ESPN’s Matt Miller ranked the best 100 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft class, and five Clemson draftees made his list.
The highest-ranked Tiger on Miller’s list is cornerback Avieon Terrell at No. 16.
The Atlanta Falcons took Terrell in the second round with the No. 48 overall pick, reuniting the Atlanta native with his older brother, Falcons All-Pro cornerback and former Clemson star A.J. Terrell.
“I love this pick for football and human reasons,” Miller wrote. “[Avieon] Terrell was seen as a potential Round 1 player through much of his career, but he had a late slip due to a hamstring injury in the predraft process. That injury prevented him from working out for teams and answering questions about his speed, which is why he lasted 15 picks longer than where I ranked him on my board. Terrell will make an instant impact, likely in the slot. And he gets to join his older brother, star corner A.J. Terrell Jr., in Atlanta. How much fun is that? A lot … unless you’re an NFC South quarterback.”
Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller, the Tigers’ highest draft pick this year, checked in at No. 28 on Matt Miller’s list.
Miller was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round with the No. 17 overall pick, becoming the first Clemson offensive lineman selected in the first round in Dabo Swinney’s tenure and the highest-selected Clemson offensive lineman in the Common Draft era (since 1967).
“The Lions love mean, physical, experienced offensive linemen,” Matt Miller wrote. “The selection of Miller, who started 52 games in college at right tackle, is a clear sign that All-Pro Penei Sewell will move to the left side. Miller’s length (34¼-inch arms), agility and experience were so impressive that he consistently moved up my rankings throughout the season and the predraft process. Grabbing him at No. 17 was only a slight reach, but three offensive tackles were already off the board. That evens up the value, and Miller was the best right tackle fit in the draft for Detroit.”
Clemson’s other first-round pick this year, defensive tackle Peter Woods, landed at No. 51 on Miller’s list of the top 100 draft picks of 2026.
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Woods with the 29th overall pick, making him the first Clemson defensive lineman selected in the first round since Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence all went in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
“Woods did not rank as a first-rounder on my board despite entering the year as a top-10 prospect,” Miller wrote. “But there is a need for a 3-technique of the future in Kansas City with Chris Jones being 32 years old and starting to decline. Woods’ movement ability is easy to see on tape and in workouts, but defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will have to get more consistency from him. At just 21, there is plenty of room for Woods to grow. And if I had to pick one defensive tackle in this class who should be a better pro than college player, it would be Woods thanks to his position-specific tools and traits.”
The next Clemson product on Miller’s top 100 picks list is wide receiver Antonio Williams at No. 62.
Williams came off the board when the Washington Commanders selected him in the third round with the No. 71 overall pick. He was Clemson’s 12th wide receiver selected since the 2013 NFL Draft and the 13th wide receiver in Swinney’s head coaching tenure to be drafted into the NFL.
“It wouldn’t have been a surprise to see Washington draft a wide receiver in Round 1 — they might have if [Ohio State’s Carnell] Tate were available,” Miller wrote. “With no selection in Round 2, drafting a wideout in Round 3 became a must given Terry McLaurin’s age (31) and the lack of obvious options behind him. Williams is a silky-smooth route runner who can line up on the outside or in the slot. The Commanders might have found a future WR1 in Round 3.”
Rounding out the Tiger draft picks on Miller’s list is edge rusher T.J. Parker at No. 65.
Parker was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round with the No. 35 overall pick, becoming the 25th defensive lineman selected in the NFL Draft in Swinney’s head coaching tenure, and the 14th selected in the first two rounds.
“Let’s stay in Buffalo, where trading out of Round 1 netted them needed draft capital and one of the top edge rushers in the class,” Miller wrote. “After losing Joey Bosa and AJ Epenesa in free agency, edge rusher was seen as Buffalo’s biggest need in the draft, and selecting Parker checked that box. The Bills would have gotten solid value if they took him at their original pick at No. 26, but trading down, acquiring two additional picks and still getting Parker is a win.”
Miller’s fellow ESPN analyst, Field Yates, named his five favorite picks in each round of this year’s draft, and Clemson’s Williams made that list as well for the third round.
“Tough, reliable, good after the catch, selfless and with strong hands. Those are among the ways to describe Williams, who gives the Commanders a potential WR2 next to Terry McLaurin,” Yates wrote. “The rookie will take on a slot role for the Commanders, whose depth was immensely tested in 2025 amid injuries. Williams was No. 64 in my final rankings.”