This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The local draft prospects and undrafted free agents have left Salt Lake City, Provo, Logan and Cedar City for their new NFL homes across the nation. After strong college production, they'll try to make an impact on Sundays as early as possible. Here's a projection of 10 players who will have the earliest NFL impact in no particular order:
1. Former Utah State linebacker Kyler Fackrell (Drafted in the third round by the Green Bay Packers)
Fackrell rebounded from a torn ACL to become a strong NFL prospect with an 82 tackles, four sacks and five fumble recoveries as a senior. Fackrell fits in as a speed rusher with Green Bay and will benefit from first round pick UCLA defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who'll absorb blockers at the line of scrimmage. He'll battle Nick Perry and an older Julius Peppers, likely rotating in as an impact pass rusher on third down passing plays.
What Pro Football Focus says: "Fackrell's 15.7 pass rush productivity ranked sixth best for edge rushers in this draft class."
2. Former Utah running back Devontae Booker (Drafted in the fourth round by the Denver Broncos)
Booker is still coming back from a torn meniscus, but should have every chance to make an impact right away for the defending Super Bowl champions. The Broncos have C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman ahead of him on the depth chart, but a combined 359 carries between the two in 2015 leaves plenty of room for Booker to jump into the rotation. Peyton Manning is gone and Gary Kubiak's resumé is built on running back success, opening the door for Booker to contribute on third down and beyond as a sledgehammer and pass catcher.
What Pro Football Focus says: "Booker avoided being tackled on first contact on 36.7 percent of his carries, the fifth best rate in this draft class."
3. Former BYU defensive end Bronson Kaufusi (Drafted in the third round by the Baltimore Ravens)
Kaufusi finds himself in a traditionally dominant defense with the versatility to play inside, outside and at linebacker for the Ravens. Baltimore doubled up on pass rushers in the second and third round with Kaufusi and Boise State's Kamalei Correa, who combined for 46.5 sacks and 75.5 tackles for loss in their college careers. Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are on the back end of their careers, opening the door for Kaufusi to make a rotational impact at defensive end, outside linebacker or as a hybrid defensive tackle.
What Pro Football Focus says: "Kaufusi finished second in run stop rate and first in pass rush productivity among all 3-4 defensive ends in FBS last season."
4. Former Southern Utah safety Miles Killebrew with the Lions (Drafted in the fourth round by the Detroit Lions)
Killebrew is a violent hitter and enforcer at safety in the mold of Seattle's Kam Chancellor, racking up 132 tackles for the Thunderbirds last season. The Lions made several moves at his position in the offseason, signing Rafael Bush and Tavon Wilson to join Don Carey, Isaiah Johnson and stalwart free safety Glover Quin — signaling a competition at the strong safety spot. Killebrew will have a tough time starting right away, but will be relied upon to make big hits on special teams and contribute in special defensive packages.
What Pro Football Focus says: "Across the four games we've charted, Killebrew was targeted 12 times, holding opposing passers to a 37.5 QB rating."
5. Former Utah State linebacker Nick Vigil (Drafted in the third round by the Cincinnati Bengals)
Vigil will start as a special teams ace for the Bengals, but could work his way into the starting rotation next season. Vontaze Burfict is a lock on one side, with aging veteran Karlos Dansby on the other. Marquis Flowers and Paul Dawson are also ahead of Vigil, but after racking up 144 tackles in 2015, he could see the field more extensively as the season wears on.
What Pro Football Focus says: "Vigil recorded 60 defensive stops in the run game, third most in this linebacker draft class."
6. Former Utah punter Tom Hackett with the Jets (Undrafted free agent)
Hackett finds himself in an all-Australian punting competition with New York's seventh round pick Lachlan Edwards as the only two punters on the Jets roster. Hackett, a two-time Ray Guy award winner, already has the edge in gross punting average from college with 48 yards to Edwards' 41.5 yards per punt and should have a legitimate shot to be the Jets' punter going into the opening week of the season.
What Pro Football Focus says: "In 2015, just 18 percent of Hackett's punts were returned."
7. Former Southern Utah cornerback LeShaun Sims (Drafted in the fifth round by the Tennessee Titans)
The Titans traded up for Sims, who had 12 passes defensed and two interceptions as a senior at SUU. Sims has ideal size, tenacity and press coverage skills to excel in Tennessee. The team grabbed two other defensive backs in Kevin Byard and Kalan Reed to add to a group that already includes talent like Jason McCourty, but Sims should have a chance to make an early special teams impact while battling to be a slot, fourth or fifth corner.
What Pro Football Focus says: "Sims had three defensive stops in the only game versus FBS competition in 2015."
8. Former Utah State wide receiver Hunter Sharp with the Eagles (Undrafted free agent)
Sharp was one of the lone consistencies of Utah State's offense last season, catching 71 passes for 835 yards and nine touchdowns. The Eagles signed former Giants receiver Rueben Randle in the offseason to go with Nelson Agholor, Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff, but the fifth receiver position should be wide open between Sharp, Chris Givens, Jonathan Krause, T.J. Graham, Freddie Martino and Xavier Rush. If he makes the roster, Sharp could make an early impact both on special teams and in the slot for Philadelphia.
What Pro Football Focus says: "Sharp earned a +10.3 overall grade in 2015, second highest among MWC receivers in this draft class."
9. Former Utah defensive end Jason Fanaika with the 49ers (Undrafted free agent)
Fanaika finished 2015 with 53 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He'll join a 49ers team that's reloading a beleagured defense and is coached by Chip Kelly, who values Pac-12 talent after selecting Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner in the first round. If he makes the roster, Fanaika is an early special teams contributor with the strength to develop and contribute at either outside linebacker or defensive end for San Francisco.
What Pro Football Focus says: "Fanaika's 50 total pressures were the 10th most of 4-3 defensive ends in this draft class."
10. Former Utah State defensive tackle David Moala with the Broncos (Undrafted free agent)
The Broncos drafted Georgia Tech defensive tackle Adam Gotsis in the second round, but Moala could still find a foothold on the roster. He finished his senior season in Logan with 50 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, while also specializing in blocked kicks as the Aggies' nose guard. The Broncos have Sylvester Williams and Darius Kilgo ahead of him, but Moala has the size and gap plugging ability to make Denver's roster.
What Pro Football Focus says: "Moala earned a +21.1 overall grade in 2015, second best among MWC interior defenders in this draft class."
Honorable mentions: Former SUU defensive end James Cowser (Oakland Raiders), Former BYU offensive lineman Ryker Mathews (New Orleans Saints), Former BYU wide receiver Mitch Mathews (Kansas City Chiefs)
Twitter: @BrennanJSmith