at the United Bowl in 2027.