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Top landing spots for Clemson's NFL Draft prospects. Projections for Will Shipley, others

CLEMSON — The NFL Draft is April 25-27, and Clemson football has 10 players who have a shot to hear their names called in Detroit.

Cornerback Nate Wiggins, running back Will Shipley and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. headline nine Tigers starters last season, who are entering the draft and contributed to Clemson's 9-4 season.

Here's a breakdown of the best destinations for the top Clemson players in the NFL Draft:

CB Nate Wiggins NFL draft projection

Clemson's top NFL prospect for 2024 is Wiggins, who finished his college career with three interceptions, two forced fumbles and 24 pass deflections. The 6-foot-2, 182-pound cornerback ran the fastest 40-yard dash time among cornerbacks at the scouting combine with a time of 4.28 seconds.

Wiggins is expected to go in the middle-to-late first round and is expected to improve a team's pass defense.

Landing spots: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions

RB Will Shipley NFL draft projection

Shipley’s versatility will be a plus for teams, ranking top 10 in Clemson history in total touchdowns and all-purpose yards. He ran 4.39 in the 40 at Clemson's pro day, which would have placed him third among running backs at the combine.

Shipley projects to be a Round 3-5 pick, providing youth to a veteran running back room and potentially developing into a starter.

Landing spots: Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders

MORE: Will Shipley, Xavier Thomas' blazing 40-yard dash times headline Clemson's Pro Day

DT Ruke Orhorhoro NFL draft projection

Orhorhoro accumulated 25.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and nine pass deflections through five seasons at Clemson. He shined at the combine, running the 40 in 4.89, fourth among defensive tackles, and finishing second in the broad jump (9 feet, 8 inches) and third in the vertical jump (32-0).

Orhorhoro recorded a career-high five sacks last year and can continue to develop as a rotational player on a team's defensive line as a projected Round 3-5 selection.

Landing spots: Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks

MORE: Former Clemson football DT Ruke Orhorhoro has standout day at the NFL scouting combine

LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. NFL draft projection

Trotter started two seasons for Clemson, racking up 177 tackles (28.5 for loss), 13 sacks, 14 pass breakups and four interceptions. He is the son of Jeremiah Trotter, who played 11 seasons in the NFL.

Trotter has the IQ, body control and quickness to track the ball quickly, which helped him lead the Tigers in tackles in two straight seasons. He projects to be a Round 2-4 pick who will immediately impact a team's run defense.

Landing spots: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers

DT Tyler Davis NFL draft projection

Davis spent five seasons with the Tigers, recording 167 tackles (29.5 for loss), 16 sacks and four pass deflections over 56 games. Despite his 6-2, 300-pound frame, he is strong and uses his strength to overcome his small defensive-tackle size. Davis projects to be a Round 3-6 selection who will add a tough run stopper to a defense.

Landing spots: New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers

DE Xavier Thomas NFL draft projection

Thomas played for the Tigers for six seasons, logging 133 tackles (34 for loss, including 17.5 acks) and nine pass deflections. He battled adversity and depression in 2020 that kept him around the Tigers longer than expected. Still, he ran 4.56 seconds at pro day, which would have ranked third among defensive ends in the combine.

Thomas projects as a Round 3-7 pick, who can add explosiveness as an edge rusher.

Landing spots: Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks

MORE: 2024 NFL mock draft: Projecting where all 10 Clemson Tigers prospects will land

CB Sheridan Jones NFL draft projection

Jones had 108 tackles, 10 pass breakups and three interceptions in five seasons at Clemson. His 6-foot, 190-pound frame is the ideal size for an outside cornerback, and his physical playstyle has helped him be a willing tackler in run support. Jones projects as a Round 6-7 pick, who can add depth to a team's secondary and can earn playing time if he develops.

Landing spots: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DE Justin Mascoll NFL draft projection

Mascoll developed into a useful edge rusher in six seasons with the Tigers and would add depth to a roster as a rotational lineman. He projects as a Round 7 or undrafted selection.

Landing spots: Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

S Jalyn Phillips NFL draft projection

Phillips played five seasons with Clemson and missed five games in 2023 because of a shoulder injury. He is the only Tigers player in this draft class who didn't start regularly. He projects as an undrafted pick who will have to battle to earn a roster spot.

Landing spots: Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts

C Will Putnam NFL draft projection

Putnam played two seasons at guard and two at center during his four years starting at Clemson. His versatility is a plus from teams as injuries can decimate an offensive line. He projects as an undrafted selection.

Landing spots: Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants

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: Clemson NFL Draft projections: Best landing spots for top prospects