UFL. Prospects

[steelmann58]

I have not watched many game if any but is there any prospects that the Steelers might be interested in.

[bradshaw2ben]

I have not watched many game if any but is there any prospects that the Steelers might be interested in.

I probably watch more UFL than any human. If there's one thing the UFL has, it's WRs. They have like two NFL QBs, 2 NFL CBs, and possibly zero OL... but WRs & RBs galore.

Strangely enough, the WRs plus a bonus EDGE pass rush specialist who come immediately to mind all know their way to the Steelers facility––at one time they were Steelers.

WR Tyler Vaughns, Arlington via USC
WR Hakeem Butler, St. Louis via Iowa State
WR Deon Cain, Birmingham via Clemson
RB Deon Jackson, DC via Duke

All 4 of those guys can play and would have a shot to get playing time in PIT. Vaughns is sorta JuJu like... not a burner but makes tons of plays, including the highlight game of his life this past weekend. Cain is probably the best fit-- does everything pretty well, good speed. Not a great YAC guy but you have to respect him in coverage and right now he's leading the UFL in receiving yards. Butler is a Pickens type jump ball guy, with good body control and a big catch radius. Jackson had a tryout with PIT IIRC and would have challenged to be the starting RB for Pittsburgh last year, were he on the roster. Great vision & speed as a runner, terrific route runner and pass catcher out of the backfield.

And there's stunt rusher Pita Taumoepenu, who was the XFL's 2023 defensive player of the year and is well on his way to being the UFL's DPOTY this year... leads the league with 7.5 sacks in 8 games.

[Ice]

Jackson was the UDFA we paid the big signing bonus to, was it just last year? Remember wishing we'd seen more of him, but the security blanket was still there.

[steelmann58]

Thanks Ben I guess I should start watching these games have to think they will add one as soon as their season ends

[bradshaw2ben]

Jackson was the UDFA we paid the big signing bonus to, was it just last year? Remember wishing we'd seen more of him, but the security blanket was still there.

Sorry, you know I was confused. Apparently Deon Jackson never signed with the Steelers. He was signed as a UDFA by the Colts in 2021 and made their 53. At one point they were talking about him as their 3rd down back "starter", but he got injured on year and lost his place in line. Had a couple of other NFL cups of coffee, including Cleveland.

[steelmann58]

I can see them adding at least one guy from the UFL.

[K_C_]

I could have sworn Hakeem Butler was in camp with the Steelers and everybody was excited about him.

If not, who was the very tall UFL WR who sort of wowed in camp, then looked absolutely useless in the preseason games and was cut quick?

I believe I read that guy (again I swear it was Butler) had a major issue with being slow as fuck. Big target, but made Freiermuth look like Tyreek Hill.

[anpsteel]

I could have sworn Hakeem Butler was in camp with the Steelers and everybody was excited about him.

If not, who was the very tall UFL WR who sort of wowed in camp, then looked absolutely useless in the preseason games and was cut quick?

I believe I read that guy (again I swear it was Butler) had a major issue with being slow as fuck. Big target, but made Freiermuth look like Tyreek Hill.

He was and did nothing

Early camp cut, iirc

Also iiirc. Vaughn & Cain both made the team at some point and had snaps - could be I’m thinking of preseason games

[K_C_]

I could have sworn Hakeem Butler was in camp with the Steelers and everybody was excited about him.

If not, who was the very tall UFL WR who sort of wowed in camp, then looked absolutely useless in the preseason games and was cut quick?

I believe I read that guy (again I swear it was Butler) had a major issue with being slow as fuck. Big target, but made Freiermuth look like Tyreek Hill.

He was and did nothing

Early camp cut, iirc

Also iiirc. Vaughn & Cain both made the team at some point and had snaps - could be I’m thinking of preseason games

I thought so. There were articles about him looking great in camp and when I watched him in the preseason games, dude was absolutely useless and ran about as fast Cam Heyward does now.

Butler has everything you want in a receiver but he's waaaaaay too slow.

[anpsteel]

I could have sworn Hakeem Butler was in camp with the Steelers and everybody was excited about him.

If not, who was the very tall UFL WR who sort of wowed in camp, then looked absolutely useless in the preseason games and was cut quick?

