Tennessee football: Vols free agent tracker post NFL Draft
Tennessee football had three players taken in the 2018 NFL Draft. Here is the free agent tracker for other former Volunteers.
The NFL Draft is over, and Tennessee football had a much weaker showing than last year but a stronger showing than 2015 or 2014. With three players taken overall, one in the third round and two in the sixth round, the Vols still had an impact.
Rashaan Gaulden had his name called Friday after the Carolina Panthers took him. Kahlil McKenzie and John Kelly had their names called Saturday, going to the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams respectively.
On top of that, numerous former Vols signed as free agents after the draft. Here, we’ll list them and give our take on where everybody went. All the free agent signings were reported by GoVols247.
Free Agent signings
Punter Trevor Daniel signs with the Houston Texans
This is the perfect situation for Trevor Daniel and makes it almost certain that he will add to Tennessee football’s legacy as Punter U soon enough. The Houston Texans currently have Shane Lechler inked for a one-year deal. Lechler will be 42 this season, so it’s likely to be his last with the Texans. And Daniel can then step right in and make a difference.
Tight end Ethan Wolf signs with the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee football already had a former tight end with the Titans in Luke Stocker, who signed with them last December. He’s still on the roster, making Ethan Wolf the second former Vol to sign. Still, the franchise needs depth there behind Delanie Walker, so Wolf will get a chance with his versatility.
Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley signs with the San Francisco 49ers
This one is a bit of a shock. Emmanuel Moseley got burned so often in college that, despite being a late-round projection by a small number of analysts, it seemed unlikely he’d get a look. However, he is now going to a franchise on the rise but in desperate need of some help with the San Francisco 49ers. So his chance of playing is up in the air.
Defensive tackle Kendal Vickers signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers
We now move on to a pleasant surprise. Kendal Vickers was one of the toughest players for the Vols the past few years and has all the intangibles. However, he appeared to lack the physical gifts for the NFL. Still, the Pittsburgh Steelers desperately need more toughness on the defensive side of the ball. Vickers does bring that mentality, so he’ll fit in with what Mike Tomlin wants. We now just have to see if that’s good enough to earn playing time.
Offensive lineman Jashon Robertson signs with the Dallas Cowboys
Jashon Robertson had the misfortune of playing in a terrible offensive system and never getting the chance to thrive this past year. But the once-converted defensive tackle still has a lot to prove. And he is very versatile and talented. With the Dallas Cowboys implementing spread elements into their game using Dak Prescott, he has an advantage of familiarity with the offense.
Offensive lineman Brett Kendrick signs with the Detroit Lions
Brett Kendrick’s success is completely up in the air. But he was another tough guy for Tennessee football who had all the intangibles. He’s going to a team with a former Vol as an offensive coordinator in Jim Bob Cooter and one that uses advanced analytics to get the right guys on the field. As a result, this is a great fit for him.
Linebacker Colton Jumper signs with the New Orleans Saints
Nobody saw this coming. Colton Jumper struggled too severely with consistency for too long. But it’s not like the New Orleans Saints didn’t have a history of building their defense around guys like that for years before last season. Maybe he’ll shock people in the NFL.
Defensive back Evan Berry signs with the Cleveland Browns
Evan Berry is going to the worst franchise with the most incompetent owner in sports. He should get some sympathy. However, the guy wants to try his skills on offense, is a great kick returner and can be deadly with the ball in open space. As a result, Cleveland will give him plenty of chances to shine with its empty roster.
Invited to rookie camp
Wide receiver Josh Smith invited to Saints rookie camp
Josh Smith was a very inconsistent wide receiver for Tennessee football. But there’s no better place for him than New Orleans, then, where he can develop and thrive in an offense run by Sean Payton and with Drew Brees there another year.
Linebacker Elliott Berry invited to Chiefs rookie camp
It looks like Elliott Berry is going to get a look on the same team as his superstar brother. Berry joins Eric Berry on the Kansas City Chiefs defense, where he’ll get a look at their rookie camp, while his brother Evan signed with the Cleveland Browns. Elliott Berry never really got the chance to demonstrate his skills in college, but he has speed and intangibles. So he could potentially make an impact.