Over his time as head coach of the New Orleans Saints and now the Denver Broncos, Sean Payton has earned a reputation for giving undrafted free agents (UDFAs) a legitimate chance to make the roster. While no UDFA has broken through in a major way for the Broncos yet under Payton, that hasn’t deterred him from continuing to search for hidden gems.
With Denver currently lacking meaningful depth at wide receiver, the Broncos could benefit from exploring the UFL ranks — particularly Arlington Renegades standout Tyler Vaughns. Vaughns, a former USC product, has showcased reliable hands, crisp route-running, and the kind of consistency that often translates well to an NFL camp setting.
Given Payton’s history of maximizing overlooked talent and the Broncos’ need for fresh playmakers, Vaughns could be a smart, low-risk addition with upside worth evaluating in training camp.
Tyler Vaughns has been turning heads this UFL season, and his viral moment on May 18 — a leaping, one-handed touchdown grab against the D.C. Defenders — might be the play that finally gets NFL teams to take notice. It was the kind of acrobatic, body-control display that NFL scouts typically circle during film review.
Vaughns is putting together a standout campaign for the Arlington Renegades, tallying 30 receptions for 344 yards through just five games. His combination of reliable hands, smooth route-running, and big-play ability has made him one of the most consistent wideouts in the UFL.
As Gabriel S. Esparza of Reign of Troy noted:
“During Sunday’s UFL game with the Arlington Renegades, the former (USC) Trojan made a tremendous catch that had many questioning why he isn’t getting more serious consideration from NFL teams.”
For a Denver Broncos team searching for depth behind Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr., Vaughns fits the mold of the kind of high-upside UDFA or league-hopper Sean Payton has historically given a real opportunity. If the Broncos are serious about creating competition in their receiver room, Vaughns deserves a call.
Tyler Vaughns has been stacking strong performances this UFL season, and his May 10 game against the Michigan Panthers was arguably his best yet — posting season highs with 9 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. It showcased not only his ability to make contested catches but also his skill in getting open consistently against man coverage.
That breakout performance, followed by his viral one-handed touchdown grab against the D.C. Defenders on May 18, has solidified Vaughns as one of the top wide receiver talents in the league. His consistency and flair for the highlight-reel play make a compelling case for an NFL training camp invite.
With NFL teams like the Broncos, Patriots, or Giants in need of depth at wide receiver, Vaughns is proving that he’s not just a flash in the pan — he’s a playmaker ready for the next level.
Vaughns Spent Time on 2 NFL Practice Squads
Tyler Vaughns’ pedigree has never been in question — he was a 5-star recruit coming out of Bishop Amat High School in California and carved out a highly productive college career at USC. Over four seasons, Vaughns posted 222 receptions, 2,801 yards, and 20 touchdowns, consistently serving as one of the Trojans’ most reliable targets.
His junior season in 2019 was his peak, when he logged career highs with 74 catches, 912 yards, and 6 touchdowns, helping to anchor an explosive USC offense. Despite the setbacks of a shortened 2020 pandemic season, Vaughns still managed 33 receptions for 406 yards and 3 touchdowns in just 6 games — a pace that would have kept him near his previous production had it been a full schedule. His impact was still recognized with All-Pac-12 honors.
Now showing out in the UFL, Vaughns is reminding everyone why he was once considered one of the top wide receiver prospects in the country. With his college resume, elite hands, and recent UFL production, he’s doing everything right to earn a real NFL opportunity.
Tyler Vaughns’ Pro Day performance was a major stumbling block in his path to the NFL — and likely the main reason he went undrafted in 2021 despite a productive college career.
Here’s what hurt him:
- 40-yard dash: 4.69 seconds – far below the typical NFL standard for wide receivers, where anything above 4.60 raises red flags about separation ability.
- Vertical jump: 31.5 inches – underwhelming for a wideout, especially one expected to win contested catches.
- Bench press: 7 reps of 225 lbs – well below average, raising questions about upper-body strength and physicality.
- Frame: 6’2″, 186 pounds – while height is solid, the lean build and lack of strength metrics gave scouts concerns about his durability and ability to fight through press coverage.
While Vaughns showed excellent hands and route-running polish at USC, the athletic testing confirmed fears that he might lack the explosiveness or physical traits needed to win at the next level. Fair or not, these numbers significantly damaged his draft stock and have likely kept him on the fringe of the NFL.
That said, his recent UFL resurgence — with highlight-reel plays and consistent production — may give him a second shot, especially on a receiver-needy team like the Broncos, where Sean Payton has shown a willingness to take chances on undrafted or overlooked talent.
That’s a strong summary of Tyler Vaughns’ journey — and it highlights both why he was overlooked in the NFL Draft and why he’s resurfacing now as a potential candidate for another shot.
Lance Zierlein’s 2021 scouting report hits the key themes:
- “Steady” is the defining word. Vaughns wasn’t flashy at USC, but he was consistent and productive.
- Ball skills and body control made him a reliable target in college, and they’ve translated well to the UFL.
- His issues — play strength, route precision, and lack of explosiveness — were enough to keep him from sticking on an NFL roster, especially after poor testing numbers.
Still, Vaughns has done everything right in the UFL:
- He’s shown growth, made big-time catches (including a one-hander that turned heads), and is producing week after week.
- He won a championship with the Arlington Renegades in 2023 and is now one of their top receivers in 2024.
Given Sean Payton’s track record of finding and developing undrafted wideouts (think: Lance Moore, Marquez Callaway, Deonte Harty), the Broncos — or any WR-needy team — would be smart to bring Vaughns in for training camp. He’s proven himself resilient, and his skill set (sure hands, high football IQ, competitiveness) can translate in a backup or depth role, especially if paired with a strong offensive system.
Broncos Don’t Have Great Answers at Wide Receiver
The Broncos ended a five-year stretch without a 1,000-yard wide receiver in 2024, thanks to veteran Courtland Sutton, who recorded 81 catches for 1,081 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Looking ahead to 2025, the wide receiver group remains uncertain beyond Sutton. The team selected Illinois wideout Pat Bryant with the 74th overall pick in the third round and returns potential WR2 candidates in DeVaughn Vele and Marvin Mims. However, there’s still an opportunity for someone like Tyler Vaughns to break through and secure a roster spot.
