Courtesy of the UFL
Here’s a quick analysis of the Memphis Showboats‘ trade for help on defense. The Showboats just made a rare in-season trade. They traded Dee Anderson, their second-best receiver, for Darius Phillips, cornerback, of the San Antonio Brahmas. We’ll go into a basic but sometimes speculative level investigation of why the teams would do this, especially the Showboats.
Showboats View of the Trade
Cornerback Phillips is relatively a veteran for the UFL. He’s 29 and has been four seasons previously with the Cincinnati Bengals. This season for the Brahmas he has fourteen tackles and 3 pass breakups. The Showboats secondary has been stable and quite good this year. Boykin, Ellis, Walker and Gilbert have been starters, with Amir Riep starting a couple of games.
Why would the Showboats make this trade? The recent offensive upgrades would be the main reason. Last week Wes Hills was signed by the Showboats on April 29, 2025, and made an immediate impact in their Game 6 game against the Houston Roughnecks. Davis has also been signed last week, though inactive for Game 6. Davis was all-UFL last year, sixth in receptions with 41, seventh in the league, and he was second in TD catches with five. With the added firepower in the skill positions added to Deneric Prince as a reliable contributor, the Showboats could afford to sacrifice one of their best offensive weapons.
Brahmas View of the Trade
For the Brahmas it’s self-explanatory. They have just suffered a 26-3 loss to Birmingham, one of the worst losses of the UFL season. The Brahmas would welcome any offensive help. The Showboats, currently a last-place team, were obviously open to gaining a solid secondary piece in exchange for a top-tier receiver. Both teams felt an understandable urgency.
Lastly, let’s go deep-dive on the Showboats’ point of view. They’ve lost three close games within a field goal’s margin. Most of the touchdowns they’ve given up the past few games have been passing TDs, and almost all the extra point conversion. Jaren Horton has been a great defensive coach for Memphis, and his father Ray Horton was a defensive coach in the NFL for decades, including the Cleveland Browns. His time didn’t cross Phillips’ time in the NFL, but it’s certain both Hortons have been well aware of Phillips for many years. Soon we’ll know if the Showboat’s gamble to become a dominant defense will work. I’m quite certain that Anderson for the Brahmas will greatly increase their offensive explosiveness.
