The NFL draft is quickly approaching.
The first round begins on April 24 with the final picks of the seventh round being wrapped up on April 26.
Before the draft kicks off, ESPN gave a full seven-round mock draft that included several Tennessee players. Here's where the Vols stand.
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James Pearce Jr.: 2nd Round - Pick 49 (Bengals)
Although many mock drafts still have James Pearce Jr. going in the first round, ESPN has him slipping to the second.
This puts him in a favorable situation, though, on a Bengals team that has struggled on the defensive side of the ball. This will give him plenty of early chances to play opposite of an offense that's been extremely impressive.
Pearce earns this high mark after being rated a four-star prospect by Rivals and the No. 160 player in the 2022 class. He played three years at Tennessee with his role growing in each season.
What ESPN said:
"Pearce is a productive player, though slightly undersized at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds. He had 17.5 sacks the past two seasons combined and has speed scouts love, running the 40 in 4.47 seconds with a 1.56-second 10-yard split. Pearce was once considered a top-10 overall prospect, but a lack of play strength and a pass-rush plan beyond speed rushes have caused concern around the league. But he has a high immediate ceiling as a pass-rush specialist."
Dylan Sampson: 3rd Round - Pick 67 (Browns)
ESPN is seemingly high on Dylan Sampson. while some have him slipping past the third round, they have him early in the third.
This makes Sampson the sixth-picked back on ESPN's mock draft. With a running back heavy class, this is a pretty impressive spot to be in. Being picked by the Browns would put him in a running back room that he would have the chance to work his way into being the feature back in.
Sampson was a three-star prospect in the 2022 class out of Louisiana. He was the No. 9 all-purpose back and No. 21 player in the state. He played all three seasons with the Vols and set the program single-season rushing yard record at 1,491 and single-season touchdown record at 22.
What ESPN said:
"Sampson is one of my favorite backs in the draft, with home run speed on a 5-foot-8, 200-pound frame. He is also a dangerous receiving option."
Omarr Norman-Lott: 4th Round - Pick 116 (Dolphins)
The next pick out of Tennessee is projected to be defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott. Another player who has the upside to be picked higher, a fourth-round selection would still be an impressive mark.
He is projected to be taken by the Dolphins, a scheme that typically uses a 3-4 defense. His versatility will help, as he played defensive tackle with the Vols but has the speed to get on the outside if needed.
Norman-Lott was a four-star in the 2020 class out of Sacramento, California. He was the No. 30 player in the state. He began his career at Arizona State before playing his final two years with the Vols.
Dont'e Thornton Jr.: 5th Round - Pick 145 (Jets)
In the fifth round, ESPN has Dont'e Thornton Jr. being taken off the board. He has a high ceiling but is a bit of a project player as he showed flashes with Tennessee but couldn't find much consistency.
Thornton has top-end speed and elite size making him intriguing to many NFL teams, though. ESPN has the Jets taking a chance on him. He would join a wide receiver room topped by Garrett Wilson, Tyler Johnson and Alan Lazard. Currently, Justin Fields in the top quarterback but that could change before the season.
Out of Baltimore, Thornton was a four-star prospect and No. 62 player in the 2021 class. Ranked as the No. 9 receiver in the class, he played at Oregon before finishing career with two years at Tennessee.
Bru McCoy: 5th Round - Pick 153 (Bengals)
Another Tennessee receiver is projected to be picked in the fifth round. This time, Bru McCoy is thought to be picked up less than 10 picks later by the Bengals. This would once again team him up with Sampson.
McCoy brings a physicality a lot of receivers don't have. If things go well, he could play a similar role to what Jauan Jennings, another former Vol, brings to the 49ers. With the Bengals, McCoy would join a solid receiving room featuing Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at the top.
He was a five-star prospect out of high school and the No. 12 overall player in the 2019 class. He initially signed with Texas before joining USC and ultimately finishing his career at Tennessee for three seasons.
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