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By Charlie Campbell
Weaknesses:
Summary: Over the past four years, Clark was the best offensive lineman for Texas Tech’s Red Raider offense. He started out strongly with his debut season starting at right guard. In 2013, Clark took over at left tackle and stayed there for the next three seasons. He has shown a lot of upside for the NFL with a rare skill set.
In most games for the Red Raiders, Clark was a good blocker. He had some struggles with Oklahoma State’s Emmanuel Ogbah the past two seasons, and also finished his collegiate career with a dud against LSU. However throughout his college career, Clark flashed an excellent tool box of size, length, quickness and athleticism.
At the Senior Bowl, Clark had a mixed week. It started off well as he was one of the stars of the weigh-in. Clark showed off his long arms with a strong and athletic physique for such a big blocker. In practice, he really struggled in some of the pass-blocking one-on-ones. Edge rushers had him looking clueless on some plays. During the team scrimmages, Clark performed better as he hit some good blocks in the ground game and showed more pass-protection skills.
From a skill-set perspective, Clark has everything that a NFL team looks for in a left tackle. He has quick feet with athleticism and agility to mirror speed rushers. With his length, Clark can be hard for defenders to get around. He also has enough strength to get movement in the ground game. Clark would fit well in a zone-blocking scheme as he has the athletic ability to move well in space.
Clark’s pro career depends on him landing with good coaches and his being dedicated to working hard at getting better. In speaking with sources, they say that Clark is all potential. He has the quickness, size, length, strength and athleticism that teams want in a starting left tackle. They feel that he has the talent to be a good left tackle as a pro.
However, Clark’s technique needs a ton of work for the NFL. He has to improve with where to use his hands and how to use his feet to put him in good position in order to not reach after blockers and be ready to defend rushes to the inside. When Clark uses his feet well and bends at the knee, that gets him in good position and he can’t be beaten. The problem is that it isn’t consistent. Thus, Clark is a project for his NFL team and a lot of his future success depends on him working hard and receiving good coaching.
In the 2016 NFL Draft, Clark is aided by a weak class of offensive tackles. With the potential of his athletic skill set, teams are projecting him to be a second-day pick.
Player Comparison: Terron Armstead. Clark is very similar to Armstead coming out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the 2013 NFL Draft. Armstead showed a ton of athletic ability but needed a lot of coaching up for the NFL. The Saints have done a nice job of developing Armstead into a quality starting left tackle, and many felt that Armstead should have been in the Pro Bowl this past season. If things go well for Clark, his career could develop in a similar manner. Armstead (6-5, 304) and Clark are close to the same size with rare athletic skill sets. Like Armstead, Clark could also be a second-day selection.
NFL Matches: Tennessee, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Houston, San Diego, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Miami, Seattle, New England, New York Jets, Carolina and Denver
In the second or third round, there are a lot of options for Clark. Any of the AFC South teams could use him. If the Titans trade down and don’t take Laremy Tunsil, Clark could make sense them on the second day. Tennessee gave up the most sacks in the NFL with 54 in 2015. Clark could form a bookend with left tackle Taylor Lewan and eventually the team might flip them. By taking Clark, that would allow the Titans to move 2015 third-rounder Jeremiah Poutasi to guard and upgrade the offensive line at three spots.
Luke Joeckel struggled once again in 2015. In Week 17, he gave up five sacks to the Texans and looked helpless trying to block J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus. The Jaguars need to move Joeckel to guard and find a true left tackle to protect Blake Bortles. However, sources say the focus of Jacksonville’s early round picks will be on the defense.
Houston could use more offensive line talent. The Texans could develop Clark into an eventual replacement for Duane Brown. Obviously, the Colts have to get better at protecting Andrew Luck. Clark could be in play for Indianapolis on the second day of the 2016 NFL Draft.
San Diego likes King Dunlap at left tackle, but the Chargers could use competition and depth. Injuries have just ravaged San Diego’s offensive front, so having a talented backup to develop like Clark could make sense. In time, he could replace Dunlap at left tackle if Clark develops well.
The 49ers need to find more offensive line talent. Clark could start out competing at right tackle as San Francisco really missed Anthony Davis last year. Philadelphia needs more talent on ita offensive line. Lane Johnson was extended, but Jason Peters is aging and coming off a serious injury. Clark could start out at guard and eventually be moved to tackle once Peters is done with the Eagles.
The Jets scouted offensive tackles hard before the last draft. Clark could be in play as a competitor at guard or right tackle in the short term and eventually replace the aging D’Brickashaw Ferguson. New England’s offensive line let the team down in the playoffs, and more talent up front is necessary for the Patriots.
The Panthers’ offensive line lost them the Super Bowl. Michael Oher wasn’t signed long-term, and they need a better left tackle for Cam Newton’s career. Denver could also take some offensive line help. Ryan Clady may not be with the Broncos much longer. Ty Sambrailo is unproven, while Michael Schofield is not good. Denver could upgrade its athleticism on the offensive line with Clark.
RELATED LINKS:
2016 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2016 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2016 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
