Most interesting BYU updates are Jamaal Williams & Michael Davis (although both somewhat negative), and then Brady Christensen (great), Chris Brooks (excitement building), and Dax Milne (on a practice squad!) as positive stories.

For Utah, Moss and Phillips have dropped, Diabate and Tim Patrick are up, and there's a bunch who have surprisingly caught onto mid-season practice squads (Fotheringham, Daniels, Battle)

Asterisks indicate players who are currently injured

BYU (16+4 practice squad)

Clear Starters (3)

• Fred Warner (LB, San Francisco): among the top LB in the NFL - quite likely THE top LB
• Puka Nacua (WR, LA Rams): Historic rookie season and then has missed most of this year with injuries...but has been great when healthy
• Ryan Rehkow (P, Cincinnati Kansas City): Based on preseason reports, Rehkow mostly made the roster due to an injury of the other guy after Rehkow was inconsistent in the preseason.  But then Rehkow took advantage, has played well and now has a firm hold on the job

Potential starters or regular contributors (7)
most of these guys should get fairly regular snaps and some may even end up as starters if they aren't already

• Kyle Van Noy (OLB, Baltimore): Van Noy has been very good in 2024, with 7 sacks in 9 games.  That's already his second-best sack season.  Last year he got 9.  He's great, but his age has him used in a rotational role (~50% snap rate), which is the only reason he's here and not up a tier.
• Tyler Allgeier (RB, Atlanta): After a great rookie year (1000+ yard at 4.9 yards per carry) he regressed badly as a sophomore (680 yards at 3.7 yards per carry).  He'll need a bounceback year to stay in the long-term plans, and it's unclear if he'll get the opportunity.  So far this year, he's settling nicely into the backup role with less opportunity (14.2 opportunities/game in 2022, 12.3 in 2023, 68.2 in 2024) but increased effectivenss (5.0 yards/attempt and a 57% success rate).  Have ot imagine his opportunities will increase if he keeps that upe's been sub 40% snap rate for a while, but got 70% last week.
• Sione Takitaki (LB, New England): Takitaki has spent the last few years opening as a backup for the Browns, coming into the starting lineup when someone ahead of him gets hurt, and then playing very well.  And then getting hurt himself.  Now he's with the Patriots as the top backup or a situational LB on passing downs...but got hurt in preseason.  His snap count has been low since he's returned (26 defensive snaps in 4 games), but he stays here for now since that may just be a result of coming back from injury.
• Taysom Hill (TE/QB/?, New Orleans): After lots of noise in preseason about Taysom playing a bigger role... and his snap count and touch rate has stayed almost the exact same as last year, maybe even slightly lower.  He's still a weapon in his weird role though.
• Jamaal Williams (RB, New Orleans): After being perhaps the worst RB in the NFL last season (2.9 ypc, success rate less than 40%), he was behind Kamara and possibly Kendre Miller until Kendre couldn't stay healthy.  He's only getting 4.5 touch opportunities (carries+targets) per game and hasn't been great with them (3.9 ypc, 21 yards on 6 targets). His snap rate is half of what it's been the rest of his career and his usage has dropped a LOT since the first two weeks.  He's in danger of dropping a tier, but isn't there yet.
• Khyiris Tonga (DT, Arizona): Drafted by the Bears in 2021, released after his rookie season.  Then picked up for the Falcons practice squad in 2022, where the Vikings saw him and signed him a month later.  He played fairly regular snaps in 2022 (36%) before dropping to 20% in 2023 and not being resigned.  Now he's with Arizona for the near-minimum and a backup behind Bilal Nichols.  He's surprised a bit by playing 30% of defensive snaps so far - honestly pretty good for a NT.
• Brady Christensen (OG, Carolina): In three years he'd gone from LT to LG to backup LG to opening this year as the backup C.  He played 10 offensive snaps in 4 weeks...and then center Austin Corbett went down for the season.  And Christensen has stepped up and been at least a league-average center for the Panthers, playing heavy snap share since then.  And now LT Ikem Ekonwu went down...and so Christensen is moving from center to left tackle.  At this point Christensen is playing every snap somewhere. He's not up a tier only because he probably doesn't start if everyone is healthy....but his versatility and ability to play literally any position on the line makes him a great asset and likely to get a solid contract (which wasn't at all the expectation or status coming into the season)

