Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Tennessee Football: Top 5 prospects for 2021 NFL Draft

By Aaron Gershon

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 05: Jauan Jennings #15, Marquez Callaway #1 and Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate Jennings catch for a touchdown during a game between University of Georgia Bulldogs and University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 05: Jauan Jennings #15, Marquez Callaway #1 and Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate Jennings catch for a touchdown during a game between University of Georgia Bulldogs and University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images). /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 12: Josh Palmer #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers gestures for a first down during the first half of a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 12: Josh Palmer #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers gestures for a first down during the first half of a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

4. Josh Palmer, WR

With 2020 seventh-round pick Jauan Jennings and undrafted free agent signee Marquez Callaway in the NFL, Josh Palmer will be quarterback Jarrett Guarantano‘s go-to target in 2020.

In 2018, Palmer made 23 catches for 484 yards and two touchdowns while adding a touchdown on the ground. He also led the SEC and tied for fifth in the nation in yards per catch (21.0).

As a Junior in 2019, Palmer made a career-high 34 catches in just 11 games, with 457 yards and a touchdown. He hauled in a career-best 124 yards at Missouri while grabbing six passes and pulled down a key touchdown in the Vols’ comeback victory over Kentucky in Lexington. In Tennessee’s Gator Bowl win over Indiana, Palmer led Tennessee with six catches and 68 yards.

As the featured receiver, Palmer figures to get several opportunities to showcase his ability to win jump balls and create big-plays after the catch. He will need to prove, however he can out-play opponents top corners as they’ve been trailing Jennings and Callaway the past three seasons.

If he can rise to the occasion, he will likely hear his name called in the later rounds of the 2021 draft.

Home/Tennessee Volunteers