SFLm DEV Team Eligibility Update

ARTICLE BY ELI DEIOMES | SFLm Commissioner

As we continue preparing for the upcoming season, we've taken another look at our DEV Team eligibility rules to make sure they better reflect the purpose of the system: developing Pro players while maintaining a fair pathway for SFLm rookies.

After discussions with league staff and team owners, the following eligibility rules will apply moving forward.

DEV Team Eligibility

No APF Builds

Players using APF-era builds remain ineligible for the DEV Team.

75% Progression Requirement

Players must have completed at least 75% of their available progression weeks during the previous season to qualify.

Personnel Group Changes

Previously, any position swap made a player ineligible.

Moving forward, players are only ineligible if they move outside of their personnel group.

Examples include:

Eligible to Change Within Their Position Group:

• HB/FB → (RB)

• WR/TE → (REC)

• T/G/C → (OL)

• DT/DE → (DL)

• OLB/ILB → (LB)

• CB/FS/SS → (DB)

• K/P → (ST)

Ineligible to Change Outside Their Position Group:

• DB → LB

• DL → OL

• RB → REC

• DL → LB

The goal is to allow natural adjustments within a player's role while preventing complete positional rebuilds through the DEV system.

Pro UDFA Eligibility

Previously, all DEV players were limited to a single season.

Going forward, Pro UDFA players may be eligible for a second DEV season, depending on their Overall Rating at the conclusion of the previous season.

This provides additional development opportunities for lower-rated players while ensuring higher-rated talent graduates into the Pro ranks as intended.

$2 Million Contract Limit

Players with contracts exceeding $2,000,000 remain ineligible for the DEV Team.

Rookie Contract Rule

Any rookie whose contract exceeds $1,000,000 will continue to be transferred to the DEV Team.

Progression Cut Threshold

Previously, players who cut more than 12 progression points became ineligible.

This threshold has now been increased to 15 progression points, giving players a little more flexibility when managing their builds while still discouraging excessive rebuilds.

What this means for the dev team

These adjustments are designed to keep the DEV Team focused on player development without creating an unfair advantage over incoming rookies.

As always, if you're unsure whether your player qualifies, don't hesitate to reach out to the Commissioner before making any roster decisions.

Keep an eye on the news for more exciting SFLm happenings, and remember to #MakeAnImpact! - ED