The UFL season is fast approaching! On Monday, the league held the final phase of their dispersal draft, where teams could add any available player who played in the league last year. This is the final step in the XFL-USFL merger before the season begins. Here are the results for the Houston Roughnecks dispersal draft.
Houston Roughnecks Dispersal Draft Results
The Houston Roughnecks selected six players in the dispersal draft on Monday, January 15th.
- RB Ezra Gray
- DT Glen Logan
- K/P Luis Aguilar
- OT/OG Norman Price
- LS Logan Klusman
- WR Gene Coleman II
The Roughnecks only took six players, the second-fewest of any team in the UFL. Houston didn’t feel there was any player worth spending a pick on past the sixth round. It may speak to how they feel about their current roster and what they think of the free agents available.
Houston Roughnecks Dispersal Draft Analysis
The special teams unit was a big focus in the dispersal draft for the Houston Roughnecks. A third of the picks were spent on the kicking game. Getting Luis Aguilar in the third round was a steal, as he was one of the best kickers in the USFL. He hit 25 of his 29 attempts in 2023. The team then got long-snapper Logan Klusman, who should start for the team. These two, along with punter Hunter Niswander, have the potential to be one of the best special teams units in the league.
Player To Know: Ezra Gray
The Houston Roughnecks started the dispersal draft by picking running back Ezra Gray. He played for the Memphis Showboats last season and saw limited action. Gray only had 86 yards on 17 carries in two games played. He has potential but hasn’t seen the field enough to find a rhythm. Seeing how Gray fits into the running back room will be interesting. Mark Thompson will be back with the team, and he rushed for a whopping 14 touchdowns in 2023. The Roughnecks are hoping Gray can be a change of pace from Thompson and help keep him fresh for the fourth quarter of games.
Gray is known for his speed and has the ability to make noise on special teams. We again see the theme of trying to get talent for the special teams unit. Because he can return kickoffs, he has a leg up on the rest of the depth chart. Gray could find himself as the RB2 behind Thompson if he can impress in February’s training camp.
Player To Know: Glen Logan
The Houston Roughnecks went with defense in the second round of the dispersal draft. Logan spent time with the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He found his way to the Roughnecks via a training camp trade in 2023. At the nose tackle position, he racked up 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Logan is known for his run-stopping ability. He can clog up the middle of the line and help limit the opponent’s run game. With so many talented running backs throughout the league, slowing down the run will be key in stopping offenses.
The game of football is won in the trenches. Having the best cornerbacks doesn’t matter if the defensive line cannot stop the run and generate pressure. Logan is familiar with the organization and should be the starting nose tackle once the season starts in early April.
2024 Outlook
Houston was the only city with teams in the XFL and USFL. The UFL decided to take the Gamblers roster and keep the XFL name. This makes it one of the most confusing teams to discuss in the offseason. Last season, the Gamblers went 5-5 and tied for last in their division. They protected many players from last year’s USFL rosters, hoping to build upon last season. With how many moving pieces are within these rosters, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how the teams will perform.
Looking at the roster, it is clear what the Roughnecks want to do this season. They want to run the ball and control the clock. Can the Houston Roughnecks improve on last season and dominate the UFL in 2024?
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Matt has been following sports since he was a kid. While football is his primary focus, Matt can talk about any sport anytime. He is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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