UFL News

UFL Week 3 Fantasy Rankings

It’s time to get back to basics after a wild first couple of weeks in the UFL season. The early “Week 1 darlings” came crashing back to earth, reminding everyone how volatile spring football production can be. Playmakers like Jalen Moreno-Cropper, Lucky Jackson, and Ty Scott all cooled off significantly after their hot starts, struggling to replicate their early volume and efficiency. The same trend hit the running back position, where names like Ellis Merriweather and Snoop Conner failed to build on their Week 1 momentum. Defenses adjusted, touches became less predictable, and what looked like stable production quickly turned into uncertainty. It’s a reminder that in this league, roles are still evolving and weekly game scripts can completely flip usage.

On the flip side, new stars emerged in a big way. Tyler Vaughns delivered a statement performance with a massive three-touchdown game, showing true difference-making ability and capitalizing on his opportunities at a high level. Meanwhile, Austin Reed continues to separate himself as the premier player in the league, throwing four touchdowns and looking completely in control of the most explosive offense in the UFL. Reed isn’t just producing — he’s doing it with consistency, confidence, and efficiency that no other quarterback has matched so far. As the league starts to stabilize, the biggest takeaway is clear: early breakouts don’t guarantee sustained success, but elite quarterback play — especially at Reed’s level — is becoming the most reliable foundation moving forward.

Get Your 2026 AltFantasy Gear Here!

Quarterback Rankings

1. Austin Reed (Renegades)5. Jalen McClendon (Aviators)
2. Matt Corral (Stallions)6. Nolan Henderson (Gamblers)
3. Jordan Ta’Amu
(DC Defenders)
7. Brandon Silvers (Battlehawks)
4. Jack Plummer (Orlando Storm)8. Jason Bean
(Kings)

UFL QB Rankings — Week 3 (2026)

Must Start

1. Austin Reed (Dallas Renegades)

Austin Reed has separated himself from the rest of the league in a big way through two weeks. He’s leading the most explosive passing offense in the UFL and is coming off a four-touchdown performance that showcased both his aggressiveness and efficiency. What makes Reed stand out is his confidence pushing the ball downfield while still taking care of it — he’s not just producing, he’s controlling games. At this point, he looks completely locked in and operating on a different level than every other quarterback. With a massive scoring gap over QB2, he isn’t just the top option — he’s in a tier entirely of his own heading into Week 3.


Mid-Tier Options

2. Matt Corral (Birmingham Stallions)

Matt Corral remains one of the toughest quarterbacks to rank because of how wide his range of outcomes is. The arm talent is undeniable, and when he’s in rhythm, he can put up big numbers in a hurry. However, turnovers have been an issue and have prevented him from taking that next step into the top tier. This week presents a strong opportunity, though, as he faces a Battlehawks defense that just gave up four passing touchdowns to Reed. If Corral can clean things up even slightly, this is the type of matchup where a breakout performance could happen.

3. Jordan Ta’amu (DC Defenders)

Jordan Ta’amu has been steady and reliable, but his overall impact has been somewhat limited by the structure of the offense. He hasn’t been asked to carry the passing game, which keeps his production in check compared to some of the higher-volume quarterbacks. That said, his rushing ability continues to provide a solid baseline of value and keeps him firmly in the mix each week. If DC begins to open things up offensively and put more on his plate as a passer, Ta’amu has the skill set to take a noticeable step forward.

4. Jack Plummer (Orlando Storm)

Jack Plummer continues to be one of the most consistent and controlled quarterbacks in the league. He operates within the offense extremely well, delivering accurate throws and avoiding costly mistakes. While he doesn’t offer the same explosive upside as some of the names above him, his ability to sustain drives and keep the offense on schedule gives him a very reliable weekly floor. The one concern to monitor is his usage after briefly giving way to DTR last week, which introduces a bit of uncertainty. Still, from a pure performance standpoint, Plummer has been as steady as they come.


Streaming Options

5. Jalen McClendon (Columbus Aviators)

Jalen McClendon is still searching for consistency as both he and the offense try to find a rhythm. The flashes are there, but they haven’t come together into sustained production yet. Because of that, he’s difficult to rely on outside of deeper formats. Until the offense shows signs of cohesion and he begins stacking solid performances, he remains more of a wait-and-see option than a dependable play.