Primarily depth/ST (6)
these guys won't be playing barring injuries ahead of them... but for one reason or another, their roster spot is fairly secure

• Kingsley Suamataia (OT, Kansas City):  Was in a preseason battle for the starting job, but won it and played well in Week 1.  And then let up a bunch of sacks in Week 2 and lost the job.  He'll have a chance to earn it back, but he's only played 8 snaps in 6 games since then, so drops a tier for now. I expect he'll be up a tier in the relative near future.
• Michael Davis (CB, Washington): After years of inconsistency with the Chargers (sometimes a top CB in the league, sometimes being benched), Davis had to sign a 1 year, $3.2M deal with Washington.  He was competing for a starting spot opposite St Juste (and with Sainristil in the slot), but was beat out by Emmanuel Forbes. And then when Forbes was injured it seemed Davis would get the spot, but Noah Igbinoghene played most of the snaps. And now with Forbes back AND the team adding Marshon Lattimore, Davis is no higher than the #5 CB in the room.  He's played 9 defensive snaps in the last 7 weeks.
• Blake Freeland (OT, Indianapolis): Had a real chance last year to emerge as a starter, but couldn't pass the two quality tackles (Raimann and Smith) ahead of him.  After a poor preseason, he stayed on the roster due to a shortage of other tackles, but has only been on the field for a single snap
• Zach Wilson (QB, Denver): After living on the roster bubble, Zach Wilson looked good enough in preseason to lock down the QB3 spot and a roster spot. It'll be interesting to see if he gets any snaps this year.  As a general rule, the QB2 goes in the key role tier (just given the importance of the position), but Wilson is the #3 and hasn't seen the field
• Zayne Anderson (S, Green Bay): Anderson spent 3 years on NFL rosters without playing a single defensive snap, but made himself a name as a key ST player.  That's still his calling card, but in 2024 he did get the first defensive snaps of his career, with two snaps in Week 8
• Chris Brooks (RB, Green Bay Miami): After making the Dolphins active roster as a UDFA in 2023, Brooks was cut/injured by the team in 2024 and immediately caught on with the Packers practice squad.  After a run of RB injuries, he's now been promoted to the active roster.  He actually played 4 snaps and had 3 carries (for 3 yards) in Week 3 and has 10 carries (for 50 yards) in the last 4 weeks. The last two weeks he also broke a 25% snap share so is on the verge of moving up a category (about to swap with Jamaal Williams, who is trending down)

Practice Squad (4)

• Jaren Hall (QB, Seattle Minnesota): After initially making the roster, Hall was cut (for Brett Rypien of all people) by the Vikings and then chose to sign with the Seahawks practice squad. No action.
• Max Tooley (LB, Minnesota Houston Houston): Came in as a UDFA with the Texans, had a big preseason, but still missed the cut.  He was the first signed to the Texans Practice Squad, before being cut a month later.  Luckily, two days after that, the Vikings signed him. No action, but keeping the practice squad spot.
• Kedon Slovis (QB, Houston Indianapolis): A UDFA, Slovis fell pretty clearly to the Colts' QB5 spot, so had no prospects there, but was signed to the Texans practice squad
• Dax Milne (WR, Carolina Las Vegas Washington): Cut in preseason by the Commanders and then by the Raiders.  But 30 October 2024, he caught on again with the Panthers' practice squad

Cut, currently unrostered (7):

• Samson Nacua (WR, New Orleans): A late contract addition, Nacua was cut in preseason by the Saints.  He's currently playing in the UFL for the Michigan Panthers
• Aidan Robbins (RB, Cleveland): Robbins is a UDFA and frankly my most surprising unrostered BYU player, especially given the shortage of RB in Cleveland
• Chris Wilcox (CB, Carolina LA Chargers): In the past four years he's been on the practice squads of the Bucs, Colts, Cardinals, Steelers, Chargers, and Panthers, with the latter two both cutting him this preseason
• D'Angelo Mandell (CB, Washington): UDFA, basically brought in as a warm body by the Cowboys and then spent last year on the Commander's practice squad before being cut this preseason
• Kaleb Hayes (CB, NY Giants): Cut by the Giants (possibly also the Broncos) in preseason
• Isaac Rex (TE, LA Chargers Detroit): Signed by the Lions as a UDFA at the start of May, but cut within a few weeks. He was picked up a few months later by the Chargers, but then cut within the week.

