NFL Draft Predictions for Tennessee Volunteers: Hyatt, Hooker & Wright

The 2023 NFL Draft takes place in Kansas City this year, which should have Missouri fans excited. However, we’re focused on a different SEC team in the Tennessee Volunteers. We’ll never know how their 2023 season could have turned out if not for Hendon Hooker’s knee injury, but now we can look to the future.

Our experts have Tennessee NFL Draft predictions featuring Hooker and two others, and our projections can be used to claim a guaranteed $150 bonus from FanDuel Sportsbook.

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NFL Draft Prediction for WR Jalin Hyatt

Before we dive into one of the players a bit more known nationwide in QB Hendon Hooker, we’re beginning our Tennessee NFL Draft predictions with WR Jalin Hyatt. He’s one of the primary reasons for Hooker’s success. Hyatt has elite speed and will be drafted to help an NFL team take the top off a defense.

Teams will also be thrilled that he’s demonstrated to be a willing blocker as well. The negatives surrounding Hyatt are primarily focused on his lack of physicality. He can certainly prove those concerns not to be an issue once he’s in the league, but for now, that’s what will likely keep him from being drafted on day one.

Will Hendon Hooker Get Drafted?

One of the biggest question marks surrounding the 2023 NFL Draft class is Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker. He had an excellent season in 2022, completing nearly 70% of his passes (69.6%), surpassing the 3,000 passing yard mark (3,135 yards) and tossing 27 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions. He also had a great Junior season at Tennessee, throwing for 2,945 yards, 31 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

While Hendon’s on-field talent is undeniable, there are questions surrounding his age (he’ll turn 25 in late April) and his health (he suffered a season-ending knee injury against South Carolina in November, 2022). As a result, many pundits are projecting Hooker to slide in the draft.

Regardless of where he lands, we believe Hooker will be a productive, if not special, NFL QB. He can provide a quick fix for a team in need of a competent play-caller. We don’t see it as very likely for him to go undrafted; you don’t see seasons like Hendon put up back-to-back in 2021 and 2022 very often, especially in the SEC. The question is not a matter of if a team will call his name, but when.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, there are four likely landing spots for Hooker: the Minnesota Vikings (+500), the Las Vegas Raiders (+600), the Tennessee Titans (+600) and the Seattle Seahawks (+850). Each team could use a high-end quarterback prospect; however, our Tennessee NFL Draft predictions for Hooker – considering the odds – is the Tennessee Titans. Pairing a solid defense and elite RB Derrick Henry with Hooker could be the dynamic duo the Titans need to make a deep playoff run.

NFL Draft Best Bet for OL Darnell Wright

Another key component of Tennessee’s success over the past few seasons was OL Darnell Wright. Wright is one of the top-ranked offensive linemen in this year’s draft class and will likely have no problem finding a home in the NFL. Recent projections place Wright right at the cusp of the first round, with the most likely landing spot being somewhere in the early second round.

We think Wright certainly has the talent of a first-rounder. Oddsmakers and analysts alike seem to agree. Some of the latest mock drafts have Wright going as early as the 15th overall selection, and FanDuel Sportsbook lists the over/under for total offensive linemen drafted in the first round at 5.5, with the over heavily favored. This implies that they believe Wright will be drafted in the first round, as he is routinely ranked among the top five at the position group among this year’s draft class.

This makes one of our top Tennessee NFL Draft predictions for Wright to be drafted in the top ten picks, with odds currently set at +290 at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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FanDuel Sportsbook’s Latest Betting Odds for the NFL Draft

Here are the latest Tennessee-related betting odds for the 2023 NFL Draft, per FanDuel Sportsbook:

• To be a top-five pick: Hendon Hooker (+9500)
• To be a top-ten pick: Hendon Hooker (+5000), Darnell Wright (+290)
• To be a first-round pick: Hendon Hooker (+100), Jalin Hyatt (+250)
• First OL drafted: Darnell Wright (+600)

When is the NFL Draft 2023?

The NFL Draft is in less than a week, with the first round taking place on Thursday, April 27. Per usual, it will span three days before wrapping up on Saturday, April 29. As previously mentioned, it will be taking place in Kansas City this year. The Carolina Panthers will officially be on the clock at 8 PM ET. 

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