Utah tight finish Dalton Kincaid is anticipated to be the primary Utah tie taken within the 2023 NFL draft. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
The NFL draft is lower than a month away, with the 2023 model happening April 27-29 in Kansas Metropolis.
It might be shaping up for one more strong draft for Utah ties.
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Jordan Reid created his personal seven-round mock draft, making a prediction for all 259 picks on this 12 months’s occasion.
There have been 10 Utah ties chosen in Reid’s mock draft.
That comes after there have been three Utah ties taken in final 12 months’s NFL draft — Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd to the Jacksonville Jaguars, BYU working again Tyler Allgeier to the Atlanta Falcons and Southern Utah and Murray Excessive offensive sort out Braxton Jones to the Chicago Bears.
This 12 months appears like will probably be extra just like the 2020 and 2021 drafts, when there have been 17 complete Utah ties drafted over these two years — eight in 2021 and 9 in 2020.
What Utah ties have been chosen in ESPN’s Jordan Reid’s newest NFL mock draft?
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
- Spherical 2, Decide No. 38 to Las Vegas Raiders.
- Reid wrote: “After the commerce of Darren Waller, the Raiders added veterans Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard, however tight finish stays one of many largest holes on this roster. Kincaid could be a dynamic receiving possibility and a mismatch for linebackers and safeties. His pass-catching skill is arguably the most effective of any tight finish on this class. He might shortly turn out to be a go-to goal for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.”
Blake Freeland, OT, BYU and Herriman Excessive
- Spherical 2, Decide No. 47 to Washington Commanders.
- Reid wrote: “Huge and fast blockers like Freeland hardly ever make it out of the second spherical. He has been in comparison with Brian O’Neill and Sam Cosmi. Freeland’s consistency as a go protector — he allowed only one sack in 12 begins final season — might be interesting for the Commanders, who allowed 48 sacks final season, which was seventh-worst within the NFL. He might problem Charles Leno at left sort out, however he additionally might transfer over to proper sort out.”
Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
- Spherical 2, Decide No. 56 to Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Reid wrote: “With Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams manning the skin nook spots, Phillips is a perfect nickel possibility in Jacksonville. His consistency as a tackler and playmaker on the ball make him an intriguing addition to a group that lacks a slot possibility. He picked off six passes for the Utes final season.”
Siaki Ika, DT, East Excessive
- Spherical 3, Decide No. 66 to Arizona Cardinals.
- Reid wrote: “The Cardinals might decide to constructing from the within out, spending belongings within the trenches. Including 6-3, 335-pound Ika right here and Will Anderson Jr. at decide No. 3 would utterly change the outlook of their line of defense.”
Braeden Daniels, OT, Utah
- Spherical 3, Decide No. 81 to Detroit Lions.
- Reid wrote: “The Lions might use extra depth at guard. Halapoulivaati Vaitai not too long ago took a pay minimize, they usually added Graham Glasgow in free company. Daniels is a powerful and cellular blocker who has expertise at a number of spots. He began 43 video games for the Utes, seeing time at proper sort out, left sort out and left guard.”
Noah Sewell, LB, Orem Excessive
- Spherical 4, Decide No. 135 to New England Patriots.
Cameron Latu, TE, Olympus Excessive
- Spherical 5, Decide No. 161 to Houston Texans.
Puka Nacua, WR, BYU and Orem Excessive
- Spherical 6, Decide No. 180 to Arizona Cardinals.
Jaren Corridor, QB, BYU and Maple Mountain Excessive
- Spherical 6, Decide No. 192 to New England Patriots.
Mohamoud Diabete, LB, Utah
- Spherical 7, Decide No. 246 to Cincinnati Bengals.
Observations from Jordan Reid’s predictions
- Many NFL draft consultants have Kincaid as a mid-to-late first-round choice, so this may be a little bit of a shock if he fell to the early a part of the second spherical. It’s clear, although, that Kincaid is the highest prospect amongst Utah ties on this 12 months’s draft class. Las Vegas, too, might be a spot the place Kincaid is ready to get some early taking part in time.
- Freeland has impressed groups together with his efficiency and measurables at each the NFL mix and at BYU’s professional day. He's projected as a Day 2 draft decide by many, and Washington might be a great place for Freeland to land. One other widespread touchdown spot for Freeland is San Francisco.
- At one level early within the 2022 school soccer season, Phillips regarded like he might sneak into late first-round territory. He's nonetheless projected as one of many prime cornerbacks on this draft and a Day 2 chance, and touchdown in Jacksonville would reunite him with former Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd.
- That is anticipated to be the Utes’ first multi-pick draft since 2020, when Utah had seven gamers drafted.
- BYU can also be anticipated to have a number of gamers drafted, with Freeland main the way in which and Corridor anticipated to be a Day 3 choice. One other widespread mock draft decide for Corridor has been the New Orleans Saints, the place he might play alongside former Cougars Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams.
- Ika, Sewell and Latu signify a powerful contingent of Utah ties who performed their highschool ball in-state however performed school in different elements of the nation. Each Ika (who performed at Baylor and LSU) and Sewell (Oregon) are seen by most as Day 2 choices, whereas Latu (Alabama) is probably going a Day 3 decide in a deep tight finish group.