Watson makes Clemson class of 2017 draft
Clemson’s 2016 NFL Draft class was dominated by defense. While Clemson had the second-most overall picks in this year’s draft, it had the most defensive players selected of any school. Seven of the nine Tigers drafted – including all six selected in the first five rounds – play defense.
Looking ahead to the 2017 NFL Draft, Clemson could have as many players picked as this year. Next year’s Clemson draft class, however, will be defined by its offense.
The star of Clemson’s 2017 draft class, should he choose to go pro in his first year of eligibility, will be Deshaun Watson. The quarterback’s surrounded by skill-position players with the potential to be early-round draft picks in one year.
Although much can change, Watson’s the presumptive favorite to be next year’s No. 1 overall pick. Quarterbacks have been selected with the No. 1 pick in 14 of the past 19 drafts. Watson, the reigning Davey O’Brien Award winner, projects as the best quarterback eligible for next year’s draft.
Wayne Gallman, who broke Clemson’s single-season rushing record last year with 1,527 yards, is one of the best running backs in college football. If he can follow up his 2015 season with a strong 2016 campaign, he could be one of the first players running backs drafted.
Mike Williams was considered one of the 2016 NFL draft’s top wide receiver prospects before he suffered a season-ending neck injury in Clemson’s season opener last September. Should he return to health and have the success many thought he would last season, he could establish himself as a 2017 first-round pick.
Clemson’s leader in receptions for each of the past two seasons, and its leader in receiving yards in Williams’ absence last season, Artavis Scott, is also eligible for the draft. Scott has a dynamic skill set that could earn him early-round consideration.
Rounding out Clemson’s quintet of draft prospects at the skill positions, Jordan Leggett was a finalist for the John Mackey Award last season, and should be one of the first tight ends drafted next year.
Watson, Gallman, Williams, Scott and Leggett are all expected to graduate in December, and all are likely to make the leap to the NFL barring setbacks. Gallman considered declaring for this year’s draft as a redshirt sophomore, while Williams likely would have entered if not for his injury.
Those five aren’t the only offensive players with a chance to be draft picks. Coming off a strong redshirt junior season, starting center Jay Guillermo also has a chance to establish himself as an NFL prospect. Clemson won’t have as many defensive draft picks next year, but it could still have a few.
Had he left school early like the rest of last year’s starting secondary, senior cornerback Cordrea Tankersley likely would have been selected in the middle rounds of this year’s draft.
Defensive tackle Carlos Watkins should be a draft pick if he has a strong senior year. Clemson’s other returning senior starter on defense, linebacker Ben Boulware, could warrant a late-round draft pick.
Three Tigers in first round?
Here are projections for the 2017 NFL Draft made by pro football focus. The order is based on Las Vegas odds to win the Super Bowl:
1. Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson Watson’s all-around tools are difficult to match. He has the strong arm to drive the ball into tight windows, though it’s his touch on two-level throws that impresses most. There’s still room to grow, but Watson is poised for a huge season and he’s the early favorite to be the first quarterback off the board.
2. San Diego Chargers: Myles Garrett, OLB, Texas A&M
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
4. San Francisco 49ers: Desmond King, CB, Iowa
5. Tennessee Titans: Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
6. Detroit Lions: Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn
7. Cleveland Browns (from Eagles): Malik McDowell, DE, Michigan State
8. Tennessee Titans (from Rams): Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
9. New Orleans Saints: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
10. Atlanta Falcons: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
11. Miami Dolphins: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
12. Tampa Bay Bucs: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Southern Cal
13. Washington Redskins: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
14. Chicago Bears: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
15. Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson After missing all of 2015, Williams will return to form one of the nation’s most formidable pass-catching duos with Watson. They had good chemistry during Watson’s freshman year (2014) when Williams had the second-highest receiving grade among this group of returnees.
16. Houston Texans: Deatrich Wise Jr, DE, Arkansas
17. New York Jets: Devonte Fields, OLB, Louisville
18. New York Giants: Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois
19. Baltimore Ravens: Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan
20. Oakland Raiders: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
22. Indianapolis Colts: Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
23. Minnesota Vikings: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
24. Dallas Cowboys: Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee
25. Arizona Cardinals: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
26. Cincinnati Bengals: Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama
27. Carolina Panthers: Pat Elflein, G, Ohio State
28. Denver Broncos: Eddie Vanderdoes, DT, UCLA
29. Green Bay Packers: Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zach Banner, OT, Southern Cal
31. Seattle Seahawks: Cordera Tankersley, CB, Clemson Another long cornerback, Tankersley had a strong 2015 with a +9.3 coverage grade while surrendering only 39.5 percent completions into his coverage — seventh-best among the returnees. Tankersley does a nice job staying on top of routes and his long 6-foot-1 frame is a good fit for Seattle’s system.
32. New England Patriots: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 8:05 PM with the headline "Watson makes Clemson class of 2017 draft."