Vols in the Draft (8 Viewers)

[UFCSaint]

For a while now, each year I have posted my personal takes on Tennessee Volunteers coming out in the draft (going back to Kamara) that would not only fill holes we have, but could also possibly land in a round that works for us. Since I live in Tennessee, I get to watch these guys play every Saturday and have a decent feel on them. Out of this year's class, these are the guys I would take a look at:

1. James Pearce DE- no brainer here. At 6'5 240...he's big, tall, fast (4.49), and very disruptive. We badly need a DE like this and but it would cost a first round pick.

2. Dylan Sampson RB - he's fast (4.35) and runs hard. At times he reminded me of Kamara (maybe it was just the #6 lol) and might just be a good replacement for Kamara in the next year or so. We should be able to snag him with one of our 4ths. Unless Payton moves up ahead of us and takes him...

3. Cooper Mays C - Good team leader and a 5th year senior at Center. Made all the line calls and had a great year. IMO his big knock is his injury history although he did stay healthy his senior year. Would be worth our 6th round pick if he makes it that long (although I think he might go in the 5th.)

4. Bru McCoy WR - Big, smart, tall receiver with great hands and impressive after the catch (reminds me of Colston.) Also a good run blocker. Not super fast though (4.5), but with his size could be a good possession receiver over the middle. At 6'3 230, he 'might' be able to convert to tight end. May be able to grab him with a 6th or 7th. Big knock on him would be injury history.

 

[tenordas]

I would like to see a big fast DE in the first round. If the ones graded as top 10 guys are gone by #9, I wouldn't mind seeing a trade down a little bit to get one "at the right spot." One reason is that this draft class has is deep in quality disruptive DEs who should be able to make an impact their rookie year, and I think Pearce is one of those.

 

[Boy_of_wonder75]

Don't forget DT Omarr Norman-Lott!

 

[St. Widge]

I would like to see a big fast DE in the first round. If the ones graded as top 10 guys are gone by #9, I wouldn't mind seeing a trade down a little bit to get one "at the right spot." One reason is that this draft class has is deep in quality disruptive DEs who should be able to make an impact their rookie year, and I think Pearce is one of those.

Part of the problem with talking draft right now is that we don't even know what defensive scheme we will run and we really don't know what offensive scheme we will run. If it's Moore, I think he will adjust to the offensive talent we have, but he might have a goal in mind for what he ultimately wants the offense to look like. On defense we don't even know if it will be a 3-4 or a 4-3. A guy like piece I think might fit as a 3-4 OLB, but might not be a fit as a 4-3 DE given his weight. But, there are 4-3 schemes that can use that kind of guy on the Edge. That was not the case with the defense DA ran.

 

[St.Dan]

There's a bit more of a chance Pearce lasts to pick #9 than Carter, and I would like the pick. Need to rebuild the trenches (which includes the edge on D) on both sides of the ball in free agency AND the draft.

 

[OzzieSaint]

Don't forget DT Omarr Norman-Lott!

I like him a lot. Possible 3rd round pick if he drops a bit.

 

[AARPSaint]

Part of the problem with talking draft right now is that we don't even know what defensive scheme we will run and we really don't know what offensive scheme we will run. If it's Moore, I think he will adjust to the offensive talent we have, but he might have a goal in mind for what he ultimately wants the offense to look like. On defense we don't even know if it will be a 3-4 or a 4-3. A guy like piece I think might fit as a 3-4 OLB, but might not be a fit as a 4-3 DE given his weight. But, there are 4-3 schemes that can use that kind of guy on the Edge. That was not the case with the defense DA ran.

I would hope 4-3 just because it would require fewer adjustments. Of course, it could be argued that this defense needs a complete overhaul.

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

Vol fan here too, watched every snap….
Very surprised that I don’t see Mays anywhere….at all. At least for the past six months when I’d look.

Maybe that’s changed in the last few weeks….idk.

Would be happy with any of those guys. Bru late would be sweet for sure. As would Mays.

 

[St. Widge]

I would hope 4-3 just because it would require fewer adjustments. Of course, it could be argued that this defense needs a complete overhaul.

I'm actually wishing for a switch to 3-4 with a 2 high shell like Fangio runs which seems kind of likely given Moore's past work with Brandon Staley and Vic Fangio. And I actually think we mostly have the guys for a 3-4 with a 2 high shell other than the OLBs/Edges and the 0 Tech NT but we lack those for a 4-3 to and I think it's easier to find a NT in later round and OLBs for a 3-4 in the draft. Also 2 high safeties and match up zone CBs are easier to find.

My proposed 3-4 base is Breese and Jordan at DE, Ridgeway at NT (for now) with Granderson and Foskey (for now) at OLB and Demario and Werner at ILB (for now). you can also work in chase young at OLB if he stays. Not sure Foskey is the guy you want starting, but he should be better as a 3-4 OLB than he was as a 4-3 DE and if not we move on.

But like you said, we pretty much so need to rebuild the defense so we have a long way to go either way. So, if we are going to make the change, now is a good time to do it. And I think there are a lot of smaller edges in college that can play OLB in a 3-4 but lack the size to play DE in a 4-3. That should allow for good value on those guys in the draft with added speed on the field.

 

[TruSaint]

Pearce is going to be a star.