6. Nolan Henderson (Houston Gamblers)

Nolan Henderson is one of the biggest risers in the league right now, and his dual-threat ability is a major reason why. He brings a level of mobility that stresses defenses and creates additional opportunities both on the ground and through the air. As he continues to settle in and gain confidence as a passer, his ceiling keeps climbing. What’s encouraging is that he’s not just relying on athleticism — he’s starting to show growth in reading defenses and distributing the ball. With the supporting talent around him, Henderson has a legitimate chance to push into the top tier sooner rather than later.

7. Brandon Silvers (St. Louis Battlehawks)

Brandon Silvers brings experience and stability, but the offensive environment around him limits his overall impact. He tends to operate as more of a game manager than a playmaker, which caps both his ceiling and consistency from a fantasy perspective. Without a noticeable increase in scoring opportunities or big-play production, it’s tough to view him as anything more than a low-upside option.

8. Jason Bean (Louisville Kings)

Jason Bean is one of the most intriguing but risky quarterbacks on this list. His athleticism and rushing ability give him a clear path to producing big plays, and that alone keeps him in the conversation. However, his inconsistency as a passer makes him difficult to trust week to week. When things click, he can outperform expectations, but the lack of reliability keeps him firmly in the streaming tier for now.


Kens Takeaways

  • Reed is the QB1 by a clear margin
  • Henderson could jump into Tier 1 soon
  • Bean (rushing gives him breakout potential)

Running Back Rankings

4/10 update- look out for Tre Stewart as he’s now rb2 for Columbus.

1. Deon Jackson (DC Defenders)8. Ellis Merriweather (Dallas Renegades)
2. Jashaun Corbin (Orlando Storm)9. Dae-Dae Hunter (Dallas Renegades)
3. Jarveon Howard (St. Louis Battlehawks)10. Marcus Yarns (Houston Gamblers)
4. Zaquandre White (Columbus Aviators)11 Snoop Conner (Birmingham Stallions)
5. Jalen White (Houston Gamblers)12. Abram Smith (DC Defenders)
6. Anthony McFarland (Birmingham Stallions)13. Xazavian Valladay (DC Defenders)
7. Toa Taua (Columbus Aviators)14. Benny Snell (Louisville Kings)

Must Starts

1. Deon Jackson (DC Defenders)

Jackson has been the most productive and consistent back in the league through two weeks, leading all RBs in rushing production. He’s getting volume, efficiency, and scoring chances — the full package. His three touchdowns last week pushed him to four total on the season, making him the top RB so far. While he did split more work than expected, he still saw enough usage to remain firmly at the top. The matchup is tougher this week, as Houston has allowed the second-fewest rushing yards per game, but Jackson’s role keeps him here.


2. Jashaun Corbin (Orlando Storm)

Corbin continues to dominate workload, sitting among the league leaders in carries and serving as the clear focal point of Orlando’s run game. Even though he was held in check last week (19 carries for 51 yards), the volume remains elite. He’s still one of the safest bets in the league to find the end zone, and opportunity alone keeps him near the top.


3. Jarveon Howard (St. Louis Battlehawks)

Howard leads the Battlehawks’ backfield in usage, but the production hasn’t followed. The offense has struggled, and he hasn’t been able to capitalize on his touches, managing just 8 carries for 15 yards last week. His five receptions salvaged his day, but there are real concerns about his fit in an A.J. Smith offense that leans pass-heavy. Unless efficiency improves, this could be his last week near the top of the rankings.


4. Zaquandre White (Columbus Aviators)

White has been extremely efficient in limited opportunities and is pushing for a larger role. He looks like the most dynamic back in this offense right now and appears to have the trust of the coaching staff. If his workload increases, he has a real chance to outperform this ranking.


5. Jalen White (Houston Gamblers)

White broke out in a big way last week, dominating touches and establishing himself as Houston’s lead back. He handled 26 carries — 16 more than the next back — and produced across the board. If that usage continues, he has a legitimate case to push into the top three.

