Dalton Kincaid Bio
Dalton Kincaid is an American professional football tight end who plays in the National Football League (NFL) for the Buffalo Bills. He played college football for the San Diego Toreros and the Utah Utes before being selected by the Bills in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. A reliable pass-catcher with the size to work the middle of the field, he quickly became a featured part of the Buffalo offense.
Listed at 6 feet 4 inches and around 240 pounds, Kincaid brings an unusual blend of length, smooth movement, and dependable hands to the tight end position. After only a few NFL seasons, he has already set franchise marks and earned league-wide recognition with a Pro Bowl selection.
Early Life and Background
Dalton Kincaid was born on October 18, 1999, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He grew up in the Las Vegas area and attended Faith Lutheran High School in nearby Summerlin, where he balanced school sports with a developing interest in athletics.
During his youth, Kincaid focused mainly on basketball and even won an AAU championship as a senior. He played only one season of high school football, joining the team after friends encouraged him to try it. In that single season he earned all-state honors, totaling 745 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, which convinced him he had a future in the sport.
Encouraged by that late start, Kincaid chose to walk on at the University of San Diego rather than accept a scholarship offer elsewhere. That decision launched his college career and set the stage for the years ahead.
Path to American Football
At the University of San Diego, Kincaid lined up as a tight end for the San Diego Toreros in the Pioneer Football League. As a freshman in 2018 he caught 24 passes for 374 yards and 11 touchdowns, showing the scoring touch that would define his career. The following season he led all FCS tight ends in yards per reception, finishing with 44 catches for 835 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Those strong numbers earned him AP FCS All-American recognition and a place on the Second-team All-Pioneer Football League. Seeking a bigger stage, Kincaid transferred to the University of Utah, joining the Utah Utes of the Pac-12 Conference.
His first season in Salt Lake City was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting him to five games. He responded with 36 receptions for 510 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021, then starred in 2022 with 70 catches for 890 yards and 8 touchdowns, earning First-team All-Pac-12 honors. His combination of size, route running, and production put him firmly on NFL scouts’ radar.
Dalton Kincaid Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Kincaid’s college career began at the University of San Diego, where he quickly developed into one of the top tight ends in the Pioneer Football League. Working with the Toreros coaching staff, he refined his blocking and route running while serving as a reliable red-zone target.
His sophomore season established him as a national story in FCS football, leading all tight ends at that level in yards per catch. The strong production at a small program convinced him he was ready for a higher level of competition, prompting his transfer to Utah.
Utah Breakthrough (2020–2022)
After a shortened 2020 campaign, Kincaid broke out as a full-time contributor in 2021, finishing with 36 catches for 510 yards and eight touchdowns. His size and catch radius made him a favorite target of Utah’s quarterbacks, and he began drawing attention from NFL evaluators.
The 2022 season was his defining college year. He played all 12 games, caught 70 passes for 890 yards and 8 touchdowns, and earned First-team All-Pac-12 recognition. His combination of dependable hands and big-play ability convinced the Buffalo Bills to trade up in the 2023 NFL draft and select him 25th overall, making him the first tight end taken that year and the only one selected in the first round.
Buffalo Bills Era (2023–Present)
Kincaid stepped into the Buffalo Bills’ offense as a rookie in 2023 and immediately produced. He caught his first career touchdown from quarterback Josh Allen on a 22-yard pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8, then added a second score the following week against the Denver Broncos. By season’s end he had 73 receptions for 673 yards and two touchdowns, breaking Sammy Watkins’ franchise record for catches by a Bills rookie and scoring again in the Wild Card playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 2024 season brought challenges. After a Week 3 touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kincaid suffered a knee injury in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts that cost him time on the field. He finished the year with 44 catches for 448 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games.
In 2025, Kincaid posted his most productive season as a pro. He opened the year with a touchdown catch in the season-opening comeback against the Baltimore Ravens, then became the first tight end in his career to score in back-to-back weeks. He later recorded back-to-back 100-yard games, joining Paul Costa as the only Bills tight ends to achieve that feat in a single season. He finished 2025 with 39 receptions for 571 yards and a career-high 5 touchdowns in 12 games. On January 23 he was named to the 2026 Pro Bowl as a replacement for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. After the season it was revealed he had played the entire year with a torn PCL.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the field, Kincaid relies on his long frame, smooth stride, and sure hands to win down the seams. He excels in the short and intermediate passing game as a chain-mover, while also stretching defenses vertically. His chemistry with quarterback Josh Allen has been a defining element of his success in Buffalo’s offensive scheme.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kincaid’s most significant milestones include setting the Bills franchise record for receptions by a rookie in 2023, scoring in a Wild Card playoff game in his postseason debut, and being selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2025. His back-to-back 100-yard receiving games that season also placed him in rare company in Bills history.
Dalton Kincaid Career Wins
Across his college and NFL career, Dalton Kincaid has piled up individual recognition rather than championship hardware. His résumé includes First-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2022, AP FCS All-American recognition in 2019, Second-team All-Pioneer Football League honors the same year, and a Pro Bowl selection in 2025.
College and Pro Highlights
Kincaid’s most celebrated college performance came in 2022 at Utah, when he set himself up as a first-round draft pick with 70 receptions for 890 yards and 8 touchdowns. In the NFL, his first career touchdown catch came in 2023 against Tampa Bay, and he finished that rookie season as the Bills’ all-time rookie leader in receptions.
Other Performances
Beyond his headline seasons, Kincaid posted a career-high 835 receiving yards in his sophomore year at San Diego and added 510 yards and eight scores in a shortened 2021 campaign at Utah. His two-touchdown Wild Card playoff debut gave him an early postseason highlight.
Dalton Kincaid Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Kincaid was raised in the Las Vegas area, where he attended Faith Lutheran High School in Summerlin, Nevada. Public information about his immediate family remains limited.
Personal Life
Dalton Kincaid is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, reflecting family ties north of the border. He keeps much of his personal life private and is not publicly known to be married, with no spouse or children disclosed in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Dalton Kincaid’s 2025 campaign marked his most complete NFL season to date. He caught the Bills’ first touchdown of the year in the opening win over the Baltimore Ravens, then strung together consecutive multi-score games for the first time in his career. By season’s end he had set new personal bests in receiving touchdowns and 100-yard outings.
Despite playing through a torn PCL that limited his snap count, Kincaid produced 39 receptions for 571 yards and 5 touchdowns in 12 games, while also earning his first Pro Bowl nod. His usage in two-tight-end sets alongside other playmakers kept him productive even at less than full strength.
Looking ahead, Kincaid’s strong finish and Pro Bowl recognition suggest he will remain a central piece of Buffalo’s passing attack. Continued recovery from his knee injury, expanded chemistry with Josh Allen, and a return to a full 17-game workload point to a meaningful role in the Bills’ offensive plans.
