NFL draft profile 2026 : Chris Brazzell II (Wide Receiver, Tennessee)

The 2026 NFL Draft is in Pittsburgh! This draft season, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on. We’ll break down the prospects themselves, strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital, and their fit with the Steelers.

Outside of quarterback, there is perhaps no need more glaring for the Pittsburgh Steelers than wide receiver. Even if the Steelers address the position in the first round, there areplenty who believe a “double dip” at

the position in the draft could be necessary with the lack of depth behind starter DK Metcalf. If the Steelers are looking for another tall, fast receiver that can help them create more explosive plays, Brazzell is one of the more intriguing names in this class.

The basics on Chris Brazzell II

• Position: WR
• Class: RS JR
• Size: Height 6‘4, 198 pounds, 32 ^3/8” arms, 80 ^1/8” wingspan, 9” hands
• Age: 22 (09-22-2003)
• Projected draft round: Day 2 pick
  

Defensive stats via Sports Reference

Chris Brazzell II scouting report

Brazzell grew up in Midland, Texas. His father, also Chris Brazzell, was a wideout drafted in the sixth round of the 1998 draft. The senior Brazzell saw limited playing time in two NFL seasons for the Cowboys, reeling in seven receptions and 126 yards.

Brazzell II was a three-star recruit coming out of high school, eventually committing to Tulane. He redshirted in 2022 but broke out in 2023 with his first major action. That afforded him the opportunity to transfer to Tennessee, where he primarily served as depth in 2024. He made the most of his chance to start in 2025, finishing second in the SEC in receiving (1,017) and tying for first in touchdowns (9). That included a monster game against the vaunted Georgia defense, where Brazzell caught six passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns.

Brazzell primarily projects as a Z-receiver, but he has the height and length to moonlight as an X-receiver. He possesses high-end speed (4.37-second 40-yard dash, 1.52-second 10-yard split) and a huge catch radius that should serve him well as a field stretcher and red zone target. Tennessee didn’t ask him to run a complex route tree, but he’s shown that he has the footwork to win off the line and get vertical. And because his speed is a real threat, defenders have to respect his ability to beat them deep, which creates cushion for him to exploit.

There’s a bit of a stigma around Tennessee receiving prospects — not without good reason — but Brazzell shows traits as a route runner that I think project better to the NFL than previous products such as Jalin Hyatt, Velus Jones Jr., or Dont’e Thornton Jr. For starters, he isn’t as stiff laterally as those prospects were, and he attacks the leverage of defensive backs well.

Brazzell has also shown flashes of contested catch ability, though he needs to work on his play strength to win more consistently. Most of Brazzell’s contested catch wins have come deep downfield, and he needs to show improvement when challenged in the short and intermediate areas of the field.

Strengths

• Plus height and length with 4.37-speed
• Excellent body control on catches near the boundary
• Shows ability to create separation on vertical routes such as goes, posts, overs, and sluggos
• Uses body well to win contested catches on deep throws
• Can sink his hips and create separation on intermediate routes after selling his vertical threat
• Improved his drops after a down 2024 season. Just two drops (3.2%) in 2025, 8.2% career drop rate

Weaknesses

• Not as strong at contested catches in the short to intermediate areas of the field
• Speed plays better vertically than it does underneath, where he isn’t particularly elusive
• Can beat press coverage vertically, but haven’t seen him tested that way on shorter routes
• Needs to improve finding space against zone

What others are saying about Chris Brazzell II

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

Long-limbed “Z” receiver with the ability to create downfield for an offense thirsty to make more explosive plays outside. Brazzell’s 2025 tape shows the game slowing down for him, allowing the production to catch up with the traits. He builds to speed with long strides and dominates above the rim. He’s adept at using length and body control to capture air space against cornerbacks. He’s a more competent route runner than most field-stretcher types, but he needs to become more physical on contested targets underneath. 

Damian Parson, Bleacher Report

A dangerous, explosive playmaking wide receiver who will be a major contributor in the NFL, if he lands with a great quarterback. Brazzell has a solid release package against press-man coverage. He uses hard jab steps and well-timed punches/clubs to clear the defender’s hands quickly. His club maneuver is effective in keeping defenders’ hands off his frame mid-route. The Vols’ leading receiver does a good job locating and working into the defender’s blind spot. He is more than a vertical threat. He plays with excellent body control to make difficult catches look routine.

Chris Brazzell II’s fit with the Steelers

Brazzell’s immediate role in Pittsburgh could be determined by other moves the team makes at the position. In an ideal scenario, the Steelers would sign a competent veteran in free agency and/or draft another rookie in the first round. While I think Brazzell has the talent to play right away, putting him in a position where his strengths can be highlighted in a smaller role where he isn’t expected to save the offense immediately is best for his long-term development. Think of how the Steelers used Martavis Bryant during his rookie year.

A heavy dose of vertical routes — think go balls outside and in the seam, posts, corner routes, sluggos — would create chances for explosive plays for Brazzell but also help his teammates. The threat of Brazzell going deep should open things up for the Steelers in the underneath and immediate areas of the field. That’s great for the Steelers tight ends and running backs, and even players like DK Metcalf or Roman Wilson if the Steelers deploy them more frequently underneath. Having both Metcalf and Brazzell on the outsides could also stress defenses along the boundary, allowing the Steelers to attack the middle of the field, if they ever find a quarterback willing to do so. Brazzell is also capable of winning on dig routes and crossers, should the Steelers wish to stretch the field with Metcalf and give Brazzell opportunities to create explosive plays over the middle.

TL;DR: Tall and fast with long arms, Brazzell packs potential as a big-play vertical threat who is starting to develop in the intermediate passing attack. He projects as a first-year role player who can create explosives, with the potential to grow into a true playmaking threat. Think of him as a supercharged Martavis Bryant.

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What are your thoughts on Tennessee wideout Chris Brazzell II? And which draft prospects would you like to see profiled next? Let us know in the comments below!