With Tennessee football’s regular season in the books, the draft stock for multiple players is all but set. Some may opt to play in the Music City Bowl and combine metrics can play a factor, but the body of work is nearly complete. As a result, NFL draft experts are weighing in on the stock of draft prospects.
For the Vols, PFF has two players mocked as first-round selections. Trevor Sikkema has cornerback Jermod McCoy going 14th overall to the Kansas City Chiefs and Joshua Josephs going 25th overall to the Buffalo Bills.
Notably, wide receiver Chris Brazzell and cornerback Colton Hood are not listed as first-round picks. Some mock drafts throughout the year have included both players.
🚨 OUR LATEST MOCK DRAFT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/kjv2L0CdEK
— PFF (@PFF) December 9, 2025
More From RTI: Seven Tennessee Football Players Earn Coaches All-SEC Honors
McCoy had his draft stock soar after a breakout 2024 season as a part of one of the best defenses in the country. However, as a true sophomore, he was not eligible to enter. He decided to return to Tennessee, but tore his ACL during the initial stage of the off-season and was not able to return despite his efforts.
“The Chiefs have struggled in the secondary this season, and Jaylen Watson and Josh Williams are set to hit free agency,” Sikkema wrote. “They drafted Nohl Williams last year, and he could step into one of those outside spots, but if they have a chance to land a player with McCoy’s size-speed-talent profile, I could see them taking it.”
Josephs is completing his senior season after playing each year at Tennessee. The edge rusher plays the same position that James Pearce Jr. and Byron Young played under Josh Heupel, both of whom are now having extreme success in the NFL.
“The Bills need a true WR1, but with those options off the board, they could pivot to the defensive line,” Sikkema wrote. “Joseph has earned a 91.2 pass-rush grade on true pass sets this season with a 20.6% pass-rush win rate. That’s the kind of juice they need up front.”
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
