NFL Exec Sounds Off on Bryce Young's New WR Chris Brazzell II After Panthers' Draft Pick

The Carolina Panthers selected Tennessee receiver Chris Brazzell II in the third round of last week's NFL draft, the No. 42 prospect on the B/R NFL Scouting Department's final big board.

It was seemingly strong value, but Tennessee wideouts come with prepackaged question marks.

"He's fast and big, but those Tennessee receivers have had trouble making it in the league," an AFC scout told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "He does have some route-running ability, though. He could become an exception."

The Tennessee factor is a real thing. NFL reporter James Palmer said on his podcast with former NFL wideout Steve Smith in mid-April that several teams have told him they won't draft receivers out of Tennessee.

Smith wasn't surprised.

"I've been waiting to talk about this. I don't trust the Tennessee receivers—not because of the players, but the style of play that they have," he said. "In 2026, the receivers at Tennessee, when I look at them, I think of the old Baylor Bears receivers and some of the Ole Miss receivers outside of, obviously, AJ (Brown) and DK Metcalf. But outside of those two guys, I put those Tennessee wide receivers in those same two categories where I go, 'I can't trust them because I don't really believe they were taught the game of football at the highest level.' They are taught when it's your chance, run. ... That's like Jalin Hyatt. Remember, I had those questions a couple years ago. And it sucks for him, because I do think he's a young, talented, fast wide receiver. I also believe he was short-changed by the lack of great coaching to give him a true understanding of how to play football at the highest level."

The Panthers are banking on Brazzell bucking that trend. But if he doesn't, the concerns NFL evaluators have when it comes to Tennessee wideouts—and how they are coached up—will only crystalize further.