Clemson is hosting its Pro Day today, but it probably won’t do much to affect the draft stock of the team’s two biggest names.
Sammy Watkins, Clemson’s star wide receiver, had a great college career and a great Combine and is a sure-thing high draft pick regardless of anything that happens at any workouts over the next two months. And the questions facing Tajh Boyd, Clemson’s starting quarterback for the last three years, aren’t really questions he can answer at a Pro Day.
NFL Network’s Mike Mayock considers Watkins not just the best receiver in this year’s draft but one of the most complete wide receivers to come out of college in many years.
“He’s one of the best wide receivers I’ve seen on tape in the last 10 years,” Mayock said. “Because his Combine was so good a couple weeks ago, I think all he’s going to do is catch the football, and if he doesn’t get hurt he’s a Top 10 pick.”
As for Boyd, Mayock said he’ll need some time to learn how to play quarterback in an NFL offense.
“He’s highly inconsistent from an accuracy perspective and his pocket awareness is the big problem -- as soon as he sees a flash of color anywhere, he’s out of the pocket,” Mayock said. “He’s a little bit of a developmental pick and I think he’ll go late in the draft. I hope the team that drafts him has a plan, because he does have some ability, but he’s not going to go until late.”
Expect Roger Goodell to call Watkins’s name early on Thursday, May 8, and Boyd’s name to show up on the ticker some time on Saturday, May 10.