CLEMSON — The NFL Draft is eight days away, and 10 former Clemson football players hope to hear their names called by commissioner Roger Goodell or to receive a call from one of 32 teams.
Nate Wiggins is likely to be the first Tigers cornerback since A.J. Terrell (2020) to be selected in the first round. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. aims to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was drafted in the third round in 1998 and played 11 seasons in the NFL. Clemson’s starting defensive line last season — Ruke Orhorhoro, Tyler Davis, Xavier Thomas, Justin Mascoll — hope to continue the legacy of dominant Tigers lineman in the league.
Here are the best fits for all 10 Clemson players in the NFL draft:
CB Nate Wiggins to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Round 1
The Jaguars need to strengthen their secondary as Tyson Campbell is in the final year of his rookie contract, and veteran Ronald Darby, 30, signed a two-year deal.
At pick 17, Jacksonville can take Wiggins, Clemson’s top prospect who finished his college career with three interceptions, two forced fumbles and 24 pass deflections. The fast, lengthy and physical cornerback will help the Jaguars’ defense against the quality quarterback play in the AFC.
DT Ruke Orhorhoro to the Los Angeles Chargers in Round 2
The Chargers have many needs to fill in coach Jim Harbaugh’s first season. One of them is defensive tackle, and they can use pick 37 to select Orhorhoro, who accumulated 25.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and nine pass deflections in his Tigers career and impressed at the NFL Combine.
The Nigeria native also can play on the edge, which could be beneficial in the future with veterans Khalil Mack (age 33) and Joey Bosa (28) exiting their prime.
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to the Seattle Seahawks in Round 3
The Seahawks lost linebackers Jordyn Brooks and future Hall of Fame Bobby Wagner in free agency. They signed Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson in the offseason but only to one-year deals.
As a result, Seattle and first-year coach Mike Macdonald can draft Trotter with one of the team’s two third-round picks. As the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, he had success with linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen and could unlock Trotter’s potential to be Seattle’s next great middle linebacker.
DT Tyler Davis to the Miami Dolphins in Round 5
The Dolphins lost defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis in free agency, and edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips suffered season-ending injuries late last season.
With only six draft picks, Miami may use multiple on its defensive line. Pick 158 could be used on Davis, who recorded 144 tackles (29.5 for loss), 16 sacks and three pass deflections over 56 games.
RB Will Shipley to the Kansas City Chiefs in Round 5
The Chiefs have star running back Isiah Pacheco and re-signed 2020 first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but they let pass-catching threat Jerick McKinnon walk as a free agent.
With pick 159, Kansas City can add Shipley, who ran 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Clemson’s Pro Day, to help quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the team win its third straight Super Bowl.
DE Xavier Thomas to the New Orleans Saints in Round 6
The Saints had 34 sacks last season, which tied for fifth fewest in the NFL. Cameron Jordan will be 35 when the new season starts and 2021 first-round pick Payton Turner has not panned out.
With one of its two sixth-round picks, New Orleans can select Thomas, who had a strong pro day where he ran 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash that would have ranked third among defensive ends at the combine.
CB Sheridan Jones to the Kansas City Chiefs in Round 7
The Chiefs have used their seventh-round pick on a defensive back in the past two drafts. After trading standout L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans, there is a need to strengthen their secondary.
With pick 221, Kansas City could draft Jones, whose 6-foot, 190-pound size is similar to cornerbacks it has selected in the past two years.
DE Justin Mascoll undrafted to Chicago Bears
The Bears need to find a pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat and likely will address that in the early rounds of the draft. That’s more of a turnaround than Mascoll, who had 20 hits and a walkoff in his first season as Clemson’s starter in free agency.
S Jalyn Phillips to Indianapolis Colts
So he’s the best player . The reason the Colts missed the playoffs last year was the lack of a defensive tackle. They also signed Julian Blackmon and have a chance to improve the unit by adding draft and undrafted talent.
Phillips is a free agent prospect from Indianapolis and has 149 two interceptions in five years. The Clemson career..
