FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Utah tight end Dallen Bentley.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Dallen Bentley
Dallen Bentley (TE – Utah)
6-foot-4 | 259 Pounds
Background
Dallen Bentley spent a year at Snow College before transferring to Utah. He didn’t play much for the Utes in either 2023 or 2024, with just three catches over that span, before stepping into the starting role this past year and posting a big 48-620-6 (12.9) line.
Positives
Thickly-built tight end who put together a highly productive 2025 campaign in his first season as a starter. Usage in school was pretty versatile, with some in-line/H-back type snaps, a decent amount of pre-snap motion and some snaps from the slot. Able to come in pre-snap motion and use his thick build to engulf opponents coming from the backside, with some thudding power.
Lower body strength and contact balance are very good, allowing him to wall off opponents in the run game or anchor against power in pass protection. Shows a solid understanding of positioning. Good leg drive and competitiveness after contact. Deals with physicality well as a route-runner.
There’s some craft to Bentley’s route-running, with an effort to get low, snap off stems and work in head-fakes. Shows impressive flexibility and body control to adjust to off-target throws/passes away from his frame. Goes up and high-points the ball, allowing him to play a bit bigger than he is.
Bentley offers a reliable pair of hands, with just one drop over the past three seasons. As a big-bodied player, he can shake off some glancing blows or pick up additional yardage after contact, with a bit of creativity as a runner.
Negatives
Not quite as tall as you’d like for a traditional in-line tight end. Not the fastest or most fluid mover; can look a bit plodding or clunky at times, and probably won’t run away from many opponents down the seams. Faster/quicker defenders can work around/slip past him in the run game.
Would have liked to see Bentley do a better job of sustaining blocks with a sound base. Gives good effort to engage, but isn’t always able to stick with his man through the whistle. Shows some attention to detail as a route-runner, but lacks suddenness and explosiveness at the stem, making him much more effective against zone coverage.
The Utah prospect doesn’t use his frame to box out opponents as effectively as he could. Credited with just four contested catches on 17 such targets, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Summary
A thickly-built tight end who can line up all over the formation and offers an impressive combination of lower-body strength, flexibility, body control and ball skills, showing good effort in the run game and smooth receiving skills on passing downs.
That versatility will be appreciated by pro teams, although he isn’t the fastest or most explosive mover, which could prevent him from being a truly dynamic tight end at the pro level. Looks like a relatively safe mid-round pick who could carve out a long pro career.
Projection: Round 5
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