There is a lot of intrigue surrounding this wide receiver class in the 2026 NFL Draft. There could be as many as five receivers taken in the first round this year, and one of those names flirting in this range is Tennessee‘s Chris Brazzell II. Is his massive frame and plus speed enough to make up for less production than other guys in the class? Let’s talk about it.

Brazzell, a former three-star prospect out of Midland Legacy High School in Midland, Texas, originally committed to Florida Atlantic before decommitting and signing a letter of intent to Tulane. He would spend two years at Tulane before hitting the transfer portal late in 2023, landing at Tennessee. Brazzell would total 91 receptions for 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns, with nine of them being this season.

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Chris Brazzell II is the prototypical X-receiver. His massive frame at 6’5 makes him a great option on the outside and in the redzone. For being so tall, he runs like a much smaller receiver. If he runs in the mid-4.4s, he could earn himself a first-round selection. He sinks his hips on routes very well and sells routes with his head better than most. Brazzell excels in high-pointing the football and uses strong hands to secure passes inside his massive catch radius. Footwork off the line is a plus. For being a slender receiver for his size at just 200 lbs, he is a strong run blocker.

His weight could be cause for concern for some NFL teams. I’d like to see him at 10-15 pounds this off-season. The biggest thing that pops on his tape, and one of the first notes I have on him, is the drops. Simple concentration drops and turning his head too early litter his tape. Teams might question how a player of his size only caught 62 passes this season for a tick over 1,000 yards. The average per reception is good, but his numbers would look way different if the drops weren’t as bad.

Chris Brazzell II is a better version of Dont’e Thornton from last season. Thornton was a big-bodied Tennessee receiver who ran well, but the tape had holes in it. Brazzell is a cleaner prospect with a much higher floor. He earns a day-two grade and would be someone I could turn in the card for late in round two, but would love to snag somewhere in round three.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Draft Scouting Report: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee