Two Tigers projected in Top 5 picks of 2017 Mock Draft

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Tue Dec 13 14:40:29 GMT-04:00 2016

Pro Football Focus released their 2017 NFL Mock Draft and three Clemson players are projected in the first 18 picks including two players in the first five overall picks.

Clemson junior quarterback Deshaun Watson was projected #2 overall to the San Francisco 49ers.

"While Cleveland can afford to wait on a quarterback, the 49ers will make the move for Watson despite some of the question marks to his game," Pro Football Focus said. "He made a few too many bad decisions with the ball this season and his accuracy was inconsistent, but Watson continued to bounce back from his mistakes and his work down the stretch has been outstanding, grading as the nation’s top quarterback from Week 9 through the end of the year for the second straight season. Watson has the tools to make the necessary throws, whether zipping one up the seam or throwing downfield with touch while his mobility is an added bonus, particularly if Chip Kelly is finally looking to add more of a quarterback running component to his offense."

Watson passed for 23-for-34 for 288 yards, three passing touchdowns, and an interception to lead Clemson to the 2016 ACC Championship in a 42-35 win over Virginia Tech. He also rushed 17 times for 85 yards and two scores.

For the season, Watson has completed 329 of 487 passes for 3914 yards and 37 touchdowns. He ranks fourth in the nation in completions, fifth in touchdown passes and eighth in completion percentage and eighth in total offense. His 37 touchdown passes are a Clemson season record.

Clemson cornerback Cordrea Tankersley was projected #5 overall to the New York Jets.

"With holes all over the roster, the Jets add one of the draft’s top cornerbacks in Tankersley," Pro Football Focus said. "He’s a long cornerback who can get physical in press coverage while showing enough movement skills to mirror receivers. Tankersley had the No. 5 overall grade among the nation’s corners and he’s a good fit for the man coverage schemes head coach Todd Bowles likes to deploy."

Tankersley has 43 tackles including six for loss, three interceptions, and ten pass deflections in 2016.

Clemson star wide receiver Mike Williams was projected #18 overall to the Green Bay Packers.

"The Packers’ offense has started to take off in recent weeks, but it wouldn’t hurt to add another playmaker on the outside," Pro Football Focus said. "Williams is a great fit or QB Aaron Rodgers as he has the downfield body control to win on go routes and back shoulders, both staples of Rodgers’ game. Williams has bounced back nicely from a 2015 injury that limited him to only 12 snaps and he’ll join Jordy Nelson and DeVante Adams to make the Green Bay offense great again."

Williams has 84 receptions for 1171 yards and ten touchdowns this season. For his career, he has 163 catches for 2537 yards and 20 scores.