Tennessee Vols: One thing that could be helping Cade Mays' NFL draft stock
Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Cade Mays hasn't announced yet whether or not he'll return to UT in 2022 for his final season of eligibility. But the signs are pointing toward Mays leaving for the NFL. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl recently announced Mays as a participant in their post-season showcase event. Playing in the NFLPA Collegiate […]
Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Cade Mays hasn't announced yet whether or not he'll return to UT in 2022 for his final season of eligibility.
But the signs are pointing toward Mays leaving for the NFL.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl recently announced Mays as a participant in their post-season showcase event.
Playing in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is a strong indication that Mays is going to enter the NFL draft.
Mays said last week that a NIL deal paying him "third or fourth round" money could keep him at Tennessee for another year. Such a deal, however, seems unlikely. Paying an offensive lineman around $750,000 probably isn't a wise decision for a local business in Knoxville (or anywhere). And I don't see many offensive linemen getting a rich national endorsement deal paying that type of cash.
Mays would likely benefit financially from staying at Tennessee for another year and improving his draft stock. But if he's ready to get paid, it's hard to blame him for leaving now to chase his NFL dream.
One thing that could be helping Cade Mays' NFL draft stock
There's one thing that could be helping Mays' draft stock that actually has nothing to do with Mays.
Mays proved this season that he's a first-round talent by giving up only one sack in nearly 500 offensive snaps played.
But he's currently being projected as a mid to late-round pick — likely due to the various injuries he suffered in 2021. It was tough at times for Mays to stay on the field for the Volunteers. As a result, NFL teams could view Mays as "not durable", which could hurt his draft stock.
However, it's also possible that NFL teams look at former Vol Trey Smith and decide they don't want to make the same mistake twice.
Smith, a former five-star recruit, was drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
The selection of Smith in the sixth round might end up being the biggest steal of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Smith, who fell in the draft due to serious blood clot issues that he dealt with while at Tennessee (which are completely under control now), was easily a first-round talent. And he's proved that this year by holding down a starting spot for the Chiefs all season.
It's certainly possible that other NFL teams will look at their decision to pass on Smith and decide they don't want to make the same mistake twice.
Mays is a similar talent — a former five-star recruit who has lived up to the hype when healthy. He's also a versatile player who can play anywhere on the offensive line, though he'll almost certainly play guard at the next level (that versatility and knowledge of every position on the offensive line, though, should be appealing to NFL teams).
Smith essentially paved the way for Mays to enjoy a better draft market.
If Mays ends up being selected in the second round, he should send Smith a portion of his signing bonus. Because without Smith's success this year, that's probably not how that scenario plays out for Mays.
Featured image via Randy Sartin/USA TODAY Sports
