Tennessee led the SEC in scoring offense during the 2025 season, averaging nearly 40 points per game. Despite quarterback Nico Iamaleava exiting the program, the Volunteers didn’t miss a beat offensively. While defensive woes limited Tennessee’s success in 2025, Josh Heupel’s offense remained explosive. A significant reason for the Volunteers’ offensive prowess was wide receiver Chris Brazzell II. Brazzell broke out during his second season in Knoxville and emerged as one of the premier players at his position. He has a case as the best deep-ball receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft. What made Brazzell so productive last season, and how early can he hear his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft?
2026 NFL Draft: Chris Brazzell II Scouting Report
Measurables
Height- 6-foot-5
Weight- 200 pounds
Background
Brazzell was a three-star recruit coming out of Midland Legacy (Texas) and the 116th-ranked wide receiver prospect in 2022. He committed to Tulane, where he spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career. Brazzell redshirted the 2022 season, appearing in two games and having one catch for 11 yards. In his first season of real action in 2023, Brazzell stood out for the Green Wave. He hauled in 44 catches for 711 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games.
After two seasons in New Orleans, Brazzell entered the transfer portal and chose to go to Tennessee. His production regressed in 2024, having just 29 receptions for 333 yards and two touchdowns over 13 games. Brazzell bounced back in 2025, establishing a connection with incoming quarterback Joey Aguilar. In 12 games, he racked up 62 catches for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns. His best showing came against Georgia, having 177 yards and three touchdowns on just six catches.
Strengths
There aren’t many wide receivers who can take the top off a defense like Brazzell. He is an elite deep threat with the speed to stretch defenses vertically. Brazzell also has great height for the position at 6-foot-5, allowing him to go up and win contested catches. He has excellent body control, routinely working his way back to the football and making catches from awkward positions. His deep-ball tracking is also remarkable, consistently putting himself in position to come down with chunk plays. Brazzell isn’t just a deep threat, as he also excels with route running. He is good at creating separation at the top of routes to find open grass.
Weaknesses
While Brazzell’s height is exceptional, his overall frame is on the lighter end for an X-receiver at the next level. He measures at 200 pounds, and could add to his frame to better withstand press coverage from more physical NFL cornerbacks. Brazzell struggled with drops in 2024, having a 17.1% PFF drop rate. Although he improved in this department in 2025, it’s still something to monitor with him as a prospect. While the speed is certainly there, Brazzell isn’t great after the catch. His straight-line speed is great, but he isn’t a super twitchy athlete.
Overview
Brazzell is a prospect with a high floor and a low ceiling. His height, speed, and ball-tracking make him a great option for a team looking to add a deep threat to its wide receiver room. He isn’t a player who will consistently give defenses problems after the catch, but he will make any offense he goes to more explosive. If Brazzell can add to his frame and continue to have reliable hands as he did in 2025, then he can find plenty of success as an X-receiver in the NFL.
He is comparable to Christian Watson, a big and fast deep threat who’s struggled with drops at times. His draft stock is very volatile, with several wide receiver prospects in the same range of picks. Brazzell can go anywhere from the end of the first round to the third round. He will likely hear his name called in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Main Photo: [Angelica Alcantar/News Sentinel] – Imagn Images