Tennessee Vols WR JaVonta Payton agrees to free agent deal with NFL team after going undrafted
Tennessee Vols wide receiver JaVonta Payton wasn't selected during the 2022 NFL Draft, but it didn't take him long to land with a team. Payton is reportedly set to sign an undrafted free agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals. Payton, who started his career at Mississippi State before transferring to Tennessee last year, had the […]
Tennessee Vols wide receiver JaVonta Payton wasn't selected during the 2022 NFL Draft, but it didn't take him long to land with a team.
Payton is reportedly set to sign an undrafted free agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
Payton, who started his career at Mississippi State before transferring to Tennessee last year, had the best year of his college career in 2021 under Vols head coach Josh Heupel.
The former three-star recruit caught 18 passes for 413 yards and six touchdowns, essentially doubling his production from his final season at Mississippi State the season before.
While those numbers aren't eye-popping, it's important to remember that Payton was the third option in the Vols' passing game, behind Cedric Tillman and Velus Jones Jr (who was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears).
Payton obviously has an uphill battle to climb if he's going to make the Cardinals' roster. But he showed a nose for the end zone last season and he has good speed.
The Nashville native also proved to be a consistent deep field threat in 2021, averaging a career-high 22.9 yards per reception (which also led the SEC).
Payton will join former Tennessee tight end Alex Ellis in Arizona.
Featured image via Saul Young/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC
