Kaden Davis
Current teamHouston Gamblers
Number87
PositionWide receiver
Return specialist
Birth dateSeptember 25, 1998 (age 27)
Birth placeEllsworth, Kansas, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in1
Weight lb193
High schoolEllsworth Junior Senior High School
College
Undraftedyear2022
Pastteams
StatusActive
Statseason2025
Statweek11
Statlabel 1Return yards
Statvalue 1135
PfrDaviKa02

Kaden Davis (born September 25, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats.

Early life

Davis lettered at Ellsworth High School in Ellsworth, Kansas, where he played tight end, linebacker, and defensive back. As a senior, Davis caught 857 yards and 15 touchdowns and was selected to play in the 2017 Kansas Shrine All-Star Bowl, where he was Ellsworth's first selection in 25 years.[1] Despite the performance, Kaden was a zero-star recruit who received not a single NCAA Division I scholarship, although Kansas State offered him a walk-on spot in track.

Davis first attended Butler Community College and primarily served as a returner. He was offered a walk-on spot at Kansas State, but chose a full-ride scholarship and an immediate starting position at Northwest Missouri State, an NCAA Division II school. As a senior, Davis led the team with 10 touchdowns on 703 yards receiving, helping the team to a semifinal playoff appearance and earning all-conference honors.[2]

Professional career

Denver Broncos (first stint)

Davis went undrafted and signed with the Denver Broncos May 13, 2022.[3][4] He was cut on August 16.[5] Davis was re-signed to the team's practice squad on November 10.[6] He was released by Denver on January 11, 2023.[7]

Michigan Panthers

On May 9, 2023, Davis was signed by the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League. He was an instant contributor for Michigan, contributing on special teams as well as having a major role in their offense. Davis totaled 83 receiving yards, 333 return yards, and two touchdowns, totaling 416 all-purpose yards in five games.[8]

Arizona Cardinals

On July 25, 2023, Davis was signed to the active roster for the Arizona Cardinals.[9] He was waived on August 29, and re-signed to the practice squad.[10] Davis signed a reserve/future contract with Arizona on January 8, 2024.[11] He was waived on April 30.

Detroit Lions

On May 13, 2024, Davis signed with the Detroit Lions.[12] He was waived on August 27.[13]

Denver Broncos (second stint)

On September 11, 2024, Davis was signed to the Denver Broncos' practice squad.[14] On October 1, he was released by the Broncos.[15] A week later, Davis was re-signed to Denver's practice squad.[16] On October 14, Davis was released once again.[17]

Cleveland Browns

On December 10, 2024, the Cleveland Browns signed Davis to their practice squad.[18] On January 3, 2025, he was promoted to the active roster.[19]

On August 26, 2025, Davis was waived by the Browns as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. On September 21, Davis was elevated to the active roster and returned one kick for 28 yards in the win against the Green Bay Packers.[20][21] On November 12, he was signed to the active roster.[22] Davis was waived on November 18 and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[23][24]

Houston Gamblers

On April 28, 2026, Davis signed with the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League (UFL).

References

  1. ^ Reif, Cole (July 24, 2022). "🎧From Ellsworth to the NFL: Davis 'betting on himself'". Kansas Great Bend Post. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  2. ^ "Kaden Davis". Northwest Missouri State Bearcats Athletics.
  3. ^ "Kaden Davis". footballdb.com. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  4. ^ Sherwood, Dylan (May 1, 2022). "An Ellsworth graduate is getting his NFL chance". Salina Post. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  5. ^ Payne, Scotty (2022-08-16). "Broncos have waived rookie wide receiver Kaden Davis". Mile High Report. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  6. ^ Heath, Jon (2022-11-10). "Broncos bring back WR to fill open spot on practice squad". Broncos Wire. USA Today. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  7. ^ "Broncos Make Four Roster Moves". yardbarker.com. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  8. ^ Rifino, Patrick (2023-07-26). "Cardinals Make It Official Add Panthers WR/KR Kaden Davis". USFL News Hub. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  9. ^ "Kaden Davis, NFL Profile". Arizona Cardinals
  10. ^ Urban, Darren (August 29, 2023). "Cardinals Make Moves To Get To 53-Man Roster". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  11. ^ Urban, Darren (January 8, 2024). "Cardinals Sign Eight Players To 'Futures' Deals". AZCardinals.com
  12. ^ "#Lions have signed WR Kaden Davis and TE Parker Hesse.". No. 1789989839401529479.
  13. ^ "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. August 27, 2024.
  14. ^ DiLalla, Aric (September 11, 2024). "Broncos sign WR Kaden Davis to practice squad". DenverBroncos.com
  15. ^ DiLalla, Aric (2024-10-01). "Broncos sign RB Salvon Ahmed to practice squad". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  16. ^ Heath, Jon (2024-10-08). "Broncos bringing back familiar face at wide receiver once again". Broncos Wire. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  17. ^ Weir, Susanna (2024-10-14). "Broncos sign CB Quinton Newsome to practice squad". Denver Broncos. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  18. ^ "Browns place Greg Newsome II on injured reserve". ClevelandBrowns.com. December 10, 2024. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  19. ^ "Browns' Kaden Davis: Joins active roster". CBSSports.com. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  20. ^ "Kaden Davis: Can't secure roster spot". CBS Sports. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  21. ^ "Browns awarded 2 players via waivers, sign 9 to practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  22. ^ "Browns sign WR Kaden Davis to the active roster". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  23. ^ "Browns place CB Dom Jones on injured reserve". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  24. ^ "Browns sign WR Kaden Davis to the practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved 21 November 2025.