Possible UFL Draft Picks

UFL

The other day we looked at NFL free agents, which Commissioner Huyghue informed us would be available for signing by UFL teams beginning March 1^st, but I have been reviewing various mock drafts for more information. Obviously this is all speculation as people can rise or drop dramatically after the Combine (at which the UFL will have scouts according to the commissioner) and after workouts. From what I’ve heard you can rank third round and below picks as probable UFL picks.

 

Let’s begin with Quarterbacks:

- John David Booty (USC): Only started for the last two years. He played well at times and is now considered the 6^th or 7^th prospect by many sites – meaning he will likely go no earlier than Round 3.

 

- Joshua Johnson (San Diego): Runs a 4.64 40 and has a strong arm. He has been moving up the draft board but likely won’t go earlier than Round 3.

 

- Colt Brennan (Hawaii): Should have came out last year and has been moving dramatically down the draft board, but is still a legit talent. He broke all sorts of records at Hawaii in a spread offense and would be a fairly high profile pick for the UFL.

 

- Dennis Dixon (Oregon): Was a probable Heisman winner before his injury, and he had Oregon on track for the title game before said injury. Dixon could end up in the MLB anyways since he signed a contract last year, but he would bring excitement to whichever UFL team picked him.

 

- Others: Erik Ainge (Tennessee), Matt Flynn (LSU), Sam Keller (Nebraska), Paul Smith (Tulsa), Xavier Lee (Florida State).

 

I hope to do more positional breakdowns after the Combine and leading up to both the NFL and UFL drafts, but let’s look at the underclassmen who entered the NFL draft and may very well end up playing in the UFL instead.

 

- The Runningbacks. James Davis (Clemson), Steve Slaton (West Virginia), Kevin Smith (UCF), and Jamaal Charles (Texas). All three have plenty of speed but two of the three are considered to have size issues – Slaton and Charles. Slaton would bring an incredible level of excitement to the UFL and he should have gone pro last year. All four could still go high enough that they would be out of the UFL pay range but I’d bet at least one will be in a UFL uniform. Smith almost broke the single season record for yardage.

 

- The Wide Receivers. Davone Bess (Hawaii), Ryan Grice-Mullen (Hawaii), Mario Urrutiu (Louisville), James Banks (Carson-Newman), Devin Thomas (Michigan State), and Taj Smith (Syracuse). All are considered third round or below and all have considerable skills, but all also possess drawbacks from an NFL prospect standpoint. I’d consider all of them exciting prospects for the UFL.

 

- Various other underclassmen: Martellus Bennett, TE (Texas A&M). Cornelius Ingram, TE (Florida). Jack Ikegwuonu, CB (Wisconsin). Jermichael Finley, TE (Texas). Branden Albert, OG (Virginia). Geno Hayes, ILB (Florida State). Jonathan Dingle, DE (West Virginia) – my favorite for his name alone. [I prefer it when him and his WVU teammate sit side by side on the bench…. Readers who are confused must excuse our lowbrow humor -  Editor] Franklin Dunbar, OT (Middle Tennessee State).

Nation Hahn @ February 11, 2008