2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Pittsburgh OT T.J. Clemmings
T.J. CLEMMINGS- 6’6, 315- RS SR.
Though he hasn’t been discussed too much by national draft experts thus far, Pittsburgh right tackle T.J. Clemmings should be one of the most interesting prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft class. For starters, Clemmings is going to be overlooked by some because of the position he plays; left tackles always get the most attention, even if there are right tackles that are just as good technically and athletically. Both of those qualities ring true for Clemmings, and he could vault himself up to the first round if he builds up enough hype over the next four months.
Clemmings has proven himself as a talented athlete, and he’s actually rather raw as an offensive lineman. Clemmings was a Division I basketball prospect in high school, and he didn’t even start playing football until his junior year. After being nudged into the sport, he became the top prospect in the state of New Jersey at defensive end and the sixth overall prospect at the position in the entire country.
After playing in 16 games at defensive end and starting six during his first three years in the Pittsburgh program, Clemmings was moved to the offensive line by head coach Paul Chryst as the Panthers prepared for their bowl game in 2012. Despite some initial struggles in grasping position due to his lack of experience there, even as a high schooler, Clemmings was able to establish himself enough to become Pitt’s starting right tackle by their 2013 opener. 25 games later, he was named a second-team All-American by the FWAA.
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Clemmings takes great advantage of his size and exerts plenty of physicality at the tackle position. He’s a very talented run blocker who will drive defenders into the ground, and though he’s still developing his pass-blocking skills, his athleticism obviously gives him a good chance to succeed in that area, also.
One player who could provide inspiration for Clemmings is Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James, who was the 19th overall selection in this past year’s draft. James, who played right tackle for his entire college career at Tennessee, was not frequently discussed as one of the top tackles in the draft. In the end, however, James ended up being selected ahead of several more-discussed left tackles, including Alabama’s Cyrus Kouandjio, who had been labeled by many as a surefire first-rounder.
Due to his lack of exposure at Pitt, Clemmings’ draft stock will probably depend a lot on his performance at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. If he can take advantage of those opportunities, don’t be surprised to see Clemmings go at some point in the first round.
POSITIVES: very good size, prototypical tackle build…highly athletic background, still has plenty of room to develop at the tackle position…drives and blocks to the whistle…very physical, possesses a powerful punch…sits back and uses his weight well on pass blocks…very fluid movement on pulls…does a great job of getting to the second level and will square up and make contact…good angle blocker, can effectively handle a five-technique end in a 3-4 defense…considering his willingness to move to offense after starting at defensive end, should be a low-maintenance, coachable player.
NEGATIVES: has been limited to the right tackle position during his college career, and is generally inexperienced, having started just 25 college games on the offensive line…feet aren’t slow, but not the quickest either…needs to get quicker when dealing with edge rushers in a 3-4 defense, tends to chase when going up against a left outside linebacker…could stand to get more knee bend in his two-point stance…may be tougher to take the proper time to develop him considering that he’s already 23 years old.
2014 Outlook: Clemmings started all 12 games at right tackle for Pittsburgh during 2014 and was named a second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America while helping running back James Conner to an ACC-leading 1,675 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. Clemmings and the Panthers will take on the Houston Cougars in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on January 2.
Talent Grade: First Round
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Rams Role: If the Rams lose right tackle Joe Barksdale in free agency, Clemmings would be a plug-and-play replacement. He’s probably more of a second round prospect right now due to his relative inexperience and the fact that he’s been limited to right tackle. However, with his athletic background, it’s easy to see a scenario where the combine shoots his draft stock way up, perhaps as high as the range of the Rams’ first pick at 10th overall. This would be similar to the scenario we saw play out last year when James, previously overshadowed as a draft prospect by his left tackle, Antonio Richardson, really established himself with a strong combine and vaulted himself to the 19th overall pick.
Clemmings seems perfectly capable of stepping right in and starting, though the same overly cautious Rams coaching staff that sat number two overall pick Greg Robinson for the first four games of 2014 may want to give Clemmings some time to develop if they selected him. Assuming that they would be selecting him to replace Barksdale, the staff could bridge the gap between their incumbent and Clemmings either by signing a veteran, like they did with Davin Joseph at the guard position in 2014, or bouncing guard Rodger Saffold, who spent the first three-and-a-half years of his career at tackle, back out to his former position.
As far as his scheme fit, Clemmings is a great match, as he possesses great ferocity and run blocking skills. He may be a little light for the Rams’ taste, as most of the linemen they’ve acquired under Jeff Fisher’s watch have been in the 330-pound range.
Film Watched: vs. Duke (2014), vs. Miami (FL) [2014], vs. Georgia Tech (2014), vs. Florida State (2014)
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