Tennessee's Joshua Josephs makes NFL Combine statement with elite length

The Tennessee Vols have been making headlines off the field at the combine, but now the focus shifts to football. Edge rusher Joshua Josephs is turning heads with a big move that could elevate his draft stock, potentially all the way into the second round, or maybe even the first.

The linebackers and defensive linemen are being measured today, and Josephs came in second in arm length at 34 1/4" inches. This puts him in an elite category of EDGE players. It may seem dumb or unimportant, but players with longer arms have a much easier time shedding blocks and have way better leverage and hand placement on offensive linemen. This all leads to one thing, and it's that they win more battles and put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

What’s obvious is that many of the NFL's best pass rushers have long arms. Recent EDGE rushers with long arms include Myles Garrett with 35", Brian Burns with 33 7/8", and Nick Bosa with 33". In the NFL, just a few inches can make all the difference in a game that moves as fast and physically as it does.

Joshua Josephs long arms already have him priomed for success at the NFL Combine

Josephs now has the measurables in place; all that’s left is for him to go out and compete. It’s worth remembering just how much motor he plays with, and if he brings that same intensity to the combine, he’ll be making scouts want him on their team. Vols fans shouldn’t have any trouble recalling some of his hustle plays from last fall.

CBS Sports' JP Acosta is already noticing how valuable Josephs can be in the NFL. He mentioned how his blend of size and speed will help an NFL team and noted how Josephs needs to become a better run defender.

Josephs probably will end up in the second round, but you never know what will happen in the NFL Draft. Mock drafts are notoriously wrong, and NFL teams throw out smokescreeens throughout the draft process, throwing off the scent of where they actually want to go with their pick.