6. Anthony McFarland (Birmingham Stallions)

McFarland continues to produce efficiently, even without full bellcow volume. He finished with 7 carries for 37 yards and limited receiving work, but the explosiveness is still there. He hasn’t broken a big play yet, but it feels inevitable — he’s one of the few backs capable of a true breakout game at any moment.


RB2 with upside

7. Toa Taua (Columbus Aviators)

Taua remains a steady, reliable presence despite being part of a three-headed backfield. His consistent usage and past touchdown production keep him firmly in the mix. He’s not flashy, but he continues to provide dependable value and has a strong chance to find the end zone this week.


8. Ellis Merriweather (Dallas Renegades)

Merriweather hasn’t been efficient, but the volume is still there. He logged 11 carries and 2 receptions last week, keeping him relevant in a high-powered offense. The concern is his role going forward, especially if additional backs like Lorenzo Lingard are activated, which could cut into his workload.


9. Dae-Dae Hunter (Dallas Renegades)

Hunter is in a similar situation to Merriweather, as the two continue to split work and alternate drives. That makes his production heavily dependent on how those drives play out. He flashed upside with a 50-yard run, but outside of that, he had just 9 carries for 17 yards. Like Merriweather, his role could be impacted if Lingard enters the rotation.


10. Marcus Yarns (Houston Gamblers)

Yarns is carving out a solid complementary role and could see increased usage if Houston continues to lean on the run. He was efficient last week with 54 yards on 10 carries and added two receptions. He’s trending upward and could become more involved if the offense stays run-heavy.


11. Snoop Conner (Birmingham Stallions)

Conner followed up a strong Week 1 with a disappointing performance, managing just 10 carries for 17 yards. The volume is still there, but the efficiency has dropped off. His goal-line role keeps him relevant, but he needs to bounce back quickly.


12. Abram Smith (DC Defenders)

After a quiet Week 1, Smith showed improvement with 7 carries for 40 yards. However, his role is becoming less secure, as he appeared to lose some work to other backs in the rotation. He’s still involved, but no longer a clear focal point.

Get A Royal Retros Discount Here For Your Retro Merch!


Flex Plays

13. Xazavian Valladay (DC Defenders)

Valladay burst onto the scene last week in a game where DC ran the ball 36 times. He finished with 9 carries for 36 yards and a touchdown, looking like the most explosive back in the group. If that performance earns him more opportunities, he could rise quickly.


14. Benny Snell (Louisville Kings)

Snell continues to see early-down work as the lead back, but he hasn’t shown much explosiveness so far. The volume gives him a path to relevance, but the lack of big plays limits his upside.


Kens Takeaways

  • Deon Jackson is still the clear RB1 despite a tougher matchup
  • Jalen White is the biggest riser after a breakout workload game
  • Jarveon Howard is trending down due to inefficiency + scheme fit
  • Dallas backfield = messy split with upside tied to big plays
  • Valladay is a name to watch after flashing explosiveness

Wide Receiver Rankings

1. Tyler Vaughns (Dallas Renegades)11. Lucky Jackson (Louisville Kings)
2. Jaydon Mickens (Birmingham Stallions)12. KJ Hamler (Orlando Storm)
3. Elijah Badger (Arlington Renegades)13. Deon Cain (Birmingham Stallions)
4. Hakeem Butler (St. Louis Battlehawks)14. Jalen Moreno-Cropper (Houston Gamblers)
5. Chris Rowland (Orlando Storm)15. Justin Hall (Houston Gamblers)
6. Tay Martin (Columbus Aviators)16. Drake Stoops (Dallas Renegades)
7. Cornell Powell (DC Defenders)17. Tarik Black (Louisville Kings)out
8. Greg Ward (Dallas Renegades) 18. Jahcour Pearson (St. Louis Battlehawks)
9. Justyn Ross (Birmingham Stallions)19. Antwane Wells (Columbus Aviators)
10. Jontre Kirklin (Houston Gamblers)20. Isaish Winstead (Louisville Kings)

Must Starts

1. Tyler Vaughns (Dallas Renegades)

The clear-cut WR1 in the league right now — and arguably the top overall player through two weeks. Vaughns has been dominant, posting 18 receptions for 290 yards and 4 touchdowns, including a massive 3-touchdown performance last week. He’s the focal point of the most explosive offense in the UFL and is producing at an elite level. Fire him up with full confidence every week.

