Tennessee football week 4 stock report: Veteran Vols should step up

Stocks to buy

The trenches

Tennessee football showed signs of life on the defensive line, finally, Saturday night. The unit got pressure on the opening drive and set the tone for the offense, which was just unable to capitalize. With more momentum building, these guys should be able to get significantly better throughout the stretch of the season.

Meanwhile, the offensive line was still awful Saturday. But I’d still buy into them. Again, Trey Smith is learning a new system and switched over to left tackle from guard after not practicing with the team in the spring or halfway through fall camp. Jahmir Johnson is still learning to play with the line. The entire unit is still learning how to play physical. That unit will get better with more experience, and I’m buying in, even if a thumping against the Georgia Bulldogs is coming this week.

Wide receivers

Marquez Callaway, Jauan Jennings and Josh Palmer are just not getting enough chances to show what they can do. Tyson Helton wants his system to be predicated on early running plays that are successful to get the defense to creep up and then bomb passes to the receivers. The run game hasn’t consistently been established yet.

However, these guys have been what we expected with the ball in open space. They can make players miss and move the ball, and honestly, Helton should use them more. If the offensive line can begin to develop, the overall offense will, and that will allow these guys to shine.