Utah (22+6 practice squad)

Clear Starters (9):

• Marcus Williams (FS, Baltimore): One of the better safeties in the NFL, in the 3rd year of a 5 year/$70M deal.  Has missed a few games each of the last two seasons and the cap hits are going up, so safe for this year, but a possible cap hit after next season.  For now though he pretty much is on the field whenever healthy
• Jaylon Johnson (CB, Chicago): Had a breakout season and is now considered one of the top CBs in the NFL, including just signing a 4 yr/$76M deal.  He's having another strong year and will likely be in the Pro Bowl / All Pro mix again
• Garrett Bolles (OT, Denver): After a rough start to his career, Bolles has turned into a solid blind-side protector and the clear starter there for the Broncos
• Julian Blackmon (S, Indianapolis): The clear starter for the Colts, they thought highly enough of him to bring him back on a $3.7M deal... but not highly enough to give him a multi-year deal.  He's the clear starter and hasn't missed a snap, is turning in a pretty good season thus far.
• Matt Gay (K, Indianapolis): Considered one of the better kickers in the league at this point
• Mitch Wishnowsky (P, San Francisco): He's a punter.  Pretty good at what he does
• Devin Lloyd (LB, Jacksonville): After disappointing at the end of his rookie year, he established himself as an every-down LB in his sophomore year, playing 97% of the snaps.  This year it's been down a bit, but still 80% and trending upward
• Dalton Kincaid (TE, Buffalo): A new entrant to this group after playing behind Knox last season, but he's now outsnapping every other TE and (and every skill position besides Josh Allen and Keon Coleman) and is #2 on the team in receptions
• Cody Barton (LB, Denver): Barton is still the #2 ILB in a Denver defense that theoretically runs a 3-4.  After a Week 1 blip where he had a 28% snap rate (lots of nickel), he's been at 60+% each week and 85% for the season

Potential starters or regular contributors (10):

most of these guys should get fairly regular snaps and some may even end up as starters if they aren't already

• Mohamoud Diabate (LB, Cleveland): Diabate was a UDFA last season and one of the biggest surprises to make a roster, but played very well in preseason and made the 2023 roster mostly for special teams.  He played 10% of the snaps in Week 1 (an upgrade over his 3% rate last year), but suffered a hip injury during the game and has been placed on IR.  In the 4 weeks since he returned he's been playing 70+% of the snaps and is a major player.
• Zack Moss (RB, Cincinnati): Going into preseason, Moss was the clear lead back, but there was noise that it might be Chase Brown.  Since then Moss has outsnapped and outtouched Brown, but the recent trend has been to Brown...plus the Bengals added Khalil Herbert.  Moss is still getting 9 touches per game, but the increased competition knocks him down to this level
• Clark Phillips III (CB, Atlanta): Phillips was initially seen as a nickel corner due to his size, but took over the starting boundary corner job as a rookie.  The addition of Mike Hughes pushed him into a backup role there for this season, but he's still playing a quarter of the snaps and is fairly regularly on the field. PFF absolutely loves him in his limited time
• Tim Patrick (WR, Detroit Denver): After coming back from two season-ending injuries, he ran with the first team in the preseason, but was a surprise Broncos cut.  Lions signed him to the practice squad before promoring him to the active roster.  He's the #3 WR by snap count and is #4 in receiving yards (behind Amon-Ra St Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta).
• Cole Bishop (S, Buffalo): The Bills moved on this offseason from both their starting safeties in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer.  Projections generally had Taylor Rapp starting at one spot and then either Bishop or Mario Edwards at the other.  It's likely Bishop eventually takes the starting role, but with an early season injury, this might be a bit. His playing time ended upward until Week 5, but then dropped again. 4 snaps in the kast 4 weeks means he might drop a tier, but his heavy usage before that saves him for now.
• Jonah Elliss (EDGE, Denver): There's a lot of edge rushers (OLB in the Broncos defense) and Elliss doesn't necessarily stand out from the pack, so likely won't open the season as the starter.  But the team just invested a 3rd round pick in him, so he's expected to eventually start.  Right now he's snapping about 40-50% each week.
• *Britain Covey (WR/RS, Philadelphia): Covey remains one of the premiere punt returners in the NFL and that's really the reason he's here.  Interestingly he was also starting to see some usage on offense (7 receptions for 34 yards in his first 3 games) before fracturing his scapula.  He's out for a while now.
• Devaughn Vele (WR, Denver): Preseason expectations had Vele going to the practice squad.  Then a stellar preseason got him on the roster and resulted in Tim Patrick being released.  And in week 1, Vele led the Broncos in receptions and was #2 in targets, catching everything thrown his way (albeit not for a ton of yardage).  He was the WR3 by snap count, playing over half the snaps - well ahead of Marvin Mims. There was a real chance he could build on that and possibly even move up yet another tier...but then missed 4 consecutive weeks with injury.  Since then he started 2 of 4 games and has been playing 40+% of snaps.
• Leki Fotu (DT, NY Jets): See the BYU writeup on Khyiris Tonga.  Fotu has more experience and has been cut fewer times, but the bottom line is still basically the same or maybe a bit more favorable for Fotu.  As a NT he's never going to play a major role, but he's also unique enough to likely stay on the roster for the times he is needed. He's played 34% of snaps (pretty good for a NT), but in a small sample size since his return from injury
• Tyler Huntley (QB, Miami Baltimore Cleveland): Huntley initially made the Browns active roster as one of 4 QBs.... but then was cut and resigned with the Ravens, ending up on the practice squad.  And then when Tua went down, he was signed by the Dolphins.  Skylar Thompson got the start but was bad (7.9 QBR) and hurt and then Tim Boyle was worse (3.1 QBR).  He got three starts and is probably the backup now with Tua back.

