Rashaan Gaulden was probably Tennessee’s best player not named Trey Smith in 2017. The do-it-all defensive back specialized in a nickel role, staying active at the line of scrimmage and bringing some physicality to a group that desperately needed it. Gaulden opted to leave the Tennessee program early for the 2018 NFL Draft, where he was selected in the third round by the Carolina Panthers.
Unsurprisingly, Gaulden is already making an impact. The rookie is working at safety and already getting some first-team looks with the Panthers.