We have a pretty good idea on what might happen with Deshaun Watson and Mike Williams in the 2017 NFL Draft which starts on Thursday at 8 p.m., and I use the word “might” strongly, but what about the other eight Clemson players who are eligible? Who is coming off the big board third and who could be a surprise pick?
The answer is we really don’t know. Predicting what will happen in the NFL Draft is like trying to predict your numbers for the Power Ball drawing. All we can tell you is who is interested and what rounds they might fall in, but no one, including myself, knows what is going to happen.
However, for the sake of this column, here is what I think might happen. After Watson and Williams are selected in the first round on Day 1 there are four former Tigers who could go in Day 2 of the draft. Cornerback Cordrea Tankersley seems to be a lock of the second round, while defensive tackle Carlos Watkins and Wayne Gallman seem to be third round picks. Tight end Jordan Leggett could also be picked in the third round.
The draft is deep with cornerbacks and several will be taken in the first round. Tankersley has four teams that have been extremely interested in him – Philadelphia (pick 43), Minnesota (48), Dallas (28) and Green Bay (61).
Watkins is perhaps the most interesting former Tiger to watch for in the draft other than guys not named Watson or Williams. He isn’t likely to go in the first round, but unlike a lot of the draft experts, I think he gets picked up in the second round. The Giants, who have the No. 55 pick and the Raiders (56) have shown the most interest and I could see either one of them pulling the trigger to get him.
Watkins has a tremendous upside and that makes him extremely intriguing to watch for in this draft. Other teams interested in him are the Redskins and the Texans. If he falls to third round, Washington will definitely take him if he is sitting there when its pick comes up at No. 81.
It would not surprise me to Gallman fall out of the third round and into the fourth. Teams love his work habits and how hard he runs, but his overall athleticism as a running back is a concern and there are questions on whether he could be a running back in the NFL. We know Washington likes him, but I don’t know if the Redskins will take him in the third round.
San Francisco, who has the No. 66 pick, likes him as well, as does Denver at No. 82. The Broncos also have a third-round compensatory pick at No. 101.
Leggett is my surprise pick. I definitely can see Leggett going in the third round. The Browns seem to really like him a lot, but they will likely take him at the start of the fourth round with pick 108 if he is there. But he might not be. Denver at 101 could take him in the compensatory round as could the Steelers at 105, who are a looking for a young tight end and Leggett fits that need well here. The Falcons could also take him at pick 95, but that could be a reach.
The Day 3 guys are linebacker Ben Boulware, safety Jadar Johnson and wide receiver Artavis Scott. At this point in the draft (4-7 rounds), it is even harder to figure out what teams might do. It’s about filling out the roster and teams will likely step away from their needs if they think a guy who is the best player left on the board is still there. I think all three guys will be draft, but it is very hard to say where they might land.
Again, no one really knows anything about the draft.