The NFL Draft takes place from April 23-25, and BYU fans are hoping to hear at least a couple of former Cougars have their names called. This year, the Cougars don't have any early-round "locks" to be drafted as they have in previous years, but three players could end up going in the draft -- linebacker Jack Kelly, wide receiver Chase Roberts, and tight end Carsen Ryan.
Let's take a look at where recent mock drafts project them to be drafted.
Jack Kelly, linebacker
Those who follow BYU football know how dominant Jack Kelly's last two seasons were after transferring from Weber State to Provo. In two years in a Cougars uniform he racked up 106 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks. He's coming off an All-Big 12 First Team campaign. He was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Combine. He clearly has the best odds of being drafted among all former Cougars in the 2026 draft.
Here's where current mock drafts project him to be selected:
The Athletic - 4th round, Pittsburgh Steelers
CBS Sports - 7th round, Dallas Cowboys
The Draft Network - No. 96 prospect on their big board (third round)
ESPN - No. 205 prospect on their big board (sixth round)
Pro Football Network - 5th round, New York Giants
Sports Illustrated - 7th round, Denver Broncos
Most mock drafts and big boards have Kelly squarely pegged as a Day 3 pick, meaning somewhere between the fifth and seventh round. It would be surprising if he doesn't get drafted this year. His dual ability to both play the run and pressure the quarterback off the edge is NFL caliber. Some lucky team will land him late in the draft.
Chase Roberts, wide receiver
Chase Roberts is a beloved figure in Provo. Over four seasons he played 49 games for the Cougs with 170 receptions, 2,586 yards, and 18 touchdowns. The 6-foot-3 receiver was voted a team captain in each of his last two seasons. In 2025 he was given All-Big 12 Third Team honors and was invited to the NFL Combine.
Chase's path to the NFL Draft was a bit of case of looking from the outside in, and that was compounded when he ran a slower than hoped for 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He ran better at BYU's Pro Day, but that combine result will probably hang over his head come draft day. Here's where he's showing up in the mock draft world:
The Athletic - 6th round, Indianapolis Colts
CBS Sports - Undrafted
The Draft Network - 7th round, Baltimore Ravens
ESPN - No. 310 prospect on their big board (undrafted)
Pro Football Network - Undrafted
Sports Illustrated - 7th round, Jacksonville Jaguars
Whether or not Chase Roberts gets drafted is something of a 50-50 proposition. Since he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he's considered an "older" prospect, which won't work in his favor. But there's a chance he gets drafted and Roberts could give BYU fans a reason to tune in and watch the seventh round of the draft.
Carsen Ryan, tight end
Ryan played just one season for BYU after previous stints with UCLA and Utah, but it was a memorable year. He reeled in 45 receptions for 620 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 44.3 receiving yards per game. Ryan earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors. Here's what the draft wonks are saying about him:
The Athletic - 7th round, Minnesota Vikings
CBS Sports - Undrafted
The Draft Network - Undrafted
ESPN - No. 356 of their big board (undrafted)
Pro Football Network - Undrafted
Sports Illustrated - Undrafted
Okay, things aren't looking great for Carsen Ryan's draft prospects. But beyond the six mock draft websites profiled here, PFF listed him as the best late-round prospect at tight end in the draft. Let's hope some smart NFL front office is a PFF subscriber and decides to pull the trigger on BYU's solid tight end sometime late in the draft.
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