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Tennessee football: Five best NFL landing spots for Bryce Thompson

By Dean Zulkofske

Oct 12, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Bryce Thompson (20) celebrates in the second quarter in a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Bryce Thompson (20) celebrates in the second quarter in a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule talks with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule talks with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback Bryce Thompson, a member of the 2018 Tennessee football recruiting class, announced earlier this year he’s forgoing his senior year on Rocky Top and entering the 2021 NFL Draft. The Irmo, S.C. native intercepted eight passes over three seasons in Knoxville and will lean on his natural athleticism and on-ball defending to earn him a spot at the next level.

Teams like the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons were abysmal in pass coverage last season. While that would incline many to believe those franchises will grab as much secondary help as they can get, they’ll more than likely draft big-name DBs in hopes of playing them right away.

Odds are Thompson will land somewhere he can develop properly and supply a team with depth where needed. One of the leaders of Tennessee football’s defensive back group over the last three seasons, Thompson possesses an elite set of football skills worthy of an NFL contract. Here are five potential landing spots for the former Vols cornerback at the 2021 NFL Draft.

5.) Carolina Panthers

This offseason, the Carolina Panthers bolstered their offensive ability with the acquisition of quarterback Sam Darnold from the New York Jets. With eight picks at the 2021 NFL Draft, the team should look to strengthen their weak defensive secondary.

Just at the right cornerback spot alone, starter A.J. Bouye will sit out six games in 2021 for violating the league’s PED policy, and backup Troy Pride Jr. could miss time with a groin injury he suffered last season. Injuries and suspensions aside, the secondary wasn’t terrific in 2020.

The unit only surrendered an average of 239 yards through the air per game, but with missing pieces to start 2021, it wouldn’t be surprising if they selected Thompson in the late rounds. He wouldn’t be the first Tennessee football DB to play professionally in Charlotte, N.C., as Rashaan Gaulden was drafted by the club in 2018.

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