NFL Draft Prospects: Clemson
#94 DT Carlos Watkins (6’3 | 305 | 5.06) – Powerful interior linemen who made a huge leap in production and as a prospect in 2016. Last year Watkins was an unheralded part of the Clemson d-line, which lost three players to the NFL (Lawson, Dodd, Reader), but has stepped up this year and become a key part of the d-line.
Watkins increased his productivity from 3.5 sacks in 2015 to 10.5 sacks this year, despite increased attention from opposing offensive lines. He’s versatile enough to line up at multiple spots on the line and at times was a force against both the run and pass.
He moves well for his size and looks like he could add weight to his frame without sacrificing much mobility. When Watkins fires off the ball low he can generate pressure on QBs and is difficult to move off his spot against the run. He also uses his long arms well to disengage from blockers to make plays on the ball (44 tackles this season).
Watkins main problem is that he often comes off the line too high, which allows opposing blockers to get into his upper body and move him off the line of scrimmage. He showed significant improvement in this area between 2015 and 2016, but it still happens more often than it should. His play recognition and pass rush technique still need work as well.
Despite some significant issues, Watkins has the size, power, and athleticism to become a force at the next level eventually. In the NFL he could be a fit as a three-tech, five-tech, or even a nose tackle if he gets bigger. Watkins improvement in 2016 and potential for more should get him drafted no later than round two.
Projection: Round two
#16 TE Jordan Leggett (6’5 | 258 | 4.73) – A consistent receiving threat for the Tigers over the last two seasons with 79 catches, 1,166 yards, and 15 touchdowns since becoming a starter in 2015.
Leggett has an ideal frame for a receiving tight end at the next level with enough speed to stretch the field down the seam. He has good straight line speed, soft hands, and the size to be a weapon in the red zone, but hasn’t shown the route running prowess to get open consistently on more complex routes at the next level.
His long arms give Leggett a huge catch radius as a receiver, but he hasn’t shown the ability to use them as a blocker yet. A former wide receiver in high school, it’s understandable that Leggett hasn’t perfected the nuances of inline blocking yet but he will need to improve to be a three-down tight end in the NFL.
Some sites are higher on Leggett than I am with multiple comparisons to the Redskin’s Jordan Reed. That’s Leggett ceiling, in my opinion, but he needs a lot of work on his route running and blocking to get there.
It’s a strong draft class at tight end and I have Leggett near the top of the second tier and a likely late day-two pick.
Projection: 3rd round