UFL Week 2 Fantasy Rankings
We finally get to see how things shake out.
Week 1 of the UFL season delivered immediate fantasy fireworks, headlined by Austin Reed exploding for a record-setting 376 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. He was sharp, aggressive, and in complete control, instantly launching himself into QB1 territory. His top weapon, Tyler Vaughns, followed with a monster 144-yard performance, cementing himself as an early must-start at WR. On the ground, Jashaun Corbin made a loud statement with 2 touchdowns, showing strong red-zone usage that fantasy managers should chase moving forward. Ellis Merriweather and Jalen Moreno-Cropper both made a name for themselves in Week 1 with very effective starts.
Not everything was clean, though. The Houston Gamblers’ defense looked completely overwhelmed, giving up chunk play after chunk play in what quickly turned into a DFS goldmine for anyone stacking Reed. Meanwhile, Matt Corral and the Stallions ran an efficient, balanced offense but struggled to finish drives early before turning it on late. In Columbus, the “triple-headed monster” backfield created a frustrating fantasy situation, limiting upside across the board with touches split too evenly. Jack Plummer also made the most of his opportunity, earning the start and leading his team to a win with an efficient, controlled performance that keeps him firmly on the fantasy radar.
Elsewhere, Jordan Ta’Amu and the DC Defenders were one of the biggest disappointments of the week, going down quietly against the St. Louis Battlehawks with little offensive resistance. Jason Bean had an up-and-down debut, flashing big-play ability while also showing inconsistency. He has clear upside. If he tightens things up and uses his legs more, he could quickly rise into the top tier of fantasy quarterbacks. From a fantasy perspective, Week 1 made one thing clear: targeting poor secondaries and consolidating usage (like Reed-to-Vaughns) is already separating the contenders from the chaos.
Depth charts will begin to be released after this article on Thursday evening. I’ll do my best to update the rankings accordingly, but be sure to check back for the latest inactive updates.
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Quarterbacks Rankings
| 1. Matt Corral (Birmingham Stallions) | 5. Jalen McClendon (Columbus Aviators) |
| 2. Jordan Ta’Amu (DC Defenders) | 6. Jason Bean (Louisville Kings) |
| 3. Austin Reed (Dallas Renegades) | 7. Brandon Silvers (St .Louis Battlehawks) |
| 4. Jack Plummer (Orlando Storm) | 8. Hunter Dekker (Houston Gamblers) |
Must Start
1. Matt Corral- Birmingham Stallions vs. Houston Gamblers
The Gamblers were just torched for a UFL-record 376 passing yards last week, and this sets up as another favorable spot for Corral and the Stallions. Birmingham has comparable talent at wide receiver, and if Houston sticks with man coverage again, this could get out of hand quickly. Corral was efficient in Week 1 (21/30, 208 yards), but the offense leaned balanced. This week has the potential to be much more pass-heavy given Houston’s clear weakness through the air.
2. Jordan Ta’Amu- DC Defenders vs. Columbus Aviators
The Aviators struggled defensively last week, allowing Jack Plummer to complete passes at a high rate with minimal resistance. Ta’Amu faced heavy pressure against the Battlehawks, which disrupted the offense, but this is a much softer matchup. With more time in the pocket, this is a prime opportunity for the offense to bounce back and get back on track.
3. Austin Reed- Dallas Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Reed surprised everyone with a record-setting debut, throwing for 376 yards and 3 touchdowns. He even left a couple of big plays on the field. This week presents a tougher challenge against a Battlehawks defense that recorded 7 sacks in Week 1. This game should give us a much clearer picture of where Reed truly stands.
Mid-Tier Options
4. Jack Plummer- Orlando Storm vs. Louisville Kings
Plummer had a strong UFL debut, throwing for 240 yards and a touchdown. However, the Storm controlled the game throughout, allowing them to lean on the run late and limit his volume. The Kings showed a bend-but-don’t-break defense against a strong Stallions team. This is an above-average matchup, though game script could again limit his ceiling.
5. Jalen McClendon- Columbus Aviators vs. DC Defenders
The offense looked out of sync in Week 1, with constant rotation at running back preventing any real rhythm from developing. McClendon still managed 212 passing yards and added 30 rushing yards. If the offense can settle in and find consistency, there’s room for improvement this week against a DC defense that held the Battlehawks to just 262 total yards.
