Seven former Clemson football players were invited to the 2020 NFL combine and several more hope to hear their names called during this week’s NFL draft.
By now, you should be well aware that former Clemson football linebacker Isaiah Simmons will be the first Tiger player off the board and will be a Top 10 pick on Thursday evening. However, who will be the second and third Tigers off the board?
Right now, it looks like Simmons is the only surefire Tiger to go in this year’s first round. Former receiver Tee Higgins and former corner A.J. Terrell look to be fringe first-round picks but more than likely hear their names called by the middle of round two on Friday.
The question then becomes who will be the fourth and fifth Tigers off the board?
The only other two that are for sure going to be drafted will be safety K’Von Wallace and guard John Simpson. No one is saying that Tanner Muse, Tremayne Anchrum, Sean Pollard, Chad Smith, and Gage Cervenka will not be drafted but that are at higher risk than Wallace and Simpson.
Here are the draft breakdowns for both Wallace and Simpson according to NFL.com
K’Von Wallace – Grade: 5.93
Wallace is expected to be a backup and special teams player according to the NFL and should hear his name called sometime after the fourth round.
"While he played some safety and a lot of big nickel in 2019, his biggest impact came when cutting it loose as a downhill blitzer, disrupting the run and smashing quarterbacks. Wallace plays with exceptional grit and tenacity. He unloads with everything he’s got on hit after hit. His hips may be too tight to hold up in man coverage and he lacks range as high safety. He’s a potential backup safety capable of playing near the line and helping on special teams."
John Simpson – Grade: 6.35
Simpson is expected to be a starter within the first two seasons and is expected to be taken sometime between the third and fifth rounds of the draft.
"Broad, well-built snowplow of a guard with the traits and power to turn a crease into a full-fledged running lane. Teams looking to add physicality up front will covet Simpson, but keep in mind he was plenty effective with scoop blocks, pulls, second-level climbs and even screen blocking, which shows the big man can move. Tardiness coming out of his stance and issues changing direction in pass protection are concerns that may not be easily fixed and could lead to matchup-based inconsistencies. However, he plays with good technique and has the tools to become an early starter and a good NFL guard."
Here is how I think the draft plays out of the 10 Clemson football 2020 draft prospects:
- Isaiah Simmons – First round
- A.J. Terrell – Second round
- Tee Higgins – Second round
- John Simpson – Third round
- K’Von Wallace – Fifth round
- Tremayne Anchrum – Seventh round
- Tanner Muse – Undrafted
- Sean Pollard – Undrafted
- Gage Cervenka – Undrafted