Zach Wilson, Jaxson Dart and 3 other Utah ties to watch in the NFL preseason’s first week

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) passes the ball during Back Together Weekend at the team's training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.

| Adam Hunger The NFL preseason isnt the most glamorous form of football.Most of the time, its essentially a prove-it exhibition ground for players who are trying to establish themselves while the games stars are mostly kept on the sideline.There are currently just under 80 players with Utah ties on NFL rosters, and for close to half that group, the likelihood is they wont be on a regular-season roster once final cuts happen at the end of August.Then there are other Utah ties who are more safe in their roster spot, but need a strong training camp/preseason to improve their hopes of making a contribution at some point.Week 1 of the NFL preseason kicks off Thursday, and with it, each of the leagues 32 teams will play three games over the next three weeks.Which Utah ties are among the most interesting to watch in this weeks action? Miami Dolphins quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa (1) and Zach Wilson (0) do drills during practice at the NFL football team's training camp, Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla.

| Lynne Sladky Zach Wilson, Miami Dolphins QBFormer BYU and Corner Canyon High quarterbackThe game: Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears, Sunday, 11 a.m.

MDT (NFL Network)Wilson is the only non-rookie on this list, but for good reason.His career has gotten sidetracked, and now the No.

2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft is trying to find his opportunity while serving as a backup.Last year, he was with the Denver Broncos, where he never played a regular-season snap as rookie Bo Nix ended up winning the teams quarterback competition.This offseason, Wilson signed with the Dolphins.

He is listed as the backup on Miamis unofficial depth chart released for this weeks game, ahead of rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers of Texas, who, according to reports, has been impressive in training camp.Considering Miami starter Tua Tagovailoas injury history, Wilson ought to have plenty of chances to show what he can do in the Dolphins offense during the preseason, in case hes needed during the regular season.Can Wilson improve his stock with solid preseason play while simultaneously also keeping himself ahead of Ewers?I think Zachs play has caught the attention of a lot of his teammates.

I could have reasonably predicted that, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniels said of Wilson this week, according to Yahoo! Sports.

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart speaks to the media after Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.

(AP Photo/Adam Hunger) | Adam Hunger Jaxson Dart, New York Giants quarterbackFormer Corner Canyon and Roy High quarterbackThe game: New York Giants at Buffalo Bills, Saturday, 11 a.m.

MDT (NFL Network)Dart, another former Corner Canyon signal caller, is getting his first taste of live NFL action this week.He was the No.

25 overall selection in Aprils NFL draft, and following a standout career at Ole Miss (preceded by one year at USC), Dart is ready to take aim at the pros.Hes in an ideal situation, with veterans Russell Wilson, the presumed starter, and Jameis Winston in New York to help Dart acclimate to the pro game.Dart will get plenty of playing time in the preseason, starting with the matchup against the Bills.While Giants coach Brian Daboll wouldnt comment on how much Dart will play this weekend, his offensive coordinator, Mike Kafka, said the rookie quarterback is on schedule in his development.Id say Jaxson is right on schedule from what wed expect in terms of just understanding the offense, continuing to grow and learn every day, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said on Wednesday, per the teams official website.

Every day were presenting him not just him but all the quarterbacks with different situations and some situations youve probably never seen before.

Those have been good to build off of, whether its in two-minute, whether its a third-down situation or a certain blitz look that were getting, hes able to kind of grow and learn from those examples and now as he starts banking more and more looks, more and more reps we do a lot of this throughout the walkthrough as well, he can kind of see now hes starting to put the picture together a little bit better and cleaner for a rookie." Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jalen Royals (11) is chased by cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace (30) at training camp Saturday, Aug.

2, 2025, in St.

Joseph, Mo.

| Charlie Riedel Jalen Royals, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiverFormer Utah State wide receiverThe game: Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, 6 p.m.

MDTRoyals, even though hes a rookie, is already building trust with two of the most important men in the Chiefs organization: three-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Andy Reid and All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Hes catching the football well, Reid said of Royals following Sundays practice, according to Arrowhead Pride.

(Hes) strong (and) looks like the quarterbacks trust him.

Thats a big part of it.

As you watch, you just kind of see who the quarterbacks are going to, and theres a certain trust that theyre developing in that kid.

So, that kind of speaks for itself.There also appears to be an opportunity for Royals, a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft, to make an impact as a first-year pro on a Chiefs team that also has Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy at wide receiver.Rice is coming back from a torn ACL and is facing an expected suspension perhaps in the range of six weeks, according to some experts tied to a street-racing incident this offseason that involved a multi-car crash.What does that mean for Royals?He could be asked to shoulder more of the receiving burden during Rices suspension.Saturdays game will also give fans their first opportunity to see Royals in a game for Kansas City, and give the young wideout his chance to prove Reids and Mahomes trust is well-placed.

Denver Broncos tight end Caden Prieskorn, left, jokes with tight end Caleb Lohner as they warm up before a training practice Friday, Aug.

1, 2025, in Centennial, Colo.

| David Zalubowski Caleb Lohner, Denver Broncos tight endFormer Utah football tight end (and former BYU/Wasatch Academy/Utah basketball forward)The game: Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, 6:30 p.m.

MDTIts not uncommon to hear about players making a transition from one sport to another, and Lohner is a perfect example of that.Following four years of strictly college basketball two at BYU and two at Baylor he transferred to Utah last season and played both football and basketball for the Utes.Now, hes paired with one of the best creative offensive minds in the NFL, Broncos coach Sean Payton, after Denver used a seventh-round flier on the 6-foot-7 athlete.Former Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham, himself a college basketball player before switching sports in the pros was trained by Payton during his days in New Orleans.Could Lohner follow a similar path?Hell get his first chance at an NFL game against the 49ers this weekend.Hes coming around.

Hes doing well, Payton said of Lohner in June, according to Sports Illustrated.

There are some things that are new to him, and then there are some things that he gravitates to that I think hes further along with.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Ja'Quinden Jackson performs a drill during the team's training camp 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.

| John Raoux JaQuinden Jackson, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Former Utah running back/quarterbackThe game: Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday, 5 p.m.

MDTThough Jackson didnt finish his college career at Utah he transferred to Arkansas last season he is well-remembered for his tough running style.Two years ago, he ran for 797 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Utes in rushing the 2023 season.Now, Jackson is trying to make a 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent.He is listed as fourth string on Jacksonvilles unofficial depth chart ahead of the teams matchup against the Steelers, and its unclear how many opportunities he will have this week and throughout the preseason to prove himself.Every year, though, one or two Utah ties (sometimes more) who went undrafted end up making the regular-season roster.Can Jackson be one of them?.

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