The 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner and news is starting to heat up with the NFL Combine and several major pro days in the rear-view mirror. With time winding down and news ramping up, we’re starting to see daily news about the draft itself and several of the high-profile players that are hoping to hear their names called.
Over the last couple of months, we’ve talked about Tennessee’s potential early-round prospects, such as cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood. But what about the other players who are expected to go lower in the draft?
ESPN’s Matt Miller knocked out a full seven-round mock draft over the weekend based on the news that he and his colleagues have been hearing throughout the scouting process. Miller has five Tennessee players being taken in the 2026 draft, which would tie a record for the Josh Heupel era in Knoxville (2022, 2023).
The first two Tennessee players that Miller has off his board are Jermod McCoy at No. 12 to the Dallas Cowboys and Colton Hood at No. 30 the Miami Dolphins, both as first-round picks.
The McCoy situation is a fascinating one. Miller’s mock draft came out before Tennessee’s Pro Day workout on Tuesday, but the event in Knoxville was a positive one for McCoy. Questions and red flags have surrounded McCoy during the draft process because of the ACL injury that sidelined him for the 2025 season, but the Tennessee cornerback had a great showing at pro day. He ran a 4.38 40-yard dash and looked comfortable in the different defensive back drills. Not everyone will say it was perfect, but it was undoubtedly a step in the right direction.
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The next Tennessee player off the board is wide receiver Chris Brazzell, projected to land at No. 99 overall late in the third round. Miller says that “the Steelers need a field-stretching speed receiver.”
Leading off the fifth round of the draft, Miller has Tennessee EDGE Joshua Josephs projected to go to the Houston Texans with the 141st overall pick. He then has Tennessee defensive tackle Bryson Eason projected to go in the middle of the sixth round to the Green Bay Packers at No. 201 overall.
All five of the players listed went through Pro Day workouts on Tuesday afternoon in Knoxville. According to Tennessee, all 32 NFL teams were represented at the event.
Notable former Volunteers who were not listed in the seven-round mock include QB Joey Aguilar, DL Dominic Bailey, TE Miles Kitselman, and DB Jalen McMurray.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh this year. Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football draft news with the event coming up.
