Tennessee is just a few of years away from achieving 400 all-time NFL Draft picks (dating back to 1936), especially considering the rate of NFL additions it has had since the arrival of Josh Heupel in 2021.
Entering the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night, Tennessee has 387 all-time NFL Draft picks. Thirteen of those picks have come during the Heupel era (2022-2024), which is the highest in a three-year span that Tennessee has had since 2006-2008.
Tennessee projects to have three guaranteed picks this weekend, a couple of players who have a decent chance at sliding in during late rounds, and a few who will likely end up being undrafted free agents.
The three Vols who are absolutely expected to be drafted are EDGE rusher James Pearce Jr., running back Dylan Sampson, and DT Omarr Norman-Lott. Pearce has been one of the most polarizing players in mock drafts in recent weeks and will likely go late in the first round or early in the second round. Sampson and Norman-Lott, meanwhile, have a bit of a wider range. Both have primarily been projected in the third round and could slip to the fourth based on team needs and how the draft shakes out early. It’s unlikely that either is available for the start of the fifth round, though.
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Tennessee wide receiver Dont’e Thornton is probably the next likeliest player to be drafted this weekend. While he wasn’t necessarily burning a hole in anyone’s big board rankings after the season, Thornton put his name on the map by running the second-fastest 40-yard dash among all receivers at the NFL Combine. Combine Thornton’s deep ball talent with his breakaway speed, and you have a good recipe for a team spending a late-round flier on the Tennessee product.
Another Tennessee player who could be a late-round surprise is defensive tackle Elijah Simmons. While Simmons isn’t the most polished prospect, his sheer size and strength in the middle of the trenches could be enticing for a defensive staff somewhere in the league.
Other Tennessee players who could earn undrafted free agent contracts are OL Cooper Mays, DL/OL Omari Thomas, and WR Bru McCoy.
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place this weekend in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The first round will take place on Thursday night, the second and third rounds will take place on Friday night, and the final four rounds will take place on Saturday afternoon.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee-NFL Draft coverage this weekend.
