The UFL dispersal draft is through the first two phases. The eight teams remaining after the XFL-USFL merger were able to protect players and pick up some players from the defunct franchises. While a lot of players are protected, there is still plenty of talent available. Here are the best players remaining for the January 15th dispersal draft.
UFL Dispersal Draft: Phase 3 Targets
For those who do not know the structure of the dispersal draft, it is done in three phases. In the first phase, players were able to protect up to 42 players that were currently on the roster. In phase two, teams could claim up to 20 players from the non-surviving teams. Everyone else who played in the XFL or USFL goes into a pool of players. The final phase is the UFL dispersal draft where teams can select any player who is not protected and played last season in one of the leagues. While many players were protected, there are a lot of good players to choose from.
WR Jeff Badet
Badet spent last season with the Vegas Vipers and had a very productive season. He caught 34 passes for 448 yards and five touchdowns. In terms of receiving yards, he ranked eighth in the entire league and first on the Vipers. It was curious why no one protected him, but it may have been because of his size. At 5-foot-11, 182 pounds, he is more of a slot receiver and could be utilized as a returner. Most teams are looking to lock down their outside receiver, and then they will figure out the slot. Badet should be a top target for any team looking for an offensive weapon in the UFL dispersal draft.
RB Kylin Hill
Hill is an interesting player and one that I will admit some bias on. I am a Green Bay Packers fan, and Hill spent some time with the team during his short stint in the NFL. What makes Hill so interesting is his special teams prowess. The NFL has made a lot of rules for player safety that have inadvertently hurt returners. In the spring leagues, they have set kickoffs to be safer but also have more action. Returners were able to rack up a lot of all-purpose yards throughout the year. Hill could be a perfect fit for a team that is looking to bolster their special teams unit.
K Luis Aguilar
Speaking of special teams, Aguilar is still in the pool of players to be chosen. Last season with the Philadelphia Stars, he was called upon a lot. In the 10-game regular season, Aguilar went 25/29 on field goals with a long of 56. He was perfect under 40 yards, and his four misses were all very long field goals. The kicker position seemed to be one of the most difficult to navigate in the UFL dispersal draft. Some teams were able to protect their kicker, while others prioritized different positions. In phase 3, I would expect a team to take Aguilar, even if it is to bring some competition into training camp.
DL Boogie Roberts
Football games are often won in the trenches. We’ve seen time and time again that when a team can dominate the line of scrimmage, they often come out on top. Last season for the Pittsburgh Maulers, Roberts was one of the best at controlling the line. He had 32 tackles and three sacks on the year. For a defensive tackle, this is an impressive stat line. Defensive tackles are often called upon to absorb blockers so the linebackers can come in and make the play. Roberts was consistently able to shed blockers and bring down the ball carrier. In the UFL dispersal draft, he is a great target for a team looking to beef up their line.
S Paris Ford
Ford was a reliable tackler in 2023 for the New Jersey Generals. He had 51 total tackles, with 37 of them being solo tackles. When a safety gets a lot of tackles, it means one of two things. Either the team is really bad, and the safety is having to make all the tackles, or the safety is helping a lot in run defense. Usually, it is the latter. Having a safety that is not afraid to play the run is very valuable. When the UFL dispersal draft happens on January 15th I expect Ford to be a player that is chosen.
The UFL dispersal draft is days away! Immediately following the draft, free agency opens up for any remaining players as well as those who did not play in either league last year. Training camps start on February 24th, with the season kicking off on March 30th. As many mourn the end of another NFL season, football fans can rejoice, knowing that there is more football on the way.
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Matt has been following sports since he was a kid. While football is his main focus, Matt can talk about any sport at any time. He is currently a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display. Follow him on Twitter at @sorcerermatt, and follow us @TotalApexSports. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL sports, click here!