Primarily depth/ST (3):
these guys won't be playing barring injuries ahead of them... but for one reason or another, their roster spot is fairly secure

• Sione Vaki (RB/S, Detroit): Stuck behind Gibbs and Montgomery, Vaki has nine offensive snaps in seven games, but has played a major role in ST
• *Nephi Sewell (LB, New Orleans - IR/PUP): He's been a ST ace the past two years and was starting to get a few defensive snaps every game before being hurt.  When he returns he'll be a ST guy again.
• Sataoa Laumea (OG, Seattle): He was a bubble guy in preseason, but the Seahawks elected to carry 11 Offensive Lineman.  He has yet to take a snap, whether on offense or special teams

Practice Squad (6)

• Thomas Yassmin (TE, Denver Denver): Undrafted and signed as a UDFA, but teams get an extra spot on the practice squad for international playrs, which makes him an easy choice to keep there.
• Jackson Barton (OT, Arizona Arizona): Spent 2022 bouncing between the Raiders' active roster and practice squad, then 2023 on the Cardinals practice squad.  And now he's opening 2024 on the Cardinals practice squad again. He was activated twice in the first 3 weeks and even started one of them.  Hasn't been activate since then.
• Marquise Blair (S, Seattle Seattle Seattle Philadelphia): Was a starter in 2020 before tearing his ACL that year.  Had another knee injury in 2021, then spent 2022 bouncing between practice squads.  Was signed by Eagles spring 2023 before being released due to injury. The Seahwaks then resigned him in Spring 2024...and then re-released him due to non-football injury in April 2024.  And he was then re-resigned, before being cut and sent to the practice squad, then cut from there on 1 September and finally re-re-resigned by the Seahawks on 3 Sept.  
• Braeden Daniels (OG/OT, Philadelphia LA Chargers Houston Washington): A 4th rounder in 2023, Daniels missed his rookie season with a torn pec. He's a bit of an unknown after not playing as a rookie and was cut by the Commanders, but then signed to the Texans practice squad...and then released by the Texans on 17 September.  He was signed by the Chargers the next week.... and then cut a week after that.  And finally, on 30 October he signed to the Eagles' practice squad.
• Cole Fotheringham (TE, Las Vegas Houston Las Vegas): Spent 2022 and most of 2023 on Raiders' practice squad, but was active for a few weeks in those seasons.  Cut by the Raiders in preseason, picked up for the Texans practice squad for a couple weeks, but ultimately also cut from there.  At the start of October, he found a practice squadhome again with the Raiders.
• Miles Battle (CB, New England Kansas City): Signed after the first wave of UDFA and competing with 2 other UDFA cornerbacks, so it was a longshot.  Cut in preseason, but then caught up with the Patriots practice squad on 15 October.