6. Jason Bean- Louisville Kings vs. Orlando Storm
Bean’s debut was uneven—he missed some easy throws but also flashed with a few impressive plays. He threw for 226 yards and a touchdown, but also had two interceptions and completed just over 50% of his passes. The rushing upside is key here; he had 27 yards on the ground, but that number could increase. A matchup with Orlando, which allowed 212 passing yards and generated 3 sacks, gives him a chance to climb these rankings.
Streaming Options
7. Brandon Silvers- St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Dallas Renegades
Silvers was efficient in Week 1, throwing for 198 yards and a touchdown. However, 64 of those yards came on a single play, which inflated the stat line a bit. He’ll face a Renegades defense that recorded two interceptions last week, making this a more challenging matchup than it may appear.
8. Hunter Dekkers- Houston Gamblers vs. Stallions
Dekkers rotated early with Nolan Henderson but took over in the second half. He finished with 255 passing yards but failed to throw a touchdown, salvaging his fantasy performance with a rushing score late in the game. This week’s matchup against Birmingham is much tougher, as the Stallions forced three turnovers last week. This is a difficult spot, especially with lingering uncertainty at the position.
Ken’s Takeaways
- Best Matchup: Matt Corral
- Bounce-Back Spot: Jordan Ta’Amu
- Biggest Test: Austin Reed
- Dual-Threat Upside: Jason Bean
Running Back Rankings
| 1. Jashaun Corbin – Orlando Storm | 11. Lorenzo Lingard – Dallas Renegades |
| 2. Deon Jackson – DC Defenders | 12. Benny Snell – Louisville Kings |
| 3. Jarveon Howard – St. Louis Battlehawks | 13. Jalen White – Houston Gamblers |
| 4. Ellis Merriweather – Dallas Renegades | 14. Tyrion Davis-Price – Birmingham Stallions |
| 5. Snoop Conner – Birmingham Stallions | 15. John Lovett – Columbus Aviators |
| 6. ZaQuandre White – Columbus Aviators | 16. Marcus Yarns – Houston Gamblers |
| 7. Kevon Latulas – St. Louis Battlehawks | 17. Jaden Shirden – Louisville Kings |
| 8. Elijah Dotson – Orlando Storm | 18. Kirk Merritt – Houston Gamblers |
| 9. Anthony McFarland – Birmingham Stallions | 19. Abram Smith- DC Defenders |
| 10 Toa Taua– Columbus Aviators | 20. Rahjai Harris- St. Louis Battlehawks |
Must Starts
1. Jashaun Corbin – Orlando Storm vs. Louisville Kings
Corbin showed why he’s the top back in the UFL, finishing with 2 touchdowns and flashing elite ability on a highlight run. He totaled 17 touches and added involvement in the passing game, reinforcing his three-down role. While Elijah Dotson mixed in, a more competitive game script should push Corbin closer to 20 touches.
2. Deon Jackson – DC Defenders vs. Columbus Aviators
Jackson started strong before game script flipped, but still finished with 18 touches and 57 total yards. The biggest takeaway is his clear lead-back role, with Abram Smith barely involved. Volume alone keeps him locked in as a top-tier option.
3. Jarveon Howard – St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Dallas Renegades
Howard delivered a solid all-around performance with both rushing and receiving production. He split carries with Kevon Latulas but handled key goal-line opportunities, making him the preferred option near the end zone. Positive touchdown regression is coming after multiple close chances last week.
4. Ellis Merriweather – Dallas Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Merriweather struggled on the ground but salvaged his day through the air with 6 catches, 47 yards, and a touchdown. His 19 touches led all backs in Week 1, showing elite usage. Expect a more balanced offensive approach this week, which should boost his efficiency.
5. Snoop Conner – Birmingham Stallions vs. Houston Gamblers
Conner totaled 69 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 and appears to have a strong role in the offense. He should continue to see steady usage, even in a tougher matchup on the ground.
RB2 with High Upside
6. ZaQuandre White – Columbus Aviators vs. DC Defenders
White made the most of limited touches, breaking off a big run for a touchdown. He gained momentum as the game progressed and could push for a larger role moving forward. He is listed as the RB1 for this week.
7. Kevon Latulas – St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Dallas Renegades
Latulas showed explosiveness, especially as a receiver, finishing with over 60 receiving yards. He split work evenly with Howard and offers strong upside in negative game scripts. His pass-catching role gives him sneaky value.
8. Elijah Dotson – Orlando Storm vs. Louisville Kings
Dotson had a strong debut with both rushing and receiving production. He clearly established himself as the top backup to Corbin and is one of the most valuable handcuffs in the league.
