Locals In The NFL: Players To Look Out For In 2025 Season
Aug 21, 2025, 1:18 PM
(Photos courtesy of Getty Images)
(Photos courtesy of Getty Images)
The 2025 NFL season is just around the corner, and there are a handful of Utah locals who could be set for a career year.
From rising stars to players looking to make a name for themselves, these guys are poised to take the next step and leave their mark this fall.
Dalton Kincaid – Bills TE – Utah Alum
After an injury-riddled sophomore campaign, former Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid appears to be set up to bounce back in a major way in year three.
Kincaid was unfortunate enough to suffer injuries to both of his knees within a two-month span last season.
In week 10, he sprained the PCL in his left knee, which resulted in him missing three weeks. In week 16, he dealt with a Morel‑Lavallée Lesion in his right knee, a fluid accumulation beneath the skin. Luckily, he didn’t require surgery this offseason.
Back in June, Bills general manager Brandon Beane highlighted Kincaid’s quick offseason turnaround and how he looks as good as ever heading into 2025.
Today was Dalton Kincaid Day at Bills minicamp. He made several impressive catches in 7-on-7, especially red zone/goal line. Here is a catch in warm-up period: pic.twitter.com/G0qaxdJDMM
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) June 12, 2025
Last year, Kincaid had the 10th highest target rate (29 percent) in the NFL when he was on the field. Assuming good health, he could reach new heights in Buffalo.
Rashid Shaheed – Saints WR – Weber State Alum
Last season, former Weber State wide receiver Rashid Shaheed was on pace for a career year before a knee injury sidelined him.
Through six games, Shaheed caught 20 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned six kickoffs for 171 yards and nine punts for 143 yards and a touchdown.
Shaheed wasn’t just the best deep threat in New Orleans, but he was one of the best in the entire NFL.
If his speed and elusiveness remain elite post-injury, his production should continue at the pace he was on in 2024.
Looking at the Saints’ roster, there isn’t much depth on the outside. Shaheed remains a top-three option next to Chris Olave. The biggest question mark is under center, though.
Rashid Shaheed vs Kool-Aid McKinstry 1 on 1 pic.twitter.com/xZPH3I8JvU
— NOF (@nofnetwork) August 2, 2025
Heading into the final week of training camp, the week one starting spot is still up for grabs. Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler remain in competition, and the decision is expected soon.
Jaylon Johnson – Bears CB – Utah Alum
Coming off a big payday and a solid season in 2024, former Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson will step in as a defensive captain for the Bears again in year six.
Chicago used Johnson a bit differently last season. He set career highs in tackles and stuffs, but saw slight regressions in interceptions and pass breakups compared to 2023.
With former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams entering year two, many people expect the Bears to be much more competitive.
For himself, Johnson spoke about his season goals on the Big Pro Football Show.
“I want to have seven interceptions and three forced fumbles,” Johnson said, “10 turnovers at least. I want to have no touchdowns given up and no gains over 50 yards. First-team All-Pro, Pro Bowl again, and I want to get in the end zone three times.”
Jaylon Johnson has some lofty goals for 2025 👀#BigPFBShow pic.twitter.com/YIbZi47DYy
— Bears on CHSN (@CHSN_Bears) May 8, 2025
If he can reach those numbers, or even get close, not only would that be a career year, but it would put him in the top-five cornerbacks conversation.
He’s already knocking on that door as NFL coaches, executives, and scouts voted Johnson as the eighth-best CB in the league.
Jonah Elliss – Broncos LB – Utah Alum
Former Utah linebacker Jonah Elliss shocked a lot of people as an instant impact player in the front seven for Denver in his rookie year.
In 17 games played, he finished with 38 total tackles (24 solo), five sacks, two pass breakups, and 5.5 stuffs. The scary thing is, he’s looked even better in preseason.
Denver has a very young defensive core with stars like Pat Surtain II and Zach Allen. Not to mention, other Utes alumni like Karene Reid, Caleb Lohner, and Garett Bolles.
Back to the point, Elliss was top 100 in sacks last year and could easily jump into the top 30 as he grows with the rest of the defense.
Jonah Elliss’ Year 1->2 Growth is going to be ELECTRIC ⚡️
5 Sacks in his rookie year, a natural block shedder with a nice pass-rush arsenal, the tools are going to develop and the overall feel for the game will skyrocket.
Buy Stock Now 🤑 #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/GcTkZfoKiO
— Andy (@AndyyNFL) February 17, 2025
Puka Nacua – Rams WR – BYU Alum
We all know what former BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua is about and what he can do.
But with the Rams letting go of wide receiver Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles paved the way for Nacua to step in as the WR1. Coming off a season where he played just 11 games due to injury, Nacua still performed like a top-10 receiver when he was active.
The Rams brought in veteran Davante Adams to make sure teams can’t solely focus on Nacua on the outside, and Matthew Stafford remains a top-10 QB in the league as well.
He’s already been great, but we could see a levelled-up Nacua in year three.
NFL Top 100 Players of 2025:@RamsNFL WR Puka Nacua comes in at No. 41! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/RDSHESdLE4
— NFL (@NFL) August 8, 2025
Devaughn Vele – Saints WR – Utah Alum
I originally had former Utah wide receiver Devaughn Vele on this watchlist as a Denver Bronco. Now that he’s been traded to New Orleans, I may be even more hopeful for his sophomore season.
As a rookie, Vele had 41 receptions for 475 yards and three touchdowns. As previously mentioned, the Saints don’t have a lot of WR depth. To go a layer deeper, they don’t have a big, move-the-sticks type of receiver. Vele steps in as the tallest receiver on the roster by three inches.
Again, the quarterback worries are valid. Vele is also going to turn 28 years old this season. But I expect him to thrive in his new home.
#Saints coach Kellen Moore on Devaughn Vele, who they just traded for: “Really good player, really good person, had a productive year last year in Denver. … We felt like it was a great opportunity for us to get a younger guy that’s still developing and growing and it’ll be…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 21, 2025
Looking at stats from last season, Vee could easily step in as a top-three receiver in New Orleans. His 445 yards in year one would’ve placed him third for the Saints, behind TE Juwan Johnson and RB Alvin Kamara.
Clark Phillips III – Falcons CB – Utah Alum
Last but not least, we have former Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III.
In his sophomore season, Phillips stepped in as a top cornerback in Atlanta and put up some good numbers with 35 total tackles (27 solo), two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, five pass breakups, and two stuffs.
The story for Phillips through two seasons has been production exceeding opportunity. It’s all but guaranteed that he will start for the Falcons in year three and be fully unleashed in the secondary.
He has flown under the radar among the national media through two seasons, but there’s a real chance he makes his name known after 2025.
Clark Phillips III looks READY to take over as one of the TOP cornerbacks in the NFL next season.
Phillips has been one of the most SLEPT ON CB’s in the NFL since he was a rookie in 2023.
In 2023, Phillips allowed an impressive completion percentage of just 53.8% when targeted.… pic.twitter.com/ooCnlB78fp
— Rookie Watch (@RookieWatxh) May 8, 2025
About #LocalsInTheNFL
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