Two Tigers named to NFL Draft Big Board

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Thu Nov 17 11:19:37 GMT-04:00 2016

CBSSports.com released their latest 2017 NFL Draft Big Board, and two Clemson offensive players were projected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Clemson star wide receiver Mike Williams was listed at #13 overall and the first wide receiver taken in the projections.

"Don't blame Williams for Clemson's surprising home loss to Pittsburgh, as he was magnificent, hauling in a career-high 15 passes for 202 yards, including a 15-yard second quarter touchdown that gave the Tigers an early lead," CBSSports.com said. "Though last year's neck injury and an occasional drop of an "easy" pass remain concerns, Williams is in the same class athletically as former teammates Sammy Watkins, DeAndre Hopkins, and Martavis Bryant. An imposing target with explosive speed and the body control to win contested passes, Williams looks the part of a future No. 1 receiver in the NFL."

Williams has 67 catches for 956 yards and six touchdowns this season. For his career, he has 146 catches for 2322 yards and 16 scores.

Clemson junior quarterback Deshaun Watson was picked #24 overall and the third signal-caller on the list behind DeShone Kizer and Mitch Trubisky.

"Watson set an ACC record with 580 passing yards against Pittsburgh but it was the three interceptions thrown in the loss which is more meaningful to scouts," CBSSports.com said. "Frankly, this game was nothing new for Watson, who for all of his athleticism and poise late in games, has often made troubling decisions with the ball and struggled with shaky accuracy from inside the pocket throughout his career. Watson's slight frame and Clemson's relatively simple offense are other legitimate concerns. Watson is gifted, but he's far from the sure thing as a franchise NFL quarterback that his gaudy statistics (8,647 passing yards and a 76 to 28 TD to INT ratio) suggest."

Watson threw for an ACC-record 580 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions in the 43-42 loss to Pittsburgh. For the season, he has 3077 passing yards with 27 passing touchdowns and 13 interceptions.