2026 NFL draft preview: Tennessee defensive lineman Joshua Josephs

2026 NFL draft preview: Tennessee defensive lineman Joshua Josephs

The NFL draft will kick off Thursday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The seven-round NFL draft will conclude Saturday.

17 former Vols have been selected during the Josh Heupel era as Tennessee’s head coach. Tennessee has produced 391 all-time NFL draft picks, including the AFL draft.

Defensive lineman Joshua Josephs played at Tennessee from 2022-25 and appeared in 48 games, including 16 starts. He totaled 104 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, nine pass deflections, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive lineman went to Tennessee from North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia. He committed to the Vols and Heupel on Nov. 22, 2021 over 26 other Division I scholarship offers, including five SEC schools.

Josephs is listed as the No. 94 best available player in the 2026 NFL draft, according to ESPN.

Ayrton Ostly of USA TODAY also projects him to be selected in the third round to New Orleans (No. 76 overall).

Joshua Josephs. Tennessee Volunteers versus UAB Blazers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Sept. 20, 2025.

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee defensive lineman Joshua Josephs 2026 NFL draft preview