A look at the latest 2025 NFL Draft Projections for Tennessee Volunteer prospects

The 2025 NFL Draft is set to be hosted at Lambeau Field and the Title Town District in Green Bay, Wisconsin from April 24th-26th. Tennessee has several draft-eligible prospects in this year’s class, and Volquest takes a look at some of the latest mock draft projections.

Tennessee EDGE Rusher James Pearce Jr. has been mocked as highly as the first overall pick for this draft in the past twelve months, and while it no longer seems likely that will be the case, Pearce is still widely viewed as a Day One pick, with just one analyst projecting him to slide to the second round. Below is a look at Pearce’s latest projections from ESPN and NFL Network Analysts.

NFL Network’s Cynthia Frelund (Round 1, Pick 16 to the Arizona Cardinals)

“My model really likes Pearce’s upside in a front that values his alignment versatility. Based on his burst, he projects as a pass rusher who could earn at least eight sacks in Year 1,” Frelund wrote.

NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein (Round 1, Pick 32 to the Philadelphia Eagles)

“This could be a “race the card up” pick if Josh Sweat ends up departing via free agency, but would the Eagles prefer Pearce or Boston College edge Donovan Ezeiruaku?”

NFL Network’s Eric Edholm (Round 1, Pick 29 to the Washington Commanders)

“Washington needs as many impact defenders as it can find, and edge rusher is high on the priority list. Pearce is a leggy, loose rusher with some burst,” Edholm wrote.

NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks (Round 1, Pick 16 to the Arizona Cardinals)

“A mass exodus of front-seven defenders in free agency could force the Cardinals to replenish this area of the roster early (and often) on draft weekend. Pearce is an explosive athlete with a developing game as a pass-rush specialist,” Brooks wrote.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah (Round 1, Pick 31 to the Kansas City Chiefs)

“Some people see Pearce going earlier in Round 1. While there might be a debate about where he’ll land in the draft, there’s no doubt about his elite speed and production,” Jeremiah wrote.

NFL Network’s Chad Reuter (Round 2, Pick 47 to the Arizona Cardinals)

ESPN’s Fields Yates (Round 1, Pick 19 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

“Tampa Bay’s pass rush was in the middle of the pack this season, finishing 13th in pressure rate (31.9%). But it needs some reinforcements off the edge. The Bucs’ top two sack getters — Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea — play inside. Pearce has a lightning-quick first step and the body control to swoop around and underneath tackles. He had 7.5 sacks this season, and though his production slipped a bit from 10 sacks in 2023, the upside of Pearce is unquestionable.”

Tennessee DL Omarr Norman-Lott NFL Draft Projection

Tennessee Defensive Lineman Omarr Norman-Lott has continued to see his stock rise after a strong campaign on Rocky Top. He will look to build on this throughout the coming months, but right now, he is projected to go in the 3rd round with the 87th overall pick to the Green Bay Packers, according to NFL Network’s Chad Reuter.

In late January, Norman-Lott was labeled as a fast riser by ESPN’s Draft Analyst Jordan Reid.

“Norman-Lott caught my eye while I was going through film of this loaded defensive tackle class. At 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, he’s a fierce penetrator with an electric first step. He stays consistent through his rush plans, too. Norman-Lott’s box-score stats aren’t flashy, with only 18 tackles and four sacks this season. But he was part of a deep rotation, playing 20 or more snaps in only five of 13 games. Norman-Lott had a 9.1% defensive pressure rate when lined up inside — 10th-best among all FBS defensive linemen. Some see him as an early Day 3 prospect because of questions about his run defense, but it’s easy to see him climbing due to his talent as a pass rusher. He’ll be able to show the totality of his game at the Senior Bowl and prove he’s more than just a role player.”

Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson’s NFL Draft Projection

Reuter’s three-round mock draft also included Tennessee’s star Running Back Dylan Sampson. Reuter has projected Sampson to go to the Minnesota Vikings with the 97th overall pick.

Sampson shattered school single-season records in rushing yards (1,491), rushing touchdowns (22), total touchdowns scored (22), points scored (132) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). Sampson was named as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year.

These three are currently the only Tennessee draft prospects projected inside the first three rounds of the upcoming draft.