After James Pearce Jr. was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round, former Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is projected as the next Vol to hear his name called when the 2025 NFL Draft resumes on Friday night in Green Bay.
Only two running backs went in the first round of the draft, which means that the position will likely be a hot commodity in the second and third rounds on Friday. Sampson, a historic running back during his time on Rocky Top, has a good chance of being one of those selections.
Sampson is ranked as the 68th best player overall according to Daniel Jeremiah’s Big Board rankings, meaning that he is likely sitting somewhere around the 36th best player entering the second round. The junior out of Tennessee is looked at as a fringe Round 2/Round 3 player.
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Here’s a look at where outlets and experts are projecting Sampson to land after Thursday’s first round unfolded:
- Projection: Early Round 3 – No. 70 to the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Athletic – Nick Baumgardner
- Projection: Late Round 2 – No. 63 to the Kansas City Chiefs
- “One of the fastest ball carriers in the SEC last season, Sampson could form a perfect combination with Isiah Pacheco and provide another dynamic option in Kansas City’s backfield,” Baumgardner writes.
- Projection: Mid Round 3 – No. 76 to the Dallas Cowboys
- Projection: Late Round 2 – No. 63 to the Kansas City Chiefs
- “There was a drum beat of support from Chiefs fans for a running back early in this draft. Now they can get one with the uber-productive Sampson. His outside speed and vision, plus hands in the receiving game, are what Kansas City’s offense has been missing in the screen and run game,” Miller writes.
