15 Catches in the UFL: Erik Ezukanma Is Back In the NFL, And Cam Smith Has Zero Workouts

Alright, listen up, 12s, because there's some wild stuff happening out there beyond our Emerald City, and it's a stark reminder of how tough it is to make it in this league. We just saw two former highly-touted draft picks finish up their UFL seasons, and the tale of their NFL comeback attempts? Man, it's a total gut punch for one, pure celebration for the other. Former Dolphins wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, after a gritty run with the DC Defenders, just inked a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles! But hold up, because cornerback Cam Smith, who wrapped his season with the Columbus Aviators, hasn't even sniffed an NFL workout. Talk about a tale of two comebacks, right?

Ezukanma's Grind Pays Off

Ezukanma, a 2022 second-round pick for the Dolphins, was part of a draft class that mostly faded, with Cameron Goode being the only one left on Miami's roster from those four picks. While he only caught 15 passes in 10 regular season games with the Defenders, he also showed off that juicy versatility with nine rushing attempts for 75 yards. That kind of playmaking potential was exactly what made him an intriguing prospect for the Dolphins back in the day, even if his former wide receivers coach, Wes Welker, mentioned issues with him picking up the offense. After only five appearances in three seasons with Miami, and a stint on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad in 2025 where he never saw a regular game, this UFL gig was his shot. And he seized it! Even with the DC Defenders losing the title to th

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e Louisville Kings, Ezukanma's performance caught an NFL eye. You gotta respect the grind, man.

Cam Smith's Phone Still Isn't Ringing

Now, let's talk about Cam Smith. This one just hits different, man. Smith was the Dolphins' top pick in the 2023 draft, a second-rounder out of South Carolina. He played six games for the Columbus Aviators, but the stats aren't exactly screaming "NFL ready," with zero interceptions and only two pass breakups. Plus, he missed time due to a leg injury. Injuries have been a recurring nightmare for Smith, who only saw 21 games with zero starts in his two seasons with the Dolphins before they put him on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list and eventually cut him in 2025. He couldn't land with another team last year, even after a workout with the Kansas City Chiefs post-playoffs. And the kicker? His name was conspicuously missing from the UFL's big list of players getting NFL workouts this week. That's a brutal blow for a guy who was once a high draft pick. With NFL offseason programs winding down this week, the clock is seriously ticking for Smith. It looks like he'll have to wait all the way until training camp to even hope for another shot at making it back into the league. For Ezukanma, it's a huge win, a testament to proving yourself when everyone counted you out. But for Smith? Man, the silence is deafening. You gotta wonder if that phone's ever gonna ring. This league is cutthroat, and these stories are a raw look at what it takes to stay in the game. We'll be watching to see if Smith somehow pulls off a miracle, but right now, it ain't looking good.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.