Cam Smith Still Can't Get An NFL Workout After the UFL, and the League Is Noticing
Alright, Hawks fans, listen up. While we're all fired up for our guys to hit the field, there's a brutal reality out there for guys trying to make it in the NFL. We just saw two former Dolphins draft picks finish their UFL seasons, and the results are WILDLY different for their NFL dreams. Erik Ezukanma just landed a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, but get this: Cam Smith, a higher draft pick, hasn't even sniffed an NFL workout. Talk about a gut punch!
One Door Opens: Ezukanma's Grind Pays Off
Ezukanma was the Dolphins' second pick in that 2022 draft class, and let me tell you, it wasn't exactly a banner year for them. Out of Channing Tindall, Cameron Goode, and Skylar Thompson, Goode is the only one still in Miami. So, you can see the pressure on these guys. Ezukanma played for the DC Defenders, catching 15 passes in 10 regular season games and adding nine rushing attempts for 75 yards. Even with that "intriguing" versatility he showed, his former Dolphins wide receivers coach Wes Welker pointed out he had issues picking up the offense. That's a red flag, right there!
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He only appeared in five games for Miami over three seasons, got cut from the 53-man roster last summer, and ended up on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, never even seeing a regular season snap in 2025. But credit where it's due, he fought his way back and now he's got a fresh start with the Eagles. You gotta respect that grind, man. He earned that shot!
One Door Stays Shut: The Agony of Cam Smith's Wait
Then you've got Cam Smith. This guy was the Dolphins' TOP pick in the 2023 draft, a second-rounder out of South Carolina! Think about that, a higher pick, and his UFL stint with the Columbus Aviators was… tough. He played six games, did not record an interception, and was credited with only two pass breakups. Plus, he missed time with a leg injury. Sound familiar? He was already dealing with injuries during his time with the Dolphins, appearing in 21 games with ZERO starts in 2023 and 2024. They even placed him on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list last summer before eventually letting him go.
He couldn't even land with another team in 2025, only getting a workout with the Kansas City Chiefs after their playoff run ended. And now, the UFL announced a whole long list of guys getting NFL workouts after the Louisville Kings defeated Ezukanma's DC Defenders for the title, and Smith's name was just GONE. Totally absent. It's brutal, man. With NFL offseason programs basically done, it looks like he'll have to wait until training camp just to get another shot at making it in the NFL.
This whole situation just screams how incredibly competitive the NFL is, year after year. Every single player out there is fighting for their livelihood, and it shows. One guy grinds through the UFL, fixes some issues, and gets another shot. The other, a former top draft pick, can't even get a tryout. It's a sobering reminder that talent alone isn't enough, you've got to put it all together. For Cam Smith, this waiting game has to be agonizing. We'll be keeping an eye on him, hoping he can somehow find a way back, but the clock is ticking, and the league moves fast. You gotta earn it every single day!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.