With the No. 110 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have selected Pittsburgh Panthers offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings. Clemmings is an interesting story, having played defense most of his time at Pittsburgh before becoming an offensive lineman in 2013.
NFL Draft picks 2015: T.J. Clemmings goes to Vikings in 4th round
Clemmings is a work in progress and could still be a day one starter in the NFL.
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Clemmings is 6’5 and 309 pounds, making him the ideal size for a tackle who can move in space. In fact, Clemmings’ best attribute is getting out in front of the play, utilizing his athleticism. Clemmings is an ideal fit for a zone blocking scheme and will be a boon in the screen game.
In only his second year as a tackle, Clemmings earned second-team All-American honors and first-team All-ACC. Clemmings has been a tremendous athlete throughout his life, being a Division I prospect in basketball coming out of high school in New Jersey.
At the NFL Combine in February, Clemmings was a star. The former Pittsburgh star was the best of all offensive linemen with a vertical jump of 32.5 inches and a 4.54 20-yard shuttle. Clemmings also showcased strength by benching 225 pounds 22 times.
Like most players who are fairly new to the position, Clemmings needs to work on technique. Clemmings is projected by most draft experts and former NFL personnel to be a right tackle, before perhaps coming into a left tackle role down the line.
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