BYU defensive end Tyler Batty is coming off an All-Big 12 First Team season, anchoring a defensive line that elevated the Cougars to an 11-2 record and a No. 13 ranking in the AP Poll. After playing five seasons in Provo, the 6-foot-6, 271-pounder turns his sights on the NFL Draft, which takes place April 24-26.
What are the odds Tyler Batty gets drafted?
The odds are in Batty’s favor that he’ll hear his name called somewhere in the later rounds of the draft, but he could go undrafted and sign as a free agent.
The NFL’s draft website highlights him as a “candidate for the bottom of the roster or the practice squad”, which confirms he will likely end up on a roster when it’s all said and done. NFL Mock Draft Database projects him as a sixth round pick while NFL Draft Buzz has him going in the seventh round. Many mocks drafts have him going somewhere between Rounds 6-7 but some mocks don’t have him getting drafted.
When it’s all said and done, it’s far more likely than not that Batty will hear his name called at the NFL Draft.
What teams are the best fits for Tyler Batty?
The knock against older players like Tyler Batty, who will be 25 when the NFL season starts, is that they “are who they are” in terms of long-term development. With that in mind, the best fits for Tyler are good teams in “win now” mode that need to bolster the defensive end position. Bottom-tier teams looking for long-term rebuilds and player development will likely go with younger late-round prospects.
Here are the best destinations for the BYU defensive end:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Yes, it’s a cliche that Andy Reid has a soft spot for BYU players, but Batty to the Chiefs goes beyond that. Kansas City’s Super Bowl window is still open and they will be in “win now” mode for at least the next couple of seasons. NFL.com lists defensive line and edge rusher among the team’s greatest draft day needs.
2. Buffalo Bills
Another annual Super Bowl contender, NFL.com also highlights defensive line and edge rushers as one of Buffalo’s biggest holes to address on draft day. It references Buffalo’s edge rusher issues and notes that several of the team’s key defensive linemen are entering the final seasons of their contracts. A plug-and-play guy like Batty could provide both immediate and long-term help.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers went 11-6 in 2024 and don’t want to waste any of quarterback Justin Herbert’s prime. They are another contender in need of both production and depth at defensive end.
The good news for BYU fans is Tyler Batty should be selected in the late rounds of next month’s NFL Draft.
The hope is he ends up in the right situation with the right team and continues to bolster BYU’s presence in the NFL for years to come.