The Athletic’s Dane Brugler predicted this week that a couple of former Tennessee Vols defensive linemen will be selected in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Brugler’s latest mock draft has the New York Jets selecting former Vols defensive linemen Tyre West with the No. 238 overall pick.

The longtime NFL draft analyst sees West as a rotational type of player in the NFL.

“Primarily an edge rusher in college, West has an odd body type – shorter stature with a heavy build and good arm length,” wrote Brugler in The Beast. “He moves with snap off the ball and uses rapid, forceful hands to gain quick advantages. He needs to win fast, because he will struggle to disengage, which also limits his impact plays in the run game.

“His natural leverage gives him a pad-level advantage, and he hits like a ton of bricks, but lower-body stiffness hinders his ability to break down in tight areas. He would often overthink things earlier in his career, according to an NFL scout, but his confidence developed over his senior year, which boosted his on-field impact.”

“West was a career rotational player in college — and that’s unlikely to change in the NFL — but his body twitch and heavy hands help create quick wins,” added Brugler. “He can also give teams interior snaps as a penetrating three-technique on passing downs.”

Brugler also has former Vols defensive lineman Bryson Eason getting selected in the seventh round, predicting that the Denver Broncos will take him at No. 246 overall.

“Eason moved into the trenches without sacrificing his athletic twitch,” noted Brugler. “He is at his best in the run game when he utilizes his length to establish an anchor and strain through engagement. However, he tends to be too reactive, which can put him in trail mode. He has pass-rush potential with his get-off and heavy hands, but he relies more on effort than a tactical rush plan.”

“Eason needs to become a more instinctive and technically consistent player, but he has the talent to serve multiple roles,” added Brugler. “Though I don’t see a super-high ceiling, he can provide scheme-versatile depth on the defensive line.”

Eason and West are unique players in today’s era of college football as they spent a combined 10 seasons at Tennessee.