I haven't blogged about BYU players in the NFL for a few years, but I'm hoping to get back into it. This post will cover BYU players that I think have a chance to go either in the 2017 draft or be picked up as free agents and actually make a team. Currently, there are 10 BYU players in the NFL. They are:Ezekial Ansah - Lions DE
John Denney - Dolphons LS
Alani Fua - Cardinals LB
Bronson Kaufusi - Ravens DE
Paul Lasike - Bears FB
Dennis Pitta - Ravens TE
Daniel Sorenson - Chiefs DB
Uani Unga - Giants LB
Kyle Van Noy - Patriots LB
De'Ondre Wesley - Ravens OG
This list, however, is a little deceiving, because only a few of these players have seen significant time in the 2016 NFL season. Ansah has battled shoulder issues all season and hasn't performed near where he did in 2015. John Denney is great at his gig, but let's be honest, long-snappers don't get much cred and are never in the news. Pitta has had a great comeback season after many thought his career was over. He only has 2 TD catches this year but look for him to have an even better year after a full off-season with the team. Danny Sorenson has been the most improved BYU2NFLer this season. He's had a couple picks, a great sack, and a lot of tackles and PBUs. Van Noy had a great start in Detroit and then, out of nowhere, was traded to New England. It took him about 2 weeks to find his spot but he has been great for them, and I think this will elevate his career to the next level. The rest that I haven't mentioned have either been injured or just aren't seeing the field much. Let's hope this changes in 2017.
Here is a list of BYU seniors that have a chance to make it to the NFL, and how I predict they'll get there.
Michael Davis - DB - Free Agent. His speed may get him some looks, but I hope they don't look at his game film because his tackling in 2016 has been suspect. He even got beat out by a freshman for the starting nod. I don't see him making a 53 man roster, but he will get to a mini camp or two.
Taysom Hill - QB/ATH - Free Agent. I love Taysom. He is everything that kids should want to be when they grow up; but I don't see him getting drafted at the QB position. I could see him getting picked up as a safety or a fullback, but I really don't know if he wants to be in the league. We shall see.Kyle Johnson - OL - Free Agent. Kyle Johnson, at full health, is a great OL and should get a look in the league. If he can stay healthy, look for him to get picked up as a FA and land on a team.
Nick Kurtz - WR - Free Agent. Nick is a good receiver. He has a similar skill-set to Mitch Matthews, and that didn't work out for Mitch. I'd love to be wrong here, but I don't know if Nick has what it takes for the next level. He has shown a little more fight this year than he did previously, but will it be enough?
Harvey Langi - LB - Drafted 6-7th round. I see Langi getting picked up in the draft. He's a great LB and very versatile. I'm not sure he's got NFL speed, but let's hope he can have a great pro-day showing to move into the draft picture. According to Brady Poppinga, Bill Belichick would have drafted Harvey in the 1st rd last year. I highly doubt that to be the case, but I do see him getting drafted. And with a great pro-day he may move into the 2nd day. I see him having a great NFL career because of how well he knows the game.Kai Nacua - S - Drafted 5-6th round. When I look at Nacua on the field, he feels undersized to me, but he's got a typical NFL S size at 6'2" 215. I don't know if he has the speed some NFL safeties have, but I think he's got the talent to have a long NFL career at safety.
Logan Taele - DL - Free Agent. Taele is great and has NFL talent in stopping the run and rushing the QB. He's got great size and should be drafted, but his injury last night will probably keep him out of his pro-day workout. This will mean he has to get picked up as an FA, but I see that working out well for him.
Sae Tautu - LB - Free Agent. Tautu is great on the edge at rushing the QB. He has NFL size but he's kinda been under the radar his whole career at BYU. I see him having a great pro-day showing as well as a good mini camp for the first team that picks him up. He should make a 53 man roster next season..
Travis Tuiloma - DL - Drafted 5-6th round. He didn't have much of a senior season nor half of his junior season due to injuries, but BYU was undoubtedly better with him in there plugging the running lanes. I think he'll have a great workout at his pro-day (as long as he's healed by then) and he should be a starting DL in the NFL next season.
Jamaal Williams - RB - Drafted 2-3rd round. I love Jamaal. He's the best RB in BYU history. He's got NFL speed, size and talent. I see him having a great showing at the Senior Bowl and then a great combine and pro-day workout. I'd love to see him get picked up by my Broncos, but with DeVonte Booker just drafted last year, that might not be the best fit for him. As long as he gets on a team with a great OL, he should be a probowler by year 3. Look for him to have the most success at the next level than any cougar in the past 10 years.Others who just don't cut it or might have an outside shot:
Algernon Brown - RB - Just didn't show much this year. I know his role changed, but the NFL fullback is a thing of the past, and Paul Lasike is WAY more talented than Algie and just isn't getting many plays.
The Juergens Twins - WR - Too small and not fast enough. Maybe they could find a spot as a Julian Edelman type WRs, but I don't even think they have plans to try. I could be wrong, and I'd be happy to.
Colby Pearson - WR - See above comments.
Parker Dawe - OL - If you can't win a starting job in college, it'll be hard to at the next level. But he has an outside shot. He's a nice guy and I would love to see him succeed, but I just don't see it happening.
