The Tennessee Vols haven't had a player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since defensive end Derek Barnett was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 14 overall pick in 2017.

That will almost certainly change in 2023.

The latest mock draft from Pro Football Network has three Vols being selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Here's their projection:

• No. 7 — QB Hendon Hooker — Detroit Lions
• No. 27 — OT Darnell Wright — Los Angeles Chargers
• No. 29 — WR Jalin Hyatt — Kansas City Chiefs

Hyatt is a junior, so he could elect to return to Tennessee for his senior season.

But after the way he's exploded for the Vols this season, it seems unlikely that Hyatt will be back on Rocky Top next season.

The South Carolina native is the SEC's leading wide receiver with 40 receptions for 769 yards. He also leads the nation in receiving touchdowns with 12.

Hyatt's elite speed is rare. His 40 time has been clocked at 4.31, but I wouldn't be surprised if he runs in the 4.2 range next spring during the pre-draft process.

And Hyatt isn't just fast. He knows how to keep defensive backs off balance by varying his speed. He isn't a guy that just runs go-routes.

His speed and intelligence on the football field make him a perfect option for the Chiefs. Hyatt could essentially be the replacement for Tyreek Hill (he was traded by the Chiefs to the Miami Dolphins before the 2022 NFL season).

Those are obviously big shoes to fill, but Hyatt has that kind of upside.

I don't think there's a better potential landing spot for Hyatt than in Kansas City.

Patrick Mahomes is arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. He throws one of the best deep balls in the league. And he came from an offense in college that had similarities to Tennessee's offense (Mahomes played in the air raid system at Texas Tech and while the Vols don't run the air raid, there are some concepts that are similar). Mahomes and Hyatt should be able to find instant chemistry.

Part of having success in the NFL is landing in the right situation. For Hyatt, there isn't a better scenario than being drafted by an Andy Reid-coached team that's led offensively by Mahomes.

Tennessee fans will obviously hate to see Hyatt go — he's quickly proven to be one of the most electric players in the nation — but I have no doubt they'll be cheering him on wherever he lands.

Of course, this is all stuff that Hyatt and Vols fans can worry about after the season. For now, the focus is on winning a national championship.

Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK