Pair of former Vols are selected with back to back picks in first round of latest mock draft
The 2023 NFL Draft is still a couple of months away, but we're starting to get a good idea of where several former Tennessee Vols could be drafted. Tennessee has two former players that are currently considered potential first-round picks — wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and offensive tackle Darnell Wright. The latest mock draft from […]
The 2023 NFL Draft is still a couple of months away, but we're starting to get a good idea of where several former Tennessee Vols could be drafted.
Tennessee has two former players that are currently considered potential first-round picks — wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and offensive tackle Darnell Wright.
The latest mock draft from Pro Football Network actually has Hyatt and Wright being selected in the first round with back-to-back picks.
PFN has Hyatt going to the New Orleans Saints with the No. 29 overall pick and they have the Kansas City Chiefs taking Darnell Wright with the No. 30 overall pick.
29) New Orleans Saints (From SF via MIA via DEN): Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Imagine a receiving corps with Chris Olave and Jalin Hyatt. Yes, the Saints still need a quarterback. But whenever they finally get their franchise guy, he’s going to have an absolute ball with this amount of speed in his receiving repertoire. Hyatt isn’t quite as complete as Olave, but he’s a fusion-level burner with great hands and ball-tracking ability.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Patrick Mahomes alone keeps Kansas City in Super Bowl contention. But the Chiefs have also seen first-hand against the Buccaneers what can happen when they neglect their line.
With a hole at RT, Darnell Wright makes sense at the tail end of Round 1. The Senior Bowl standout has dominating size and hand power, and is surprisingly mobile in short ranges.
I actually like the Chiefs better than the Saints as a landing spot for Hyatt. I think he could excel in Kansas City's offense while playing with Patrick Mahomes. But it would be fun to see him in New Orleans, too.
The Saints employ several former Vols, including Hyatt's former Tennessee teammate, cornerback Alontae Taylor (Marquez Callaway, Alvin Kamara, and Shy Tuttle also play for New Orleans).
As for Wright, I think he could go higher than No. 30 after his strong performance at the Senior Bowl this past week. Wright was already viewed as a potential first-round before the Senior Bowl, but he likely solidified his first-round status thanks to his performance in Mobile.
Hendon Hooker, Byron Young, Cedric Tillman, Jeremy Banks, and Jerome Carvin are among the other former Vols that we expect to see drafted in April.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
