The State Of The Local Players In The NFL

SALT LAKE CITY – The 2021 NFL season is over and the offseason is here with free agency and the league’s 2022 draft on the horizon.

Ahead of the new league year, here is a look at the current state of affairs for the NFL players with ties to the state of Utah:

The State of the #LocalsInTheNFL

1. 2022 Free Agency

The new league year officially begins on March 16 at 2 p.m. (MDT). Although free agency doesn’t officially begin until the new league year starts, the legal tampering period opens on March 14.

Almost 20 local players will enter some form of free agency on March 16. Those players include six former Utah Utes, two former BYU Cougars, seven former Utah State Aggies, one former Southern Utah Thunderbird, and three former Utah high school standouts.

Click here for a detailed view of our 2022 Local NFL Free Agency Tracker.

#LocalsInTheNFL to keep an eye on during #NFL free agency. 👀⬇️https://t.co/bYQp1KRXZf

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 17, 2022

2. 2022 NFL Draft

The state of Utah has produced excellent NFL talent during recent years and the 2022 draft will be no exception. Like the past two NFL Drafts, the state will produce a first round selection.

Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd is currently projected to be a high first round pick.

In addition to Lloyd, multiple local players are likely to land on NFL rosters as draft selections or undrafted free agents.

Some of the players to watch include:

• Devin Lloyd (Utah)
• Nephi Sewell (Utah)
• Britain Covey (Utah)
• Bam Olaseni (Utah)
• TJ Pledger (Utah)
• Nick Ford (Utah)
• Cole Fotheringham (Utah)
• Brandon McKinney (Utah)
• Vonte Davis (Utah)
• Viane Moala (Utah)
• Hauati Pututau (Utah)
• Mika Tafua (Utah)
• Tyler Allgeier (BYU)
• James Empey (BYU)
• Neil Pau’u (BYU)
• Deven Thompkins (Utah State)
• Savon Scarver (Utah State)
• Braxton Jones (Southern Utah)
• Jaylen Warren (East High)

🔜 #NFLCombine #LocalsinTheNFL #NFL #GoUtes #BYUFOOTBALL #StormTheSky https://t.co/56Ft3IfrDt

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 28, 2022

3. Utah is Quarterback Country

The local colleges have produced NFL quarterbacks for decades. However, that number has increased in the past five years. Entering the 2022 season, four local quarterbacks could potentially be starters in the NFL.

#LocalsInTheNFL to start a game at QB this season:

– Zach Wilson (BYU/Jets) ✅
– Jordan Love (Utah State/Packers) ✅
– Tyler Huntley (Utah/Ravens) ✅
– Taysom Hill (BYU/Saints) ✅#NFL @kslsports
📷: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/MUxNx4lBeU

— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) December 3, 2021

Zach Wilson

Right now, former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson is the starter and quarterback of the future for the New York Jets. Wilson’s rookie campaign was a rollercoaster full of mistakes, injuries, and excellent throws that showed why he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Another offseason of preparation and more weapons that the Jets will likely add via the draft and free agency will help Wilson take another step in 2022.

.@ZachWilson ZIPPED this one to Keelan Cole. 💪✈️#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #TakeFlight #NYJvsBUF #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/nGcSipIl4f

— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) January 9, 2022

In addition to Wilson, former BYU QB Taysom Hill, former Utah QB Tyler Huntley, and former Utah State QB Jordan Love each started games during the 2021 campaign.

Taysom Hill

Last offseason, Hill a battle against Jameis Winston to be the starting quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. After Winston suffered a season-ending injury, Hill started multiple games for the Saints. Winston is a free agent this offseason and Hill is under contract for multiple years. The former BYU star underwent surgery following the regular season but should be primed for a shot as New Orleans’ starter during the Saints’ training camp this summer.

Touchdown Taysom 🤙#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #NOvsATL #Saints #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/x2KZl0egjK

— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) January 9, 2022

Tyler Huntley

Huntley served as Lamar Jackson’s backup in 2021 but saw action, including multiple starts, after Jackson suffered an injury. Huntley performed very well during Jackson’s absence. Although the Baltimore Ravens control the former Utah standout’s contract, a quarterback-needy team might reach out to inquire about trading for Huntley.

.@Ravens QB Tyler Huntley won’t play in Week 16… but here a some potential landing spots for the former @Utah_Football signal-caller in 2022. 🙌#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #RavensFlock #GoUtes https://t.co/hnO9t55lIk

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 26, 2021

Jordan Love

Like Huntley, Love served as a backup quarterback last season. Love backed up back-to-back MVP Aaron Rodgers. The former USU star played in multiple contests last season, including a start when Rodgers missed a game due to COVID-19. The Green Bay Packers don’t have to make a decision on Love’s future before learning of Rodgers’ decision to come back, retire, or ask for a trade. Love’s future depends on the outcome of Rodgers’ decision. If Rodgers leaves Green Bay, Love could become another local starter.

💛 Jordan Love finds Allen Lazard for first career touchdown pass. 🦎#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #GBvsKC #GoPackGo #AggiesAllTheWay @kslsportspic.twitter.com/UFmdxTA2hP

— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) November 8, 2021

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

Follow @kyleireland