2025 NFL Draft: Where the experts think Clemson players are getting picked
The 2025 NFL Draft is almost here.
Here’s a look at where Clemson football’s top draft prospects are being projected to land during the draft, which runs Thursday to Saturday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
A number of draft-eligible Clemson players, including WR Antonio Williams and OT Blake Miller, opted to return for the 2025 season, so the Tigers have a smaller draft pool than usual this season. Clemson had six players invited to the NFL Combine.
Linebacker Barrett Carter
Carter’s measurements: 6-foot, 231 pounds
The skinny: Athletic three-year starter who played various linebacker positions for Clemson. Had a career-high 82 tackles (42 solo) in 2024 and was named first team All-ACC and third team All-America. Only player in the country to record at least 30 tackles for loss, 20 pass breakups and three interceptions from 2021-24
- ESPN (Miller): Third round (No. 99 overall) to the New York Giants
- ESPN (Reid): Fourth round (No. 130 overall) to the Detroit Lions
- The Athletic: Fifth round (No. 153 overall) to the Cincinnati Bengals
- NFL.com: Third round (No. 80 overall) to the Indianapolis Colts
- PFF: Fourth round (No. 124 overall) to the Green Bay Packers
- SB Nation: Fourth round (No. 111 overall) to the Carolina Panthers
Tight end Jake Briningstool
Briningstool’s measurements: 6-foot-6, 241 pounds
The skinny: Two-time All-ACC selection and Clemson’s record holder for career receptions by a tight end (127). Also finished second in school history in receiving yards (1,380) and touchdowns (17) among tight ends. Had 498 receiving yards as a junior and 530 as a senior. Receiving threat with room to improve as a blocker.
- ESPN (Miller): Sixth round (No. 201 overall) to the Los Angeles Rams
- ESPN (Reid): Sixth round (No. 197 overall) to the Denver Broncos
- The Athletic: Sixth round (No. 183 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens
- NFL.com: Sixth round (No. 187 overall) to the Minnesota Vikings
- PFF: Seventh round (No. 232 overall) to the Indianapolis Colts
- SB Nation: Sixth round (No. 207 overall) to the New York Jets
Safety R.J. Mickens
Mickens’ measurements: 6-foot, 199 pounds
The skinny: Played in 60 games and started 30 across five seasons. Had a career-high 85 tackles and 6.0 tackles for loss in 2024, plus seven pass breakups and two interceptions. Primarily played at the free safety position as a fifth-year senior. His father, Ray, was an All-American DB at Texas A&M who played nine years in the NFL
- ESPN (Miller): Fourth round (No. 111 overall) to the Carolina Panthers
- ESPN (Reid): Sixth round (No. 193 overall) to the Cincinnati Bengals
- The Athletic: Undrafted
- NFL.com: Seventh round (No. 223 overall) to the Seattle Seahawks
- PFF: Fourth round (No. 110 overall) to the New York Jets
- SB Nation: Sixth round (No. 210 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens
Defensive tackle Payton Page
Page’s measurements: 6-foot-3, 290 pounds
The skinny: Came to Clemson weighing nearly 400 pounds, transformed his body and emerged as a starter and third team All-ACC pick in 2024. Finished his Tigers career with 69 tackles and 6.5 TFL in 53 games. Only registered 0.5 career sacks.
- ESPN (Miller): Sixth round (No. 181 overall) to the Los Angeles Chargers
- ESPN (Reid): Undrafted
- The Athletic: Undrafted
- NFL.com: Undrafted
- PFF: Undrafted
- SB Nation: Undrafted
Offensive lineman Marcus Tate
Tate’s measurements: 6-foot-5, 321 pounds
The skinny: Started 37 of the 42 games he played at Clemson, primarily as the team’s starting left guard. Was named second-team All-ACC in 2024. Suffered season-ending injuries to end the 2022 and 2023 seasons and missed three games in 2024 as well.
- ESPN (Miller): Seventh round (No. 242 overall) to the Atlanta Falcons
- ESPN (Reid): Undrafted
- The Athletic: Undrafted
- NFL.com: Seventh round (No. 229 overall) to the Pittsburgh Steelers
- PFF: Undrafted
- SB Nation: Undrafted
Running back Phil Mafah
Mafah’s measurements: 6-foot-1, 234 pounds
The skinny: Big-bodied runner who finished top 10 in Clemson history in career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Had 965 rushing yards in 2023 and a career high 1,115 in 2024. A shoulder injury limited his effectiveness down the stretch.
- ESPN (Miller): Undrafted
- ESPN (Reid): Undrafted
- The Athletic: Undrafted
- NFL.com: Undrafted
- PFF: Undrafted
- SB Nation: Undrafted
How to watch the 2025 NFL Draft
Round 1: 8 p.m. Thursday (ESPN, ABC, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes)
Rounds 2-3: 7 p.m. Friday (ESPN, ABC, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes)
Rounds 4-7: noon Saturday (ESPN, ABC, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes)
This story was originally published April 23, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
