No.1 – Alvin Kamara
2017 NFL Draft: Round 3 – Pick 67
The only logically answer for our No.1 ranking of former Tennessee players that turned out to be “steals” in NFL Draft’s from the past decade is Alvin Kamara.
He overachieved with the Vols but will go down as one if not the most underutilized players in the history of the program. During his time on Rocky Top, Kamara made big play after big play, yet it wasn’t enough for Butch Jones to extend his touches.
In fairness to Jones, Jalen Hurd was a workhorse and a good running back. Hurd ranks sixth on Tennessee’s all-time rushing list in just three seasons. Even still, there is no denying Kamara needed the ball more.
Kamara makes our list at number one simply because of what he’s accomplished in such a short time in the league. Plus, I’m willing to bet if teams could redo the 2017 draft, 80 percent would have selected Kamara instead.
The 2017 season saw Offensive Rookie of the Year honors for a season that displayed 728 rushing yards on 120 attempts with eight touchdowns. Kamara was a huge threat out of the backfield with 81 receptions for 826 yards and an additional five touchdowns.
In 2018, he was even more dynamic. With everything considered, Kamara is the biggest steal of the last decade.