UFL Title Game Loser Erik Ezukanma Lands in Philly, But the 2023 Top Pick Is Ghosted By the NFL
Alright, Hawks fans, listen up! We just saw some wild stuff go down in the UFL, and it's got major implications for a couple of guys trying to claw their way back to the big league. Get this: Erik Ezukanma, a wide receiver whose team just lost the UFL title game, somehow landed a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles! But then there's Cam Smith, the guy who was a *top pick* in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he can't even get an NFL workout right now. Talk about a tale of two comebacks, huh? It's genuinely mind-boggling how different these paths are playing out.
The UFL Payoff for Ezukanma
So, Ezukanma, who was a Dolphins' second-round pick back in the 2022 draft, played his heart out for the DC Defenders. And it paid off big time! He just signed with the Eagles this week, proving that sometimes, you gotta take a detour through the UFL to get back on track in the big leagues. Now, he wasn't exactly lighting up the stat sheet for DC, catching just 15 passes in 10 regular season games. He did add some versatility with nine rushing attempts for 75 yards, which was exactly what made him an intriguing prospect for Miami in the first place.
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His Dolphins run was short, only five games over three seasons, and yeah, former WR coach Wes Welker mentioned more than once that he struggled picking up the offense. He was among the cuts last summer, eventually landing on the Jags practice squad, though he never saw a 2025 regular season game. And get this, his Defenders even lost the title to the Louisville Kings! But still, the Eagles saw enough to give him a shot. You gotta respect that hustle, man.
Cam Smith: The Ghosted Top Pick
Now, let's talk about Cam Smith. This is where it gets absolutely wild and pretty frustrating if you're Smith. He was the Dolphins' top pick in the 2023 draft, a second-rounder out of South Carolina. He played for the Columbus Aviators in the UFL, suiting up for six games. He didn't snag any interceptions, but he did get credited with two pass breakups. He even missed some time with a leg injury during his UFL stint.
His NFL career with Miami was rough, only 21 games with zero starts across 2023 and 2024. Injuries plagued him, and the Dolphins eventually put him on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list last summer before cutting him loose. He couldn't even land with another team in 2025, although he did get a workout with the Kansas City Chiefs after their playoff run ended. But here's the absolute kicker: when the UFL dropped its long list of players getting NFL workouts this week, Smith's name was nowhere to be found! Seriously, zero workouts! It's an absolute head-scratcher for a guy with his draft pedigree. You'd think someone would be willing to kick the tires.
What's Next for These Guys?
With NFL offseason programs wrapping up, Ezukanma is already looking toward his new home in Philly, getting ready to make an impression. But for Smith? Man, it looks like he'll be waiting by the phone until training camp even starts if he wants another shot at making it in the NFL. It's a brutal reminder that even top draft picks can struggle and that UFL success, or even just playing in the UFL, doesn't always guarantee a ticket back to the big time. You gotta feel for the guy, but the league has spoken, for now, and it's not looking good.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.