Quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receiver Mike Williams headlined Clemson's pro day on Thursday in hopes of boosting their stock ahead of the 2017 NFL draft.
The overall consensus Thursday was that Watson did little to build upon his strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, while Williams helped solidify his status as one of the draft's elite wideouts.
Watson focused on throwing at Clemson's pro day, and there was a massive crowd in attendance to evaluate him, as seen in this video courtesy of Fox Carolina's Aaron Cheslock:
Aaron Cheslock @AaronCheslockPacked house of NFL scouts to watch QB Deshaun Watson at #Clemson Pro Day. @foxcarolinanews
The reigning, two-time Davey O'Brien Award winner threw the ball roughly 60 times, per Dan Hope of the Independent Mail, and aimed to show he can make every pass necessary to be an NFL quarterback.
Some of his best moments came on shorter throws, such as this play-action pass into the flat as provided by D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
D. Orlando Ledbetter @DOrlandoAJC#Clemson QB Deshaun Watson play-action fake and pass to RB in the flat.
He had some lapses, though, including this miss on what should have been an easy deep throw:
D. Orlando Ledbetter @DOrlandoAJC#Clemson QB Deshaun Watson with an over throw.
According to Hope, Watson's results were fairly mixed, which likely did little to establish him as a surefire top pick:
Dan Hope @Dan_HopeCounted eight missed throws for Deshaun Watson at #ClemsonProDay. Had some nice downfield throws too, but probably didn't raise stock today.
Matt Connolly of the State agreed that Watson was far from his best Thursday:
Matt Connolly @MattatTheStateDeshaun Watson isn't at his sharpest in throwing session- been high on a few throws and threw behind Mike Williams incomplete.
Despite all of his collegiate success, including winning a national title over Alabama, one of the biggest knocks on Watson has been a perceived lack of velocity.
Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com believed that issue was once again on display at Clemson's pro day:
Tony Pauline @TonyPauline2- Deshaun Watson solid thus far but I thought he threw better at combine. Lack of ball speed glaring
Although Watson was hit and miss, his top target had an excellent day, especially in terms of showcasing his speed.
Williams opted against running the 40-yard dash at the combine, but he did so at Clemson's pro day and turned in impressive times of 4.50 seconds and 4.49 seconds:
Aaron Cheslock @AaronCheslockWR Mike Williams ran his 1st 40-yd dash at 4.50, his 2nd at 4.49 at #Clemson Pro Day. @foxcarolinanews
ESPN's Todd McShay believed that likely helped Williams immensely in terms of securing a top selection in the draft among receivers:
Todd McShay @McShay13Clemson WR Mike Williams making some money today running his 40's in the low 4.5's at 6-4, 218. Raw route runner but has top-tier traits!
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller also passed along a glowing endorsement he heard in reference to Williams:
Matt Miller @nfldraftscoutScout at the Clemson pro day just text me that Mike Williams is another Michael Thomas. (That's a compliment)
Speed is hugely important for wide receivers at the NFL level, especially when it's combined with the type of size, physicality and leaping ability that Williams possesses.
Per Pauline, however, Williams' showing in drills suggests he can stand to become a more complete receiver:
Tony Pauline @TonyPaulineEarly takeaways from Clemson pro-day: 1- Mike Williams catching the ball really well but his routes are below par.
While Williams wasn't perfect at Clemson's pro day, a tweet he sent following the outing seemed to signal that he was happy with his performance:
Mike Williams @darealmike_dubDon't doubt me !!! đź‘€
Williams is part of a deep and talented receiver class, and he is in a tight battle with Western Michigan's Corey Davis and Washington's John Ross to be the first wideout off the board.
He may not have guaranteed the top receiver slot Thursday, but Williams likely cemented his status as a prospect who will come off the board at some point in the first half of the first round.
As for Watson, he and North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky have seemingly established themselves as the best quarterbacks in the draft.
Neither has received a top-tier grade from most draft prognosticators, but with teams like the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears both picking high and needing a franchise quarterback, one or both signal-callers could be reached for.
Watson didn't light up the field Thursday, though, which means Trubisky may have a chance to seize the top spot at UNC's pro day March 21.
Post-Pro Day Reaction
While Watson received mixed reviews, NFL Network's Mike Mayock came away impressed by his performance, according to NFL.com's Chase Goodbread:
They really highlighted movement starting under center. A lot of waggle, bootlegs, sprintout. But his footwork was much improved because they're working on the feet and the hips, trying to sync that up with his arm strength. Now his arm strength at all three levels is outstanding—short, medium, deep. He had a little bit more trajectory on the football, another thing they worked on. A quick overview on Watson would be very impressive workout. One caution—like most spread quarterbacks, his accuracy is tied to his feet. His feet are a work in progress. But this is a kid you really want to work for. He's a bright-eyed kid that plays his best football under the bright lights. Really strong day for Deshaun Watson.
Per NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, a scout in attendance didn't feel Watson looked as good as Mayock did:
Daniel Jeremiah @MoveTheSticksScout at Clemson on Watson's day: Average day. Inconsistent timing/placement...solid on deep ball. It was a B-/C+ type workout.
Despite potential concerns about Watson's ability to translate to the NFL level, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has no doubt that a team will target him early in the 2017 NFL draft:
Dan Hope @Dan_Hope#Clemson coach Dabo Swinney on Deshaun Watson's NFL draft stock: "He won't be sitting there long. Don't believe all the stuff you hear."
With regard to Williams, Swinney gave the wide receiver a ringing endorsement as well, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer:
Joe Person @josephpersonDabo Swinney: "We had the Mike Williams rule. If there's 1 (DB) on him he's wide open. If there's 2 they better be real close."
The wait for Watson and Williams will conclude when the 2017 NFL draft commences on April 27.
