T.J. Clemmings looks like another first round offensive tackle

It’s been a year of disappointments at the offensive tackle position overall. Cedric Ogbuehi (Texas A&M) hasn’t looked comfortable after switching to left tackle — conceding nearly double-figure sacks. Brandon Scherff (Iowa) is a good run blocker but doesn’t look convincing in pass protection. Cameron Erving (Florida State) hasn’t had the type of season most expected after a comfortable switch from defense to offense. All three players entered the 2014 season as potential top-15 picks. It’s debatable whether they’ll cling onto those grades.

Others have played well enough to enhance their stock. La’el Collins (LSU) is better served at guard at the next level but has had a terrific year at left tackle. Andrus Peat (Stanford) isn’t a punishing, physical player but he’s the best pass-pro pure LT eligible for the 2015 draft. Corey Robinson (South Carolina) has played well enough on a struggling team to warrant day one consideration.

T.J. Clemmings (Pittsburgh) is worth adding to the debate.

Like Erving he’s a defensive convert. He doesn’t have ideal length and that might be an issue. How long are his arms? He’s only listed at around 6-4. And yet watching him is an absolute joy. He’s playing at right tackle in college but that doesn’t mean much. Trent Williams played right tackle at Oklahoma. That’s probably more a review of his limited experience playing offense.

There’s just something about a lineman that loves to get to the second level that feels right. Clemmings doesn’t need an invitation — he flies to the next level and hunts down linebackers to block. He’s incredibly mobile — see the two screens to the right side where he immediately pulls and acts as a roaming blocker. He’s aggressive in the run game and knows how to turn a defender to create leverage. He’s capable of the highlight-reel block — knocking a lineman to the floor and finishing.

Against Duke he wasn’t really tested by a speed rush. We need to see that to evaluate his full upside. He did, however, handle all of the edge rush with credit. He absorbs blocks and doesn’t let up. He can kick slide well enough to consider a move to the left and his footwork looks good. Ideally you’d like to see a bit more of an initial jolt with those hands but he’s going to be a technical work in progress.

Overall he’s just a fun player to watch. I suspect he’ll be equally fun to coach.

Whether his future is on the right or left side — he definitely has first round potential. One to monitor as we move forward.

4 Comments

  1. Peter

    Rob,

    I’m always stoked to see your names of prospects to watch, though you have an uncanny knack for calling people out and having them climb well ahead of the Seahawks draft slot!

    Curious this year any DT’s that stand out to you that make sense in Seattle’s scheme? I know everyone in husky land loves Danny Shelton, but I wonder if he even makes sense for what Seattle does?

    I’ve been going through the game clips over at draft breakdown, but honestly I haven’t seen any DE’s yet that grab me. Markus Golden looks good as you have mentioned but maybe appears a little small for what Seattle looks for? Not enough length perhaps…

    Mostly I have been nerding out on the RB’s and the WR/ Te’s. Past Gurley I’m not sure there is are any RB’s that have complete games to get excited about. Gordon seems a little high in his stance to me, and then there is this cliff that drops off where I could nit pick about ten or so RB’s and find things about those ten I like. I’ve mentioned Devonte Booker (UTah) to you as a pick I like in the fourth round (ish) and past that Josh Robinson (Miss St.)…..other then that it’s a crap shoot to me.

    Can’t wait to hear about WR’s from you and TE’s. I’m pretty damn sure Kevin White will be gone before our first pick, regardless if that pick is at 32 or 17, he just seems legit to me. Hat tip to you for tipping me off to him. Tried to watch one cut up with Sammie Coates, and it’s honestly hard to watch their tapes for me. He looks promising, but They (Auburn) are all over the place with a 3 step drop, no wait a hand off, no wait a slant, no wait a QB designed scramble..honestly he looks like he has great hands, but I can’t get anything from the routes or his foot speed It’s just Nick Marshall chucking it up and Sammie going to get it.

    I’m pretty up on Jaelen Strong and I know you are pretty down on him, if you have a moment could you touch on it I tend to come around to your thinking in time. I tend to think he has his best foot ball in front of him and it seems he can play from multiple spots but that’s just me.

    I’m fairly down on Devin Funchess, basically in a Seahawks nutshell, his highlight real against Michigan State. Starts amazing, then they get down 21-0 and he just checks out and shuts it down from there on out. It’s just drop after drop, not because the coverage got better but it just appears he doesn’t care and that lack of fight worries me.

    And finally before I start watching cut-ups of oline men….Thoughts if any on Devontae Davis? Tony Pauline gave a shout and it’s hard to tell when you are watching a easy 6-2 215 WR with skills at UNLV of all places against NEvada to tell if you are watching something real or a mirage. Likewise I watched the Jordan Taylor cut-up (WR of RIce aka bizarro Kris Durham with zero speed and all hands) they played Texas A&M and he did all these bizarre slow stutter step crossing routes, strange for a guy with clear long speed that they never use, but honestly it’s white guy WR cliche time here…he had some serious hands, just ripping the ball away on basically every pass towards him. I know late round fliers on aren’t always your thing, but for now one of the two above in the 6th would make me very happy,

    Thanks.

  2. redzone086

    Rob, what do you think of a later pick on Nick Orchard from Utah? 6’6″ 260ish. Already 60 tackle on the season playing dt and deeper. Little like Marsh.

    • Rob Staton

      One I need to see more of — he’s definitely on the list.

    • redzone086

      I’ve been trying to Amend this post and it won’t update. Nate Orchard is 6’3″ per his high school coach. He played wide reciever and DE in high school.

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