Former Tennessee Vols standout appears to have made the wrong decision
A former Tennessee Vols standout that could have put off the NFL for a year to return to UT for one more season appears to have made the wrong decision. Offensive lineman Cade Mays had one more year of eligibility remaining, but he decided to pass up another season at Tennessee to enter the 2022 […]
A former Tennessee Vols standout that could have put off the NFL for a year to return to UT for one more season appears to have made the wrong decision.
Offensive lineman Cade Mays had one more year of eligibility remaining, but he decided to pass up another season at Tennessee to enter the 2022 NFL Draft.
Mays was selected with the No. 199 selection (a draft slot made famous by current Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady) by the Carolina Panthers.
Mays said after the 2021 regular season that he would need a NIL deal that paid him third or fourth round money to return to Tennessee for another year (he felt that's where he was projected to be drafted).
Mays is without a doubt a third-round talent (at the least). The biggest reason he fell in the draft was his injury history. He could've received a decent NIL deal to stay at Tennessee (he's a Knoxville native, he could've cashed in) and improved his draft stock with a solid 2022 season.
The former Vol was dominant when he was on the field last season, allowing only one sack on 493 snaps. Mays could've greatly improved his draft stock in 2022 simply by staying healthy.
By entering the draft, Mays cost himself future earnings. If he makes the Panthers' roster, he's likely looking at a deal that pays him around $700k to $800k annually.
If he would've waited a year, improved his draft stock, and got selected in the third round, he'd be looking at around $1.3 million annually. I don't know about you, but $500k is a significant amount of cash.
Mays also cost himself another season of playing with his younger brother, Cooper, at Tennessee.
I understand Mays had a dream to reach the NFL. But if he would've been patient, he could've put himself in a better position long-term.
Featured image via Tennessee Athletic Communications
