The Tennessee Vols haven't had more than six players selected in the NFL Draft since 2003 when the program saw eight players drafted. 

But that could be changing in 2023. 

Tennessee should have at least seven players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. And there's a chance that eight former Vols could be drafted, which would match the total from 2003. 

I'm projecting that eight former Vols will be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Here's where I think those eight Tennessee players land. 

Vols 2023 mock draft

Darnell Wright — OT — Pittsburgh Steelers — No. 17 (Round 1)

The Pittsburgh Steelers need some upgrades along their offensive line and Wright feels like a perfect fit for them. He grew up in nearby West Virginia and he plays with a nasty attitude while always giving 100 percent. Wright is essentially a perfect fit for a Mike Tomlin coached team. 

Jalin Hyatt — WR — Kansas City Chiefs — No. 31 (Round 1)

The Kansas City Chiefs badly need to add some wide receivers to their roster after losing JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hartman in free agency. There isn’t a better fit for Hyatt than the Chiefs. Kansas City is extremely innovative with their offensive concepts and they could possibly utilize some of Tennessee’s offensive concepts if they select Hyatt. 

Hendon Hooker — QB — New Orleans Saints — No. 40 (Round 2)

The New Orleans Saints don’t have a longterm answer at quarterback. They could take a chance on Hendon Hooker, a player they should be familiar with thanks to cornerback Alontae Taylor (Hooker’s former teammate at UT) and wide receivers coach Kodi Burns (he was on Tennessee’s staff in 2021 during Hooker’s first season in Knoxville).

Byron Young — EDGE — Chicago Bears — No. 53 (Round 2)

The Chicago Bears are banking on Justin Fields becoming a franchise quarterback in 2023, but they still identify as a team that wants to dominate teams defensively. The Bears could use some more dynamic pass rushers and Young, who is extremely athletic, would be a good fit. 

Cedric Tillman — WR — Cincinnati Bengals — No. 60 (Round 2)

The Bengals have perhaps the best wide receiver trio in the NFL with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. There are rumblings that Cincinnati will extend Higgins, but they won’t be able to pay him like a No. 1 wide receiver (due to looming extensions for Chase and quarterback Joe Burrow). If things go south with Higgins, they could look at Tillman as a replacement. 

Jerome Carvin — OG/C — Cincinnati Bengals — No. 206 (Round 6)

The Bengals’ offensive line still needs some help. Carvin could be a massive steal for Cincy late in the draft (I’m shocked he isn’t being mocked higher). The former Vol can play either guard position or center. He’s the perfect option for a team like the Bengals in need of offensive line depth. 

Jeremy Banks — LB — Minnesota Vikings — No. 211 (Round 6)

Banks should get a shot in the NFL because of his athleticism and special teams value. The Vikings could make sense for Banks because former Vols assistant coach Chris Rumph is the defensive line coach in Minnesota. Rumph wouldn’t be Banks’ position coach in the NFL, but he’s at least familiar with the former Vol linebacker. 

Princeton Fant — TE/FB — Miami Dolphins — No. 238 (Round 7)

I could see Fant going undrafted, but if anyone takes a chance on him late in the draft it could be the Miami Dolphins. Miami head coach Mike McDaniel likes tight ends/fullbacks who can block and provide versatility. Fant does a lot of the little things that don’t show up in a box score. The Dolphins might be the team best suited to use his skills.