T.J. Clemmings: Browns Draft Profile
By Paul Noel
The Cleveland Browns season is over. We will spend a good amount of time reviewing the season but we will spend even more time preparing for the off-season. Browns 2015 NFL Draft seems ready to be a very interesting one for the team. With 10 picks, including two in the first round, the Browns are ready to make noise again for the second year in a row.
Instead the 2014 started off strong and ended with a thud. Last year the Browns draft included a big trade down and the drafting of Johnny Manziel. While the first round hasn’t panned out yet, the rest of the draft seems to be great. It is likely that GM Ray Farmer and Head Coach Mike Pettine see a greater need for more veteran talent on a very young roster and we expect them to be aggressive in seeking to bring in that talent during Browns free agency.
After free agency we wouldn’t be surprised if the Browns tried to trade their picks to move up, to get another veteran or went with best player available instead of drafting for need. Farmer did this last year when he drafted Joel Bitonio, Terrance West, Christian Kirksey and others instead of drafting a wide receiver. We could see that again.
In preparation for such we will be taking a look at certain players that we think the Browns could target. Keep in mind we are not saying that these are players they are targeting, although some rumors may start to leak of the Browns having interest in them, instead these are players that we think the Browns could or should have interest in. Our profile will try to include as much information as possible to prepare you for the NFL Draft.
NFL DRAFT PROFILE LIST
Name
Position
Offensive Tackle
Height/Weight
6’6″, 316 lbs
School
Pittsburgh Panthers
Stats
N/A
2014 NFL Draft Comparison
Ja’Wuan James– 19th overall (Dolphins) – T.J. Clemmings is comparable in size and speed to that of the 19th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft Ja’Wuan James. James is quick off the snap and shows the ability to slide to protect the edge against a wide variety of speed rushers that he saw while playing for Tennessee in the SEC. James plays with ideal form putting him in good position to shuffle laterally as well as anchor against a quality bull-rush. James is powerful at the point of attack and has the strength to drive defenders off the ball, and has the quickness to peeling off and get to the second level.
2015 NFL Draft Range
10-20 Range 1st Round – The 2015 NFL Draft has great depth along the Offensive lines, and T.J. Clemmings is a raw talent that in starting to climb into the conversation as being among the top in this draft class. Clemmings was a highly touted defensive end prospect out of New Jersey and started his career with the Panthers in that spot. He played well as a true freshman, but Pittsburgh opted to make a switch due in part to his ideal size, strength and athleticism. Clemmings made the moved to the offensive line and was redshirted for a season after-which he stepped in to the right tackle position and played every game of his last two years with the Panthers. Clemmings has all the tools necessary to be a great tackle and can play and adapt to any scheme. Clemmings got experience at Pittsburgh in both gap and zone concepts due in part to his size and athleticism.
Fit with the Browns
Clemmings is an ideal fit for the Browns. He shows great quickness, balance, and strength to get to the second level when performing run blocking, and has a quick first step and shows the ability to slide to protect the edge.
- Run Blocking – Clemmings is a strong and athletic run blocker that is consistently able to create problems for defenders with his quick burst. Clemmings is still raw at the positions and is developing some of the finer techniques of his game. He needs to get more experience, but Clemmings has the necessary skills to be an immediate impact player. Clemmings consistently is able to drive opponents off of the ball and create running lanes for the running back. Clemmings explodes off the line, initiates contact, extends his arms and churns his feet to drive defenders down the field. (Clemmings is at Right Tackle, #68, pushes defender inside.)
- Pass Protection – Clemmings already shows the necessary skills to be a solid pass blocker, his quick burst is ideal to get a first step on the edge defender and his footwork is adequate for the tackle positions. Clemmings effectively mirrors his opponents and is able to change directions and shift his weight without becoming unbalanced and allowing the defender to get the edge. Clemmings anchors well with his size and strength and can hold and drive back defenders; his technique of keeping his hands inside and using his nature arm length is key to his success as an effective pass blocker. (Clemmings is at Right Tackle, #68, pushes defender outside.)
Browns Player Selection Could Impact
Mitchell Schwartz – Mitchell Schwartz did a lackluster job in 2014 giving up 7 sacks, 3 QB hits, and 12 QB hurries on the right side of the offensive line. Schwartz is a serviceable player but would be better suited to slide to the left and occupy the right guard position if the Browns choose to select Clemmings. If Schwartz moves to the Right Guard position that would free up veteran John Greco to be used as a role player along the line and fill in as a depth player. In 2014 the Browns offensive line suffered some major injuries to key players and exposed their lack of depth, Greco would be ideal as a role player because he can play multiple positions on the offensive line.
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How Selection Could Be Impacted By Free Agency
If the Browns choose to look at offensive line in free agency they will be less incline to use a high pick in the draft to fix their offensive line woes. The Browns have a number of needs to address in the off-season, but wide receiver and defensive line seem to be at the top of the list. Signing a free agent Guard or Tackle would address the needs along the line and allow the Browns to concentrate on finding a wide receiver or interior defensive tackle in the higher portions of the draft.
Priority
Medium-High – The Browns are a running team and need to continue to upgrade their offensive line, not to mention the Browns once again have question marks at Quarterback and solidifying the line can help them develop a passer. Drafting an upgrade at the right tackle spot would be an ideal move for the Browns, and what Clemmings lacks in his overall rawness at the position he makes up for with the necessary strength and quickness needed to run the football in the AFC North.
What do you think about targeting T.J. Clemmings in the 2015 NFL Draft?
The video clips were provided courtesy of DraftBreakdown.com