Figure 1 A new UFL season is about to kick off, with some NFL experience on show – Source: Unsplash
As we get ever-closer to the third season of UFL, fans are eagerly anticipating what the new-look league will deliver this year. There are new teams – and others with new names – that will add something different to the spectacle of spring football across the Midwest and southern states of the country in 2026.
The DC Defenders beat the Michigan Panthers in an electrifying championship game last June, and the team from the nation’s capital will be returning in an attempt to go back-to-back this year. With the draft now completed, head coaches will be busy putting their rosters through their paces in time for the season kick-off on March 27th.
The UFL has a stated aim to act as a developmental league for the NFL, and there is a good history of players moving up to the big league. But there is movement both ways. If you are thinking, “How do I bet on football?”, you will need to know the strengths of the teams involved. With NFL experience, there are a number of UFL teams that look very impressive this year. Here are some former NFL players who will be battling it out in the UFL in 2026.
Rodrigo Blankenship, Birmingham Stallions
Inaugural UFL champions, the Birmingham Stallions, are beginning a new era under the stewardship of former star A.J. McCarron. He will look to expand on what is already on the roster and the style of play that has made this team one of the most exciting to watch in the entire league.
Alongside a number of other recruits, the drafting of Rodrigo Blankenship really shows that McCarron is thinking about the whole picture when it comes to his roster. After extensive NFL experience with the Colts and the Cardinals – including postseason action with Indianapolis – Blankenship will undoubtedly boost Birmingham’s special teams.
Chris Rowland, Orlando Storm
One of three brand new teams in the UFL this season, the Orlando Storm will be hoping to establish a firm identity and win over the Florida public right from the start. After two years with the Battlehawks, Anthony Brecht is the new head coach tasked with delivering those aims, and he has brought one of the league’s best to his new team.
Chris Rowland was a key wide receiver at the Defenders for the last two years, and with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL before that. But he also has some NFL gametime experience, after performing for the Atlanta Falcons at the end of the 2020 season. Brecht will be looking to his leadership to bring through the younger players on the team.
Raiqwon O’Neal, Dallas Renegades
A former XFL Champion, the newly-remonikered Dallas Renegades will be playing in Frisco, Texas this year, and head coach Rick Neuheisel has obviously decided that one of the best QBs in the league, Luis Perez, needs some more protection to enable him to power this team to a championship.
There are a number of additions to the offensive side of the roster, with Raiqwon O’Neal coming in with the hope of reigniting his pro career. He has already spent time at the Bucs and the Falcons, with actual gametime in Seattle as well. He is only 26 and could be a key member of a reinforced Renegades O-line.
Jalen Virgil, DC Defenders
Shannon Harris has made it clear with his new selections at the DC Defenders that he is intent on retaining the championship his team won last year. Even with bringing back 25 players who tasted victory in 2025, he has been able to add strength in just about every department.
Jalen Virgil is a perfect example of Harris’ desire to improve what was already the best team in the league. The wide receiver played for the Denver Broncos in 2022 – and even has an NFL touchdown to his name – but injury has cut short his major league career so far. He could team up very well with MVP QB Jordan Ta’amu and might be one of the stars of the 2026 UFL season.
Cameron Dantzler, Louisville Kings
Another of the new expansion teams in the UFL this year, the Louisville Kings, have been busy putting together a roster that will be able to compete straight away. First-year head coach has betrayed his QB roots, concentrating heavily on offense, but there were some interesting additions on the other side of the ball as well.
Most NFL pundits agree that the Minnesota Vikings are in dire need of a new cornerback. The Kings, meanwhile, will have a former Vike on their roster – and one with a lot of experience of the big league. Dantzler has also spent time in Canada, as well as having previous springtime football experience, so he should be a valuable asset to his new team.
Figure 2 NFL know-how could prove invaluable for UFL teams – Source: Unsplash
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Orlando Storm
As a brand new team, it is not surprising that the Orlando Storm’s draft and acquisitions have been wide-ranging during the offseason. It is imperative for this team to act as a cohesive unit on the field of play, so having players who are used to an NFL environment will undoubtedly help.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson has previously dealt with a somewhat farcical QB situation at the Cleveland Browns, but came through that intact and was most recently traded to the Eagles. He will add his extensive NFL game knowledge to what looks like being a strong QB room at the Storm this year, and will be hoping to stand out as a starter as soon as possible.