Clemson’s pro day loaded with potential Lions prospects

Clemson’s pro day loaded with potential Lions prospects including Isaiah Simmons, Tee Higgins and A.J. Terrell among other Tigers

One of the first major programs to host its prospect pro day is the Clemson Tigers. When the doors open at Clemson’s training facility on Wednesday, all 32 NFL teams are expected to be in attendance.

There will be several future NFL players working out in front of the various scouts, coaches and even a few GMs. Here’s a quick look at some of the bigger draws from the Tigers.

Isaiah Simmons, LB – A freak athlete who dominated the media coverage at the scouting combine, Simmons played all over the Clemson defense. Safety, slot corner, linebacker, EDGE — Simmons did it all and did it all impressively. He’s a likely top-10 overall pick and could be in play for the Lions if they trade back from No. 3.

A.J. Terrell, CB – A 6-1 press-man corner with lots of starting experience, Terrell is very much in play for the Lions’ second-round pick. Terrell’s game film is a little inconsistent but he’s got immediate NFL starting potential in a defensive scheme familiar to what Detroit runs under coach Matt Patricia.

Tanner Muse, LB/S – Like Simmons, Muse played both safety and linebacker. His NFL future is in the box as an inside LB who can carry TEs in coverage to the safety, and also on special teams. He tested better than expected athletically at the combine.

K’Von Wallace, safety – Wallace rocked the combine with an outstanding workout that hints at his potential as a downhill safety in the role Tavon Wilson played for the Lions in 2019. He’s a heat-seeking missile to the ball, for better and for worse.

Tee Higgins, WR – Proven 6-foot-4 playmaker with soft hands and the ability to play X, Y or Z in an offense, though he’ll need to work on his route running and release off the line. Projections for Higgins are all over the map, so his workout numbers do matter more than most others.

Tremayne Anchrum, OL – Anchrum played right tackle for the Tigers but will need to move inside to guard in the NFL. He’s powerful and has good feet but lacks both height and arm length to stay outside. Anchrum could be a nice Day 3 selection for Detroit if he can handle the transition inside.

John Simpson, OL – A physical, well-seasoned guard who specializes in moving people with his upper-body strength, Simpson’s game bears some resemblance to former Lions starter Manny Ramirez. Simpson has a higher ceiling but needs to cut back on the penalties and consistently being the last player moving after the snap. He’s a Day 3 prospect.

Diondre Overton, WR – He got overlooked in Clemson’s deep receiving corps, but at 6-4 and with his leaping and catching ability, Overton will get a shot in the NFL. He moved into the slot in 2019 and looked good enough to merit a late-round pick.

Gage Cervenka, OG – Former defensive tackle who plays guard like he’s still on defense, the proverbial bull in a china shop. If you liked Beau Benzschawel last year, you’ll like Cervenka too.

PFF says Clemson CB A.J. Terrell is a perfect fit for Giants

Pro Football Focus believes Clemson CB A.J. Terrell is a “perfect fit” for the New York Giants in Round 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft.

What the New York Giants should or shouldn’t do in the first-round of the 2020 NFL Draft has been beaten to death, so Pro Football Focus recently decided to switch gears and take a look at what they should do in Round 2.

Whether they trade down or not, the Giants are expected to select either an offensive tackle or pass rusher in Round 1, which leaves several other positional options open entering the following round.

Despite their recent influx of young cornerbacks, PFF believes the Giants should add another cornerback in the second round, this time by way of Clemson’s A.J. Terrell.

NEW YORK GIANTS: CB A.J. TERRELL, CLEMSON

At 6-foot-1 with 4.42 speed, Terrell has the combination of length and speed that you want at the cornerback position. More importantly, his movement on the field is just so smooth. Terrell put up two consecutive seasons on the Clemson defense in 2018 and 2019 with coverage grades of 80.0 or higher. Yes, LSU and Ja’Marr Chase got the better of him in the National Championship Game, but Terrell remains one of the better cornerback options in the class.

