SALT LAKE CITY – With the college showcase games winding down and all eyes on the upcoming NFL Combine, Senior Director of College Football Network & NFL Draft for Pro Football Network Cam Mellor joined DJ & PK to discuss some thoughts on Utah football NFL hopefuls Dalton Kincaid and Tavion Thomas.

Both former Utes had incredible stories of how they came to be at Utah but are on their own unique trajectories toward the NFL.

Mellor discusses what he thinks of both players at this conjecture of the NFL Draft process as well as some of the things they will have to continue addressing as the draft gets closer.

Dalton Kincaid NFL Draft

After seemingly not generating a lot of buzz, Kincaid has been picking up steam in NFL Draft discussions as of late.

Kincaid ended his career at Utah on an impressive note in 2022 with 70 receptions for 890 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 12.7 yards per touch. He’s also generated positive buzz for his leadership and intangibles off the field as well.

Some high praise from @CamMellor for former Utah star Dalton Kincaid with @DavidDJJames & @PKKinahan on The @KSLSportsZone this morning:@KSLSports Podcast: https://t.co/fv1S5YPeOJ

Full Show: https://t.co/bvzxzx40eh#GoUtes #UBoyz #NFLDraft #NFL pic.twitter.com/pjPlp94o5N

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) (@JacobCHatch) February 6, 2023

“He does have NFL written all over him in the first 31 picks,” Mellor said. “If I’m an NFL general manager, I want that guy on my team. You talk about superstar ability? He’s a kid with that in spades. Especially as we’ve seen the tight end group grow in importance. Everyone wants George Kittle. I’m not saying Dalton Kincaid is the next George Kittle- I think he is another player who will transform that position. When you can be a receiver and have elite receiving skills as a tight end and do whatever else Dalton does for three downs to be a three-down tight end? I think you want him on your team and is absolutely capable of being a first-round player.”

Tavion Thomas NFL Draft

Thomas on the other hand has moved in a somewhat opposite direction. The talented running back was viewed as a very hot commodity heading into the 2022 college football season but didn’t have near the impact anyone expected him to.

Despite seeing spotty time out on the field before ultimately calling it a career to start preparing for the NFL Draft, Thomas finished his 2022 season with 142 carries for 687 yards, and seven touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

In Mellor’s mind, Thomas has a lot he’s going to have to take accountability for and NFL will test him a lot with their questions to see if he deviates from his original answers.

Utah RB Tavion Thomas measuring in at 247 LBS at the Shrine Bowl 👀 #LeagueWinnersRookieSZN
pic.twitter.com/xAdHRRjzm3

— The League Winners (@FFLeagueWinners) January 28, 2023

“He’ll absolutely be one that has to answer multiple questions all the way through,” Mellor said. “Weighing in at 247 lbs., he’s also going to have to field questions about his weight as well. They are going to want to know what happened throughout his college career. How his final season went from him. Not just hearing it from third parties. They will also ask about that weight at the Shrine Bowl too. He’s a big, huge guy. Obviously, we all knew that if you watch him on tape, but if you know who he is- he’s a big guy and he still moves very well. At the Shrine Bowl, especially in the game, he had one of the big plays in not a lot of offensive fireworks in that Shrine Bowl.”

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports

 

 

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