This is part three of what will be an eight-part, position-by-position review of each UFL team’s roster after the draft. The previous parts of this series can be found at the links below:
Names in (parentheses) have already been removed from the roster; names in bold have been added to the roster, per the UFL transaction wire.
Quarterbacks
Jordan Ta’amu, Mike DiLiello, Spencer Sanders
Analysis: Before he was thrust into the interim head coach role last year, Shannon Harris was the team’s quarterbacks coach. And in 2026, he managed to bring back his entire 2025 QB room. There was fear by some that since Ta’amu attended Ole Miss, he could end up being allocated to the Birmingham Stallions. Alas, those fears were unfounded. No other team will have D.C.’s continuity at this all-important position – or any other position, for that matter. Advantage: Defenders.
Running Backs
Deon Jackson, Abram Smith, Xazavian Valladay
Analysis: It took a while for Smith to regain his 2023 form after tearing his ACL in 2024, but he started to get into a groove late in the season. By that time, however, Jackson had overtaken him for the starting role and performed well. Valladay is a great pickup and will challenge for carries.
Wide Receivers
Cornell Powell, Ty Scott, Javon Antonio, Seth Williams, Montrell Washington, Jalen Virgil, (Grant DuBose), Ja’Khi Douglas
Analysis: D.C. lost Braylon Sanders and Chris Rowland, but retaining Powell and Scott is huge. Scott played in just four games last year (including playoffs) due to injury, so getting him back – and healthy – will be a bonus. The newcomers three-year pros or more, lacking a little youth in this department. With DuBose out per the transaction wire on Tuesday, D.C. could add as many as three more bodies at this position before camp.
Tight Ends
Mason Fairchild, Trae Barry, Ben Bresnahan, Zack Kuntz, Maliq Carr
Analysis: With Barry’s primary job being the long snapper (he played eight offensive snaps last year), D.C. will likely keep four tight ends. Fairchild and Bresnahan combined to play 402 snaps on offense last year – they’ll have to replace Briley Moore, who himself played 400 snaps. Kuntz is huge (6’7″, 255 pounds) but has produced in the pass game in college. Carr impressed at the Arlington Showcase this fall.
Offensive Line
Tackles: Gottlieb Ayedze, Adrian Ealy, Jaelyn Duncan, Parker Clements, Michael Tarquin, Silas Dzansi, Elijah Ellis, (Josh Ball), (Nicholas Petit-Frere)
Guards: Tykeem Doss, Johari Branch
Centers: Michael Maietti
Analysis: D.C. selected just one offensive linemen in the UFL Draft Phase, Ealy. Ayedze was a College Draft Pick of the Defenders back in 2024, though he did not play for the team last year. Obviously, some of these tackles will be moved to guard. However, there doesn’t seem to be much, if any, experience at guard in college for any of those draft picks. Maietti’s return at center is key.
Defensive Line
Edges: Derick Roberson, Andre Mintze, Durrell Johnson, (Kyle Phillips), (Davin Bellamy)
Interior: Devonnsha Maxwell, Dennis Johnson, Phil Hoskins, (Desmond Watson), Patrick Jenkins, (Niles Scott)
Analysis: Roberson and Mintze combined for 11 sacks last year, so their returns will help juice the pass rush. Durrell Johnson comes over from Arlington. Up the middle, Maxwell played well for the Defenders in 2025. Johnson earned more starting time with the team as the season progressed last year. Hoskins was a valuable reserve for St. Louis. D.C. doesn’t ask their interior to rush the passer, so stuffing the run will be their priority. Harris will have work to do to add more depth here with four drafted players dropping off the roster already.
Linebackers
Brandon Smith, Micah Baskerville, Brian Abraham, Ferrod Gardner, Curtis Jacobs, Kyron Johnson
Analysis: Smith was initially signed by the Renegades this off-season after making his mark at the Atlanta Showcase. Baskerville signed midway through last season and has the potential to start this year. Though general manager Von Hutchins is gone, his imprint remains as Jacobs is another 2024 UFL Draft Pick of his that Harris drafted here. Abraham and Gardner were mostly special teamers last year. This unit may look more different than any other for D.C. in 2026.
Defensive Backs
Corners: Deandre Baker, Bryce Thompson, Leon O’Neal Jr., Kiondre Thomas, Ekow Boye-Doe, Azizi Hearn, Gabe Taylor, Kai Gray
Safeties: Trey Dean, Sam Kidd, (Kai Nacua), Deontay Anderson, Lewis Cine, Maceo Beard
Analysis: Two All-UFL players were added in Kai Nacua (2024) and Leon O’Neal Jr. (2025), though Nacua is apparently sticking to the retirement he announced in the off-season. The acquisition of Cine makes two former NFL first round picks in the defensive backfield, joining Baker. Taylor is a feel-good story, drafted by D.C. and set to play in the same city as his brother, the late Sean Taylor, a legend in the NFL. D.C.’s strong safeties play a hybrid linebacker position, which is where Dean and Anderson saw much of their action last year.
Special Teams
K Matt McCrane, P Paxton Brooks
Analysis: D.C. opted out of the Special Teams Phase of the draft, leaving them more roster space to add several in the Open Phase. They do have their long snapper in Barry. Brooks and McCrane, the punter and kicker last season respectively, were retained in the immediate aftermath of the draft.