The Giants selected the first cornerback off the board a season ago in Deandre Baker. His struggles as a rookie, along with the lack of high-level play from anyone else at the position, warrants another go in the 2020 NFL Draft. While New York will likely have its pick of the tackles or a player like Isaiah Simmons at fourth overall, Terrell would be a strong second-round target if he makes it to them at pick 36. As we saw with Baker, it doesn’t always work out in Year 1, but it’s worth taking shots at good cornerback prospects early in the draft when the opportunity arises.

Here’s what our very own Draft Wire had to say about Terrell:

Coming off yet another trip to the College Football Playoff and the National Championship Game, Terrell helped lead one of the nation’s most talented defenses. His combination of size, length and athleticism should make him one of the first players off the board at his position. Terrell should come off the board on Day 2, at the latest, when draft weekend rolls around.

The Giants are reportedly prioritizing cornerback in free agency, which could impact their draft approach and leave a player like Terrell on the outside looking in. However, if a bidding war erupts for players like Byron Jones (which is likely), the Giants may bow out and fall back on the NFL Draft, where a player like Terrell becomes an obvious choice, especially if he’s there in Round 2.

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2020 NFL Combine winners: Cornerbacks

Examining and identifying the top on-field cornerbacks performances from the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine concluded their on-field drills on Sunday, this time featuring cornerbacks and safeties. The cornerbacks were first up and didn’t disappoint.

The Lions have a need at corner immediately and potentially long-term depending on what their plans are for Darius Slay, so they were surely looking at this group with high hopes. Let’s take a look at those who earned positive marks.

Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State

6-1, 205, 40 y/d: 4.48, vertical: 41″, broad: 11’3″

In a recent article, I broke down how Okudah’s performance in every Combine drill added to his already sterling resume that he built over his senior season. In a nutshell, my conclusion was that he is firmly in the mix for the Lions and would be worth the No. 3 overall pick.

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C.J. Henderson, Florida

6-0.5, 204, 40 y/d: 4.39, vertical 37.5, broad: 10’7″

Like Okudah, the Lions reportedly had a meeting with Henderson at the Combine, showing they are doing their homework on the draft’s top cornerbacks. When Henderson took the field in Indianapolis, he put his best foot forward and had a terrific day in timed drills, measurables, and in on-field drills.

On the NFL Network broadcast, Daniels Jeremiah mentioned that he believes Henderson could be “the second corner drafted” indicating that “he’s gonna end up going in the top 15.” If that is his true draft slot, he would be selected almost directly in between the Lions’ first and second-round picks, making the odds of landing him unlikely.

A.J. Terrell, Clemson

6-1, 195, 40y/d: 4.42, vertical: 34.5, broad: 10’9″

The last time most analysts and fans saw Terrell, he was on the wrong end of the National Championship game in what was a difficult night overall for the Tigers. If there were concerns about his performance that night, he helped right the ship at the Combine. Terrell looked smooth in his backpedal, showed off his body control and reliable hands in drills His combination of body type, comfort in press coverage, and athletic ability fits a lot of what the Lions look for in an outside corner.

Michael Ojemudia, Iowa

6-0.5, 200, 40y/d: 4.45, vertical: 36″, broad: 10’2″, 3-cone: 6.87

I don’t want to call Ojemudia a sleeper, as he has been someone the Lions have shown interest in previously, but if the Lions are more interested in a developmental Day 3 corner rather than one at the top of the draft, he’s the guy.

At the Combine, Ojemudia checked every measurable box the Lions look for, height, weight, speed, explosion, and of course the all-important 3-cone time. Add in his Iowa background and there’s a lot to like from the Lions perspective.

5 standouts from NFL Combine that Bears could target in NFL Draft

Chicago should have a chance at at some of these standouts at the NFL Combine including at some of the biggest areas of need this offseason.

