This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The 2017 NFL Draft has come and gone with a record eight Utes selected over the weekend in addition to prospects from BYU and Utah State. From Garett Bolles going to the Denver Broncos in the first round to undrafted free agents, each draftee is now in a battle to earn playing time and a spot on an NFL roster. Here's a list of where each player may make an impact in the upcoming NFL season:
Immediate contributors
• Garett Bolles, No. 20 overall to the Denver Broncos
Bolles lifting his 4-month-old son, Kingston, high in the air after his name was called was one of the most talked about moments in the first round. The mauling offensive tackle was the first Utes pick in the opening round since Star Lotulelei in 2013 and will boost a Broncos rushing attack that ranked 27th in the league and averaged only 3.6 yards per attempt last season.
• Marcus Williams, No. 42 overall to the New Orleans Saints
The ballhawk safety will be in line to make an immediate impact to boost an abysmal Saints pass defense that ranked worst in the league in allowing nearly 274 yards passing per game last season. Williams racked up 10 interceptions and 130 tackles during his last two years at Utah. Alongside first round pick Marshon Lattimore, Williams could be plugged in to get significant snaps in this Saints secondary right away.
• Jamaal Williams, No. 134 overall to the Green Bay Packers
The all-time leading BYU rusher watched as 12 other running backs were taken ahead of him, but he was scooped up by the Packers in the fourth round. Green Bay ranked 20th in the NFL with 106.3 yards per game on the ground last season and let Eddie Lacy leave in free agency. Plus the team released Christine Michael and Don Jackson on Monday. Ty Montgomery will be the presumptive starter entering next season, but Williams should have every opportunity to compete with fifth-rounder Aaron Jones to carve out a significant role.
In the rotation
• Joe Williams, No. 121 overall to the San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers had a great draft, and Williams should see rotation duty to challenge and spell incumbent starter Carlos Hyde immediately. After a monster 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and 1,407 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games for the Utes last season, Williams could be the lightning to Hyde's thunder.
• Isaac Asiata, No. 164 overall to the Miami Dolphins
Asiata's cross-training and versatility to play several positions on the line will be an asset to the Dolphins. He'll also have an opportunity to learn from talented veterans like Mike Pouncey while competing to earn time as a rotational offensive lineman.
• Brian Allen, No. 173 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh prizes toughness and physicality on defense and will make good use of Allen's height in the passing game. He tested well at the NFL combine and should be tossed into the rotation immediately as a press corner in a league that prizes corners more and more with each season.
Backups and special teamers
• J.J. Dielman, No. 176 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals
Dielman has experience at tackle and inside at center for a Bengals team that lost two starting offensive linemen in free agency. He'll compete to provide backup coverage and younger depth to starters Russell Bodine and T.J. Johnson.
• Sam Tevi, No. 190 overall to the San Diego Chargers
The Chargers loaded up on offensive linemen in this draft with Tevi as the third selected. He's an athletic swing tackle who should compete for a roster spot to back up Joe Barksdale and Russell Okung.
• Pita Taumoepenu, No. 202 overall to the San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers clearly were looking for defensive front seven talent in this draft and spent their first-round picks on Stanford's Solomon Thomas and Alabama's Reuben Foster. Taumoepenu should be in position to battle to be a backup pass rush specialist and special teamer.
• Devante Mays, No. 238 overall to the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay loaded up on running back prospects from Utah in this draft, taking Mays three rounds after Williams and as the team's third running back choice overall. Mays will try to break into the league like previous Utah State rushers and current NFL players Kerwynn Williams and Robert Turbin by providing value on special teams and in the run game.
Undrafted players to watch
• Hunter Dimick, signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars
Dimick was a NFL combine snub after setting the record for all-time sacks at Utah. He was dinged in the draft process for shorter arms than most impact prospects, but he should find a role somewhere for a Jags team that ranked 22nd in the league for sacks last season.
• Harvey Langi, signed by the New England Patriots
Langi finishing the draft without hearing his named called was a surprise. He should be able to compete for a special teams spot or a backup job with the reigning Super Bowl champions that already have former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy in the fold.
• Wyatt Houston, signed by the Kansas City Chiefs
The Utah State tight end will have an uphill battle on a Kansas City roster that features one of the best tight ends in the league in Tracis Kelce, but he has the skills and production history in Logan to carve out a role. He left Utah State second in tight end career receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.
Other confirmed undrafted free agent signees from BYU, Utah and Utah State
• Pasoni Tasini, Arizona Cardinals
• Tim Patrick, Baltimore Ravens
• Andy Phillips, Chicago Bears
• Kai Nacua, Cleveland Browns
• Taysom Hill, Green Bay Packers
• Jake Simonich, Houston Texans
• Reggie Porter, Indianapolis Colts
• Ricky Ali'ifua, Kansas City Chiefs
• Michael Davis, Los Angeles Chargers
• Jason Thompson, New England Patriots
• Chase Dominguez, New Orleans Saints
• Sae Tautu, New Orleans Saints
• Algernon Brown, Seattle Seahawks
Twitter: @BrennanJSmith