Tennessee football: Final Vols 2021 NFL Draft predictions

DB Bryce Thompson

Offensively speaking, the Arizona Cardinals are set. Kliff Kingsbury’s team, led by second-year quarterback Kyler Murray, accounted for 384 yards per game in 2020, good enough for No. 6 in league-wide offensive production. Defensively, the NFC West unit was solid, but they’ve lost a few of the key pieces that made their secondary as productive as it was.

Late rounds are often used to supply a team’s roster with depth and high-upside prospects. Tennessee football’s Bryce Thompson, who snagged eight interceptions over three seasons in Knoxville, fits that bill to a T. While many draft experts believe Arizona could draft a cornerback with immediate expectations, they’ll need help to round out the position group as well.

However, the Los Angeles Chargers also find themselves entering the draft with a thin secondary. Plus, the Bolts have ties to Thompson with former Vols’ cornerbacks coach Derrick Ansley taking over defensive back coaching responsibilities. Both of these squads would be terrific organizations for the Irmo, S.C. native to kick start his career, but which franchise will it be?

Prediction:

With a prime fifth-round pick, the Cardinals make a lot of sense here. The loss of Patrick Peterson and potentially Johnathan Joseph and Dre Kirkpatrick will be too glaring to ignore in this draft cycle. That’s even if GM Steve Keim takes a defensive backin the earlier rounds.

We know the Cardinals were front and center at Rocky Top’s Pro Day workout, so it’s not ludicrous to believe the team has interest in the UT corner. Thompson could definitely help shore up issues on that team’s defense.