It’s not hard to search Google and find a number of publications that have dished out team grades in the wake of the 2026 NFL Draft. One company took that extra step, though. Two analysts from CBS Sports, Mike Renner and Josh Edwards, graded every single pick in the draft this past weekend in Pittsburgh.
Unlike others who just graded out 32 teams, Renner and Edwards graded all 32 teams and all 257 draft selections. Quite the task.
It gives some better insight for Tennessee Volunteers fans about the five VFLs selected. For instance, the Las Vegas Raiders are probably going to grade out well as a team after landing Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall, but what about Jermod McCoy’s injury grade? Did the Lions get dinged by taking Tyre West in the seventh round, someone who was a draft fringe player in many projections leading up? (Spoiler alert: No)
For each pick, CBS’s experts analyzed multiple factors, including “the value, fit and talent caliber associated with each selection.”
Here’s a look at the grades that Tennessee’s VFLs received:
Tennessee CB Colton Hood – No. 37 Overall, New York Giants
- Mike Renner’s grade: B+
Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell – No. 83 Overall, Carolina Panthers
- Mike Renner’s grade: A-
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy – No. 101 Overall, Las Vegas Raiders
- Josh Edwards’ Grade: A+
Tennessee EDGE Joshua Josephs – No. 147 Overall, Washington Commanders
- Josh Edwards’ Grade: B+
Tennessee DL Tyre West – No. 222 Overall, Detroit Lions
- Josh Edwards’ Grade: B+
Obviously, these are really impressive grades for each Tennessee player. And on paper, each one looks to have found a nice home and was drafted with great value. Don’t just think that CBS Sports was handing out upper-tier grades willy-nilly, either.
With “B+” being the floor from Hood, Josephs, and West’s projections, 128 out of the 257 players received a “B” or worse, meaning that all of Tennessee’s players were in the upper 50% of graded players.
All in all, it was a strong year for Tennessee. The Vols’ five picks tied UT’s Josh Heupel era record for most picks in a single draft, alongside the 2022 and 2023 drafts.
For a look at which Tennessee Volunteers might be on this list during the 2027 NFL Draft, click here.
