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ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller put together a full seven-round projection, and Clemson football showed up all over it with eight total selections.
The highest Tiger off the board is defensive tackle Peter Woods, who is slotted at No. 25 overall to Chicago. Even though his college career didn’t quite match the early expectations, NFL teams are still drawn to his raw ability and upside.
“This isn’t a great interior defensive line class, but the Bears could check off their biggest roster need while picking a defender in Round 1 for the first time since 2018 (Roquan Smith). Woods didn’t live up to his potential at Clemson, but scouts believe that he’ll be a better pro than college player. His physical tools are special, with first-step burst and overall strength that look like a high-end 3-technique starter. Woods could serve as Grady Jarrett’s understudy before taking a larger role in the future,” Miller said.
On the edge, T.J. Parker is projected to come off the board in the second round at pick No. 46 to Tampa Bay. Not long ago he was viewed as a potential first-rounder, but he still brings size and strength that translate well to the next level.
“The Buccaneers’ current edge starters are Yaya Diaby and Al-Quadin Muhammad, a 31-year-old incoming free agent. The 6-foot-4, 263-pound Parker has length and strength at the point of attack. He might never be a double-digit sack player, but Parker is consistently solid on tape,” Miller said.
Wide receiver Antonio Williams is also expected to go in the second round, landing at No. 54 with Philadelphia. With some uncertainty around the Eagles’ receiver room moving forward, he could carve out a role early in his career.
“Given the uncertainty surrounding A.J. Brown’s future with the team, it would be smart for the Eagles to draft a wide receiver somewhat early. The worst-case scenario has Williams working as the WR3 in 2026. He had 208 catches over four seasons with 21 touchdowns and is NFL-ready,” said Miller.
Clemson’s presence continues into Day 3. Defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart is projected in the fourth round to Detroit, while Adam Randall is pegged as a fifth-round pick for Miami.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik also shows up in the fifth round, with Dallas taking him at No. 180 overall.
One thing to monitor is a reported hamstring issue for Terrell, who aggravated it during a workout for scouts earlier this week. That could influence how teams view him as the draft approaches.
Overall, the projection highlights Clemson’s depth more than star power. There may not be a sure top-10 pick in this group, but the Tigers have a strong chance to send a steady wave of contributors into the league.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: How Clemson players look in ESPN’s latest 2026 NFL mock draft
Continue reading...
The highest Tiger off the board is defensive tackle Peter Woods, who is slotted at No. 25 overall to Chicago. Even though his college career didn’t quite match the early expectations, NFL teams are still drawn to his raw ability and upside.
“This isn’t a great interior defensive line class, but the Bears could check off their biggest roster need while picking a defender in Round 1 for the first time since 2018 (Roquan Smith). Woods didn’t live up to his potential at Clemson, but scouts believe that he’ll be a better pro than college player. His physical tools are special, with first-step burst and overall strength that look like a high-end 3-technique starter. Woods could serve as Grady Jarrett’s understudy before taking a larger role in the future,” Miller said.
On the edge, T.J. Parker is projected to come off the board in the second round at pick No. 46 to Tampa Bay. Not long ago he was viewed as a potential first-rounder, but he still brings size and strength that translate well to the next level.
“The Buccaneers’ current edge starters are Yaya Diaby and Al-Quadin Muhammad, a 31-year-old incoming free agent. The 6-foot-4, 263-pound Parker has length and strength at the point of attack. He might never be a double-digit sack player, but Parker is consistently solid on tape,” Miller said.
Wide receiver Antonio Williams is also expected to go in the second round, landing at No. 54 with Philadelphia. With some uncertainty around the Eagles’ receiver room moving forward, he could carve out a role early in his career.
“Given the uncertainty surrounding A.J. Brown’s future with the team, it would be smart for the Eagles to draft a wide receiver somewhat early. The worst-case scenario has Williams working as the WR3 in 2026. He had 208 catches over four seasons with 21 touchdowns and is NFL-ready,” said Miller.
Clemson’s presence continues into Day 3. Defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart is projected in the fourth round to Detroit, while Adam Randall is pegged as a fifth-round pick for Miami.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik also shows up in the fifth round, with Dallas taking him at No. 180 overall.
One thing to monitor is a reported hamstring issue for Terrell, who aggravated it during a workout for scouts earlier this week. That could influence how teams view him as the draft approaches.
Overall, the projection highlights Clemson’s depth more than star power. There may not be a sure top-10 pick in this group, but the Tigers have a strong chance to send a steady wave of contributors into the league.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: How Clemson players look in ESPN’s latest 2026 NFL mock draft
Continue reading...