I believe I read that guy (again I swear it was Butler) had a major issue with being slow as fuck. Big target, but made Freiermuth look like Tyreek Hill.

He was and did nothing

Early camp cut, iirc

Also iiirc. Vaughn & Cain both made the team at some point and had snaps - could be I’m thinking of preseason games

I thought so. There were articles about him looking great in camp and when I watched him in the preseason games, dude was absolutely useless and ran about as fast Cam Heyward does now.

Butler has everything you want in a receiver but he's waaaaaay too slow.

Yeah, Butler was both slow and not quick

A really bad combo for a receiver in the nfl

He should just put on more weight and try to play TE

[bradshaw2ben]

I could have sworn Hakeem Butler was in camp with the Steelers and everybody was excited about him.

If not, who was the very tall UFL WR who sort of wowed in camp, then looked absolutely useless in the preseason games and was cut quick?

I believe I read that guy (again I swear it was Butler) had a major issue with being slow as fuck. Big target, but made Freiermuth look like Tyreek Hill.

He was and did nothing

Early camp cut, iirc

Also iiirc. Vaughn & Cain both made the team at some point and had snaps - could be I’m thinking of preseason games

I thought so. There were articles about him looking great in camp and when I watched him in the preseason games, dude was absolutely useless and ran about as fast Cam Heyward does now.

Butler has everything you want in a receiver but he's waaaaaay too slow.

I think he'd be the least interesting of the three I mentioned, but he is good at the sideline jump ball thing they seem to like, which is why I included him.

Vaughns is someone who tested poorly but I think his functional speed on a football field makes him look a lot faster.

[steelmann58]

If the Steelers don't add a UFL WR then i am sure you can expect either one of the other FA still out there or make that trade to a team with a bunch of WR ,or just wait till waivers

[Steelafan77]

If the Steelers don't add a UFL WR then i am sure you can expect either one of the other FA still out there or make that trade to a team with a bunch of WR ,or just wait till waivers

Could be a guy they have continued interest in as a WR project.

Renegades HC Bob Stoops was recently asked if he would recommend Vaughns to NFL teams, and this was his response:

"Oh, absolutely. Tyler Vaughns has been sensational — just makes tough, difficult catches. And you know, the DBs in this league are good players, too." https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story ... 853288007/

I think he could be a solid contributor competing for a roster spot. Will he want to be back in Pittsburgh?

[steelmann58]

Thanks Steelersfan77
i think we need to find that second WR cant have another repeat of 2004 . I think They look at Vauaghs or wait till Rodgers tells them who he want here

[bradshaw2ben]

I think they're going to end up trading for Kirk Cousins.

[steelmann58]

Oh boy hopefully not and if they do it’s for a late rounder imo.

[bradshaw2ben]

Oh boy hopefully not and if they do it’s for a late rounder imo.

The deal on the table is Cousins for a 5th and the Steelers eat any money to Cousins after 2025.

That's secondhand from "a source in the Falcons organization", who says it's the backup plan if Rodgers doesn't sign.

[K_C_]

I think they're going to end up trading for Kirk Cousins.

I'm right with you on this. I think even Cool Shades has come the realization that Aaron Rodgers is not going to help him keep the NHALS streak alive.

Cousins might.

Now I personally don't see Cousins as an upgrade over Mason Rudolph. Not this Cousins, but I can see how Mikey T. might trust Cousins more than Rudolph.

What scares me is the price. I hope Khan and Tomlin are smart enough not to give Atlanta anything more than a 5th rounder for Cousins. If the Steelers do trade for Cousins and they give Atlanta anything higher than a 5th, Tomlin is extremely desperate to keep that NHALS streak alive.

Betcha Atlanta is holding firm asking for a 3rd rounder and they know Pittsburgh (Tomlin) is desperate.

[steelmann58]

here what was said in a previous talk.

steelmann58 wrote: ↑
Mon May 26, 2025 9:12 pm
Oh boy hopefully not and if they do it’s for a late rounder imo.
The deal on the table is Cousins for a 5th and the Steelers eat any money to Cousins after 2025.

That's secondhand from "a source in the Falcons organization", who says it's the backup plan if Rodgers doesn't sign.