Utes in the NFL: Where all 35 former Utah football players stand entering the 2026 season

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah football will have 35 former players participating in NFL training camps across 22 organizations, ranging from established Pro Bowlers to undrafted rookies fighting for practice-squad opportunities.

The group includes 19 defensive players, 14 offensive players and two specialists. The 35 former Utes entering NFL training camps are under contracts worth approximately $373.5 million, which includes approximately $214.97 million in total guarantees, (contract figures are from Spotrac and represent total contract values).

The following is a roster guide for former Utes in the league.

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— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) July 28, 2026

Established starters and core contributors

• Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos: Bolles remains Denver’s starting left tackle and one of Utah’s most established NFL players. His four-year, $82 million extension includes nearly $42 million guaranteed. He’s been one of the most consistent players in the league over the last few years. He’s elevated his standard for performance and is considered one of the top tackles in the league.
• Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears: The two-time Pro Bowl corner is healthy after battling a groin injury last season. He remains Chicago’s defensive centerpiece under a four-year, $76 million contract with $51.4 million guaranteed. Johnson has been considered one of the better corners in the league but he’s looking to return to Pro Bowl form.
• Devin Lloyd, Carolina Panthers: After a breakout campaign last season with Jacksonville, Carolina signed Lloyd to become its starting middle linebacker and leader of the defensive side of the ball. His three-year, $42 million deal includes $25 million guaranteed. Lloyd will look to build on his spectacular 2025 production.

Watch Devin Lloyd speak to the media. https://t.co/AfVFyoY6KH

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) July 26, 2026

• Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills: Kincaid enters camp as Buffalo’s starting tight end after making the Pro Bowl last season. His original four-year, $13.4 million rookie contract runs through 2026, and Buffalo exercised an $8.16 million fully guaranteed option for 2027. This is an important season for Kincaid to re-establish himself as one of the top pass catching tight ends.
• Cole Bishop, Buffalo Bills: Bishop has developed into Buffalo’s starting free safety. He is entering the third year of a four-year, $6.55 million rookie contract. After a rocky start to his career, Bishop took a big step forward last season. If he maintains that trajectory, Bishop could emerge as one of the best safeties in the league this season.
• Julian Blackmon, New Orleans Saints: Blackmon enters camp as the projected starting free safety after signing a one-year, $2.54 million contract with $1 million guaranteed.
• Devaughn Vele, New Orleans Saints: Vele is positioned for a significant receiving role after joining New Orleans. He remains on his four-year, $4.12 million rookie contract.
• Cody Barton, Tennessee Titans: Barton’s three-year, $21 million contract reflects starter-level value. He enters camp competing for a central role in Tennessee’s linebacker rotation.
• Matt Gay, Las Vegas Raiders: Gay is the leading candidate to handle the Raiders’ kicking job after signing a one-year, $1.6 million deal with $1.35 million guaranteed.

Utah’s 2026 rookie class enters with different expectations

Utah had three players selected in the NFL draft and five more reach training camps as undrafted free agents.

Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu enter with fully guaranteed first-round contracts. Dallen Bentley has draft status but faces significant competition. The undrafted rookies must prove they deserve a roster spot or continued development on a practice squad.

• Spencer Fano, Cleveland Browns: The No. 9 pick enters camp as Cleveland’s projected starting left tackle. His four-year, $32.26 million contract is fully guaranteed and includes a $19.92 million signing bonus.

“Spencer Fano is a culture builder. I know he’s a rookie, but he’s a culture builder. From Day 1 when he got here, the second he walked in the building, he was different. He’s a different dude and he’s also really good at football.”

