University of Tennessee fans should have plenty of NFL news to keep an eye on this offseason with both the NFL Draft and free agency on the horizon. The Vols project to have a handful of players taken in the draft this spring, potentially with two first-round players, and also boast some key former players who should play a big role in the free agent market.
For now, though, let’s look at the latter.
Twenty-seven-year-old Alontae Taylor has been with the New Orleans Saints for the past four seasons after being taken in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Over the last two seasons, Taylor has racked up 172 tackles, 27 pass deflections, six sacks, and two interceptions in 34 games. He’s turned into a solid NFL cornerback and is one of the top free agents at the position this offseason.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen has Taylor as the 12th-best free agent and the top-ranked cornerback on the market. He’s got the Los Angeles Rams as the best fit for Taylor this offseason, citing the Rams’ lack of speed in the secondary.
“Taylor, who had two interceptions with the Saints in 2025, would provide the Rams a versatile cover corner with disruptive traits and the ability to play outside or in the slot,” Bowen writes.
The NFC runner-up Rams should be a team for Vol fans to track this offseason. With the Rams clearly needing help at the cornerback position, they could turn to the NFL Draft for help if they don’t go Taylor’s way. Perhaps they will even if they do sign Taylor. Former Tennessee cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood have both been linked to L.A. in mock drafts this offseason, with one recent projection having the Rams taking both players with their two first-round picks.
Whether it’s Taylor, McCoy, Hood, or some combination of the three, they’ll potentially be joining up with other former Vols in Los Angeles. The Rams currently have VFLs Byron Young and Jaylen McCollough on the defensive side of the ball.
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The other key Tennessee free agent in the cycle is former UT wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
Jennings was drafted by the Niners in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft and signed a two-year extension before the 2024 season. Jennings and the 49ers had a contract dispute that went public last offseason, with the former Vol looking for either a new contract or a trade before the 2025 season. The 49ers didn’t budge on either request, but the two sides did come to an incentive-based agreement for the season.
Now, though, Jennings is a free agent. Bowen has Jennings tagged as the 28th-best free agent and the sixth-best wide receiver in the cycle. The Carolina Panthers are penciled as the best fit for Jennings’ services.
“The 49ers’ top WR in 2025 can use his 6-foot-3, 212-pound frame and route-running skills to make himself available to quarterback Bryce Young, especially in critical down-and-distance situations,” Bowen writes. “Plus, with Jennings joining Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, the Panthers would have a versatile receiving group that can work every level of the field.”
The Tennessee Titans have also been noted as a team that could be interested in Jennings this offseason, setting up a home-state reunion for the former UT receiver and Murfreesboro native.
After tallying just 78 catches in his first three seasons, Jennings broke through in 2024 with the Niners battling injuries to the pass-catching unit. He caught 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns, which were all career highs at the time. Jennings battled a bevy of injuries himself leading into and during the 2025 season, but managed to play through them and caught 55 passes for 643 yards and a new career high nine touchdowns.
