Utah Utes tight finish Dalton Kincaid tries to keep away from Florida security Rashad Torrence II (22) in Gainesvillle, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Thursday night time, Kincaid was chosen within the first spherical of the NFL draft by the Buffalo Payments. Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information
Amid a journey that’s seen him go from obscurity on the College of San Diego to nationwide prominence on the College of Utah, play-making tight finish Dalton Kincaid is now a first-round NFL draft choose.
Buffalo is the following place the place Kincaid can be catching passes.
In a last-minute take care of Jacksonville late within the first spherical Thursday night time, the Payments traded up two spots to maneuver forward of the Dallas Cowboys — who had been additionally searching for a dynamic tight finish — and grabbed Kincaid at No. 25 general. He was the primary tight finish off the board within the 2023 draft.
Kincaid, a local of Las Vegas, will be part of a Buffalo crew led by two-time Professional Bowl quarterback Josh Allen. The Payments posted a 13-3 file final season and completed with a loss to Cincinnati within the divisional spherical.
The 6-foot-4, 246-pound Kincaid has a status for clean route operating, certain arms, a formidable catch radius, a capability to beat man protection and the flexibleness to line up all around the discipline. He’ll improve the Payments’ tight ends room, which additionally options Dawson Knox. Kincaid is predicted to make a direct affect in Buffalo.
LET’S GOOOOOO‼️#NFLDraft | #BillsMafiapic.twitter.com/6lfHXpkXFL
— Buffalo Payments (@BuffaloBills) April 28, 2023
USA As we speak’s Doug Farrar gave the Payments an A+ draft grade for selecting Kincaid, with this evaluation: “The Payments are in want of an offense that doesn’t pressure Josh Allen to do every part, and the addition of Dalton Kincaid is definitely a step in the fitting course. There is no such thing as a different tight finish on this class — and few receivers general — with Kincaid’s means to win contested catches, beat each man and zone protection with timing and spacing, and use pure pace to get issues executed. The Payments have had every kind of points getting previous the Chiefs in recent times, and Kincaid jogs my memory of Travis Kelce, in order that’s a optimistic step.”
Some draft specialists have in contrast Kincaid to Arizona Cardinals tight finish Zach Ertz. The Payments need assistance with their the red-zone offense and Kincaid could possibly be a key addition in that space.
“He's the perfect pass-catching tight finish on this draft, a real seam stretcher with tender arms,” ESPN draft knowledgeable Mel Kiper Jr. wrote previous to the draft.
Kincaid grew to become Utah’s tenth all-time first-round choose. And it marks the primary time in program historical past that the Utes have had back-to-back years with first-round picks.
Final 12 months, linebacker Devin Lloyd was taken at No. 27 general by Jacksonville.
Tweeted Utah coach Kyle Whittingham Thursday night time: “The epitome of a steal within the draft. A beast on the sector, and a frontrunner, 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 first-round choose. Congratulations!!”
Kincaid is Utah’s highest draft choose since 2017, when offensive lineman Garett Bolles was chosen by Denver at No. 20. He’s the primary Ute tight finish to be drafted since 1996 and the very best chosen tight finish in program historical past.
In his final two seasons at Utah, Kincaid caught 107 passes for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Expensive Dalton...
— Utah Soccer (@Utah_Football) April 28, 2023
Love, Mother and Dad@_DaltonKincaid | 2023 #NFLDraft: April 27-29 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC | #ProUtespic.twitter.com/MQxn30a49z
Kincaid’s most memorable efficiency got here final October towards No. 7 USC. That night time, he caught 16 passes for a career-high 234 yards and a landing in a 43-42 victory over the Trojans. Kincaid was focused 16 instances and caught each ball thrown his means.
ESPN’s Robert Griffin III tweeted Thursday night time: “Dalton Kincaid is a FOOTBALL CATCHING CONNOISSEUR. This All American TE caught 16 passes for 234 yards and a TD towards USC this previous season. He's a prepared blocker however is without doubt one of the greatest cross catchers in the whole draft who laughs within the face of contact. Payments Mafia kinda man.”
By season’s finish, Kincaid was a first-team All-Pac-12 choice and he was named a third-team All-American.
Previous to the draft, Kincaid mirrored on his meteoric rise from unknown prospect that solely performed one 12 months of highschool soccer at Religion Lutheran Excessive to a possible first-round choose.
“It’s positively one thing that’s loopy. It’s a dream come true for me,” he stated. “Lots of people have gotten me right here and sacrificed loads so I’m very grateful for all these individuals to place me in a great place to succeed.”
Utah tight ends coach Freddie Whittingham, who recruited Kincaid out of the College of San Diego, has little doubt about what Kincaid’s NFL future holds.
“No one brings the mix of pace, route operating and the flexibility to get open and make contested catches,” he stated. “I believe that whoever drafts him goes to look actually, actually good finally and so they’ll have an All-Professional man on their arms.”