Utah’s Dallen Bentley reinforced rising draft stock at Pro Day
Mar 23, 2026, 4:51 PM | Updated: Mar 24, 2026, 10:02 am
SALT LAKE CITY — For Dallen Bentley, Utah’s Pro Day was all about reinforcing his improving draft stock.
Bentley enters the final stretch of the pre-draft process as one of the more interesting prospects on the board — a late bloomer with real production (48 catches, 620 yards, six touchdowns in 2025) and a profile that’s climbing after a strong postseason circuit.
Some boards still peg him as a late-round tight end, while others have pushed him into the middle rounds — even flirting with top-three positional rankings depending on the evaluator.
Dallen Bentley created a buzz
Bentley didn’t overcomplicate his performance. He acknowledged that he felt good but reiterated that point that it ultimately doesn’t matter.
“I just tried to put out my best self,” he said. “And I think I did a pretty good job doing that today.”
Even when asked about his 40-yard dash, which created a pretty positive buzz from those watching, his response was telling.
“Heard some rumors but it doesn’t matter, we’ll see what it is,” he said. “Film’s already on tape. That’s what’s most important.”
But according to a source, Bentley clocked an “official” unofficial time of 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Dallen Bentley is a TE prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.37 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 86 out of 1356 TE from 1987 to 2026.
Pending agility testing, bench tomorrow, splits projected.https://t.co/QCGbZI7O14 pic.twitter.com/Po1dlO92dx
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) February 28, 2026
Bentley’s journey — JUCO to NFL doorstep
Bentley’s story isn’t linear, and that’s what makes it special. Just a few years removed from junior college, where he first learned how to play tight end, he now stands on the edge of the NFL. He wasn’t even recruited out of high school, which speaks to the leaps he has made.
So, here he is. Fresh off of a breakout campaign that netted him 620 yards and six touchdowns, his performances at the NFL Combine and Utah Pro Day, all fuel his increasing stock as draft day approaches.
“It’s surreal,” Bentley said. “Looking in the rear view mirror now, it all makes sense.”
That reflection hits on something real. Because even after making it to Utah, Bentley only saw limited action in his first two seasons. Injuries were a bugaboo that impacted his availability and left him as an unknown quantity coming into his final season. But when it clicks — especially in a program like Utah — it tends to stick.
“All the extra work, all the hard work… it pays off,” he shared. “When I first got here, they taught me about culture, taught me how to work hard, taught me how to be physical. I owe the program a lot, definitely, it’s a great place, and super thankful I came here.”
The mindset NFL teams bet on
If there’s one thing Bentley made crystal clear, it’s that he’s not worried about where he’s drafted.
“I’m ready to give my all… no matter where I go, no matter what round I go,” he said.
That matters more than people think — especially when you zoom out and look at his actual draft profile.
Bentley didn’t come into this process as a Day 1 or Day 2 lock. The league tends to slot players like him — older prospects, JUCO background, solid but not elite measurables — into that Day 3 range (Rounds 5–7). However, the buzz has improved around Bentley’s name, potentially climbing to round three stock.
Regardless, players rarely survive in the league on talent alone. They survive on role acceptance, special teams value, and mental wiring. That’s exactly what Bentley is selling.
“I’m gonna get there, I’m gonna grind, I’m gonna find a spot… contribute in any way, shape, or form.”
Pro Day can be a pressure cooker. Months of training, years of work — all condensed into a few hours. Bentley acknowledged it.
“It’s a little bit nerve-wracking,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s just football… just go do what you do. Film’s already on tape. That’s what’s most important.”
Dallen Bentley is one of many great options in what I think is a super deep TE class
QB’s best friend who works his way open when the play breaks down and catches well outside of his frame pic.twitter.com/XKOnAUFqFi
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 12, 2026
The Bottom Line
Bentley is the kind of prospect that creates real debate in draft rooms — not because teams don’t see the talent, but because they’re trying to decide how much to trust the trajectory.
The production is real (48 catches, 620 yards, six touchdowns in 2025), and it came against legitimate Big 12 competition. But it’s also a one-year breakout layered on top of a non-linear path. That’s why his range is wide — some teams will see a mid-round tight end with upside, others will keep him in that Day 3 bucket and make him prove it.
Bentley just has to make the most of whatever opportunity he’ll be presented with. Players with his background stick in the league when they embrace the role early — special teams, depth reps, earning trust one week at a time.
Get in, stay consistent, and let the trajectory keep climbing.
