*Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
Multiple Teams Grade T.J. Clemmings on Day 2
Updated Feb. 9, 2015By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.
Many high-profile NFL Draft analysts have stated that they view Pittsburgh offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings as a first-round pick, with some projecting him to go in the top half of the first round. Entering the 2014 season, Clemmings wasn’t viewed to be an elite prospect but media members got on the bandwagon during his senior year. However, a handful of NFL teams we’ve spoken to had the same opinion: None of them have a first-round grade on Clemmings. Four out of five put him on the second day, with one team saying they have a fourth-round grade on Clemmings.
Three NFL general managers told us that they have a third-round grade on Clemmings, but they believe that the team that likes him enough to draft him will take him in the second round. Another general manager said he has a day-two grade on him. The team that has a fourth-round grade on Clemmings could consider drafting an offensive tackle late in the first round, but happens to be down on Clemmings.
The 6-foot-4, 307-pounder didn’t impress evaluators at the Senior Bowl, as he had some struggles in the pass blocking one-on-ones. He showed that he is raw and is still needing significant development to handle NFL pass-rushers. That is understandable considering Clemmings started out his collegiate career on the defensive line before switching to right tackle as a junior. Teams feel that Clemmings has a skill set to work with, but is too much of a gamble to take with a first-round pick, and they don’t feel that he’s worthy of that high of a draft grade.
Perhaps there are teams out there that view him as a first-rounder, but there was a real consensus of a second-day grade among the executives we spoke to.
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