With the NFL Draft kicking off on Thursday, April 24th, we’re going to take a look back on the history of former BYU Cougars and the NFL Draft. Today we’re going to check in on the last 10 BYU players selected in the NFL Draft and see how their careers are unfolding:
Players who are excelling
Puka Nacua, WR, 5th round (2023)
Career stats: 28 games, 28 starts, 184 rec, 2,476 yds, 9 TD, 1x Pro Bowl
To say Puka Nacua was a revelation as a rookie in 2023 is underselling how quickly he took the league by storm. In his first NFL season he broke the all-time rookie record for receptions (105) and yards (1,486) and made the Pro Bowl. In 2024 he missed six games due to injury but still racked up 990 receiving yards in 11 games.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, 5th round (2022)
Career stats: 533 carries, 2,362 yds, 4.4 YPC, 10 TDs; 47 rec, 420 yds, 2 TDs
Allgeier’s 2022 rookie season was spectacular when he rushed for a Falcons rookie franchise record 1,035 yards while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. But as I’ve written about several times, in a case of football malpractice the Falcons drafted Bijan Robinson in the first round of the 2023 draft and Allgeier’s usage has suffered. Tyler is entering the final year of his rookie contract and can then bolt for greener pastures and return to his 1,000-plus yard production.
Players who are succeeding
Brady Christensen, OL, 3rd round (2021)
Career stats: 51 games, 31 starts
In four years with the Carolina Panthers Brady Christensen has literally bounced around the entire offensive line. He has started at all five positions and played for three different head coaches. I’m on the record that the Panthers mismanaged Christensen in 2024, but he elected to re-sign with the team in 2025 on a one-year, $2.8 million deal.
Khyiris Tonga, DT, 7th round (2021)
Career stats: 53 games, 7 starts, 89 tackles, 0.5 sacks
The massive defensive lineman has quietly had a solid four-year NFL career. He has played for three teams in four years - the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Arizona Cardinals - and he produces no matter where he goes. Primarily a key rotational player, in 2025 Tonga signed a one-year, $2.1 million deal with the New England Patriots.
Players who are managing
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, 2nd round (2024)
Kingsley was given a chance to start the first few games of his 2024 rookie season but was quickly moved to the bench after some shaky performances. In all he appeared in 15 games with two starts and will need to prove a lot this offseason to reclaim a starting role.
Blake Freeland, OT, 4th round (2023)
After starting nine of 16 games as a rookie in 2023, Freeland was moved to a backup and special teams role in 2024. Last year he appeared in nine games, playing 23 offensive snaps and 36 on special teams.
Zach Wilson, QB, 1st round (2021)
After three tumultuous years with the Miami Jets, Wilson was a backup last year with the Denver Broncos. He signed a one-year, $6 million contract this year with the Miami Dolphins to back up the oft-injured Tua Tagovailoa. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Zach get some spot starts this year.
Players who are hanging on
Jaren Hall, QB, 5th round (2023)
Jaren got two starts during his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings but the team didn’t see enough and surprisingly released him after the season. He was signed in 2024 to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad and was promoted to the active roster late in the season. He is currently under contract with the Seahawks for 2025 on a reserve/future contract.
Dax Milne, WR, 7th round (2021)
Milne had a solid start to his career with the Washington Commanders. In his first two seasons he had 15 receptions for 120 yards while returning 40 punts and 15 kickoffs. But he then missed the entire 2023 season with an injury and was released. He signed in 2024 with the Carolina Panthers practice squad then signed a one-year, $1 million reserve/future contract with the team for 2025.
Chris Wilcox, CB, 7th round (2021)
Life in the NFL is tough for seventh-round picks. Through four seasons, Wilcox has bounced around the summer camps and practice squads of six different teams. He has yet to appear in a regular season game. He spent time during 2024 training camps with the Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers but didn’t survive roster cuts. He’s currently a free agent.