By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports
Here’s a look at the team fits and roster situations of the three University of Tennessee drafted players and 11 undrafted free agents will enter into with their NFL teams in 2018 in my blog “Vince’s View.”
U. of Tennessee Draft Picks (3)
S Rashaan Gaulden – Carolina Panthers (3rd Rd #85)
Gaulden went in the 3-5 round range I expected. He landed in a really nice spot. He’ll also be reunited with Brady Hoke who is on the Panthers coaching staff. Gaulden says he can play any position in the secondary and the team likes that about him. The team told him they want him at safety first and foremost. He said he’ll play it at a high level. Question is, will it be at strong safety where he’s more in the box closer to the Nickelback he played at UT or at free safety where there may be slightly less competition on the roster. Mike Adams was the starter there last year but is expected to start at free safety this season. Former Titan Da’Norris Searcy is likely the starting strong safety early in camp. Other reserve safeties currently are Demetrious Cox, Colin Jones, Damian Parms and Dezman Southward. Gaulden should slide in to the back-up role at SS. The Panthers didn’t draft or sign undrafted free agents at the safety position. He will help on special teams as well.
WATCH RASHAAN GAULDEN’S INTRODUCTORY PRESS CONFERENCE WITH PANTHERS
RB John Kelly – Los Angeles Rams (6th Rd #176)
I was surprised that Kelly fell to the 6th round. He had the 9th highest draft grade among running backs according to NFL.com, yet he was the 15th RB drafted. He was projected as a 3rd to 5th round pick. The SEC Network said John Kelly was in the “toughest situation” among drafted SEC players because he’s backing up Todd Gurley II in the Rams backfield. I think Kelly can earn the role as the top back-up to Gurley. His stiffest competition is 3-year pro, former Texas Longhorn Malcolm Brown. The others are Justin Davis and Leonard Tillery. No other RBs were drafted or signed as undrafted free agents. LA and Rams media will love covering this kid. He will play with an enhanced chip on his shoulder, which should lead to exciting moments and a multi-year NFL career.
WATCH COACH SEAN MCVAY DISCUSS JOHN KELLY (13:18 mark)
OG Kahlil McKenzie – Kansas City Chiefs (6th Rd #198)
McKenzie went in the round range I expected and to a team I had in my Top 5 teams to watch. It is strange that he’ll be with a huge rival of the team his dad is the GM of, the Raiders. This move to offensive line was something that a lot teams projected. McKenzie smartly accepted requests to do offensive line drills and he looked natural doing so. McKenzie could likely make it in the NFL on the defensive line, but he has even higher upside on the offensive line according to his father, Reggie. Kahlil said in an interview that his father first discussed the idea of leaving UT early and making the switch to the o-line. He said it’s a great move for him, it won’t be a huge learning curve for him and that it felt natural to him. The Chiefs have a top-tier RG in Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Parker Ehinger is the likely starter at LG. The only other reserve guard that was on the roster is Jordan Devey, formerly of the 49ers. Undrafted free agent signee Ryan Hunter, who could play guard or tackle could also provide competition. If Kahlil ever gets to play for the Chiefs and has the Raiders on the schedule upcoming, this will be a big NFL storyline. Oh, and if Kahlil McKenzie ends up being a quality NFL offensive guard, that will be an additional bad look on Butch Jones for never moving him there and was often discussed. Watch this analysis below with more of what the Chiefs think of McKenzie.
VIDEO: CHIEFS SCOUT BREAKS DOWN EVALUATING MCKENZIE
Undrafted Free Agent Signings from UT (9 + 1 Vol transfer)
P Trevor Daniel (Texans)
This was a team to watch for Daniel in my pre-draft projections. He worked out for them. Would the Texans move on from one of the best to ever punt in the league, Shane Lechler? He’s 41. The league loves to move to younger, cheaper punters. The tough part is, the 19-season veteran Lechler still averaged 49 yards per punter last season. Daniel would have to have an incredible camp to unseat Lechler.
CB Emmanuel Moseley (49ers)
Moseley’s forty times in-and-around 4.4 gave him some hope of being drafted. San Francisco had a top need at CB opposite newly acquired Richard Sherman. They only drafted one corner, DJ Reed of Kansas St, in the 5th round. They also signed two other undrafted free agents CBs. He’ll be one of 9 corners to start, so he’ll have his work cut out for him to make an impression.
TE Ethan Wolf (Titans)
The Titans have kept undrafted free agent TEs from Tennessee before. See Alex Ellis. Wolf has accomplished a lot more. He may have to beat out another VFL, Luke Stocker, to earn his way onto the roster. Stocker was a pass-catching TE in college who earned a role in the NFL as predominantly a blocking TE. Could that be the path for Wolf as well? The Titans had the fewest draft picks in the league (4,) but the most undrafted free agents (20.) Wolf was the only TE brought in to compete with the vets. He’s a willing blocker who, despite some timely drops at UT, is a good receiving threat with a big body that can continue to get stronger. The practice squad also can’t be ruled out.
OG/C Jashon Robertson (Cowboys)
Robertson once was viewed as a potential draft pick. His position versatility to play guard or center is always a plus. He’s also very smart and a late-blooming leader. The Cowboys drafted Connor Williams in the 2nd round to likely play guard. They also signed two other OLs after the draft. It will be a challenge to earn a roster spot without injuries in front of him.
OT Brett Kendrick (Lions)
The Lions invested two draft picks on improving the offensive line including first round pick Frank Ragnow of Arkansas. Kendrick was also one of three OLs to be signed after the draft. His 5 position versatility helps in hopes of a practice squad spot.
LB Colton Jumper (Saints)
Coaches always love him. With the need to continue to improve on defense, the Saints want as much camp competition as possible. He will be one of 13 linebackers on the roster this summer.
WR/RS/S Evan Berry (Browns)
What’s his position? The Browns are taking a flyer on the one-time All-American kick returner. He worked out exclusively at wide receiver in the off-season. He’ll have to show enough there because NFL teams can’t keep return specialists on their roster anymore with the de-emphasized kickoff returns in the league. If he develops as a wide receiver, this will be another bad look for Butch Jones not playing him there.
DE Kendal Vickers (Steelers)
Vickers was listed as a DE after playing DT with the Vols. He fits as a bigger end in the Steelers 3-4 defense. He’ll be on the same defensive line with VFL Dan McCullers. There are 8 other DEs on the current roster.
CB Shaq Wiggins (Saints)
Wiggins had success and flashed at his first two colleges, Georgia and Louisville, but could never make an impact at UT. He’s one of three UDFA from the Vols to get an opportunity with New Orleans. It’s a bad numbers deal for Wiggins however, who will be one of 15 corners on the team when he hits rookie mini-camp.
QB Riley Ferguson *transferred to Memphis (Buccaneers)
Veterans Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ryan Griffin along with fellow undrafted free agent Austin Allen from Arkansas provide the competition for the one-time Vol, Riley Ferguson. With his arm talent and mobility, he has a shot at a spot on the practice squad.
Rookie Mini-Camp Invites from UT (2)
WR Josh Smith (Saints)
Don’t sleep on this working. If you can play, Sean Payton will keep you. Slot Willie Snead is gone, so there’s an opportunity for new guys to make it. The key for Smith is staying healthy. When he does, he can play the position.
LB Elliott Berry (Chiefs)
Eric’s little bro Elliott gets to go to his big brother’s team at rookie mini-camp. That’s very cool for that family. It will be a tough for him to break through on that really good team.
Look for more as I track former University of Tennessee players (and SEC players) in the NFL year-round here on my blog “Vince’s View.”
