Locals In The NFL: Week 18 Player Power Rankings
Jan 2, 2026, 3:13 PM
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 18: Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 18, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
(Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
For the final time in the 2025 regular season, it’s time to revisit our local player power rankings.
This season has been full of new storylines, as well as elite performances from both familiar faces and rising stars.
With just one week remaining in the regular season, let’s look at the top ten NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.
Happy New Year! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/dYXG6r3tpj
— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2026
KSL Sports Locals In The NFL Power Rankings
Beginning this NFL season, we’ll post weekly player power rankings that shift as players make their mark.
These rankings are subjective — comparing offensive linemen to defensive backs, and quarterbacks to linebackers will never be perfect.
As the 2025 season goes on, performances in recent years matter less and less. Enough build-up, let’s get to the list.
Honorable Mentions
These are players who are in the mix but still on the outside looking in. An argument can be made for each one of these guys, but they failed to make the top ten for one reason or another.
Jaxson Dart (Roy & Corner Canyon High, Giants QB), Rashid Shaheed (Weber State, Seahawks WR), Taron Johnson (Weber State, Bills CB), Jonah Elliss (Utah, Broncos LB), Cody Barton (Utah, Titans LB), Kaden Elliss (Judge Memorial High, Falcons LB)
There are a handful of injured players who would likely make the top ten if healthy, but are left out of the rankings due to their injury status. This includes players like former BYU LB Fred Warner and former Utah S Julian Blackmon.
Now onto the rankings.
The top spot on the Week 18 Power Rankings goes to… pic.twitter.com/alqSQ4T0i2
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2025
10. Cole Bishop – Utah – Bills S
The former Ute has quietly climbed the ranks to become one of the most impactful safeties in the NFL.
This season, he has totaled 85 tackles (53 solo), two sacks, three interceptions, and seven pass breakups.
PFF ranks Bishop as the 19th-best safety and 97th best overall defensive player in the league.
9. Tyler Allgeier – BYU – Falcons RB
Many players on this list had a career year, either in one facet of the game or overall.
The former Cougar had a down year in terms of yards, but scored twice as many touchdowns. He stepped into a red zone back role for Atlanta this season and flourished.
8. Jaylen Warren – East High – Steelers RB
Opportunity is definitely a factor here, but Warren has also taken a massive step up as the RB1 in Pittsburgh.
He set new career highs in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and receiving touchdowns.
According to PFF grades, Warren is a top 15 RB in the league and a top 10 receiving back.
7. Garett Bolles – Utah – Broncos OL
A pinnacle of consistency at this point. Bolles is debatably the best left tackle in the league right now.
He has allowed zero sacks and Bo Nix has gotten touched off of his side just six times in 2025.
PFF ranks Bolles sixth amongst all offensive lineman, and he also has the crown as the No. 1 pass blocker.
6. Dalton Kincaid – Utah – Bills TE
Despite only playing 11 games to this point, Kincaid has set a new career mark for touchdowns and would’ve almost definitely broken his yards total if he was healthy.
He has become an essential part of the Buffalo offense this year and is one of Josh Allen’s favorite targets when he’s on the field.
PFF grades the former Ute as the No. 5 tight end in the NFL.
5. Bobby Wagner – Utah State – Commanders LB
Earlier I called Garett Bolles a “pinnacle of consistency.” If anyone truly deserves that title, it’s Wagner.
In his age 35 season, he’s recorded 157 tackles (78 solo), 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, and four pass breakups.
PFF ranks Wagner as the ninth-best linebacker and the 49th-best overall defensive player in the league.
Jordyn Brooks maintains his six-tackle lead at the top 📊 pic.twitter.com/IfBcnvhHku
— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2026
4. Devin Lloyd – Utah – Jaguars LB
One spot above Wagner is another local player who has broken out, and at a great time in a contract season.
Lloyd has 76 total tackles (33 solo), 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, five interceptions, and seven pass breakups.
PFF has Lloyd as the 11th-best defender in football.
3. Jordan Love – Utah State – Packers QB
Although it has been an up-and-down season in Green Bay, Love has stepped up as a top-ten QB this year.
He has 291 completions, a 66.3 percent completion rate, 3,381 yards, and 23 touchdowns. He’s also thrown just six interceptions, his lowest mark in a season as a starter.
The Packers sit at 9-6-1 and have clinched a playoff spot in the NFC.
2. Penei Sewell – Desert Hills High – Lions OL
Almost unarguably the best offensive lineman in the NFL comes in at No. 2 on our list.
For the first time since 2022, Sewell has allowed more than one sack this season. But his impact on one of the better O-Lines in the league can’t be understated.
1. Puka Nacua – BYU – Rams WR
Last but not least, maybe the best wideout in the NFL this season comes in at No. 1.
Nacua has set new career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns this season and could very well wrap it all up with a championship ring as the Rams look to contend this year.
Matthew Stafford is an MVP frontrunner, and that credit is shared with the former BYU Cougar.
Ball 🧲s pic.twitter.com/w1Gy8Z60Oz
— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2025
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.
