Tennessee football: Final Vols 2021 NFL Draft predictions

By Dean Zulkofske | Apr 29, 2021

Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson (20) reacts during a game between University of Tennessee and UAB in Knoxville, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019.Utvuab1103 0752 /

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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 7: Josh Palmer #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers catches a pass on the sidelines in the first half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 7: Josh Palmer #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers catches a pass on the sidelines in the first half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

WR Josh Palmer

A player whose draft stock has skyrocketed since the end of the 2020 season, NFL Draft experts can’t decide where Josh Palmer will end up. From his performance at the Reese’s Senior Bowl to his 4.51 40-yard dash on Pro Day, Palmer has earned the attention of many NFL organizations throughout this pre-draft process.

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One team in particular, though, stands out here. And it’s a team that we noted earlier could be interested in the 6’1″ receiver out of Brampton, Ontario. While there’s a connection between Palmer and his old Tennessee football coach, Tee Martin, now with the Baltimore Ravens, fans should listen for Palmer’s name when the New York Giants are on the clock.

Former Vols head coach Jeremy Pruitt, is now an assistant with the G-Men, as is former UT head coach and Missouri Tigers offensive coordinator Derek Dooley, who now serves as Big Blue’s wideouts coach. So maybe it’s the Knoxville/ New Rutherford connection, but NFL Draft expert Chad Forbes also believes there’s something going on between the Giants and Palmer.

It’s fun when you evaluate a player for multiple yrs and obviously every team has been too. Josh Palmer WR Tennessee is a guy I know #Giants love. And are discussing internally where they can get the player.
— Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites) April 16, 2021

No, the Giants are very interested in Palmer.

Player I GUARANTEE you #Giants are discussing as Day 2 or R4 Option?

Josh Palmer WR Tennessee

In tumultuous programs, players can be like rats fleeing a sinking ship.

Palmer was the opposite. A TEAM player his entire career reminds me of Darius Slayton.
— Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites) April 28, 2021

Related Story. NFL Draft: Where experts have all four Vols. light

We see the comparison drawn between Palmer and Darius Slayton, a receiver the Giants selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Interestingly enough, Slayton played for the Auburn Tigers under the Vols’ new wide receivers coach, Kodi Burns, from 2016 to 2019. Could Palmer join Slayton in New York this season?

Prediction:

player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Pick No. 116. New York Giants. . 31. Round 4

A franchise that has struggled to pull production from its wide receivers in recent years, the Giants would be an excellent fit for the former UT standout. General Manager Dave Gettleman prioritized offensive lineman to help quarterback Daniel Jones in last year’s draft cycle, and many experts believe he’ll focus on wideouts at the 2021 NFL Draft.

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