The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, and there were plenty of prospects that impressed during workouts. Considering the Bears don’t pick until No. 43, there are several of those standout performers that will be off the board well before Chicago’s first pick in the second round.

But there were a slew of prospects that impressed last week that the Bears should have a chance at at some of the biggest areas of need this offseason, including tight end, safety, cornerback, offensive line and quarterback.

Let’s take a look at some prospects that impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Bears could target in the NFL Draft:

S Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Chinn had already put himself on most teams’ radar during the Senior Bowl, but it was his NFL Combine performance that really set him apart. His measurements were impressive — 41-inch vertical jump, 116-inch broad jump and his 4.45 40-yard dash, all of which ranked in the top three among safeties. And he was equally as impressive during on-field drills.

The Bears are looking for a safety to line-up opposite Eddie Jackson, and Chinn could fit in well in that strong safety role. Chinn was believed to be a sixth-round prospect, but his stock certainly has risen after a strong NFL Combine performance.

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10 defensive backs for the Eagles to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine

NFL Combine 2020: 10 defensive backs for the Eagles to watch

The 2020 NFL Draft is fast approaching and with the Eagles looking to make changes up and down the roster, Howie Roseman and company could have a few surprises in store.

The Eagles have been linked to Henry Ruggs III and Tee Higgins for weeks now, but what if Howie Roseman believes in the depth at receiver in the draft and decides to lean another way in the first round?

The Eagles have several big needs and there’s been some discussion about a full-scale rebuild in the secondary.

Malcolm Jenkins wants a new contract, and Roseman has been transparent about both parties doing what’s best for both parties. Rodney McLeod is an unrestricted free agent along with cornerbacks Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby.

If the Eagles do choose to use a first or second-round pick on a defensive back, here are 10 defensive back options that make the most sense.

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1. Kristian Fulton — CB — LSU

With Jalen Mills set to hit free agency, the Eagles could replace the former LSU cornerback with one of the current Tiger greats.

Fulton made an immediate impact when thrown into the fire and over the past two seasons, he’s been the highest-graded cornerback in America, according to PFF.

Fulton is elite at the point of attack, as he owns the highest forced incompletion rate in the past two years, allowing just 23.7% of contested targets to be caught.

5 CB prospects Bears should watch at NFL Scouting Combine

The Bears have a hole at cornerback following the release of Prince Amukamara, which figures to be a top priority heading into the draft.

The Bears have a hole at the cornerback position following the release of Prince Amukamara, who was one of the team’s first cap-casualties of the offseason.

Chicago has already signed CFL free agent Tre Roberson, who will be given a shot to win the starting job opposite Kyle Fuller. The Bears also have Kevin Toliver on the roster, who figures to get a shot. But the Bears will likely make cornerback a top priority during the NFL Draft.

With that said, here are five cornerback prospects the Bears should watch at the NFL Scouting Combine next week:

1. Jeff Gladney, TCU

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Bears should keep an eye on TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney, who draft stock has risen in a talented cornerback class. In 2019, Gladney had 31 total tackles, 0.5 sack, one interception and a career-best 14 pass breakups, which was tied for eighth-best in the country. Gladney is an athletic corner, a good tackler, especially on the perimeter, and puts himself in position to make a play on the ball.

7 CB options that make sense for the Eagles in the 2020 NFL Draft

Trevon Diggs among 7 CB options for the Eagles in the 2020 NFL Draft

The 2020 NFL Draft is almost three months away, and with the deadline for underclassmen to announce whether they will enter draft having passed Monday, the business of preparing for the NFL Draft is upon us.

The Eagles have several big needs and there’s been some discussion about a full-scale rebuild in the secondary.

If the Eagles do choose to use a first or second-round pick on a cornerback, here are seven options that make the most sense.

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1. Kristian Fulton LSU

With Jalen Mills set to hit free agency, the Eagles could replace the former LSU cornerback with one of the current Tiger greats.

