NFL Network draft analyst high on several Clemson prospects
Most 2023 NFL mock drafts have Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy going in the top 10. But Murphy isn’t the only intriguing draft prospect who will be taking part in the NFL combine this week.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah held a conference call previewing the combine and the draft last week and spoke about several Tigers.
He believes former Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson is a player who has a chance to work his way into the first round.
“I was told that he is going to put on a show. He is probably going to run in the 4.4s. He is going to jump out of the gym. For him. … it’s just how well do you see things?” Jeremiah said. “He has tremendous, tremendous juice. … It’s just sometimes in the trash there you kind of get lost a little bit amidst all
those bodies. That’s the only knock on him. That’s the only concern.”
Jeremiah added that Simpson is elite at stopping running quarterbacks. He believes that if you’re in a division that also features Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson or a similar-type of player, drafting Simpson could make a lot of sense.
“I know one thing — if you are in a division with an athletic quarterback, like if you were in the NFC East with Jalen Hurts and you want to have somebody that can play that role and be a spy and be able to mirror and just close those alleys, this dude is unbelievable when he spies the quarterback,” Jeremiah said. “That’s going to be interesting to see with him what happens, but I would not be shocked if he goes in the first round — at all.”
Notes on other Clemson draft hopefuls
Jeremiah added that tight end Davis Allen is another player he likes.
Allen finished third on Clemson’s team in catches last season with 39 for 443 yards. He tied for the team lead with five touchdown receptions.
“I’m probably higher than most of the league on the tight end and Davis Allen. I was hoping he would do a little bit more at the Senior Bowl than I saw there, but he is a smooth, easy mover,” Jeremiah said. “He flashes some power after the catch to run through guys. He understands how to set up routes. He is 6’5″ and a half, 246 pounds. I think he has the frame to get even bigger. I thought he would be a Day 2 guy. Some people in the league think he will go Day 3.”
Finally, Jeremiah mentioned defensive end KJ Henry as a player that he is high on.
Henry had a breakout season for the Tigers in 2022, starting all 14 games. He recorded 59 tackles, 9 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also had a team-high 24 pressures.
“KJ Henry, I gave him a good grade. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went in the second round. He destroys tight ends. First play of the game against Georgia Tech, drills a quarterback, ball pops up and gets picked,” Jeremiah said. “He can shoot gaps. I think he is instinctive. You’ll see him on the edge. He’ll be able to see jet sweeps coming from the other side and be able to naturally just widen out and make plays. He has a nice little counter-rush.”
“Talking to Dabo [Swinney] about him, he loves him. He is a captain. He is graduated. Just outstanding. Said the same thing about [Davis Allen], as well. Graduated, captains. Asking about those two kids before the Senior Bowl, it came back pretty positive.”