How ex-Jets are faring in the UFL: Midseason Update

The newly-formed UFL, the spring league formed out of an XFL-USFL merger is halfway through its inaugural season. Six weeks have been played with four more weeks of the regular season and two weeks of playoffs left.

Now is therefore a good time to check on how the ex-Jets participating in this league are playing. Let's go position by position:

Quarterbacks

None

Running Backs

A member of the Jets' practice squad in 2018, Mark Thompson, had a big year last year as he led the USFL with 14 rushing touchdowns. His impact in this league has been less impressive as he has 61 yards and a touchdown on 16 touches.

Tight Ends

In 2016, Braedon Bowman played three games for the Jets but he's been out of the NFL for a long time. He has seven catches for 42 yards and a touchdown. Wes Saxton has also played, but is yet to record a reception.

Wide Receivers

Once again, the top ex-Jets spring league receiver is Deontay Burnett, who caught 10 passes as a Jet in 2018. He has 15 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown so far. Perhaps more interestingly, recent Jet Vyncint Smith has been playing. He's caught two passes for 33 yards, but on eight targets. Isaiah Zuber and KD Cannon have both seen action but are yet to record a reception.

Offensive Lineman

Both Derrick Kelly and Dru Samia have been starting at guard and neither has allowed a sack, quarterback hit or penalty yet. However, they have both been inconsistent as run blockers.

Defensive Tackles

Still plugging away at 33, TJ Barnes has 19 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks so far this year. Freedom Akinmoladun has nine tackles and a tackle for loss.

Edge Defenders

The league leader has six sacks, but Pita Taumoepenu and Wyatt Ray are in the mix with four and 3.5 respectively. Taumoepenu has 15 tackles and a forced fumble, while Ray has nine tackles and five tackles for loss. Tim Ward has also had some production with 14 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

Linebackers

Ex-Jet Noah Dawkins has been productive with 33 tackles, two tackles for loss and two pass breakups. Javin White has 19 tackles but hasn't made any impact plays on defense. However, he has made an impact elsewhere (see below).

Defensive Backs

Having almost made the 2023 Jets, cornerback Jimmy Moreland finds himself in the UFL where he has 19 tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Safety Kai Nacua has been very productive though as he leads the league with three interceptions and six pass breakups. He also has 35 tackles to place 10th in the league and has added two tackles for loss and a sack.

Special Teams

No ex-Jet has made an impact in the return game so far. Zuber returned three kickoffs for 94 yards and Smith returned two for 43.

However, some have made a major impact in kick coverage. White has really made a case for himself to get back into the NFL as he leads the league with nine special teams tackles. Two ex-Jets haven't played much on offense or defense but have been contributing at the gunner positon. Cornerback Nehemiah Shelton has four tackles, while wide receiver Jerome Kapp (best known for his Eminem impersonation on Hard Knocks) has excelled with seven.