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— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) July 29, 2026

• Caleb Lomu, New England Patriots: The No. 28 pick is working as New England’s top backup tackle and has also received snaps at guard and jumbo tight end. His four-year, $18.92 million contract is fully guaranteed.
• Dallen Bentley, Denver Broncos: The 256th overall pick signed a four-year, $4.5 million contract with $120,488 guaranteed. His receiving ability provides upside, but blocking and special-teams value will shape his roster chances.
• Logan Fano, Cleveland Browns: Fano joined his brother in Cleveland on a three-year, $3.14 million contract with $310,000 guaranteed. His pass-rush ability gives him a chance to compete for a rotational edge role.
• Lander Barton, Los Angeles Chargers: Barton signed a three-year, $3.12 million contract with $264,500 guaranteed. His size and versatility create a potential path through special teams and reserve linebacker work.
• Jaren Kump, Chicago Bears: Kump’s three-year, $3.12 million contract includes $115,000 guaranteed. His experience across all five offensive-line positions strengthens his developmental value.
• Tanoa Togiai, Washington Commanders: Togiai signed a three-year, $3.12 million contract with $140,000 guaranteed. His size and athleticism provide upside, but his technique must become more consistent.
• Blake Cotton, Denver Broncos: Cotton signed a three-year, $3.1 million contract with no guaranteed money listed. Special teams provide his clearest path through a deep cornerback competition.

Defined roles with competition attached

• Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson’s experienced backup signed a two-year, $5 million contract with $3.5 million guaranteed.
• Clark Phillips III, Atlanta Falcons: Phillips enters the final year of his four-year, $4.61 million rookie deal as an experienced reserve corner competing for nickel and outside snaps.
• Mitch Wishnowsky, Buffalo Bills: The veteran punter signed for one year and $1.48 million but must beat rookie Tommy Doman Jr. to keep the job.
• Jonah Elliss, Denver Broncos: Elliss remains part of Denver’s edge rotation entering Year 3 of a four-year, $5.87 million contract.
• Sione Vaki, Detroit Lions: Vaki’s primary value remains special teams and offensive versatility. His four-year rookie contract is worth $4.67 million.
• Britain Covey, Philadelphia Eagles: Covey returns as Philadelphia’s leading punt-return option on a two-year, $2.32 million contract.
• Tim Patrick, New York Jets: The veteran receiver signed a one-year, $2 million deal with $1 million guaranteed and is competing for a rotational role.
• Leki Fotu, New York Giants: Fotu provides reserve nose-tackle size on a one-year, $1.29 million contract with only $25,000 guaranteed.
• Terrell Burgess, New Orleans Saints: Burgess is competing for backup safety and special-teams work on a one-year, $1.4 million deal.
• Mohamoud Diabate, Tennessee Titans: Diabate signed a one-year, $1.36 million contract with $350,000 guaranteed, giving him a realistic path to a reserve linebacker role.

Fighting for roster or practice-squad positions

• Nephi Sewell, Chicago: One year, $1.22 million; reserve linebacker and special-teams candidate.
• Caleb Lohner, Denver: Two years, $1.94 million; developmental tight end entering a consequential second camp.
• Karene Reid, Denver: Three years, $2.98 million with $249,000 guaranteed; reserve linebacker candidate.
• Thomas Yassmin, Green Bay: One year, $885,000; international exemption gives him additional developmental runway.
• Junior Tafuna, Houston: One year, $885,000; interior depth candidate.
• Miles Battle, Miami: Two years, $2.13 million; depth corner facing a crowded competition.
• Zemaiah Vaughn, Minnesota: Two years, $1.85 million; developmental corner and special-teams option.
• Connor O’Toole, Seattle: Three years, $3 million with $264,000 guaranteed; reserve edge and coverage-unit candidate.

The Bottom Line

Utah football’s NFL footprint features both quality and volume. Bolles, Johnson, Lloyd, Kincaid and Bishop are established starters, while Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu begin fully guaranteed first-round contracts.

The more revealing number is 35. Utah’s professional pipeline now extends beyond stars to specialists, rotational defenders and developmental players across nearly two-thirds of the league. The next month will determine how many survive the reduction from training-camp rosters to 53-man teams.

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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