There is little doubt former Clemson players Shaq Lawson, Mackensie Alexander and Kevin Dodd made the right decision in forgoing their senior seasons to enter the 2016 NFL Draft.
Two of the three—Lawson and Alexander—appear to be potential first-round locks heading into the NFL Scouting Combine, which will be held on Feb. 23-29 in Indianapolis, while Dodd potentially could be picked in the opening round, but more than likely is a second-round pick.
Looking at the latest mock drafts from SI.com (Sports Illustrated), NFL.com, ESPN.com and CBSSports.com, Lawson is projected to go anywhere from No. 8 to No. 17 in the first round, while Alexander was picked to go as early as No. 14 and no later than 21 in most.
Lawson led the nation is tackles for loss with 25.5, while also recording 12.5 sacks, which ranked fifth in the country. Sports Illustrated has the 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive end going to the New York Giants at No. 10.
“Super Bowl 50 offered the latest reminder that a potent pass rush can undermine just about any team in the league,” the sports world’s most popular magazine said. “The Giants are lacking there, and Lawson is a force.”
Dodd can be a force too, though it seems more likely he will go in the second round. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound defensive end ended his first-year as a starter with 62 tackles, including 23.5 tackles for loss, which ranked second only to Lawson nationally. He also had 12 sacks, which was tied for seventh.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter has Dodd going No. 17 to Atlanta in his mock draft, while CBS’s Dane Brugler and ESPN’s Todd McShay have him going No. 30 to Carolina.
McShay’s mock draft is the only one that does not have Alexander as a first-round selection. However, McShay is not the only one to have his doubts about Alexander’s ability in the NFL.
“His height notwithstanding, the 5’11” Alexander has the look of an eventual No. 1 NFL cornerback. I say, ‘eventual’ because college quarterbacks’ reluctance to test him, combined with his limited experience (he was a redshirt sophomore in 2015) presents limited tape,” SI.com said. “When the ball was thrown his direction, Alexander clamped down on receivers, erasing space with a physical demeanor.”
NFL.com’s Mike Mayock does not have a mock draft, but he does rank players by positions. On his list of edge rushers, he has Lawson ranked No. 3 and Dodd ranked No. 5 heading into the combine. As for Alexander, he is ranked No. 3 at cornerback on his board.
In case you are wondering where former Clemson safeties Jayron Kearse and T.J. Green are ranked or projected, it is becoming more evident, at this point, that they perhaps should have stayed at Clemson one more year. Remember things could change at the scouting combine later this month, but as of right now, neither is ranked as a top 100 prospect.
Reuter has Kearse going 110th overall in the fourth round to Philadelphia in his rounds 1-4 mock draft.
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