2024 UFL Draft Guide

Spring Fantasy Football Draft Strategies

Acquire players that will provide consistent points with your first few selections. Contrary to popular NFL draft strategies where Wide Receivers and Running Backs dominate the first several rounds; in Spring Fantasy Football, the popular strategy is to build around a Quarterback. This logic stems from the consensus of unknowns. The goal for your first round selection is to draft a player that can provide consistent points week-in and week-out. In Spring Football there are rarely situations where coaches run out the clock or take a knee to end a drive. These players are playing for everything they’ve ever wanted. Every play is a chance for a highlight on their film resume or to add on to a certain stat metric they are trying to achieve to get to that next level in their careers. In Spring Football, the ball is almost never taken out of the Quarterback's hands for any play, the offense runs through the QB and so should your Fantasy team. Protip: Mobile QB’s offer an additional aspect of point production with their dual-threat ability.

The early to mid-rounds of a Spring Fantasy Draft are recommended to be used in order to load up on WR, RB, and TE talent you are confident in. What is good for us is that many of the WR and RB talent from the previous XFL and USFL seasons are returning. The variables concerning unknown talent have shrunk a bit in this new UFL season. Search for WR’s that earn a high target share and RB’s that earn a high amount of touches and YAC rate. With skill-position players; especially in PPR format, opportunities = value. Protip: There is more data available to assist in predicting targets, catches, and receiving & rushing yards, rather than touchdowns.

Once you find yourself in the later rounds of the draft, it’s time to start making some bold selections. With the top XFL and USFL talent consolidated into only eight UFL teams, these rosters are deep. The talent level of these squads are extremely close from the top to the bottom of depth charts. All a player needs in the UFL is an opportunity. Once you feel confident enough to draft one of your sleepers, my recommendation is to go for it! 

We cannot overshadow the importance that Defenses/Special Teams and Kickers have to complete roster building. While Kickers can be inconsistent in point production; relying heavily on the offense and gameflow. While stout Defenses/Special can offer a consistent production of points with the chances of bursts of points in the realm of interception/fumble returns and kickoff/punt returns. Protip: Use the last two rounds for sleeper players you have had your eye on within your research, lock up those Defenses and Kickers before you get to Round 15.

Player Profiles

Quarterbacks

Case Cookus (MEM)

Not only a pure pocket-passer and field general; Cookus has the mobility to create both high impact plays and a solid floor. Cookus has the tools to stay at the upper echelon of Spring Football with the massive amount of draft capital the Showboats have invested into their offense. Cookus will provide a stable option at QB this season as he has finished atop the Passing Yards and Passing TD’s leaders in both the 2022 and 2023 USFL seasons.

Matt Corral (BHAM)

Matt Corral has earned his first professional starting QB role from one of Spring Football’s most historic teams. Beating out both QB J’Mar Smith and QB Adrian Martinez, Corral has all the tools needed to succeed at the Spring level. By utilizing his professional level-passing accuracy, arm strength, and mobility; Corral is aided by HC Skip Holtz’ player-friendly system which will  cement him as a true QB1 in the newly formed UFL.

A.J. McCarron (STL)

A.J. McCarron’s loyalty to Spring Football was never in doubt. His return to the Battlehawks has cemented him as a top QB option this Spring. As arguably the most consistent QB in the 2023 XFL season, look for McCarron to match and even exceed his top-tier consistency value with the newly found support of  the best WR corps in the UFL. All of these variables contribute to McCarron becoming a top selection in this year’s UFL Fantasy Drafts.

Luis Perez (ARL)

As a true Spring Football Legend, Luis Perez has gained experience through every iteration of modern Spring Football. Perez was traded to the Renegades late in the 2023 XFL season and was a key contributor in Arlington's 2023 XFL Championship campaign. With both the Vegas Vipers and Arlington Renegades, Perez amassed 1,630 Passing Yards and 9 Passing Touchdowns. Look for Luis Perez to produce stable and consistent QB1 numbers during the 2024 UFL Season.

Jordan Ta'amu (DC)

The Spring Football legend is back and is looking to make an impact in the newly formed UFL. With the majority of Ta’amu’s production coming from the ground, don’t let his passing game fool you. Ta’amu was able to contribute to the XFL’s best rushing offense in 2023, while also aiding in the production of three Top-15 WR’s. With a depleted offense, look for the bulk of offensive production to funnel through Ta’amu creating a safe investment at the QB position.

Running Backs

Wes Hills (MICH)

As dual-threat and efficient as they come. Hills led all RB’s in the 2023 USFL season in rushing yards and receptions. A commanding running back who commands a high touch rate and target share looks to apply the similar volume based style this season in the Panthers’ run-heavy offensive scheme. Look for Hills to produce comparable numbers as last USFL season and lead all RB’s in both touches and receptions in the newly formed UFL.

CJ Marable (BHAM)

The UFL is all about opportunity and Marable is a prime example of that. With the unexpected expanded role as RB1 thrust upon him in Game 1 of the 2023 USFL season, Marable made the most of his opportunity by contributing consistent and efficient rushing and receiving production to the Stallions offense. By earning the right to be Birmingham’s RB1, look to Marable to give your fantasy team consistent production at the RB position this UFL season.

