NFL
NFL Prospect Preview: CFP National Championship
Take a look at some additional prospects to watch as #1 LSU takes on the reigning National Champion, #3 Clemson, in the College Football Playoff Final.
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After an entertaining semifinal round that saw a record-setting offensive explosion and a last-minute finish, today is the day a Tiger will be crowned National Champion, as the vaunted offense of #1 LSU will take on the battle-tested, reigning National Champion, #3 Clemson.
Before the Peach and Fiesta Bowl Semifinals, we took a look at the top-three prospects from each team, which covered most of the household names many people already knew — QB Joe Burrow, LB Isaiah Simmons, S Grant Delpit, RB Travis Etienne, among others. Now we’re going to go a bit deeper and take a look at the next three draft-eligible prospects from each team in order of pro potential. While several of them could potentially stay in school for an extra season, these players have made enough noise throughout their careers that they will have a very difficult decision to make in the weeks following this game.
Entering the 2019 season, K’Lavon Chaisson had a lot to prove. After being named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2017, he was expected to burst onto the scene as his teammate, EDGE Arden Key, had just set the school sack record (11.0) and was selected in the 3rd round of the 2018 Draft. Instead, he spent his sophomore year rehabbing a torn ACL suffered in LSU’s season-opening win over Miami (FL).
Long and incredibly athletic, Chaisson is a terror off of the edge with devastating burst and quickness. At 6’5″, 240 pounds, he possesses a prototypical 3-4 OLB build and is comfortable dropping into coverage on occasion. Totaling 13.5 tackles for loss (2nd in SEC) and 6.5 sacks (T-6th), Chaisson not only generates consistent pressure on the quarterback, but he also wreaks havoc in the run game despite a slimmer build. He continues to improve with each game down the stretch, accumulating 4.5 sacks over the last three contests (Texas A&M, Georgia, Oklahoma). Chaisson is far from a finished product, but his length, athleticism, and pass rushing prowess make for an enticing EDGE prospect that should garner first-round consideration.
Projection: 1st/2nd Round
QB Joe Burrow wasn’t the only record-breaker in the Peach Bowl — 4 of his 7 first-half touchdown passes went to WR Justin Jefferson, who also shattered CFP Semifinal records for receptions (14) and receiving yards (227), bringing his season totals to 102 receptions (3rd in FBS), 1,434 yards (3rd), and 18 touchdowns (1st).
If it weren’t obvious, Jefferson is a bonafide deep threat. He has plenty of tools at his disposal — size, speed, fluid hips, a wide catch radius — but seems to rely a bit too heavily on his contested catch ability. Using his hands more aggressively on his release could benefit greatly, as he sometimes allows himself to get re-routed by more physical DBs.
It would come as no surprise if Jefferson were able to emerge from a talented and deep receiver class, but he could also benefit from another season playing alongside WRs Ja’Marr Chase, Terrance Marshall, and company. Neither decision would be considered the wrong one, as LSU’s intricate offensive scheme should have him well-prepared for the next level if this is his final collegiate game.
Projection: 1st/2nd Round
Don’t let the thumbnail fool you — at 6’1″, 190 pounds, AJ Terrell possesses the length, athletic profile, instincts, and multiplicity that defensive coordinators love. In the mold of the typical Clemson CB, Terrell is intelligent, versatile, and physical. He is a willing tackler that does not shy away from contact, regardless of any size discrepancy. Playing primarily on the outside, Terrell has also spent a lot of time in the slot and even at safety.
In addition to great size and length, he gets very physical with receivers at the LOS. He uses his length effectively to jam and re-route receivers while maintaining the discipline to react to the route rather than guess it. Great at disrupting routes and attacking the catch point, his experience as a former WR is evident once the ball is in the air. A solid man-to-man corner from day one, Terrell’s length and physicality alone should make him a day-two selection at the least.
Projection: 2nd Round
Much like the rest of the LSU offense, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire has undergone quite the transformation himself. On just 53 additional carries this season (146 to 199), he has nearly doubled his rushing output with nine more touchdowns and increased his per-carry average from 4.5 to 6.6. Starting in late October against #9 Auburn, Edwards-Helaire went on a four-game run where he totaled nearly 600 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on just 75 attempts (12.3 average).
In line with LSU’s passing explosion, Edwards-Helaire has also evolved into one of the most well-rounded backs in the entire country. Despite his stocky build (5’8, 210 pounds), he has grown immensely as a receiver. After just 14 total receptions in his first two seasons, his 50 catches this season ranked 4th in the nation among RBs. In that previously mentioned four-game stretch, he also accumulated 215 receiving yards on 27 catches and one touchdown, bringing his four-game total to 814 yards and 9 touchdowns (rushing and receiving).
Though he might not possess the breakaway speed and game-changing athleticism like some other backs in this class, Edwards-Helaire is a very strong, balanced runner with sure hands and an impressive downhill running style. He won’t steal the show at the Combine, but make no mistake — Clyde Edwards-Helaire has all the tools of a three-down back. He has been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury as of late, but hopefully the two-week break was enough to get him to full strength.
Projection: 2nd/3rd Round
Another versatile Clemson DB, K’Von Wallace splits time between strong safety, free safety, and nickel corner and can line up in any of those spots on any given play. He is an intelligent defender with a high level of awareness who can comfortably switch between assignments on a play-to-play basis. His length and size, however, do limit his perceived ceiling.
More of a “roamer” than a coverage DB, Wallace likes to operate in space, closer to the line of scrimmage rather than playing centerfield, and his aggressive ballcarrier pursuit makes his presence worthwhile. The Combine will go a long way towards projecting his ceiling, but based purely off of game film, its hard to imagine a team taking him before the late-2nd round. The NFL simply does not value the safety position as much and he does not appear to possess the athleticism, range, or ball skills to compensate for his lack of size.
Projection: 3rd/4th Round
Although he had to wait for Clemson’s three (!!!) first-round DL to finally leave, Nyles Pinckney stepped into a role with unreal expectations and performed admirably. At 6’1″, 300 pounds, he is very thickly built and has active hands and feet, maneuvering well in traffic. A stout interior run stuffer with a raw pass rushing arsenal, his projection for the next level depends heavily on what scheme he is drafted into. He could either accentuate his current strengths and continue filling out his frame to become a two-gap force, or develop his pass rushing skills to become a more dynamic interior presence. On a side note, he did suffer a lower body injury in the Fiesta Bowl victory, but has assured reporters he will be ready to go on Monday night.
Projection: Late Rounds
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