The Tennessee Vols have been grabbing attention off the field, but now it's all about the gridiron. Edge rusher Joshua Josephs is making waves at the combine, potentially boosting his draft stock into the second round, or maybe even the first.
Today, the spotlight is on the linebackers and defensive linemen as they get measured. Josephs came in second in arm length at an impressive 34 1/4 inches.
This puts him among the elite EDGE players. While it might seem trivial, longer arms can significantly impact a player's ability to shed blocks, leverage, and hand placement against offensive linemen.
The result? More victories in the trenches and increased pressure on quarterbacks.
It's no secret that many of the NFL's top pass rushers boast long arms. Think Myles Garrett with 35 inches, Brian Burns with 33 7/8 inches, and Nick Bosa with 33 inches. In a league where every inch counts, Josephs' arm length could be a game-changer.
Here's a look at the arm lengths for the 2026 Combine DEs:
- Keldric Faulk - 34 3/8″
- Joshua Josephs - 34 1/4″
- David Bailey - 33 3/4″
- Malachi Lawrence - 33 5/8″
- Anthony Lucas - 33 1/2″
- Dani Dennis-Sutton - 33 1/2″
- Derrick Moore - 33 3/8″
- LT Overton - 33 1/4″
- T.J. Parker - 33″
With these measurables, Josephs is primed for success at the NFL Combine. The next step is to showcase his skills on the field. Vols fans will remember his relentless motor from last season, and if he brings that same intensity, scouts will be eager to have him on their team.
JP Acosta from CBS Sports is already highlighting Josephs' potential value in the NFL. He points out Josephs' unique combination of size and speed, while also noting the need for improvement in run defense.
Josephs is likely to find himself in the second round, but the NFL Draft is full of surprises. Mock drafts often miss the mark, and teams are known for their strategic misdirections. So, anything can happen when the draft day arrives.