Five Vols with the most NFL potential

The past two NFL drafts have seen 509 different student athletes hear their names called, with none hailing from the University of Tennessee.

This won’t be the case during the 2017 draft, as numerous scouting reports and mock drafts project a handful of Vols are likely to be drafted this upcoming April.

It’s one of the glistening positives of Butch Jones’ tenure in Knoxville thus far, as he’s slowly building Tennessee into a program that should consistently produce NFL talent. While they aren’t on the level of an Alabama or LSU, here are the five Vols from Team 120 with the most potential heading into the next level.

No. 5) Cornerback Cameron Sutton

2016 stats: 23 tackles, INT, 4 PBU

Projected Round: 5th

In the end, I opted with Sutton over linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin due to the significance of his position. With the NFL trending toward defenses placing five defensive backs on the field on a routine basis, the need for quality cornerbacks is high. Although Sutton isn’t an elite prospect, he certainly displayed the lockdown tendencies NFL teams want. Unfortunately for Sutton, he spent most of his senior season on the sideline, missing six games after fracturing his ankle during the third game of the season. However, he was still able to showcase what makes him such a promising player.

This interception perfectly depicts how intelligent of a cornerback Sutton is. The senior captain tricked Appalachian State’s quarterback, giving off the illusion that he was committing to the underneath route. Wisely, Sutton began breaking for the corner route once the ball was thrown, resulting in a snazzy, diving interception.

No. 4) Quarterback Joshua Dobbs

2016 stats: 225-of-357 (63 percent), 2,946 yards, 27 TD, 12 INT, 150 carries, 831 yards, 12 TD

Projected Round: 6th

Perhaps the most polarizing player on this list, Dobbs holds just as many pros as he does cons. He’s experienced, having notched 35 starts under his belt during his four seasons in Knoxville. His mobility and athleticism allows him to make plays most quarterbacks can’t on the field, while his character off the field is off the charts. In terms of arm talent, Dobbs has it, but doesn’t always put it to proper use. Even in his final season, Dobbs struggled with consistent ball placement. He’s improved his downfield throwing, but doesn’t always showcase the proper touch and anticipation on the deep pass that is needed in the NFL’s tighter coverage.

Dobbs will get drafted based on physical talent and mental makeup alone, but is too much of a project as a consistent pocket passer to be a starter in the NFL.

No. 3) Wide Receiver Josh Malone

2016 stats: 50 receptions, 972 yards, 11 touchdowns

Projected Round: 4th

No Tennessee played helped their draft stock more in 2016 than Malone. After the Vols’ receiving corps experienced a disappointing 2015 campaign, Malone was the centerpiece of the unit’s vastly improved performance this past season. The junior set career marks in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns by considerable margins, and was arguably the best wide receiver in the SEC this season.

At 6-foot-3, 200 lbs., Malone has the size to be an NFL wide receiver. While he doesn’t possess jaw-dropping athleticism, a tool in his repertoire that will prove to be beneficial on the next level is his ability to control and adjust his body when the deep ball comes his way.

Malone was simply a freak with the deep ball in 2016, as his 11 touchdowns averaged 41.3 yards in distance. It’s unlikely he’ll be a No. 1 receiver in the pros, but it’s perfectly reasonable for Malone to be a stable No. 2 receiver for a decade.

No. 2) Running back Alvin Kamara

2016 stats: 103 carries, 596 yards (5.8 YPC), 9 TD, 40 receptions, 392 yards, 4 TD

Projected Round: 4th

Kamara rarely received national attention because during his two years in Knoxville, he rarely received opportunities. While Butch Jones was keen on turning Jalen Hurd into a superstar, Kamara was quietly the team’s most efficient running back.

Despite the limited touches, there’s so much to love about Kamara as a prospect. He’s extremely shifty, and given that he’s 5-foot-10, he can slouch under and maneuver through crowds. However, Kamara is by no means a skinny (215 lbs.). As elusive as he is in the open field, Kamara also excelled at creating yards after contact in the trenches.

Although running backs are now devalued in the draft due to the NFL’s emphasis on the passing game, Kamara still remains a valuable asset because he’s just as proficient a pass catcher as he is a runner. In the right offensive system, he could be the draft’s most dangerous player.

No. 1) Defensive end Derek Barnett

2016 stats: 62 tackles, 20 TFL, 14.0 sacks, INT

Projected Round: 1st

Was there ever a doubt? Not only is Barnett far and away Tennessee’s top prospect heading into the upcoming draft, he’s one of the top prospects period. In a class full of outstanding defensive linemen, Barnett has separated himself from the majority of the pack, with only Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett and Alabama’s Jonathan Allen receiving higher praise.

Throughout his three seasons in Knoxville, Barnett did everything a scout wants out of an athlete: Produce, but more importantly, steadily improve his craft. Barnett has been the most consistently productive defensive end in the nation since his freshman year in 2014, accumulating 33 sacks (a Tennessee record) and 53 TFL in 39 games.

Barnett produced at such an elite level thanks to his ever-growing skill set. He’s worked diligently on developing more pass rush moves and is stout at stuffing the run. He’s not necessarily the prototypical 4-3 defensive end due to his build, meaning he’ll be best suited in a 3-4 scheme, but regardless of where Barnett lands, he has the athleticism, versatility and motor to be a top-flight defensive lineman in the NFL.

Edited by Nathan Odom

Featured image by Andrew Bruckse, courtesy of Tennessee Athletics