Pros Update: The Draft, the NFL & the UFL

THE NFL DRAFT 

At least one Baylor Bear has been selected in five straight seasons, and DL Gabe Hall is unquestionably the best bet to make it six years running as the three-day NFL Draft gets underway in Detroit on Thursday evening. 

Hall was the program's only invite to the NFL Combine and Senior Bowl in this year's leadup. His athleticism and size always pointed in the direction of a pro prospect, although his overall production and dominance never reached a superstar level of consistency. 

NFL.com has Hall projected as a 4th-5th round pick on Day 3, with a prospect grade comparable to an average backup or special-teamer. 

Some team(s) will see his physical attributes and untapped potential and hope to unlock them all. If that ever happens, he certainly has an incredible amount of upside. 

Outside of Hall, I wouldn't bet my own money on another selection. But Clark Barrington is a fair play to earn an undrafted contract or minicamp opportunity. DL TJ Franklin and Justin Sambu, along with LB Mike Smith Jr and Byron Vaughns, also worked out at Big 12 Pro Day last month in Frisco. 

THE UFL 

The United Football League is now through its first month of the season, which runs into June. The Bears currently have eight players signed to the XFL-USFL offspring entering week five, although their most prominent name is unavailable due to injury. 

DC Defenders (2-2) 

• Abram Smith, RB 
• Jalan McClendon, QB 

Unfortunately, Smith is out for the year after tearing his ACL during practice last month. He was the XFL's leading rusher a season ago. McClendon runs third-string and hasn't seen action. 

Michigan Panthers (2-2) 

• Gavin Holmes, WR
• Jacob Burton, OL    

Holmes just signed on Tuesday. Pro Football Focus has a weekly All-XFL team, and Burton, who starts at LG, was highlighted this past week. 

San Antonio Brahmas (3-1) 

• John Lovett, RB  
• Jordan Williams, LB 
• K.D. Cannon, WR  
• Sam Tecklenburg, OL  

Lovett is the team's leading rusher, while Teck starts at center. Jordan Williams is very active on defense. Cannon hasn't recorded a catch in his two appearances. 

NFL ODDS & ENDS 

Breakout Star: Terrel Bernard exploded into a breakout star and team leader as Buffalo's starting MLB in 2023. Unfortunately, an ankle injury cut his postseason short, causing him to miss the Bills' season-ending loss against the Chiefs. But not before he made a considerable impression on the entire league. A world of further potential awaits. 

Brightest Star: Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik is the most decorated Bear in the NFL nowadays. He was named a first-team All-Pro—an honor reserved only for the elite—and made his first Pro Bowl in 2023. 

Unsigned Star: Free agent CB Xavien Howard was released last month after eight seasons in Miami, which included four Pro Bowls and a 2020 All-Pro selection. This week, Howard's agent informed teams that his client is now cleared for football activities after recovering from a foot injury that caused problems last year. He'll turn 31 later this summer and certainly get another shot somewhere, but his days of elite play seem numbered. 

CURRENT NFL PLAYERS 

Chicago Bears 

• Andrew Billings, DT 

Baltimore Ravens 

• Bravvion Roy, DT 

Buffalo Bills 

• Terrel Bernard, LB 

Cleveland Browns 

• Siaki Ika, DT 

Detroit Lions 

• Connor Galvin, OL 

Green Bay Packers 

• Ben Sims, TE 

Houston Texans 

• Jalen Pitre, S 
• Jon Weeks, LS 

Jacksonville Jaguars 

• Ross Matiscik, LS 

Los Angeles Chargers 

• JT Woods, S 

Los Angeles Rams 

• Grant Miller, OL 

New England Patriots  

• Ja'Mycal Hasty, RB 
• Tyquan Thornton, WR
• William Bradley-King, DE 

New York Jets 

• Xavier Newman, OL 

Pittsburgh Steelers 

• Denzel Mims, WR 
• Kalon Barnes, CB