2020 NFL Mock Draft: Two Tennessee Volunteers land in first three rounds

After being shut out of last year’s NFL Draft, Tennessee has a few names to watch this year. The main two being Jauan Jennings and Darrel Taylor, each of whom could come off of the board as early as day two.

Jennings rebounded from being kicked off the team in 2017, finally returning to form in 2019. As a senior, Jennings caught 59 passes for 969 yards and eight touchdowns, shooting him back into day two conversation. The 6-3 receiver prospect won’t blow anyone away with measurables or athletic ability, but you won’t find a guy with a more aggressive demeanor on the field.

Darrell Taylor finished up his senior season with 8.5 sacks, backing up his eight sack junior campaign in 2018. The 6-4, 255 pound pass rusher fits a 3-4 scheme at the next level as an outside linebacker — a premium position at the pro level.

In Chad Reuter’s latest mock draft for NFL.com, both Taylor and Jennings were gone by the end of day two.

Jennings landed 75th overall to the Colts, while Taylor went to the Raiders with the 80th pick.

Daniel Bituli, Marquez Callaway, Nigel Warrior and Dominick Wood-Anderson are Tennessee’s other potential day three selections, though these four are likely to find homes after the draft ends as free agents. Each of the above outside of Warrior was invited to the NFL Combine.

Tennessee has a potential first round pick on the roster in Trey Smith, who chose to return for his senior season. Bryce Thompson and Cade Mays are a couple of early entry candidates for 2021, while Wanya Morris, Eric Gray, Henry To’o To’o and Darnell Wright have already shown potential to be high selections down the road.

Simply put — Tennessee’s days of being shut out of the NFL draft are done as long as Jeremy Pruitt is in town.