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Tennessee football: 4 former Vols who were NFL Draft steals this decade

By Billy Williford

1 Sep 2016: Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) before a preseason NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/ICON Sportswire)
1 Sep 2016: Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) before a preseason NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/ICON Sportswire) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 4: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball and leaps over Lamarcus Joyner #20 of the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 4, 2018, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 45-35. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 4: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball and leaps over Lamarcus Joyner #20 of the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 4, 2018, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 45-35. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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.

Vols 5 previous seasons after no NFL Draft picks. dark. Next

In 2018, he was even more dynamic. With everything considered, Kamara is the biggest steal of the last decade.

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