Two Tigers projected in 1st round of McShay's 2018 Mock Draft |
ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay has released his
2018 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 on Wednesday and two Clemson players were listed in the first round with defensive linemen
Clelin Ferrell and
Christian Wilkins.
McShay had Ferrell projected to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 7 overall selection. "There is still some hope for an edge rush in Tampa Bay with Noah Spence (on injured reserve), but the Bucs are dead last in the NFL with 17.0 sacks this season, and the defense has been porous (31st in total points)," McShay said. "Ferrell is a hard worker, and the light has come on recently. He has been steadily rising up my board after a terrific performance against Syracuse (3.5 sacks, 5.5 TFL) and is explosive off the edge. A third-year sophomore, he could also return to Clemson."
The ESPN analyst had a projection of Wilkins going to the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 16 overall selection.
"The Cowboys have generated good pressure up front, thanks to DeMarcus Lawrence's 13.5 sacks, but he'll be a free agent," McShay said. "Last year's first-round pick, Taco Charlton, should help as well, but the Cowboys need to bolster the interior of that defensive line. Wilkins has experience both inside and outside on an outstanding Clemson D-line, but I believe his best fit is inside as a 3-technique. He has the foot speed and quick hands to slip blocks and is a stout run-defender."
Wilkins has 52 tackles including nine tackles for loss, five sacks, and four pass breakups this season.
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