Clemson's comeback from a double-digit, second-half deficit to beat defending champion Alabama in the national title game was a tremendous end to the college football season.
What caught my eye were the draft-eligible prospects on Clemson's offense who saved the Tigers in the second half -- quarterback Deshaun Watson, wide receiver Mike Williams and tight end Jordan Leggett. (Sorry, Hunter Renfrow -- my MVP of the game -- but you're just a sophomore.) Watson and Williams are underclassmen who are entering the 2017 draft, while Leggett is a senior.
Here's where I see those three -- plus running back Wayne Gallman, who didn't have a great game like the others -- being drafted in April:
One note to keep in mind: A lot can change between now and draft day on April 27. We still don't have accurate measurements or 40-yard dash times for any of the underclassmen who are entering the draft, and there's still time for prospects to impress at pro days and the combine. What I write below is where I see them getting drafted as of right now.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson
National title game stats: 36-of-56 passing for 420 yards, 43 rushing yards, four total TDs (three passing)
Watson had an up-and-down season, and I thought he took a step back in decision-making from his stellar sophomore season. His 17 interceptions -- and 30 over the past two seasons -- are worrisome. He has shown that he can make every throw that an NFL quarterback needs to make, but his lapses in decision-making hurt Clemson in the middle of the season. He didn't play like a first-round pick. He was much, much better down the stretch of the season, including on Monday night, but scouts aren't going to overreact to one game, good or bad. They'll take his entire tape into account.
