Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden selected in the sixth round of NFL Draft
Kamal Hadden has been selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the No. 211 overall pick. Hadden was a staple in Tennessee football’s defense last season, intercepting there passes and recording 19 tackles in seven games before being lost to a season-ending shoulder injury in the loss at Alabama in October.
Hadden joins Joe Milton and Jaylen Wright as Tennessee players selected in the 2024 Draft. Wright was selected in the fourth round at No. 120 overall by the Miami Dolphins and Milton was pick No. 193 overall, taken in the sixth round by the New England Patriots.
Over the last three seasons Hadden recorded 87 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, 18 passes defended and two forced fumbles.
Hadden had 51 tackles and two interceptions in nine games in 2022 and 17 tackles and one pick in seven games in 2021. Last season he had 13 solo tackles, six assists and had eight passes defended to go with his career-high three interceptions.
Shoulder injury, surgery limited Kamal Hadden’s NFL Draft opportunity
He had 33 return yards on the three picks, including taking one back for a touchdown in Tennessee’s home win over South Carolina.
According to Pro Football Focus stats, Hadden allowed 12 receptions on 33 targets last season. He was called for just two penalties in the seven games.
Unfortunately, the shoulder surgery that followed Hadden’s injury in the fall limited him to a late-round pick at best in the NFL Draft, according to NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah.
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“He’s got the shoulder surgery, coming off that,” Jeremiah said on a conference call with reporters last week. “He’s got some play-making ability, but I think he’s a late (round pick) as well.”
10 Tennessee players were picked in the first two NFL Drafts during the Josh Heupel era
Ten Tennessee football players were picked in the first two NFL Drafts during the Josh Heupel era, with five Vols picked both last year and in the 2022 draft.
Darnell Wright was the highest pick, with the offensive tackle going at No. 10 overall to the Chicago Bears last year. He was picked ahead of quarterback Hendon Hooker (third round, No. 68 overall, Detroit Lions), wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (third round, No. 73, New York Giants), wide receiver Cedric Tillman (third round, No. 74, Cleveland Browns) and edge rusher Byron Young (third round, No. 77, Los Angeles Rams).
Two years ago, defensive back Alontae Taylor was the highest Tennessee pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was taken ahead of Velus Jones Jr. (third round, No. 71, Chicago Bears), defensive lineman Matthew Butler (fifth round, No. 175, Las Vegas Raiders), Cade Mays (sixth round, No. 199, Carolina Panthers) and defensive back Theo Jackson (sixth round, No. 204, Minnesota Vikings).
