2024 NFL mock draft 3.0: Projecting where all 10 Clemson Tigers prospects will land
CLEMSON — The NFL Draft begins Thursday and ends Saturday, and 10 former Clemson football players are looking forward to receiving a call from one of 32 teams that will allow them to realize their childhood dreams.
There have been 26 Tigers selected in the draft since 2019. Nine have been first-round picks, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence (2021, first overall), defensive end Clelin Ferrell (2019, fourth overall) and linebacker Isaiah Simmons (2020, eighth overall).
Cornerback Nate Wiggins, Clemson's top prospect this year, hopes to join that group after two Tigers were taken in the first round last year.
Here are the best fits for all 10 Clemson players in the NFL draft:
CB Nate Wiggins to the Arizona Cardinals in Round 1
The Cardinals need to address their cornerback situation and may have two chances to land Wiggins with pick 27 or 35 (second round). They signed Sean Murphy-Bunting in free agency to hold down one side but need an immediate starter to handle the opposite end.
The fast, lengthy and physical cornerback had two interceptions with Clemson last year, which was more than any Arizona cornerback last season.
MORE: Where will Clemson football's Nate Wiggins go in 2024 NFL draft? Here are top 5 landing spots
DT Ruke Orhorhoro to the San Francisco 49ers in Round 2
For the 49ers to make it to the Super Bowl for the third time in six years, they will need to improve their run defense. In their final four games last season, they allowed more than 100 rushing yards in each game, including nearly 150 per game in the playoffs.
San Francisco signed defensive tackle Jordan Elliot and traded for defensive tackle Maliek Collins this offseason to replace Arik Armstead and play alongside Javon Hargrave. Drafting Orhorhoro, who racked up 25.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in his Tigers career and impressed at the NFL Combine, would help bolster their defensive line.
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Round 3
The Steelers signed middle linebacker Patrick Queen to a three-year deal this offseason to strengthen their inside linebacker corps , which was ravaged by injuries last season. They can continue to improve at linebacker by drafting Trotter, who is one of the smartest linebackers in the class.
Trotter can learn from Queen and develop under coach Mike Tomlin, who attended Clemson's Pro Day in March, to become a dominant middle linebacker.
MORE: Where will Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. go in NFL draft? Top 5 landing spots
DT Tyler Davis to the New Orleans Saints in Round 5
The Saints allowed at least 100 rushing yards 12 times last season and gave up 4.4 yards per carry, which tied for 23rd in the NFL, . Despite investing a 2023 first-round draft pick on former Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and signing Khalen Saunders last year, they need to improve their run defense.
Selecting Davis, who recorded 144 tackles (29.5 for loss), 16 sacks and three pass deflections over 56 games, would help the unit.
MORE: Top five NFL draft landing spots for Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis
RB Will Shipley to the Cleveland Browns in Round 5
Running back Nick Chubb, who is in the final year of his contract, enters his seventh season coming off knee surgeries that jeopardize his status for Week 1. As a result, the Browns signed Nyheim Hines and D'Onta Foreman this offseason.
Still, Cleveland needs to get younger at the position, and selecting Shipley would help. Although Cleveland is known for its ground-and-pound running style, Shipley's versatility can be a bonus for the team.
MORE: Where will Clemson RB Will Shipley go in NFL draft? Top 5 landing spots
DE Xavier Thomas to the Minnesota Vikings in Round 5
The Vikings, who lost Danielle Hunter this offseason, signed three edge rushers in free agency. They can add depth at the position by selecting Thomas had a strong pro day, including a 40-yard dash time of 4.56 seconds, which would have ranked third among defensive ends at the combine
Thomas, 24, would add an explosive edge rusher for Minnesota, a team that tied for 20th in sacks last season with 43.
CB Sheridan Jones undrafted to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers traded away six-year starting cornerback Carlton Davis this offseason, allowing three-year starter Zyon McCollum to compete for the starting job opposite of Jamel Dean.
Jones' measurables are similar to those of Davis,, and Tampa Bay can sign the two-year Tigers starter on an undrafted rookie free-agent deal.
C Will Putnam undrafted to Carolina Panthers
Panthers center Austin Corbett will be 29 when the season starts, has one year left on his contract and has dealt with a number of injuries.
Carolina could sign Putnam to an undrafted rookie free-agent deal that allows them to evaluate the versatile lineman, who played two seasons at guard and two at center during his four years as a starter along Clemson's offensive line.
S Jalyn Phillips undrafted to Buffalo Bills
The Bills lost long-time safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde this offseason and could sign Phillips, who logged 149 tackles, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions over 60 games (29 starts) with Clemson, to compete for a reserve role.
MORE: Top five NFL draft landing spots for Clemson safety Jalyn Phillips
DE Justin Mascoll undrafted to Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys can sign Mascoll, who had 20 tackles and one sack as an edge rusher last season as a Clemson full-time starter, on an undrafted rookie free-agent deal. He'll receive reps as a rotational lineman, entering the game for Micah Parsons or DeMarcus Lawrence.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: NFL mock draft 2024 3.0: Clemson Tigers prospects projections