2. Jaydon Mickens (Birmingham Stallions)

Mickens continues to operate as the go-to option in Birmingham’s offense, compiling 14 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown. He’s consistently earning targets and producing in all areas of the field. His role is stable and dependable, making him a weekly must-start.

3. Elijah Badger (Arlington Renegades)

Badger is a true big-play threat every time he touches the ball, already putting up 8 receptions for 186 yards and a score. His ability to stretch the field gives him one of the highest ceilings among UFL receivers. Expect him to continue generating explosive plays.

4. Hakeem Butler (St. Louis Battlehawks)

After missing Week 1, Butler returned with 4 catches for 56 yards and made an impact with a key 3-point conversion. As he gets more comfortable and re-established in the offense, his role should continue to grow. His size and red-zone presence make him a strong upside play.


5. Chris Rowland (Orlando Storm)

Rowland has been one of the most reliable receivers in the league, posting 12 receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. He thrives as a chain-mover and continues to be heavily involved in the offense. His consistent usage gives him a solid weekly floor.

6. Tay Martin (Columbus Aviators)

Martin has emerged as a major weapon, totaling 13 catches for 142 yards and a touchdown. He’s consistently getting open and commanding targets, functioning as a key piece of the Columbus passing attack. His volume and efficiency make him another must-start option.


7. Cornell Powell (DC Defenders)

After being inactive in Week 1, Powell returned with 4 catches for 41 yards in a game where the team didn’t need to throw much. His role should expand moving forward, especially in more competitive game scripts. Expect an uptick in targets.


WR2 with upside

8. Greg Ward (Dallas Renegades)

Ward has made the most of limited volume, turning 4 catches into 105 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s clearly a big-play and red-zone threat, but his production is heavily touchdown-dependent. Still, his ability to score keeps him in play.

9. Justyn Ross (Birmingham Stallions)

Ross continues to build momentum, now sitting at 7 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown on the season. He’s emerging as the clear number two option in the offense and has been creating more separation than expected. Trending upward.

10. Jontre Kirklin (Houston Gamblers)

Kirklin has been productive with 9 catches for 145 yards, often making plays outside of structure. However, he still hasn’t found the end zone and is on a long touchdown drought dating back across spring football seasons. The yardage is there, but scoring remains the missing piece.

11. Lucky Jackson (Louisville Kings)

Jackson had a quiet Week 2 but still holds a solid 8 receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown on the season. He remains involved and has already shown he can produce. A bounce-back performance is well within reach.

12. KJ Hamler (Orlando Storm)

Hamler has 5 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown, operating as a secondary option in a run-first offense. His speed gives him big-play upside, though weekly volume may fluctuate.

13. Deon Cain (Birmingham Stallions)

Cain has been quiet so far with 7 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, but the physical tools are still there. His size and speed give him breakout potential at any moment if the offense opens up.


Best of the Rest

Jalen Moreno-Cropper (Houston Gamblers)
Justin Hall (Houston Gamblers)
Drake Stoops (Dallas Renegades)
Tarik Black (Louisville Kings)out
Jahcour Pearson (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Antwane Wells (Columbus Aviators)
Isiah Winstead (Louisville Kings)


Kens Takeaways

  • Vaughns is dominant
  • Mickens and Martin are volume-driven, reliable options
  • Badger brings the most explosive big-play ability
  • Ward remains touchdown-dependent but dangerous
  • Kirklin is producing yardage but still searching for a score

Tight End Rankings

1. Tyler Neville (St. Louis Battlehawks) 6. Gunner Oakes (Columbus Aviators)
2. Cam Sutton (Houston Gamblers)7. Mason Fairchild (DC Defenders)
3. Briley Moore (DC Defenders)8. Baylor Cupp (Dallas Renegades)
4. Alize Mack (Columbus Aviators)9. Curtis Hodges (Dallas Renegades)
5. Trey McKitty (Louisville Kings)10. Jodan Thomas (Birmingham Stallions)

Defensive Rankings

1. DC Defenders5. Louisville Kings
2. Dallas Renegades6. Birmingham Stallions
3. Orlando Storm7. Houston Gamblers
4. St. Louis Battlehawks8. Columbus Aviators