2024 NFL mock draft: Projecting where all 10 Clemson Tigers prospects will land
CLEMSON — The NFL Draft is finally here, starting with Round 1 on Thursday, Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday and Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday.
Ten Clemson football players hope to receive a call from one of 32 teams that will allow them to realize their childhood dreams. One of them is cornerback Nate Wiggins, who is projected to be first-round selection. Another is linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., whose father was drafted in the third round in 1998 and played 11 seasons in the NFL.
Here are the best fits for all 10 Clemson players in the NFL draft:
CB Nate Wiggins to the Arizona Cardinals in Round 1
Like in Tuesday's mock draft, the Cardinals will select Wiggins. Clemson's top prospect has blazing speed, running a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and has the technique and coverage abilities to start immediately opposite of free-agent signing Sean Murphy-Bunting.
With picks 27 or 35 (second round), Arizona may have two chances to land Wiggins, who had more interceptions last year (two) than any Cardinals cornerbacks.
MORE: Where will Clemson football's Nate Wiggins go in 2024 NFL draft? Here are top 5 landing spots
DT Ruke Orhorhoro to the Los Angeles Rams in Round 2
Future Pro Football Hall of Famer Aaron Donald retired in the offseason, leaving a gaping hole in the interior or the Rams' defense. Second-year player Kobie Turner impressed in his rookie season but will need help as Donald took on double- and triple-teams last season.
With pick 52, Los Angeles can draft Orhorhoro, who had 25 tackles (eight for loss) and five sacks last season. He impressed at the NFL Combine and can be a versatile piece for the Rams since he lined up at multiple positions with the Tigers.
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to the Seattle Seahawks in Round 3
The Seahawks need a young spark in their linebacker room after losing Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks. They signed Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson to one-year deals this offseason, but there isn't much experience behind them, and both may not return next season.
Seattle can select Trotter with pick 81, and he can develop under first-year coach Mike Macdonald, who coached Pro Bowl linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen as the Ravens defensive coordinator for the past two years. All three are hard-nosed, high-IQ players who love tackling.
MORE: Where will Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. go in NFL draft? Top 5 landing spots
RB Will Shipley to the Kansas Chiefs in Round 5
Coming off their second straight Super Bowl victory, the Chiefs can improve at running back. They have star running back Isiah Pacheco and re-signed 2020 first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but they let pass-catching threat Jerick McKinnon walk as a free agent.
With one of its two fifth-round selections (picks 159 and 173), Kansas City can add Shipley, who ran 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Clemson’s pro day and can play running back, receiver and kick returner like McKinnon.
MORE: Where will Clemson RB Will Shipley go in NFL draft? Top 5 landing spots
DT Tyler Davis to the San Francisco 49ers in Round 5
For the 49ers to make it back to the Super Bowl, they will need to improve their run defense. In their final four games last season, they allowed over 100 rushing yards in each game, including nearly 150 per game in the playoffs.
With pick 176, San Francisco can select Davis, who recorded 34 tackles (3.5 for loss) in 13 games last season, and he can play alongside defensive tackles Jordan Elliot, Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave.
MORE: Top five NFL draft landing spots for Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis
DE Xavier Thomas to the New Orleans Saints in Round 5
The Saints had 34 sacks last season, which tied for the fifth fewest in the NFL. Cameron Jordan will be 35 when the new season starts, 2021 first-round pick Payton Turner has not panned out and Zach Baun left in free agency.
With one of its four fifth-round selections (picks 150, 168, 170 and 175), New Orleans can select Thomas, who is an explosive edge rusher, ran 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Clemson's pro day and has the makings to be a late-round steal.
MORE: Here are Clemson football’s Top 5 'steals' in the NFL Draft under coach Dabo Swinney
CB Sheridan Jones to the Kansas City Chiefs in Round 7
The Chiefs have used their seventh-round pick on a defensive back in the past two drafts. After trading standout cornerback L'Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans, there is a need to strengthen their secondary.
With pick 221, Kansas City can draft Jones, whose 6-foot, 190-pound size is like the cornerbacks it has selected in the past two years (CB Nic Jones in 2022; DB Nazeeh Johnson in 2023).
C Will Putnam undrafted to Carolina Panthers
Panthers can sign Putnam, who played two seasons at guard and two at center during his four years as a starter along Clemson's offensive line, to an undrafted rookie free-agent deal.
Carolina center Austin Corbett will be 29 when the season starts, has one year left on his contract and has dealt with several injuries. Signing Putnam allows the versatile lineman to compete for a roster spot while evaluating his skill set.
S Jalyn Phillips undrafted to Buffalo Bills
The Bills can sign Phillips, who recorded 26 tackles (two for loss), one sack and four pass deflections over nine games (eight starts) last season, and he can compete for a roster spot.
Buffalo lost long-time safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde this offseason and needs to rebuild its depth.
MORE: Top five NFL draft landing spots for Clemson safety Jalyn Phillips
DE Justin Mascoll undrafted to Chicago Bears
The Bears recorded the second-fewest sacks last season with 30. They traded for Montez Sweat last season and need to find someone to play opposite him.
Chicago will likely fill the need earlier in the draft, but signing Mascoll can add potential rotational depth on an undrafted rookie free-agent deal. He had 20 tackles and one sack as an edge rusher in his first season as Clemson's full-time starter last season.
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: Clemson Tigers prospects projections
