Cougars in the NFL: 2024 Draft Edition

Only one BYU football player was taken in the 2024 NFL Draft—Kingsley Suamataia was drafted by Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs. After the draft, five more Cougars were signed as undrafted free agents by NFL teams. In addition, Eddie Heckard, AJ Vongphachahn, and Jackson Cravens received minicamp invites with the Broncos, Jets, and Chiefs, respectively, though none of them have signed free agent deals at this point. Isaac Rex was signed as a free agent by the Lions, but waived almost immediately. In this breakdown, I'll talk about Kingsley and the four Cougars who are currently on UDFA contracts, and then go over the other BYU products currently on NFL rosters and practice squads.

2024 NFL Draft Selection:

Kingsley Suamataia, OL, Kansas City Chiefs: Kingsley was the only BYU player widely projected as a draft pick this year, and he was taken by the Chiefs in the 2nd round, 63rd overall. Kansas City is a great landing spot for Kingsley, who continues the tradition of BYU left tackles being drafted into the NFL—a streak which now stands at three straight, with Kingsley joining Brady Christensen and Blake Freeland. Kingsley will have the opportunity to play for the NFL's best head coach right now, Andy Reid, who also happens to be a former BYU offensive lineman! Coach Reid is well known for favoring BYU products, and his draft night conversation with Kingsley was fun. Kingsley is probably somewhere between Christensen and Freeland in terms of NFL readiness, but his size and skill are unquestionable and he should flourish under Coach Reid's tutelage. It will be fun to watch him develop in the league, and it's hard to imagine a better situation for him than this one.

2024 Undrafted Free Agents:

Ryan Rehkow, P, Kansas City Chiefs: Remember how I said that Andy Reid really likes to sign BYU guys? Yeah. Chalk another one up. Ryan Rehkow was among the best punters in the nation throughout his BYU career, and he had a sensational season in 2023, leading the Big 12 in average yards per punt. But where the Chiefs are arguably the perfect team for Kingsley Suamataia, they're a...less ideal fit for Rehkow. The reason? He will have stiff competition for a roster spot as a result of the Chiefs signing one of the most electrifying collegiate punters in history, Matt Araiza. Araiza was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills out of SDSU in 2022, but his career came to a crashing halt when he was the target of a lawsuit alleging sexual assault. Those allegations against him have since been dropped, though, and the Chiefs were only too happy to snatch him up in free agency. It seems that the Chiefs are treating Rehkow almost as an insurance policy, just in case Araiza's legal troubles resurface or he proves to be too rusty because of his time away from football. But if Araiza can perform at the level he attained in college, Rehkow likely doesn't have a place with the Chiefs. Will another team sign him if and when the Chiefs waive him? Probably, but that uncertainty is unfortunate.

Aidan Robbins, RB, Cleveland Browns: Aidan Robbins deserved better than this. So did Chris Brooks last year. Both Robbins and Brooks were high-profile grad transfer running backs with NFL potential who were brought in as one-year rental workhorses—Brooks to plug the gaping hole in the roster left by Tyler Allgeier, and Robbins to mentor LJ Martin and carry the load until he was ready. Unfortunately, both of these very talented players ran into the ugly reality that was BYU's Darrell Funk-coached offensive line, which couldn't block the run at all and gave their stud running backs little to work with. Robbins wasn't helped by spending a significant chunk of his sole BYU season injured. All of that considered, it might seem a little incredible that he's getting a shot at the NFL, period. But, I mean, look at the guy! He's a chiseled 6'3" and 240 lbs and he runs like a nitrous-boosted cement mixer! He has a plainly NFL-ready body and plenty of experience and maturity. That's a lot to like in a prospect, and in signing him as an undrafted free agent, the Browns aren't taking too much of a risk on him. Hopefully, he can carve out a niche for himself at the next level.