9. Anthony McFarland Jr. – Birmingham Stallions vs. Houston Gamblers
McFarland totaled 49 yards but saw fewer touches than expected, finishing behind Conner in usage. The balanced nature of Birmingham’s offense makes his role somewhat uncertain, but his big-play ability keeps him in flex consideration.
10. Toa Taua – Columbus Aviators vs. DC Defenders
Taua’s usage was disappointing in a crowded three-back rotation, finishing with just 10 carries and limited involvement after the opening drive. However, he still saw red-zone work, which keeps him relevant. His role is worth monitoring closely this week. As of Thursday, he is listed as RB3. So his workload will be hard to figure out going forward.
Sleeper Options
11. Lorenzo Lingard – Dallas Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Lingard operated as the RB2 but looked explosive in his opportunities. He contributed both on the ground and through the air and remains a solid change-of-pace option.
12. Benny Snell – Louisville Kings vs. Orlando Storm
Snell projects as a volume-based runner but faces efficiency concerns depending on the matchup and offensive flow.
13. Jalen White – Houston Gamblers vs. Birmingham Stallions – A Part of a crowded rotation with uncertain weekly usage.
14. Tyrion Davis-Price – Birmingham Stallions vs. Houston Gamblers
A physical back who profiles as a short-yardage and red-zone option in a crowded rotation.
15. John Lovett – Columbus Aviators vs. DC Defenders
Versatile back who can contribute in multiple ways, though his role remains situational.
Deep Sleeper Options
16. Marcus Yarns – Houston Gamblers – Limited role but could see touches depending on game script.
17. Jaden Shirden – Louisville Kings – Speed option who needs more volume to break through.
18. Kirk Merritt – Houston Gamblers – Involved but inconsistent role limits reliability.
19. Abram Smith- DC Defenders- As risky as they come, but it’s Jackson’s handcuff.
20. Rahjai Harris- St. Louis Battlehawks– RB3 on the Hawks, so would need an injury to see real action.
Ken’s Takeaways
- Clear RB1 Usage: Corbin, Jackson, Merriweather
- Committee Concerns: Columbus, St. Louis backfields
- Best Pass-Catching Value: Merriweather, Latulas, Dotson
- Trending Up: ZaQuandre White
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Wide Receiver Rankings
| 1. Tyler Vaughns – Dallas Renegades | 18. Justyn Ross – Birmingham Stallions |
| 2. Jaydon Mickens – Birmingham Stallions | 19. Drake Stoops – Dallas Renegades |
| 3. Jalen Moreno-Cropper – Houston Gamblers | 20. Tarik Black – Louisville Kings |
| 4. Lucky Jackson – Louisville Kings | 21. LuJuan Winningham – Houston Gamblers |
| 5. Hakeem Butler- St. Louis Battlehawks | 22. Jahcour Pearson – St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 6. Chris Rowland – Orlando Storm | 23. Isaiah Winstead – Louisville Kings |
| 7. Cornell Powell – DC Defenders (OUT) | 24. John Ross – Birmingham Stallions |
| 8. Ty Scott – DC Defenders | 25. Gary Jennings Jr. – St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 9. Deon Cain – Birmingham Stallions | 26. Keke Chism – Columbus Aviators |
| 10. Elijah Badger – Orlando Storm | 27. Keke Coutee – DC Defenders |
| 11. Tay Martin – Columbus Aviators | 28. Frank Darby – St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 12. Jontre Kirklin – Houston Gamblers | 29. Emmanuel Butler – St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 13. K.J. Hamler – Orlando Storm | 30. Roc Taylor – Columbus Aviators |
| 14. Greg Ward – Dallas Renegades | 31. Laviska Shenault Jr. – Birmingham Stallions |
| 15. Deontay Burnett – Dallas Renegades | 32. Antwane Wells – Houston Gamblers |
| 16. Seth Williams – DC Defenders | 33. Braylon Sanders – DC Defenders |
| 17. Justin Hall – Houston Gamblers | 34. Lawrence Keys – Houston Gamblers |
Must Starts
1. Tyler Vaughns – Dallas Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Vaughns is coming off a monster Week 1 performance, finishing with 144 yards and a touchdown, and easily could have had a second score. While he benefited from Deontay Burnett being out, he should continue to command WR1-level volume in this offense. The matchup remains favorable, and his role is secure.
2. Jaydon Mickens – Birmingham Stallions vs. Houston Gamblers
Mickens was one of the biggest surprises of Week 1, hauling in 9 catches on 9 targets. That level of efficiency and usage is hard to ignore, especially heading into a strong matchup against a Houston defense that struggled against Arlington’s passing attack. He should remain heavily involved.
