Clemson Football 2016 NFL Draft Tracker, Analysis and Results

The Clemson Tigers are coming off a national championship run that fell just short in January, and head coach Dabo Swinney will have to deal with the loss of many of his key players to the 2016 NFL draft. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables will have to look for replacements for many of his defensive starters from last season, including defensive end Shaq Lawson and cornerback Mackensie Alexander.

We will breakdown each Clemson player who is projected to be drafted and also discuss the players who will replace them this fall. 

Note: This NFL draft tracker will be updated as the players are selected.

DE Shaq Lawson

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Drafted: Round 1, Pick 19 to Buffalo

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 270 lbs

Analysis: Lawson was one of the best pass-rushers in this draft class, and he will be a great fit into Rex Ryan's defensive scheme. Ryan's son, Seth, is a wide receiver at Clemson, so the Buffalo head coach has seen plenty of Lawson over the past couple of seasons. 

Replacement: Austin Bryant will almost certainly secure one of the defensive end positions this season, as he performed well against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl after Lawson was forced to leave with a knee injury. He finished 2015 with 22 total tackles, and he figures to be a breakout star for the Tigers this fall.

DE Kevin Dodd

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Drafted: Round 2, Pick 33 to Tennessee

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 275 lbs

Analysis: The Titans selected Dodd with their first pick of the second round, and they are getting a pass-rusher with a lot of upside. He waited his turn at Clemson, but in his first season as the starter he totaled 23.5 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks. Some may worry about his limited body of work, but the Titans will have the opportunity to mold him into a solid NFL player. 

Replacement: Richard Yeargin, whose chances of playing time have been slowed down by a crowd of talent in front of him, will finally get his chance to shine this season. Yeargin redshirted in 2014 and totaled eight tackles and a sack in six games last year.  Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins has been working some at defensive end this spring, so it's possible we could also see him play some end this fall.

CB Mackensie Alexander

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Drafted: Round 2, Pick 54 to Minnesota

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 195 lbs

Analysis: Alexander was an interesting prospect at cornerback. His talent is clear, but he likely fell in the draft due to his size and lack of statistical production at Clemson. Coming out as a third-year sophomore, his body of work isn't quite as extensive as other prospects, but he is a talented defender that Minnesota can develop into a solid corner. 

Replacement: Cordrea Tankersley is the leader of the secondary now, and it will likely be his responsibility to cover the No. 1 receivers from opposing teams. Adrian Baker is projected to lock up the other starting cornerback spot, but a torn ACL could jeopardize that if he isn't back by August. Ryan Carter, Mark Fields and incoming freshman Trayvon Mullen will all push for playing time as well.

S T.J. Green

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Drafted: Round 2, Pick 57 to Indianapolis

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 205 lbs

Analysis: Green is a prototypical defensive back at the next level because of his size and speed, and Mike Chappell of Indysportscentral.com believes he is a first-round talent. The Colts added a defensive back with enough versatility to play either safety or corner.

Replacement: Jadar Johnson is a guy who has made big plays throughout his Clemson career, and Clemson's defense will need the rising senior to continue that this season. Clemson's defensive backfield is taking a hit with the losses of Alexander, Kearse and Green, so Clemson will heavily count on guys like Johnson in 2016.

LB B.J. Goodson

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Drafted: Round 4, Pick 109 to New York Giants

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 250 lbs

Analysis: Goodson waited his turn behind former Clemson linebacker Stephone Anthony, but he made the most of his opportunity to shine in 2015 with 108 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. He is a magnet to the ball that plays with a lot of intensity. The Giants needed to draft a linebacker, and they got a good one with this selection.  

Replacement: The Tigers will turn to Kendall Joseph at middle linebacker in 2016, and the spring game was a strong first showing for the rising sophomore as he notched seven tackles. It's possible that weak-side linebacker Ben Boulware shifts to the middle spot, but an impressive spring from Joseph will likely lock him into a spot once summer practices come around. 

DT D.J. Reader

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Drafted: Round 5, Pick 166 to Houston

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 325 lbs

Analysis: Reader did not begin last season with Clemson because of personal reasons, but he was effective in the six games he played. He had a strong week of Senior Bowl practices, and he is an underrated talent because of his size. Houston's defensive line is already one of the best, but Reader will provide some depth in the middle. 

Replacement: With Reader gone, the Tigers will likely rely on Scott Pagano once again. Pagano played pretty well during Reader's absence, but he will be challenged by rising sophomore Christian Wilkins and highly touted freshman Dexter Lawrence. 

WR Charone Peake

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Drafted: Round 7, Pick 241 to New York Jets

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 215 lbs

Analysis: It was a little surprising to see Peake drop to the seventh round. He has the ideal combination of size and speed, as he ran a 4.37 in his 40-yard dash at Clemson's pro day. He has a lot of potential, but it will likely take him a year or so to sit and develop. 

Replacement: If you didn't know who Hunter Renfrow was in December, you certainly remembered his name after he hauled in two early touchdown catches from Deshaun Watson in the national championship game. Renfrow will likely take over the starting role that Peake leaves vacant, and along with Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, Clemson's offense appears fully loaded. 

S Jayron Kearse

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Drafted: Round 7, Pick 244 to Minnesota

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 220 lbs

Analysis: A slow 40 time and a below-average end to the 2015 season likely dropped Kearse to the seventh round, but he is a good pick because of his upside. He has good range at 6'5", and he is a physical safety that can be a force against the run. The problem is getting Kearse to play consistent though. He will join former teammate Alexander in Minnesota, who was selected in the second round. 

Replacement: Van Smith appeared in 14 games and recorded 19 total tackles and an interception last season as a freshman. He is an aggressive safety who likes to be around the ball, and that usually bodes well for a Venables-led defense. 

RB Zac Brooks

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Drafted: Round 7, Pick 247 to Seattle

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 200 lbs

Analysis: Brooks makes the third running back taken by Seattle with a seventh-round selection, so he will have plenty of competition once camp starts. He projects to the NFL because of his quickness and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. 

Replacement: Gallman will once again be the starting running back for the Tigers, but it is Adam Choice who will replace Brooks as the backup running back. He was arguably the best-looking player in Clemson's spring game, and he was impressive in 2014 before tearing his ACL and missing the rest of the year. 

OL Eric Mac Lain

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Drafted: Undrafted

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 315 lbs

Analysis: Mac Lain was a huge part of Clemson's offensive success in 2015, and he was undoubtedly one of the leaders inside the locker room. His passion for the game and leadership will draw some interests from teams, but don't expect him to be drafted any higher than the seventh round. Jamie Newberg of CBSSports.com notes that Mac Lain would be a good development prospect, saying that "for some team that is really looking ahead and has a season or two to develop Mac Lain, they could certainly get a return on their investment."

Replacement: Rising junior Maverick Morris will likely take over at left guard, as he started three games in 2015 at right guard. The Clemson offensive line figures to be one of the best in the ACC next season, and Morris is one of the more experienced players returning.