Kedon Slovis, QB, Indianapolis Colts: I hate it when I make a negative prediction and end up being right. I had major questions about Kedon Slovis when BYU signed him last year, mainly centered around the fact that (due to a combination of injuries, coaching, and his own performance issues) his passer rating had declined in every season of his career. It declined again in 2023, from 127.1 in his lone year at Pitt to 122.1 at BYU. Not all of that was Slovis's fault, of course. The BYU offense had major issues, perhaps most importantly in the run game. Lacking any semblance of run support and working in an offense that wasn't suited to his play style, Slovis had a really rough season. He was eventually pulled due to injury after the Texas game and never returned, even though he was apparently healthy enough to play in the last couple of games. Posting a subpar performance and then being benched for Jake Retzlaff doesn't seem like a recipe for getting a shot at the NFL, but it's weirdly unsurprising that he's getting one. After all, he still looks like the prototypical pro-style quarterback—tall and muscular, with a cannon arm and a great feel for the pocket. He's not a freak athlete, but he possesses a lot of the other important tools to be a successful NFL signal-caller. And in a draft class where quarterbacks were in insanely high demand, with the top six QB prospects taken in the first twelve picks, there was even a point during the 2nd round where Slovis was one of the best prospects left and I thought there was a decent chance he'd be drafted. I'm not sure what the future holds for him, but I hope he will be able to make a career for himself in the NFL.

Max Tooley, LB, Houston Texans: I thought Max Tooley had an outside shot at being drafted this year, and I think he's the most likely of these UDFAs to immediately stick on an NFL roster. Tooley was BYU's leading tackler in 2023, recording 92 total stops, 5 TFLs, and a sack. He plays with a certain crazy energy that motivates his teammates and wreaks havoc on the opposing offense. Tooley was one of my favorite players to watch during his time at BYU, and I think he has the potential to do well at the next level.

All Other BYU Players in the NFL:

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons: It seems that, at least for the moment, Allgeier is stuck in a position he doesn't deserve—trapped on a dysfunctional Falcons team with an incompetent front office and Bijan Robinson ahead of him on the depth chart. Still, Allgeier got plenty of touches last year as the second half of the Falcons' one-two RB punch, and he will probably get his share this year as well, since he's a better receiving back than Robinson.

Zayne Anderson, S, Green Bay Packers: Quite possibly the most surprising entry on this list, Anderson has clung to a series of practice squad and active roster spots in Kansas City, Buffalo, and now Green Bay. He established himself as a special teams presence with the Packers last year, but he will have to do more than that to avoid being bumped out by younger talent.

Chris Brooks, RB, Miami Dolphins: After a rookie season where he contributed more than anyone expected him to and could have done even better if not for a midseason injury, it's hard to know what to expect out of Chris Brooks in year two. He's a big, powerful back who could possibly find his niche as a battering ram in short yardage situations.

Brady Christensen, OL, Carolina Panthers: Christensen missed most of the 2023 season with a torn bicep, but is expected to be ready to go for the start of this season. It's not yet clear where he'll play—he's spent time at most of the spots on Carolina's O-line. Recently, he's even gotten reps at center in practice. Wherever the Panthers decide to play him, it's clear that Christensen still figures prominently in their plans.

Michael Davis, CB, Washington Commanders: It seems odd to say that signing with one of the worst teams in the league may have just saved Michael Davis's career, but that might just be the case. After a seven-year stint with the Chargers that ended on a sour note with his benching for much of the 2023 season, Davis looked like he might be reaching the end of his time as an NFL starter. But then, the Commanders threw him a lifeline. Washington's cornerback room is bad. Like, really bad. And because of his significant NFL experience, Davis is likely to be a starter in that group virtually by default, so long as he can stay healthy. As Davis's contract in Los Angeles came to an end, I'll admit that my prognostication for his career was less than encouraging. But now, he's been given a new lease on life and the chance to be a mentor for a young, struggling unit.

Blake Freeland, OL, Indianapolis Colts: Blake Freeland was very much drafted for his developmental potential rather than his polished skills—he's a freak athlete, but wasn't considered quite ready for major rotational snaps as a rookie. But injuries changed everything, as the Colts' line was decimated over the course of the season and Freeland ended up being pressed into a starting role for lengthy stretches. He wasn't...horrible...but he played about as well as a rookie developmental pick could have been expected to, which is to say that he struggled at times. Now, with a season under his belt, he will hopefully be able to spend more time learning the ropes and getting comfortable in the NFL as opposed to fighting for his life. The Colts drafted him for his potential—now, they have to put him in a position to realize it.

Jaren Hall, QB, Minnesota Vikings: It's hard to predict what, if any, future Jaren Hall might have in the NFL. He was universally criticized for his play during two starts for the Vikings as a rookie, and it feels like his days in Minnesota might be numbered. It's anyone's guess whether another NFL team would take a flyer on him because of his athleticism, maturity, and arm strength.

