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10 top USFL players that NFL teams should consider signing

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The USFL wrapped up its regular season over the weekend, and with just three playoff games left on the schedule, the league’s players will be looking for their next gigs. As Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson recently reported, any USFL player on a team that didn’t qualify for the postseason is immediately eligible to field and pursue NFL opportunities.

Once the USFL playoffs are over, players in the four-team tournament should be able to target NFL contracts as well. With that in mind, here are 10 USFL players we think deserve a shot in the NFL.

10 top USFL players that could land NFL contracts

The talent level in the USFL is a few rungs below the NFL, but the cream rises to the top. These players have shown enough to earn deals with NFL teams.

Jordan Ta’amu, QB, Tampa Bay Bandits

Asked to throw more than any quarterback in the league, Jordan Ta’amu led the USFL in attempts (302), passing yards (2,014), and passing touchdowns (14). But perhaps more impressive was his usage on the ground, where he accumulated 365 yards and a score at a 6.19 yards-per-carry clip. He’s a viable rushing threat, and that’s a skill that could be used at the NFL level.

The second overall pick in the USFL draft, Ta’amu has NFL practice squad/offseason roster experience with the Chiefs, Lions, Commanders, and Panthers. He’s got NFL size at 6’3″, 214 pounds. Still only 24 years old, Ta’amu could make sense as a developmental QB for a number of NFL clubs.

Reggie Corbin, RB, Michigan Panthers

Reggie Corbin wasn’t a starter when the USFL season got underway. He wasn’t even a clear-cut No. 2. Yet, he ascended to become the Panthers’ best running back and was named to the All-USFL team.

Corbin’s 5.5 yards per carry were the best (by far) of any player with at least 100 rushing attempts, and he also offers kick-return experience. After amassing 375 attempts over four seasons at the University of Illinois, Corbin could now land a spot on the back end of an NFL roster.

Victor Bolden Jr., WR, Birmingham Stallions

Listed at just 5’8″, 178 pounds, Victor Bolden Jr. may not have the size to be an NFL receiver. However, that didn’t stop him from becoming the USFL’s fourth-leading receiver with 415 yards. Still, his shot in the NFL would likely come on special teams.

In four seasons at Oregon State, Bolden returned 108 kickoffs and punts, totaling four touchdowns in the process. He was the most heavily-utilized return man in the USFL, and he could also be used as a rushing threat in the NFL after handling 95 attempts in college. Bolden has accrued NFL playing time with the 49ers but was suspended for PEDs in 2018.

Marlon Williams, WR, Birmingham Stallions

Bolden’s Stallions teammate Marlon Williams should also be on NFL radars. At 5’11”, 204 pounds, he has more size than Bolden. Plus, he’s still only 22 years old, so he has youth on his side.

Among players with at least 40 targets in the USFL, Williams led the way with 14.8 yards per reception. He showed improvement in every season while at UCF from 2017-20. In his COVID-shortened senior season, Williams managed 71 catches, 1,039 yards, and 10 touchdowns in just eight games.

Sal Cannella, TE, New Orleans Breakers

Sal Cannella was a wide receiver for Auburn from 2017-19, but he never topped 12 receptions or 200 yards in a single season. He exceeded both those marks in the USFL this season, posting 34 receptions for 368 yards and two touchdowns as the league’s best tight end.

Canella was one of only two TEs among the USFL’s top 10 receiving yardage leaders. Given that he’s only 228 pounds at 6’5″, Canella would likely need to bulk up to play tight end in the NFL.

Chris Odom, EDGE, Houston Gamblers

If there’s a USFL alum virtually guaranteed to attract NFL interest, it’s pass rusher Chris Odom. Arguably the best player in the league, Odom led the USFL with 12 1/2 sacks. NFL teams are always looking for rotational edge rushers, and the 6’4″, 257-pound Odom deserves another shot.

After an excellent senior season at Arkansas State in 2017, Odom went undrafted and signed with the Falcons. He appeared in seven games with the Packers in 2017 and posted two sacks in four games with Washington in 2019. It will be a surprise if Odom is not in an NFL camp this summer.

Davin Bellamy, EDGE, New Orleans Breakers

After starting the year off right with three sacks in the season opener, Davin Bellamy cooled down over the rest of the season and finished with only 5 1/2 total sacks. Still, like Odom, he’s a solid edge rusher with NFL experience who should garner some interest.

Bellamy put up 13 sacks over four years at Georgia before going undrafted in 2018. He’s been on offseason/practice rosters with the Texans, Bengals, Titans, 49ers, and Chargers, but he’s yet to play an NFL snap. That could change in 2022 if he gets the chance to latch on with a team in training camp.

Donald Payne, LB, Houston Gamblers

Donald Payne is the only player on this list who’s actually started a game in the NFL. Payne appeared in 30 games for the Jaguars from 2017-19, primarily serving as a special teamer. He started five contests for Jacksonville in 2019 before spending time with Washington, Miami, and San Francisco over the next two years.

Tackles aren’t everything, but Payne seems to have a nose for the ball. He led the USFL with 117 tackles, while the second-place finisher had only 75. That’s the same gap between No. 2 and No. 18 on the USFL tackle leaderboards.

Channing Stribling, CB, Philadelphia Stars

Channing Stribling may have more experience in professional football leagues than any player in the country. After playing at Michigan, Stribling bounced around the NFL with the Browns, Colts, 49ers, and Chargers. He’s played in the AAF, XFL, CFL, and USFL, and he was drafted into The Spring League. If nothing else, Stribling probably has a great jersey collection.

Stribling was excellent for the Stars this season, leading the USFL with seven interceptions. Already 27 years old, Stribling will need to capitalize on his next NFL chance, which he should receive after his ball-hawking campaign.

Cole Murphy, K, Michigan Panthers

We’ve seen kickers like Younghoe Koo and Nick Folk use spring league success as a springboard to an NFL opportunity, and Cole Murphy could be next on that list. Murphy only appeared in six games, but he was the USFL’s most accurate kicker with a 92% field goal conversion rate.

In addition to being accurate, Murphy also easily nailed a 60-yard field goal, proving he’s got more than enough leg for the NFL. He even took over punting duties for one game, so he’s versatile too.





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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said. 

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted. 

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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