3. Jalen Moreno-Cropper – Houston Gamblers vs. Birmingham Stallions
Moreno-Cropper saw elite volume with 10 targets, finishing with 5 receptions for 59 yards and a return touchdown. He narrowly missed another score and could have had an even bigger day. His early exit is something to monitor, but if healthy, he remains a high-upside option.
4. Lucky Jackson – Louisville Kings vs. Orlando Storm
Jackson showed strong chemistry with quarterback Jason Bean, finishing with 9 catches for 71 yards and a touchdown on 8 targets. He operated as the clear top option and should continue to be a focal point in this passing attack.
5. Hakeem Butler- St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Dallas Renegades
A surprise inactive last week. He seems to be on track to play this week and is a must-start if so.
6. Chris Rowland – Orlando Storm vs. Louisville Kings
Rowland posted a modest 4-28-1 line but led the team in targets. Game script limited the passing volume, as Orlando leaned heavily on the run. Expect his usage to increase, with a potential jump into the 7–9 target range this week.
7. Cornell Powell – DC Defenders vs. Columbus Aviators (LISTED AS OUT)
Powell was a surprise inactive in Week 1, but immediately returns to the top tier if active. He entered the season as a top receiver and red-zone weapon. Be sure to monitor his status leading up to kickoff.
8. Ty Scott – DC Defenders vs. Columbus Aviators
Scott led the team in targets but struggled with drops and consistency. Despite the inefficiency, the opportunity is encouraging. He should bounce back this week, though his target share could dip slightly if Powell returns.
9. Deon Cain – Birmingham Stallions vs. Houston Gamblers
Cain had a quiet Week 1 (2 catches for 14 yards on 5 targets), but the usage was still there. Given his talent and role, this looks like a classic bounce-back spot. He draws one of the best matchups of the week against a secondary that struggled in man coverage.
10. Elijah Badger – Orlando Storm vs. Louisville Kings
Badger flashed big-play ability, including a 94-yard touchdown that was called back. He still finished with strong yardage and ranked near the top in target share. His explosiveness makes him a strong breakout candidate.
11. Tay Martin – Columbus Aviators vs. DC Defenders
Martin led his team in targets (8) and turned that into a 7-86 performance. With a matchup against a DC defense that allowed big plays, he should continue to see strong volume and remain a reliable option.
12. Jontre Kirklin – Houston Gamblers vs. Birmingham Stallions
Kirklin was quiet early but finished strong with 4 catches for 60 yards—all coming in the second half. If Moreno-Cropper misses time, his role could expand significantly into the 6–8 target range.
13. K.J. Hamler – Orlando Storm vs. Louisville Kings
Hamler finished with 3 catches for 28 yards on 5 targets. Like the rest of the Orlando receivers, game script limited production. His role is stable, and an increase in yardage is likely if passing volume rises.
WR2 Range with Strong Upside
14. Greg Ward – Dallas Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Ward made the most of limited volume, posting 93 yards and a touchdown on just 3 catches. His role could shrink if Burnett returns, but he remains a big-play threat in a strong offense.
15. Deontay Burnett – Dallas Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Burnett missed Week 1 but carries big upside when active. His return would significantly impact the target distribution in this offense.
16. Seth Williams – DC Defenders vs. Columbus Aviators
Williams stepped up in Powell’s absence, leading the team with 51 yards. If Powell remains out, he should continue to see solid volume in the 4–6 target range.
17. Justin Hall – Houston Gamblers vs. Birmingham Stallions
Hall saw 6 targets but had a quiet outing, finishing with just 26 yards. While disappointing, the volume is still encouraging. He should bounce back in a more favorable game script.
18. Justyn Ross – Birmingham Stallions vs. Houston Gamblers
Ross continues to be part of a crowded but dangerous receiving group. He saw 5 targets and caught the game-winning touchdown, highlighting his upside in this offense.
19. Drake Stoops – Dallas Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Stoops had just 2 catches for 4 yards, but his 5 targets stand out in a high-powered offense. He also adds value as a returner and nearly connected on a touchdown.
20. Tarik Black – Louisville Kings vs. Orlando Storm
Black posted a solid 3-59 line on 5 targets and remains involved in the offense. He should continue to see steady volume in the 5–7 target range.
21. LuJuan Winningham – Houston Gamblers vs. Birmingham Stallions
Winningham saw 6 targets and nearly scored, but game script played a major role. If Houston falls behind again, his target volume could spike back into the 6–8 range.
22. Jahcour Pearson – St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Dallas Renegades
Pearson was used primarily on short-area plays, finishing with 3 catches for 19 yards. His role limits upside, especially against a strong Dallas defense.