Kaleb Hayes, CB, New York Giants: Hayes looked like he might be in line for a roster spot after turning heads with his speed at the Combine. Instead, he was waived by the Jaguars almost instantly after signing with them as an undrafted free agent last year. Fortunately for his career, the Giants stashed him on their practice squad, and he's remained there ever since. Now with some NFL-caliber development behind him, he will hopefully be able to leverage his crazy athleticism into a roster spot.

Taysom Hill, All of the Above, New Orleans Saints: Since Sean Payton's departure from New Orleans, Taysom has received an ever-declining share of the Saints' offensive workload. Perhaps not coincidentally, that New Orleans offense has pretty much been consistently bad since then. As long as the Saints keep their current staff (which might not be much longer), Taysom probably won't get the touches he deserves—and that's not ideal, since he isn't getting any younger.

Dax Milne, WR, Washington Commanders: Of the players on this list with serious active roster experience, Dax Milne might be in the greatest danger of seeing his time in the NFL come to an end soon. That's not entirely his fault—just a couple of weeks after the Commanders expressed their confidence in him by re-signing him to their active roster last year, he suffered an injury that sidelined him for the season. Now, his NFL future is very much up in the air. He's never done anything to really stand out as a receiver in Washington—he's only stuck around as long as he has by being a serviceable return man. But as he gets older, that becomes less of a marketable skill.

Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams: It will be tough for Puka to top the magic and excitement of his record-breaking rookie campaign, but expect him to play a starring role in the Rams' offense opposite Cooper Kupp this season. The eyes of the league have been on on Puka almost from his arrival in Los Angeles. He's already being called one of the best wideouts in the NFL, and that hype will only intensify if he has a good season in 2024.

Sione Takitaki, LB, New England Patriots: After a mostly successful—if injury-riddled—five-year stint in Cleveland, Takitaki signed a two-year, $6.65 million deal with the Patriots in March. He should fit very nicely into New England's talented linebacker room, and his versatility, experience, and steadiness will make him a valuable asset for the Patriots as they try to lift themselves out of the (gulp!) basement of the AFC.

Khyiris Tonga, DT, Arizona Cardinals: Tonga's career seemed like it was on the verge of taking off in Minnesota, only for a staff change to wipe out his playing time. The Vikings were perfectly happy to let him walk in free agency this year, and he's since signed a one-year deal with the Cardinals. He's currently listed as their 2nd-team nose guard. Hopefully, he will be able to compete for serious rotational snaps this year.

Kyle Van Noy, LB, Baltimore Ravens: After a breakout season where Van Noy recorded nine sacks in fourteen games for the Ravens, he signed a two-year, $9 million deal in April which will keep him in Baltimore. He was a critical part of the Ravens' elite pass rush in 2023, and he's proven that he still has plenty of career left ahead of him.

Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers: BYU's biggest star in the NFL continues to perform brilliantly year after year, collecting accolades as he goes. Heading into his seventh NFL season, he's considered by many to be the best linebacker in the league and the focal point of San Francisco's defense. The only thing he hasn't done yet is win a Super Bowl—fellow BYU alum Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs thwarted him yet again this year. If the Niners can finally break through and win a ring, Warner's Hall of Fame trajectory will be all but assured.

Chris Wilcox, CB, Los Angeles Chargers: Since being drafted in the 7th round by Tampa Bay in 2021, Wilcox has bounced quickly around the league. In addition to the Buccaneers, he's spent time with the Colts, Cardinals, Steelers, and his latest team—the Chargers. Other than a brief stint on Indy's active roster, he has been on practice squads throughout his career. Hopefully, he will be able to make his way onto an NFL depth chart soon.

Jamaal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints: Playing for a mediocre offense that already has a star RB in Alvin Kamara, Jamaal probably won't get a lot of touches in 2024. But if he can reliably generate yardage with those touches, he might be a candidate for more work down the road, especially if New Orleans decides to blow it up and trade Kamara. Then again, the Saints might trade Jamaal first, and that wouldn't be the worst thing for his career.

Zach Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos: ZACH IS FREE! After suffering through three miserable seasons in the dumpster fire that is the New York Jets franchise, Zach Wilson has been traded to the Denver Broncos. His place in Denver isn't exactly clear—the Broncos drafted Bo Nix 12th overall this year, which means they probably view Zach more as a placeholder. Still, this is a fresh start with a significantly better team and front office, and Zach might just surprise some people and turn into a viable starter if given the chance.