Fulton made an immediate impact when thrown into the fire and over the past two seasons, he’s been the highest-graded cornerback in America according to grades from PFF.

Fulton is elite at the point of attack, as he owns the highest forced incompletion rate the past two years, allowing just 23.7% of contested targets to be caught.

Texans 2020 NFL draft target: Clemson CB A.J. Terrell

The Houston Texans need help at cornerback, and one prospect in the 2020 NFL draft they should consider is Clemson CB A.J. Terrell.

The Houston Texans spent a second-round pick on cornerback Lonnie Johnson in the 2019 NFL draft, but they could still stand to get younger at the position.

Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell announced Friday his intention to to declare for the 2020 NFL draft. If the former CFP National Champion enters the draft, he could be a prospect the Texans target as they look to get younger and more talented in the secondary.

The Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling projects Terrell to stick around for Day 2 at the latest, which is where the Texans will first have a chance to grab him in the second round.

Coming off yet another trip to the College Football Playoff and the National Championship Game, Terrell helped lead one of the nation’s most talented defenses. His combination of size, length and athleticism should make him one of the first players off the board at his position. Terrell should come off the board on Day 2, at the latest, when draft weekend rolls around.

Two of the Texans’ biggest playmakers are products of Dabo Swinney’s coaching in receiver DeAndre Hopkins and quarterback Deshaun Watson. Defensive tackle D.J. Reader, a Pro Bowl alternate who has routinely been praised by coach Bill O’Brien and defensive end J.J. Watt alike, was also a standout at Clemson. Throw in defensive end Carlos Watkins, and it is safe to say that Clemson produces the right kind of guys that the Texans look for.

Terrell earned first-team ACC honors as a junior in 2019 as he collected 34 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups in 14 games. The Texans currently have starter Johnathan Joseph about to enter his 15th season and at age 36 years old and also have Bradley Roby out of contract as they signed him to a one-year prove-it deal in 2019 free agency.

Adding Terrell, at 6-1, 190 pounds, would give the Texans better physicality at the position, much like what they have in Johnson, who is 6-3, along with youth.

Clemson CB A.J. Terrell declares for 2020 NFL draft

Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell is leaving school early to enter the 2020 NFL draft

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Blessed…🙏🏽

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One of the best cornerbacks in college football is making the early jump to the pro ranks.

Clemson’s A.J. Terrell is leaving school early to enter the 2020 NFL draft. He made his announcement via social media Friday.

Coming off yet another trip to the College Football Playoff and the National Championship Game, Terrell helped lead one of the nation’s most talented defenses. His combination of size, length and athleticism should make him one of the first players off the board at his position. Terrell should come off the board on Day 2, at the latest, when draft weekend rolls around.

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7 National Championship game participants the Eagles could select in the first two-rounds

Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons is a player that the Philadelphia Eagles should consider with their first 2 picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Philadelphia Eagles, like the 31 other NFL teams around the league were keeping a keen eye on LSU’s 42-25 victory over Clemson in Monday night’s National Championship game.

With several of the stars from Monday night’s contest set to enter the NFL, there are guys who could provide Philadelphia with star-power, versatility and dynamic players in the first 60 picks.

The Eagles need a game-changing wide receiver, cornerback, safety help and a litany of other holes to fill.

With Clemson and LSU providing some of the top players transitioning from college to the NFL in recent years, here are 7 participants from the National Championship game that the Eagles could target in the first two rounds of the 2020 NFL draft.

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1. Justin Jefferson — WR — LSU

The Eagles can use an explosive playmaker on the outside and Justin Jefferson is a huge reason that Joe Burrow will be the No. 1 pick. Jefferson can run every route, he creates big plays and his explosiveness would put the Eagles offense on another level.

Against the Clemson Tigers on Monday night, Jefferson had 9 catches for 106 yards, including this video game style move that left one Clemson defender on shaky ground.