23. Isaiah Winstead – Louisville Kings vs. Orlando Storm
Winstead saw 5 targets and turned them into 60 yards. While Jackson dominates targets, Winstead remains a solid secondary option with upside.
24. John Ross – Birmingham Stallions vs. Houston Gamblers
Ross saw limited usage (2 targets) but remains a high-variance, deep threat in a great matchup. Like all Birmingham receivers, he carries boom potential.
25. Gary Jennings Jr. – St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Dallas Renegades
Jennings made the most of limited opportunities with a 64-yard catch. The low target share is concerning, but the big-play ability is clear.
Sleeper Options
26. Keke Chism – Columbus Aviators – Saw 5 targets but limited production; usage keeps him on the radar.
27. Keke Coutee – DC Defenders – Minimal involvement in Week 1, but role could grow if injuries persist.
28. Frank Darby – St. Louis Battlehawks – 4 targets show opportunity despite limited output.
29. Emmanuel Butler – St. Louis Battlehawks – Depth option with situational usage.
30. Roc Taylor – Columbus Aviators – Modest production but remains involved.
31. Laviska Shenault Jr. – Birmingham Stallions – Quiet Week 1, but talent and matchup keep him intriguing.
32. Antwane Wells – Houston Gamblers – Limited targets but showed efficiency.
33. Braylon Sanders – DC Defenders – Minimal usage, but big-play upside remains. (GETS A BUMP UP WITH POWELL OUT)
34. Lawrence Keys – Houston Gamblers – Deep option in a tough matchup.
Ken’s Takeaways
- Target Leaders Matter Early – Vaughns, Mickens, Martin
- Bounce-Back Candidates – Cain, Hall, Hamler
- Injury Watch – Powell, Burnett, Moreno-Cropper
- Boom/Bust Offense – Birmingham WR room
Tight End Rankings
| 1. Tyler Neville-– St. Louis Battlehawks | 5. Baylor Cupp- Dallas Renegades |
| 2. Cam Sutton- Houston Gamblers | 6. Gunnar Oakes- Columbus Aviators |
| 3. Mason Fairchild- DC Defenders | 7. Justin Thomas- Birmingham Stallions |
| 4. Zach Davidson- Louisville Kings | 8. Curtis Hodges- Dallas Renegades |
Must Starts
Tyler Neville – St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Dallas Renegades
Neville only posted 1 catch for 10 yards, but found the end zone and played a high number of snaps. His usage suggests he’s firmly involved in the offense, especially in scoring situations. That role keeps him in the streaming conversation.
Cam Sutton – Houston Gamblers vs. Birmingham Stallions
Sutton finished with 3 catches for 43 yards, with most of his production coming on a single big play. He was more involved in the second half, which is encouraging, but the crowded offense makes his weekly role uncertain.
Mason Fairchild – DC Defenders vs. Columbus Aviators
Fairchild rotated in Week 1 but still flashed with a 24-yard catch. He has upside in this offense if his role expands, especially with DC looking for more consistency in the passing game.
Zach Davidson – Louisville Kings vs. Orlando Storm
Davidson saw solid opportunity with 4 targets and 2 catches, though a costly mistake led to an interception. The volume is promising, and if he cleans things up, he could become a steady contributor.
TE 2 with upside
Baylor Cupp – Dallas Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Cupp turned limited usage into a 20-yard catch on 2 targets. In a big-play offense, he carries some upside if his role grows, though volume remains a concern.
Jordan Thomas – Birmingham Stallions vs. Houston Gamblers
Thomas was barely used in Week 1, finishing with just 1 catch for 6 yards. However, his size and role still give him red-zone touchdown potential in a strong offense.
Sleeper Options
Gunnar Oakes – Columbus Aviators vs. DC Defenders
Limited information so far, but worth monitoring in a developing offense that is still figuring out its passing distribution.
Curtis Hodges – Dallas Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Hodges recorded 1 catch for 18 yards on 2 targets. Playing in a high-powered offense gives him sneaky upside, especially as a deep sleeper option.
Ken’s Takeaways
- Best Snap Share Upside: Neville
- Most Opportunity: Davidson
- Big Play Potential: Cupp, Hodges
- Touchdown Dart Throw: Jordan Thomas
Defense Rankings
| 1. Birmingham Stallions | 5. Columbus Aviators |
| 2. Orlando Storm | 6. St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 3. Dallas Renegades | 7. Louisville Kings |
| 4. DC Defenders | 8. Houston Gamblers |