Cut, currently unrostered (4):

• Keaton Bills (OG, Buffalo): Brought in as a UDFA, the Bills released him on cutdown day and he hasn't found a home elswhere
• Bradlee Anae (EDGE, Atlanta): Anae played out his initial contract with the Jets...but mostly because he was injured in 2023 and didn't count as taking a roster spot. He wasn't on a roster at the time of the draft, but since was signed by the Falcons.  And then cut by the Falcons a few days before final cuts
• John Penisini (DT, New Orleans): Penisini medically retired after 2022, then tried to come back in 2023 only to be waived due to a failed physical. There's enough talent/physicality there but he simply can't physically handle it anymore
• *Terrell Burgess (S, Buffalo Washington): Burgess was cut by the Commanders in 2023, signed to the practice squad...but then later activated and spent most of the season on the active roster.  He has potential to be picked up by someone as a veteran that can contribute if he can get healthy

Utah State (4+2 practice squad)

Clear Starters (2):

• Bobby Wagner (LB, Washington): Bobby Wagner may not be what he once was, but continues to be a quality starter
• Jordan Love (QB, Green Bay): Has turned into one of the more exciting young QBs in the NFL and just signed a record QB deal

Potential starters or regular contributors (0):
most of these guys should get fairly regular snaps and some may even end up as starters if they aren't already

Primarily depth/ST (2):
these guys won't be playing barring injuries ahead of them... but for one reason or another, their roster spot is fairly secure

• *Patrick Scales (LS, Chicago): Long-snapper means he's safe, but without a huge role.  He's also hurt, which is a huge issue and may result in him eventually being replaced
• Nick Vigil (LB, Dallas): He's caught on as a LB in Dallas, has played 45 snaps so far, about 7 a game (10%) on defense.

Practice Squad (2)

• Deven Thompkins (WR/RS, Carolina): He was the #4 WR, and played about a quarter of the offensive snaps for the Bucs each of the past two years.  He also served as the primary KR. Was waived by the Bucs after 2024 after negative statements from his wife; he then caught on with the Panthers before being waived/injured in August and resgined to the Practice Squad at end of September
• Jalen Davis (CB, Cincinnati Cincinnati): The Benglas opted to keep 5 safeties and focused on versatility, meaning Davis lost a spot, but did find a home on the practice squad

Cut, currently unrostered (0):

Weber St (4+1 practice squad)
+ ^Southern Utah (2)
+ #Utah Tech (0)

Clear Starters (3):

• Braxton Jones^ (OT, Chicago): starting LT for the Bears
• *Taron Johnson (CB, Buffalo): one of the top 3 CBs on the roster, so I'm considering that a starter. He was injured in Week 1 but returned Week 6 and has played regularly since
• *Rashid Shaheed (WR/RS, New Orleans): Huge success story.  2022 he was listed as certain to be cut...and was.  But then he played on the practice squad, then on the active roster and did well. 2023 he came in as a probable starter...and left as a pro bowl returned and with 700+ receiving yards.  He's now become one of the better receiving threats for the Saints...before dealing with a season-ending injury

Potential starters or regular contributors (0):
most of these guys should get fairly regular snaps and some may even end up as starters if they aren't already

Primarily depth/ST (3):
these guys won't be playing barring injuries ahead of them... but for one reason or another, their roster spot is fairly secure

• Miles Killebrew^ (S, Pittsburgh): He's safety #5 for the Steelers, but a bit of a special teams ace (including making the Pro Bowl for it last season)
• *Sua Opeta (OG, Tampa Bay): after years as a depth option in Philadeplphia, Opeta was slated for the same role for the Bucs, but is on IR for the year
• Winston Reid (LB, Cleveland): Signed as a UDFA, he's actually seen the field a bit since Diabate went down.  He's had two games where he's played 1/4 to 1/2 of the snaps, but most of them are ~5%.

Practice Squad (1)

• Jonah Williams (DE, LA Rams Minnesota): Was a surprise a few years back, making the Rams active roster and then actually ended up playing a fair amount.  Now with the Vikings, they've signed players to start over him.  Given his age, not a surprise he was cut but did get a practice squad spot.  The Rams signed him off off the Vikings practice squad but he got very limited play and then was cut again yesterday.  Right now, different reports give different info on if he was re-signed to the Practice Squad.

Already cut/unrostered (1):

• Isaiah Wooden^ (WR, LA Chargers Atlanta): Undersized and a UDFA, he was cut early by the Falcons, before signing with (and being cut by) the Chargers.  He's now signed with a CFL team.