The Deseret News has you covered for the final day of the 2022 NFL draft and where Utah ties are headed. Check back throughout the day for updates on where players from BYU, Utah, USU and Southern Utah, as well as Utah natives, are drafted or signed as free agents.
Draft recap and undrafted free-agent signings
Here’s where every Utah tie is headed, whether via the draft, free agency or on a mini-camp invite (as designated):
BYU
- Tyler Allgeier, RB — Atlanta Falcons, fifth round, No. 151 overall pick
- Samson Nacua, WR, BYU, Utah and Timpview High — Indianapolis Colts, free agent, per The Athletic’s Stephen Holder
- James Empey, C, BYU and American Fork High — Dallas Cowboys, free agent, per Duane Manyweather
- Neil Pau’u, WR — Buffalo Bills, free agent, per BYU
Utah
- Devin Lloyd, LB — Jacksonville Jaguars, first round, No. 27 overall pick
- Britain Covey, WR, Utah and Timpview High — Philadelphia Eagles, free agent, per University of Utah
- Nick Ford, C — Jacksonville Jaguars, free agent, per University of Utah
- Bamidele Olaseni, OT — Las Vegas Raiders, free agent, per University of Utah
- Nephi Sewell, ILB, Utah and Desert Hills High — New Orleans Saints, free agent, per University of Utah
- Cole Fotheringham, TE — Las Vegas Raiders, free agent, per University of Utah
- Mika Tafua, DE — Dallas Cowboys, free agent, per University of Utah
- Hauati Pututau, DT, Utah and Cottonwood High — Green Bay Packers, free agent, per University of Utah
- T.J. Pledger, RB — Arizona Cardinals, rookie minicamp, per his Twitter
Utah State
- Savon Scarver, WR — Chicago Bears, free agent, per Utah State University
- Deven Thompkins, WR — Tampa Bay Buccaneers, free agent, per Utah State University
- Derek Wright, WR — Carolina Panthers, free agent, per Utah State University
- Brandon Bowling, WR — Chicago Bears, rookie minicamp, per Utah State University
- Carson Terrell, TE, Utah State and Lehi High — Green Bay Packers, rookie minicamp, per Utah State University
- Jaylin Bannerman, DL — New York Giants, rookie minicamp, per Utah State University
- Nick Heninger, DE, Utah State, Utah and Bingham High — Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rookie minicamp, per Utah State University
Southern Utah
- Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah and Murray High — Chicago Bears, fifth round, No. 168 overall pick
- La’akea Kaho’ohanohano-Davis, LB — Seattle Seahawks, rookie minicamp, per Southern Utah
Weber State
- Rashid Shaheed, WR — New Orleans Saints, free agent, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero
- Sherwin Lavaka, LB, Weber State, Snow College and Kearns High — Kansas City Chiefs, rookie minicamp, per Weber State
- Jared Schiess, DL, Weber State and Manti High — Jacksonville Jaguars, rookie minicamp, per Weber State
Other
- Jaylen Warren, RB, Oklahoma State, Utah State, Snow College and East High — Pittsburgh Steelers, free agent, per Aaron Wilson
Fifth round: SUU’s Braxton Jones drafted by Chicago Bears
Braxton Jones has joined an elite club at Southern Utah.
The FCS All-American offensive tackle became the fourth NFL draft pick in SUU history when the Chicago Bears selected Jones in the fifth round (168th overall pick) of the 2022 NFL draft.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Jones had an accomplished career at Southern Utah over the past five seasons. He was an Associated Press FCS first-team All-American, a Hero Sports FCS All-American and a two-time All-Big Sky first-team honoree.
Jones, who prepped at Murray High, joins quarterback Brad Sorensen (seventh round, 2013), safety Miles Killebrew (fourth round, 2016) and cornerback LeShaun Sims (fifth round, 2016) as SUU draft picks.
