Utah Utes tight end Dallen Bentley (88) reacts during the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Dallen Bentley’s unconventional football path landed him in the NFL draft.The former University of Utah tight end was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round with the No. 256 overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft Saturday.Last year, the Broncos also drafted a Ute tight end, Caleb Lohner, who joined the Utah football team for one season after previously playing college basketball.“When run blocking, he plays with good technique, though he is not going to move defenders; he neutralizes and redirects. He can absorb contact at the point of attack from blitzing ‘backers and hold his ground.
Overall, he sustains blocks well for a tight end but needs to play with a nastier demeanor,” Scouts Inc. wrote in assessing Bentley for ESPN.“Bentley is a functional pass catcher — a good intermediate target. He does not display explosive burst and acceleration, as he is more of a build-to-speed target. He plays with good balance, showing the ability to contort and make catches outside the framework of his body.”Bentley (6-foot-4, 253 pounds) is a Taylorsville High who walked on at Snow College after suffering a season-ending injury his senior year of high school.
After spending time in Ephraim, he transferred to Utah in 2023, where he was largely used as a blocking tight end before becoming a pass-catching target this past season.One year of receiving production at Utah helped get him drafted, though, as he caught 48 passes for 620 yards and six touchdowns. As a result, Bentley was a third-team All-Big 12 selection. Can he continue his development at the next level?“Bentley needs to become a more disciplined blocker to be trusted on a pro field, but his size-speed traits and pass-catching talent are potential assets for an NFL team,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote in previewing the NFL draft.
Utah’s Dallen Bentley catches a pass during Utah football's Pro Day at the Spence Eccles Field House in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Utah tight end Dallen Bentley (88) gets past Kansas defensive back Syeed Gibbs (22) during game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press Utah Utes tight end Dallen Bentley (88) jumps over Baylor Bears cornerback Lorando Johnson (18) after catching a pass at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News Utah tight end Dallen Bentley celebrates after scoring a touchdown during game against UCLA, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press Utah Utes tight end Dallen Bentley (88) reaches up for the ball as he scores a touchdown as Utah and UCLA play at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Utah won 43-10. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker, right, celebrates his touchdown with tight end Dallen Bentley (88) during an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Utah Utes tight end Dallen Bentley (88) reaches out for a catch as Utah and Baylor play at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News