Utah tight finish Dalton Kincaid, who starred within the Utes’ offense the previous two seasons, turned the primary Utah tie chosen within the 2023 NFL draft. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
Dalton Kincaid entered school unceremoniously as a no-star tight finish prospect out of Las Vegas who performed only one yr of highschool soccer.
Quick ahead 5 years, and he’s now a first-round NFL draft choose.
The previous Utah star tight finish was taken by the Buffalo Payments with the No. 25 general choose within the first spherical of the 2023 NFL draft on Thursday.
The Payments traded up two spots with Jacksonville to take Kincaid. The Jaguars, in return, obtained the No. 27 and No. 130 picks on this yr’s draft.
The epitome of a steal within the draft. A beast on the sphere, and a pacesetter, nice teammate and an all-around distinctive individual off of it. Dalton, the minute you bought to Utah we knew you’d be one thing particular. Now, right here you're, a primary spherical choose. Congratulations!! https://t.co/w8LLcWuTkp
— Kyle Whittingham (@UtahCoachWhitt) April 28, 2023
That's the highest a former Utes tight finish has ever been drafted — the earlier excessive was Kurt Haws, a fourth-round choice (No. 105 general) within the 1994 NFL draft.
Kincaid effectively surpassed that mark after back-to-back stellar seasons for Utah that propelled him into being one of many high prospects within the 2023 draft.
He was the primary tight finish taken within the draft.
The 6-foot-4, 246-pound Kincaid scored 35 touchdowns over his 5 school seasons, which included two years at FCS faculty San Diego earlier than he transferred to Utah.
He caught 36 passes for 510 yards and eight touchdowns for the Utes within the 2021 season.
After fellow tight finish Brant Kuithe went down with an damage final season, Kincaid turned the Utes’ major move catcher and completed the yr with 70 receptions for 890 yards and eight touchdowns — all staff highs — in serving to Utah win its second straight Pac-12 championship.
The second @_DaltonKincaid bought the decision.
— Buffalo Payments (@BuffaloBills) April 28, 2023
📺: @nflnetworkpic.twitter.com/JiGSoeWrmI
Kincaid earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors in his remaining collegiate season, in addition to a trio of All-American honors.
He's the tenth first-round select of Utah at school historical past and the primary ability place participant taken within the draft’s opening spherical since quarterback Alex Smith went first general to the San Francisco 49ers in 2005.
It’s additionally the primary time at school historical past that Utah had first-round picks in back-to-back years, after linebacker Devin Lloyd was taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 27 general choose within the 2022 draft.
What specialists stated about Dalton Kincaid
“Kincaid is a extremely productive tight finish with distinctive quickness, route polish and run-after-catch potential. At Utah, he usually lined up flexed within the slot. He's explosive in his launch and is a clean/fluid route runner. … Total, Kincaid is a extra explosive model of Zach Ertz popping out of school.” — NFL Community’s Daniel Jeremiah.
“Along with his basketball background, Kincaid has fluid motion expertise and flashes the short-area quickness to open stride and speed up out and in of his breaks. He's a pure ball winner and reveals confidence in his arms, doing most of his harm when catching the ball on the transfer.” — The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.
“At 240 kilos, Kincaid bridges the hole between tight finish and broad receiver. You’re not going to draft him for his blocking potential, however he’s a minimum of serviceable in that regard. No, Kincaid could be a focus of an offense together with his route-running potential after recording 70 catches for 890 yards at Utah final season.” — Michael Renner, for Professional Soccer Focus.
What specialists stated in regards to the choice
ESPN’s Steve Muench stated Kincaid could possibly be a rookie of the yr candidate in his first NFL season: “There's some concern about whether or not or not Kincaid will get sufficient targets. Nonetheless, he lands in a high-power offense with among the finest quarterbacks within the league and the expertise to benefit from his alternatives.”
“In an effort to diversify the move sport round Stefon Diggs, the Payments choose a dynamic tight finish who could make a right away splash within the offense. Kincaid has delicate arms and can function a reliable goal who’ll assist Josh Allen be extra environment friendly in Buffalo’s passing assault,” — NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks.
“This can be a unusual choose when you think about they've Dawson Knox and have a couple of extra urgent wants. Kincaid is an efficient participant, however the place doesn’t make sense they usually traded as much as get him.” — CBS Sports activities’ Pete Prisco.
What a narrative for Utah TE Dalton Kincaid. Solely performed 1 yr of highschool soccer. Was a stroll on at San Diego and now he simply bought drafted within the 1st spherical of the NFL Draft and shall be catching passes from Josh Allen. By no means cease making an attempt to catch your desires.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 28, 2023
Utah’s historical past of earlier NFL first-round draft picks
Yr — Participant, Pos., Choose No., Group
- 2022 — Devin Lloyd, LB, No. 27, Jacksonville Jaguars.
- 2017 — Garett Bolles, OT, No. 20, Denver Broncos.
- 2013 — Star Lotulelei, DT, No. 14, Carolina Panthers.
- 2005 — Alex Smith, QB, No. 1, San Francisco 49ers.
- 2003 — Jordan Gross, OT, No. 8, Carolina Panthers.
- 1998 — Kevin Dyson, WR, No. 16, Tennessee Titans.
- 1995 — Luther Elliss, DT, No. 20, Detroit Lions.
- 1971 — Norm Thompson, DB, No. 17, St. Louis Cardinals.
- 1959 — Lee Grossup, QB, No. 10, New York Giants.