What others have said about Braxton Jones
“Jones is quick and has excellent length, but he is top heavy and lacks the footspeed to mirror quick edge rushers in pass pro. He fires out of his stance and gets good pop on contact as a run-blocker. He has good range and takes sound angles climbing to the second level, but he rarely wins the leverage battle and/or drives defenders off the line.” — ESPN’s Steve Muench.
“Jones needs improved timing, technique and anchor before he is ready for NFL reps, but his movement skills and length are outstanding foundational traits. Although he’ll require an adjustment period, he has the tools to be a starter down the road.” — The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.
“Jones has moments where he can overwhelm his level of competition with size and length, but he’s currently lacking the technique and force needed to succeed against NFL defenders. … He has the upside to become an average starting left tackle, but swing tackle feels like the safer projection.” — NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
What others said about the selection
“New OC Luke Getsy values movement skills and range in his offensive linemen. The long-limbed Jones fits the mold with his athleticism, footwork and body control to execute tough zone assignments.” — NFL.com’s Mark Dulgerian.
Fifth round: BYU’s Tyler Allgeier taken by Atlanta Falcons
Tyler Allgeier spent the 2021 season setting the single-season rushing record at BYU.
He’ll spend 2022 in an Atlanta Falcons uniform.
Allgeier was selected by the Falcons in the fifth round (151st overall pick) of the 2022 NFL draft on Saturday, ensuring BYU of at least one draft pick in six of the past seven years.
He’s the first former Cougar running back to be drafted since Jamaal Williams was a fourth-round selection in 2017.
The 5-foot-11, 224-pound Allgeier set BYU’s single-season mark by rushing for 1,601 yards and 23 touchdowns last year, a feat made more impressive by the fact he started at BYU as a walk-on out of Fontana, California.
He finished his Cougar career with 2,899 rushing yards — fifth-most in program history — and 36 rushing touchdowns.
What others have said about Tyler Allgeier
“Overall, Allgeier isn’t an explosive runner, but he runs with an instinctive feel and quick feet for a bigger ball carrier and shows the passing game potential to be an every-down NFL back. He reminds me of Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner.” — The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.
“Allgeier is a big back with good foot speed for his size, and he flashes the ability to make defenders miss. His burst through the hole is average, and he’s not a breakaway threat. He’s an effective pass-blocker who steps up and is strong enough to anchor. He’s more of a checkdown than a threat as a receiver out of the backfield.” — ESPN’s Steve Muench.
“Well-built, highly productive zone-scheme runner with impressive vision and feel for the job. Allgeier is smooth and instinctive with one-cut talent. He effectively navigates the ebbs and flows of run lane development. He’s more agile than twitchy and relies on his ability to quickly process.” — NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
What others said about the selection
“The door is wide open for the RB2 job in Atlanta, and the Falcons land a great fit for their system. Allgeier should feel comfortable in Atlanta’s outside zone scheme, which is what BYU majored in.” — NFL.com’s Mark Dulgerian.
“The Falcons are getting a fantastic football player and an incredibly humble and hardworking teammate with the physical versatility and football IQ to contribute in many different ways. He is the kind of person who will always succeed and improve. I am excited for Tyler. I look forward to following his NFL career.” — BYU head coach Kalani Sitake.
Fourth round
- No Utah ties were selected during the fourth round.
- BYU’s Tyler Allgeier slowly moved up the best available running back board, with five running backs going in the fourth. Now, Allgeier is the No. 15 RB on ESPN’s best available list and the sixth-highest rated back remaining on NFL.com’s board.
- SUU’s Braxton Jones is the No. 3 offensive tackle on ESPN’s best available list and the fifth-highest rated OT left on NFL.com’s board. Four offensive tackles were taken in the fourth round.
What Utah ties have the best chance to be drafted in Rounds 4-7?
Here’s a primer for Day 3 of the 2022 NFL draft, as well as how to watch the draft.
How long do teams have to make each NFL draft selection?
A note on how long teams have to make their picks during the draft’s final day.
- Rounds 4 through 6: 5 minutes.
- Round 7: 4 minutes.