NFL Draft Preview: Which Utah players will hear their name called, and when?

The NFL draft is here, but Utah fans might need to wait a minute before they hear one of their own called.

BYU and Utah have several players projected to go off the board on Friday, but it’s unlikely the Beehive State will see any first-rounders.

Here is the full list of names to watch during the draft this week — including some Utah connections that might surprise you in the later rounds.

Top draft prospects

Kingsley Suamataia — BYU, offensive line

Suamataia is the best NFL prospect in the state this year. The Oregon transfer’s unique combination of size and athleticism earned him a second-round grade by most scouts.

At almost 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, Suamataia can run a five-second, 40-yard dash. He can also dunk a basketball and grew up boxing with his family. That fluidity translates to the football field.

Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick called Suamataia one of the best athletes he’s ever seen play the position. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Roderick remarked back in 2022.

The sophomore is still learning. He changed spots on the offensive line during his two years in Provo. He told The Salt Lake Tribune he can play every spot on the line, except maybe center. But with the skills there, Suamataia should comfortably fit into the second day of the draft.

Jonah Elliss — Utah, edge rusher

The Utes waited patiently for Elliss to develop in their system, and they were rewarded with a highly productive 2023.

Elliss racked up 12 sacks and 37 tackles last year. Playing for his father — defensive ends coach Luther Elliss — the junior capitalized on his size. He is 6-foot-2 but has the prototypical length for an NFL edge rusher.

Playing a premium position for NFL teams, Elliss could possibly see his name called on the second day. If not, he will be an early Saturday pick.

Cole Bishop — Utah, safety

It is not easy to crack Kyle Whittingham’s defense from day one at Utah. But that is what Bishop did.

He was a three-year starter and one of the best players in the Pac-12. An incredibly willing tackler, Bishop made Utah’s safety position the most active spot on the field. He led Utah in tackles in 2022 and finished his career with nearly 200.

Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley felt comfortable interchanging Bishop from strong and free safety. He should go off the board on Friday.

The late-round prospects

Sione Vaki — Utah, safety and running back

Vaki was perhaps Utah’s best story last year. With his ability to play both ways, he became the Utes’ offensive savior and their playmaking safety.

At the next level, his best position is still likely on defense. Utah used him far more at safety than at running back. But at his Pro Day, he went through offensive drills with the receivers and tight ends.

Vaki’s strength and speed are NFL-ready. He also can play special teams. Dallas Cowboys special teams coach John Fassel worked him out as a punt returner when he came to Salt Lake.

Kedon Slovis — BYU, quarterback

Slovis’ expected resurgence at BYU was a letdown. The USC and Pitt transfer came in thinking Roderick’s scheme would showcase him as a passer who could thrive in the NFL game the way it did for Zach Wilson and Jaren Hall.

But it never worked out as BYU’s offensive line was in shambles and the running game was nowhere to be found. Slovis did his best to hang in the pocket and make plays. He ended up getting hurt and sitting out the final four games of the year.

Slovis was invited to the NFL Combine and could be a late-round pick. But it’s not a guarantee.

Slovis will latch on with a team somewhere if he doesn’t get picked. But the road is harder than he imagined a year ago.

Keaton Bills — Utah, offensive line

Utah’s reliable offensive lineman became a multi-year starter. In the last eight years, he’s gone through a a COVID year, a redshirt year and served a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission.

He appeared in 45 games and made 38 starts. Bills is older and won’t be at the top of the offensive line class. But he could eek into the later rounds.

Sataoa Laumea — Utah offensive line

Like Bills, Laumea was a pillar of Utah’s offensive line for years. He made 44 starts in 45 games. He is seen as a slightly better prospect than Bills and could go early Saturday.

Likely free agent signings

Devaughn Vele — Utah, wide receiver

Vele considered turning pro a year ago, but decided to come back to Utah for another season. It didn’t work out the way he’d envisioned with quarterback Cam Rising sitting out the entire campaign.

Vele ended up playing in a limited role without a fully capable quarterback. Last month, he said it might hurt his draft stock.

Still, Vele has a long frame (even if he’s thin). He knows getting drafted is likely a long shot. But he could get in camp somewhere. Like Vaki, he will be a special teams option.

Winston Reid — Weber State, linebacker

Reid became a tackling machine for Weber State over the last two years. He had over 200. Reid is older, a seven-year college veteran. But with that much production, he could find a camp.

Miles Battle — Utah, corner

Battle’s numbers took a dip at Utah last year. He came from Ole Miss looking to replace Clark Phillips III, but he didn’t have the interceptions or pass breakups that would raise his draft stock.

He said teams didn’t throw to him last year and he didn’t have opportunities for interceptions. But Battle showed top-end speed at his Pro Day.

Thomas Yassmin — Utah, tight end

Yassmin’s pass-catching ability should put him on teams’ radars. He had over 300 yards receiving in 2022.

Yassmin hasn’t played football for long. He started as a rugby player in Australia. His one year of production likely isn’t enough to get drafted. But he will get a look in camp.

The Utah connections

Rome Odunze — Washington, wide receiver

Odunze was born in Orem and has family in Provo. Although he went to high school in Las Vegas, at Bishop Gorman, he’d spent summers down the street from BYU. Former BYU tight ends coach Steve Clark was the main BYU recruiter on him and Fesi Sitake helped later.

“His grandmother lives here and is a member of the Church,” Sitake said. ”I had a relationship with him, just naturally as a receiver. But by the time I got involved, he kind of had already [made the decision].”

He went to Washington and is now a first-round pick.

Dallin Holker — Colorado State and BYU, tight end

Holker abruptly left BYU in 2022. He wasn’t happy with his role in the offense as a pass-catching option.

He went to Colorado State and had almost 800 yards in 2023. In his one season there, he was an All-Mountain West player. He could come off the board on Saturday.

Tejhaun Palmer — Snow College and UAB, wide receiver

Palmer had over 1,400 receiving yards at UAB. He was also one of the fastest players in college football. He started his career at Snow College.

Carlton Johnson Sr. — SUU, Fresno State

Johnson Sr. had almost 120 tackles this year for the Bulldogs — earning him a combine invite.

Johnson Sr. played at Southern Utah for three years. He played in 17 games and made five starts. He bounced to Riverside Community College, where current BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff is from. He found a more permanent home in Fresno.

He could get drafted late on Saturday, or be an early free agent signing.

Tanner McGaughlin — SUU and Arizona, tight end

McGaughlin was an upper-tier tight end in the Pac-12 last year at Arizona. He made 12 starts and had his first season of over 500 yards receiving. He added four touchdowns.

McGaughlin transferred from Southern Utah. He only had 15 catches in four years. But his size at 6-foot-5 is enticing for NFL teams. He could be drafted on the third day.