NFL Draft News & Analysis

2018 Prospect Preview: Christian Wilkins returns for defending National Champ Clemson

CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 05: Christian Wilkins #42 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after making a tackle during the game against the Syracuse Orange at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images)

  • Clemson interior defender Christian Wilkins is coming off a strong year (83.0 overall grade) and currently a Day 2 prospect on the PFF Big Board.
  • Wilkins actually ended up playing more on the edge (79.5 percent of snaps) with teammates Dexter Lawrence and Carlos Watkins producing in their own right.
  • Wilkins was dominant against the run as his 84.7 run defense grade showed but was also athletic enough to lead the nation with nine batted passes.
  • While Wilkins wasn’t spectacular as a pass-rusher (78.2 pass-rush grade), he was effective when it counted on third downs – ranking No. 6 in the draft class with a pass rush productivity of 16.1.
  • Wilkins projects inside as possibly a 3-technique, but it would be nice to see more snaps of proven production from the interior.

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