NFL teams scooping up prominent AAF Players
The now-defunct AAF sought to become a developmental league for the NFL. The league is no longer, but their players are still making the jump to the next level.
The unceremonious end of the AAF put the pro football futures in flux for hundreds of football players around the country. Not all of them have found jobs yet, and the vast majority will probably have to look elsewhere, but the more prominent stars of the failed AAF are getting what they wanted all along: a shot at the NFL.
Dozens of former AFF players have signed contracts with NFL teams. The details aren’t available for every deal, but many will be on one-year “prove” contracts which essentially open the door to camp. The players who excel in the initial practices will have the chance to fight for a roster spot and make their NFL tenure permanent.
Here’s a snapshot of those who have signed so far with the corresponding NFL team in parenthesis.
Arizona Hotshots
- WR Rashad Ross (Carolina Panthers)
- OL Andrew Lauderdale (Arizona Cardinals)
- TE Thomas Duarte (Carolina Panthers)
- QB John Wolford (Los Angeles Rams)
Atlanta Legends
- S Tyson Graham(Pittsburgh Steelers)
- C Parker Collins (Carolina Panthers)
- DT TJ Barnes (Carolina Panthers)
- DE J.T. Jones (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- TE Keith Towbridge (Tennessee Titans)
Birmingham Iron
- OL Brandon Greene (Carolina Panthers)
- OL Kitt O’Brien (Carolina Panthers)
- OL JC Hassenauer (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- S Jack Tocho (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- OL Michael Dunn (Miami Dolphins)
- QB Luis Perez (Philadelphia Eagles)
- DE Casey Sayles (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- LS Cole Mazza (Los Angeles Chargers)
Memphis Express
- QB Brandon Silvers (New York Jets)
- WR Reece Horn (Miami Dolphins)
Orlando Apollos
- QB Garrett Gilbert (Cleveland Browns)
- DE Andrew Ankrah (Washington Redskins)
- CB Keith Reaser (Kansas City Chiefs)
- WR Charles Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles)
Salt Lake City Stallions
- OL Jeremiah Poutasi (Arizona Cardinals)
- OL Salesi Uhatafe (Washington Redskins)
- WR Demornay Pierson-El (Oakland Raiders)
- DL Karter Schult (Minnesota Vikings)
- LB Greer Martini (Minnesota Vikings)
- DB Cody Brown (Jacksonville Jaguars)
San Antonio Commanders
- CB De’Vante Bausby (Denver Broncos)
- S Derron Smith (Minnesota Vikings)
- CB Duke Thomas (Minnesota Vikings)
- DL Winston Craig (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- QB Logan Woodside (Tennessee Titans)
- DE Jayrone Elliott (Miami Dolphins)
- WR Greg Ward (Philadelphia Eagles)
- DT Joey Mbu (Miami Dolphins)
- RB Kenneth Farrow (Miami Dolphins)
- DE Tyrone Holmes (Miami Dolphins)
- OL Jaryd Jones-Smith (Miami Dolphins)
- S Orion Stewart (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
San Diego Fleet
- DE Alex Barrett (Oakland Raiders)
- DE Damontre Moore (San Francisco 49ers)
- DL Shakir Soto (Dallas Cowboys)
- DB Kameron Kelly (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- DB S Jordan Martin (Minnesota Vikings)
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More will undoubtedly follow. Orlando Apollos star Chris Thompson remains unsigned, so does former NFL and CFL quarterback Johnny Manziel.