2026 NFL Draft recap: Every player with local ties who got picked
Apr 25, 2026, 5:18 PM | Updated: Apr 27, 2026, 8:46 am
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: A detailed view of the Fan Fest is seen during Round Two of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 24, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH — The 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books. Six prospects with ties to the state of Utah were selected across the 257 picks over three days.
Here’s where each player landed — and the situation they’ll step into as they begin their professional careers.
Locals In The 2026 NFL Draft
Spencer Fano – Former Utah OL – Cleveland Browns
Selection: No. 9 overall pick in the 1st round
The first local player to hear their name called not only came on the first day, but they came in the top ten.
Fano was selected with the ninth pick by the Cleveland Browns, the highest selection of a local since BYU quarterback Zach Wilson went second overall back in 2021. He was the 11th Ute to go in the first round all time, and the highest selection since Jordan Gross in 2003.
As the first offensive lineman taken in this year’s class, Fano joins a Cleveland team that posted a 5-12 record in 2025.
The former Ute was reportedly always the pick for the Browns. They traded back from the No. 6 pick and got their guy along wth some extra draft capital.
RELATED: Utah OT Spencer Fano drafted 9th overall by Cleveland Browns
With the No. 9 overall pick in the NFL Draft, the @Browns select @Utah_Football offensive lineman Spencer Fano! 🙌#NFLDraft #GoUtes
📸 Getty Images pic.twitter.com/wash2NAZyv
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 24, 2026
Caleb Lomu – Former Utah OL – New England Patriots
Selection: No. 28 overall pick in the 1st round
History was made on the same night as the reigning AFC champion New England Patriots selected Fano’s running mate, Caleb Lomu, with the 28th overall pick.
That pick marked the first time that two Utes heard their name called on the first night of the NFL draft.
Similar to Cleveland with Fano, New England knew it wanted Lomu. So much so that they traded up from the 31st overall pick to take Lomu three spots earlier.
In 2025, the Patriots finished with a 14-3 record and made it all the way to the Super Bowl before falling to the Seattle Seahawks in the big game.
RELATED: New England Patriots select Utes OT Caleb Lomu 28th overall in NFL draft
With the 28th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft, the @Patriots select @Utah_Football offensive lineman Caleb Lomu! 🙌#NFLDraft #GoUtes
📸 Deseret News pic.twitter.com/oyoZNBJZ5E
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 24, 2026
Keionte Scott – Former Snow College DB – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Selection: No. 116 overall pick in the 4th round
After a quiet second night, the next local to come off the board came early on day three.
Former Snow College defensive back Keionte Scott got picked up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 116th overall pick. Scott started his collegiate career with the Badgers before eventually suiting up for both Auburn and Miami.
In two seasons on the Ephraim campus, Scott totaled 54 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions and 16 pass breakups in 14 games.
He joins a Tampa Bay squad that posted an 8-9 record in 2025.
RELATED: Buccaneers select former Snow College DB Keionte Scott in 4th round of NFL Draft
With the 116th overall pick in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select former Snow College defensive back Keionte Scott! 🏈#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/cEOY4Arv9E
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 25, 2026
Jack Kelly – Former Weber State & BYU LB – New York Giants
Selection: No. 193 overall pick in the 6th round
As the draft neared its end, the New York Giants ensured there would be some BYU representation, picking up Jack Kelly in the sixth round.
Kelly attended Kearns High School and started his collegiate career at Weber State before transferring to BYU ahead of the 2024-2025 season.
The Giants finished the 2025 season at 4-13. But the future is bright with the recent additions of former Corner Canyon QB Jaxson Dart and head coach John Harbaugh.
RELATED: Giants select BYU’s Jack Kelly in sixth round of 2026 NFL draft
With the 193rd overall pick in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected former Weber State and BYU star Jack Kelly! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/4zQWx8Ujpg
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 25, 2026
Carsen Ryan – Former Utah & BYU TE – Cleveland Browns
Selection: No. 248 overall pick in the 7th round
Both the Utes and Cougars got a bit more shine in the seventh round, as the Cleveland Browns doubled up with local selections and brought in tight end Carsen Ryan.
Ryan started his collegiate career with the UCLA Bruins before eventually coming to Utah to play on both sides of the rivalry.
He joins his former Utes teammate Spencer Fano on a Browns team that finished fourth in the AFC North last season.
RELATED: Cleveland Browns select BYU’s Carsen Ryan in 7th round of NFL Draft
With the 248th overall pick in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select former Utah & BYU tight end Carsen Ryan! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/CIth26K1gc
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 25, 2026
Dallen Bentley – Former Utah TE – Denver Broncos
Selection: No. 256 overall pick in the 7th round
Ryan wouldn’t be the last local tight end off the board. Less than ten picks later, Denver continued its trend of picking up Utes with the selection of Dallen Bentley with the second-to-last pick in the draft.
It was also the second time in two years that the Broncos selected a Utah tight end in the seventh round. Last year, they selected Caleb Lohner with the No. 241 pick.
Bentley spent three seasons in Salt Lake City and really exploded onto the scene in 2025.
RELATED: Denver Broncos select Utah TE Dallen Bentley at end of NFL Draft
With the 256th overall pick in the 7th round of the NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected former Utah tight end Dallen Bentley! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/SsKnbnUiiY
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 25, 2026
About #LocalsInTheNFL
For over five years, KSL Sports has provided coverage on all NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.
Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.
From highlights to trades and other breaking news, check out our Locals In The NFL coverage here.
