Potential NFL draft spots for Clemson juniors

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Thu Nov 10 12:14:44 GMT-04:00 2016

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said on Tuesday during his weekly press conference that Clemson juniors Deshaun Watson, Mike Williams, Wayne Gallman, and Artavis Scott will run down the hill on Saturday afternoon as part of Senior Day. All four talented offensive players are expected to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft after the season.

Deshaun [Watson] only has five hours left," Swinney said. "He has less hours than some of our fifth-year seniors have this semester. He's definitely earned that right in every regard because it's about graduation. We'll have several of those guys - Mike Williams, Wayne Gallman, Artavis Scott, Deshaun - they are all graduating in December. All of those guys are planning on moving on. We definitely want to honor them while we have the opportunity. They've earned that."

So what is the latest NFL projections for these talented playmakers?

"Bottom line on Watson, he might not be a no-brainer No. 1 overall type of prospect, but his talent will likely be too much for a quarterback-needy team to pass on him in the top 10," CBSSports.com said.

In 2016, Watson is 204-for-317 for 2497 yards with 24 touchdowns and ten interceptions.

Watson completed 333 of 491 passes for 4,104 yards and 35 touchdowns and also had 207 rushes for 1105 yards and 12 scores this past season. His 5,209 yards of total offense and his 47 total touchdowns were ACC records, and his rushing total was a record for a Clemson quarterback.

His 487 yards of total offense set a record for a National Championship game and is the first quarterback in FBS history to have at least 4,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.

Wide receiver Mike Williams was projected to also go in the first round.

"Coming off a major injury last season, the medicals will be an important step in his NFL evaluation as well, but as long as there are no long-term effects, Williams has the skill-set of a No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL, which puts him in the top-15 overall conversation," CBSSports.com said.

In 2016, Williams has 52 receptions for 754 yards and five touchdowns.

Wayne Gallman and Artavis Scott currently don't have first round grades but could improve in NFL general manager's eyes with a solid finish to their final college football season.

"In most draft classes, Gallman would rank among the top 10 prospects at his position, but that's not necessarily the case this year due to the high volume of talented running backs expected to declare early," CBSSports.com said.

Gallman has 120 carries for 634 yards and eight scores with nine receptions for 75 yards this season.

"I think Wayne is definitely ready and going to make a great, great NFL player for somebody," Swinney said on Tuesday. "People have no idea what they are getting in that guy. He is something special and still developing."

Scott has 38 receptions for 329 yards and three scores this season. For his career, he has 207 catches for 2195 yards and 17 touchdowns.

"Like Gallman, his final projection will also depend on what other underclassmen leave school early, but he looks like more of a Day 3 prospect than a top-100 guy," CBSSports.com said.

Swinney thinks that Scott will make a great NFL player because he is talented and plays with a chip on his shoulder.

"This is one of the best football players we have had come to Clemson since I have been here. He is a great football player that just happens to play wide receiver," Swinney said on Tuesday about Scott. "This kid is dynamite man. He is so dependable, tough, hard to tackle, great special teams guy, fast. This kid can run and has improved drastically as a receiver and can play the slot, can play outside. He can do so many things. I mean he is going to be a great pro. As far as where he will be drafted those are things that will be evaluated as we move forward, but there is no question he is going to be a great player at the next level. This kid is everything that you could possibly want. He is like the Swiss Army knife. He's got a lot of options. I love Artavis Scott. He’s blue collar, plays with a chip on his shoulder."