De'Veon Smith (ARL)

An old school Running Back with an old school mentality. Smith is the epitome of a downhill RB with his bruising rushing style and the majority of his production coming from between the tackles. During the 2023 XFL Season, Smith was tied for second in the rushing attempts, third in rushing yards, and tied for second in rushing TD’s. Stats don’t lie and prove an old school rushing style can still produce in a modern football league.

Mark Thompson (HOU)

Thompson is a rare talent in that he has the skill set of both a pure downhill rusher, as well as, an elusive pass-catching running back. With the style of football Houston appears to be developing with the heavy investment on the defensive side of the ball, versatility and volume will be what makes Thompson a top selection in this year’s drafts.

Darius Victor (MEM)

As a Spring Football veteran, Victor has been through these unknowns before. New league, new team, and new coaching won’t affect Victor as he is poised to produce another top RB season in the Showboats offense. Victor will be a direct beneficiary of Memphis investing heavily into their offense this off-season. Surrounded by elite talent at every position, Victor will command a high volume of touches with TD upside during every contest this season.

Wide Receivers

Jonathan Adams (MEM)

As the WR1 in an extremely potent Showboats offense, Adams has the ability to earn quality production points week in and week out. Adams is forecasted the largest target share of Case Cookus’ attempts and has the ability to turn each opportunity into a highlight reel level reception. A master of the deep ball, Adams will easily take the top off any defense and expose them to what has been one of the best deep ball playmakers in Spring Football.

Deontay Burnett (ARL)

With all the tools at his disposal to produce, Burnett has not disappointed. Leading a consistent Roughnecks WR corps during the 2023 XFL season, Burnett led all Houston WR’s in targets and TD’s. Burnett looks to carry that success over to the UFL within a talented Renegades offense. Look for Burnett to lead Arlington in targets, receptions, and receiving yards and solidify himself amongst the top WR’s in the UFL.

Hakeem Butler (STL)

Butler has earned the reputation of a physical playmaker with the innate ability to use his size and physicality to work downfield quickly and win tough jump-balls. Butler was second in targets, receptions, and receiving yards (only to now-teammate Jahcour Pearson) during the 2023 XFL season, while also leading the XFL in TD receptions. Butler looks to solidify himself as a top WR in the UFL within the league’s top WR cops.

Deon Cain (BHAM)

With the innate ability to work routes at all levels, Cain can produce in any receiver package he is utilized in. Cain has this elite ability that fantasy players look for within building their squad, he can produce a quality stat line in almost any type of gameflow situation. Cain has the ability to earn a high target share with 10+ targets in a game and produce elite PPR numbers, and also maximize his output with TD’s when the game script does not necessitate a high target share.

Justin Hall (HOU)

An elusive WR, Hall has the ability to turn any target into gold with his elite vision and YAC production. As one of the more physical WR’s in Spring Football, Hall has no fear working any route across the middle of the field and creating separation for any level of reception. Hall also can work sideline out-routes where his elusiveness and finesse can be on display. As a highly physical and elusive WR, Hall is expected to produce WR1 value in the Roughnecks offense.

Tight Ends

Sal Cannella (ARL)

With a surprise entrance to UFL Training Camp, Cannella rejoins the ranks of the top Spring Football TE’s. Finishing only second to Cody Latimer in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, during the 2023 XFL season, Cannella has solidified himself as a top selection at TE based on volume alone. That TE1 volume has produced top TE1 value and will continue as Cannella is the focal point of the Renegades offense once again.

Cole Hikutini (MICH)

Hikutini is just on the cusp of becoming a true TE1. As reliable as they come, Hikutini was able to garner a 70% catch rate, which ranked him second amongst all USFL TE’s in the 2023 season. That high catch rate allowed Hikutini to generate 21 receptions, 239 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns - second amongst all USFL TE’s last season. An improvement at QB for the Michigan Panthers this season will only assist Hikutini in generating TE1 caliber production.

Cody Latimer (SA)

Latimer overcame a carousel of Orlando Guardians QB’s and led all TE’s during the 2023 XFL season in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. As QB-proof as they come, Latimer has some ease of mind as he is joined in San Antonio by the most consistent Orlando Guardians QB in 2023; Quinten Dormady. As the focal point of the 2023 Orlando Guardians offense, Head Coach; Wade Phillips will keep the Dormady-Latimer connection thriving in San Antonio.

Jace Sternberger (BHAM)

Within the familiarity of the Birmingham Stallions offensive scheme, Sternberger has all the tools needed to produce TE1 value again. While Sternberger brings an old-school style to the TE position, his size and speed allow him to be a matchup nightmare as he is able to get downfield and find the soft spots in the defense easily. Leading the Stallions in touchdowns in 2023, Sternberger will continue to be a focal point of the Birmingham offense in 2022.

Sage Surratt (MEM)

As the overall TE1 during the 2023 USFL season, Surratt now joins the UFL’s most balanced offense in Memphis. While the target share might not be up to what it was in New Orleans in 2023, Surratt will continue to command targets as a top receiving option in Memphis. As an elusive TE, Surratt is the master of YAC, which will fit perfectly in the Showboats’ offense scheme and assist in producing TE1 value again, in the newly formed UFL.

Preseason Player Rankings

Mock Draft