UFL 2026: Former Saints draft picks, training camp beasts competing

March 28, 2026, 1:27 p.m. CT

The 2026 UFL season has kicked off, and at least two dozen former New Orleans Saints players are competing to keep their dreams of professional football alive. Some of them were drafted by the Saints. Others took up the annual “training camp beast” title but couldn’t secure a roster spot come opening day. And plenty of former Saints fan-favorites are still in the mix, too. Here’s how you can tune in:

UFL Week 1 ScheduleMarch 28: St. Louis vs. DC at 11 a.m. CT (ESPN and FuboTV)March 28: Dallas vs. Houston at 3 p.m. CT (Fox and FuboTV)March 29: Orlando vs. Columbus at 7 p.m. CT (ESPN and FuboTV)

And here are the players who made the cut for rosters this spring:

Kentucky's T.J. Carter wasn't shy about showing his displeasure after being called for targeting after he collided with Florida quarterback Kyle Trask late in the game. “I’m not saying the officials made a wrong call. It’s just a tough call. It’s a tough call," said UK coach Mark Stoops afterwards. "Something’s got to be done with that rule and the call and, you know, putting laundry on the field again to dictate a game is tough.’’ Sept. 14, 2019. Kentucky Vs Florida Football 2019Aug 16, 2022; Ashwaubenon, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Alize Mack (47) looks to catch a pass at training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis. Mandatory Credit: Samantha Madar-USA TODAY SportsAug 14, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Easop Winston (18) runs after the catch before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY SportsNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 29: Emmanuel Butler #17 of the New Orleans Saints scores a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)Aug 19, 2022; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) is tackled by New Orleans Saints defensive end Taco Charlton (54) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsJan 8, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Andre Roberts (18) fumbles the ball against New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) and linebacker Andrew Dowell (50) and linebacker Chase Hansen (42) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY SportsAug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Josiah Ezirim (72) during the warmups before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY SportsSep 10, 2022; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders safety Tra Fluellen (17) scores a pick six touchdown on the first play from scrimmage at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY SportsJul 30, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Seth Green works on drills during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesJul 31, 2023; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Keke Coutee (16) during training camp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY SportsJun 14, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Abram Smith (33) runs drills during minicamp at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY SportsJul 31, 2021; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints assistant strength and conditioning coach Charles Byrd slaps hands with cornerback Bryce Thompson (31) during a New Orleans Saints training camp session at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY SportsJun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Xazavian Valladay (28) during running back drills during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesJul 28, 2025; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Hunter Dekkers (18) looks on at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesAug 11, 2023; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jontre Kirklin (85) works on receiver drills during training camp at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY SportsJan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kirk Merritt (33) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY SportsAug 10, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Marcus Yarns (34) is tackled in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jon Endow-Imagn ImagesNov 25, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Josiah Bronson Jr. (91) in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY SportsAug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back Ian Wheeler (33) raises his arms after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn ImagesJul 30, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Jasheen Davis (59) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesTEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Linebacker Travis Feeney #41 of the Washington Huskies during the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Huskies 27-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Aug 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Saints center Sincere Haynesworth (61) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsAug 14, 2025; Carson, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints guard Mike Panasiuk (61) during a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams at the Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesSep 30, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) fumbles the ball as New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth (76) recovers the loose ball during the 4th quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

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