4.110 Vikings select OL- TJ Clemmings Pittsburgh

[Pondering Her Percy]

Vikings selected Pittsburgh OT T.J. Clemmings with the No. 110 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
Clemmings was viewed by many as a fringe first-round prospect, but fell because of reports of concerns with his foot. On top of the injury, he's a project as a pass blocker. Clemmings (6'5/309) was a decorated high school basketball recruit and began his college career at defensive end before converting to right tackle as a junior. He made 26 starts there for the Panthers, earning first-team All ACC as a senior. Clemmings has huge hands (10 3/8") vines for arms (35 1/8"), and is an elite athlete for the position with 5.14 speed, a 32 1/2-inch vertical, and a 9-foot-3 broad jump. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein -- the media's premier O-Line evaluator -- believes Clemmings "has the physical traits to become a Pro Bowl left tackle" and likened him to stud Texans LT Duane Brown.

Excellent pick. Many had a 2nd round grade on him. He could definitely play inside or outside.

[mondry]

So he played basketball, then defensive line and now offensive tackle. The good news is, that can explain a lot of the issues he had at the senior bowl, he's simply not polished as an offensive lineman yet but it looks like he's working hard and getting some good coaching. This guy could be a real steal and great player for us down the road if he can figure things out.

[Rus]

This is clearly a great value pick. Clemmings can eventually back up all over the line, but he projects to a RT. And at some point, Loadholt is probably going to start to decline. Clemmings needs a year or two of development and he'll be right there when Loadholt hits the other side of 30 and may start to decline. And the Vikings backup tackle depth is basically just Mike Harris and some guys who should be guards.

[fiestavike]

I'm excited about this pick and also the Tyrus Thomas Pick. I think both those guys have some real potential.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I'm excited about this pick and also the Tyrus Thomas Pick. I think both those guys have some real potential.

Not to be picky but it's Thompson not Thomas

[fiestavike]

Not to be picky but it's Thompson not Thomas

Thanks!

[dead_poet]

T.J. Clemmings - T - Panthers

Despite having slipped to the Vikings in the fourth round, NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock maintains that Pittsburgh OT T.J. Clemmings "is a starting right tackle in this league Day 1."

It's high praise, and a non-subtle hint to Matt Kalil and Phil Loadholt that they better get ready for competition, but Mayock did add that Clemmings has "a lot of work to do, especially in technique." Clemmings has a stress fracture in his foot, probably the primary reason that he fell from potential Round 1 pick into Day 2. "He played extremely well as an offensive tackle at Pitt in games," Mayock said. "Went to the Senior Bowl and got undressed. Why? Because he's only been an offensive player for two years. He's very raw from a technique perspective." NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah added that Clemmings is "a right tackle who can really help you in the run game. That's going to take a lot of pressure off their young quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater)."
Source: NFL.com

[Mothman]

T.J. Clemmings - T - Panthers

Despite having slipped to the Vikings in the fourth round, NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock maintains that Pittsburgh OT T.J. Clemmings "is a starting right tackle in this league Day 1."

It's high praise, and a non-subtle hint to Matt Kalil and Phil Loadholt that they better get ready for competition, but Mayock did add that Clemmings has "a lot of work to do, especially in technique." Clemmings has a stress fracture in his foot, probably the primary reason that he fell from potential Round 1 pick into Day 2. "He played extremely well as an offensive tackle at Pitt in games," Mayock said. "Went to the Senior Bowl and got undressed. Why? Because he's only been an offensive player for two years. He's very raw from a technique perspective."

... and I think he was practicing at LT at the Senior Bowl so drafting him probably isn't such a "non-subtle hint to Matt Kalil". I doubt Clemmings could win that job this summer.

NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah added that Clemmings is "a right tackle who can really help you in the run game. That's going to take a lot of pressure off their young quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater)."

When? Honestly, these draft guys get excited as if all these young players will start immediately. Raise your hand if you really think the talented-but-relatively inexperienced Clemmings is going to beat out the well-paid and well-established Phil Loadholt to start at right tackle. I'm not knocking Clemmings, just saying he's probably not going to unseat either starting tackle this year, especially because his strength (run blocking) is also Loadholt's strength.

[dead_poet]

... and I think he was practicing at LT at the Senior Bowl so drafting him probably isn't such a "non-subtle hint to Matt Kalil". I doubt Clemmings could win that job this summer.
When? Honestly, these draft guys get excited as if all these young players will start immediately. Raise your hand if you really think the talented-but-relatively inexperienced Clemmings is going to beat out the well-paid and well-established Phil Loadholt to start at right tackle. I'm not knocking Clemmings, just saying he's probably not going to unseat either starting tackle this year, especially because his strength (run blocking) is also Loadholt's strength.

Yeah, I don't know why the media seems to be down on Loadholt. He's a fine right tackle. Not perfect, but certainly above-average.

[Mothman]

Yeah, I don't know why the media seems to be down on Loadholt. He's a fine right tackle. Not perfect, but certainly above-average.

He drives me nuts in pass protection, mainly because when he has a breakdown it's often seems egregious but he's a powerful run blocker and an above average tackle overall.

[mondry]

He drives me nuts in pass protection, mainly because when he has a breakdown it's often seems egregious but he's a powerful run blocker and an above average tackle overall.

I agree about him driving me nuts too, he's basically above average except when he's not, then he's REAL BAD because like you said, when he has a break down it often means the rusher is getting straight into the back field.

I don't think Clemmings will push either tackle this year either but that's what I like about the pick, when he get's healthy and gets some coaching, next year I could totally see it if load or kalil struggle and for this year he's great depth for a line that hasn't stayed healthy in a while.

[fiestavike]

I agree about him driving me nuts too, he's basically above average except when he's not, then he's REAL BAD because like you said, when he has a break down it often means the rusher is getting straight into the back field.

I don't think Clemmings will push either tackle this year either but that's what I like about the pick, when he get's healthy and gets some coaching, next year I could totally see it if load or kalil struggle and for this year he's great depth for a line that hasn't stayed healthy in a while.

Seems probable that they see him as a guy to develop technically this year, compete for playing time the year after, and give them a younger option once Kalil and Loadholt are up for new contracts.

[Vikings28]

I like Loadholt but he's probably an average pass blocker at best. He also turns 30 next year and only has two years left on his deal, with the last year coming in at a $7.75 mill cap hit.

However, I was still surprised to hear NFL Network and others openly discuss Clemmings possibly pushing Kalil/Loadholt to start this season. I would guess they'll have Clemmings back up both tackle positions this season and then make a decision on Kalil/Loadholt next offseason (if they feel Clemmings is ready). If Kalil plays to his potential then obviously he isn't going anywhere but I could see them moving on from Loadholt because of age/salary. If not next offseason then definitely when Loadholt's contract expires after the 2016 season.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I like Loadholt but he's probably an average pass blocker at best. He also turns 30 next year and only has two years left on his deal, with the last year coming in at a $7.75 mill cap hit.

However, I was still surprised to hear NFL Network and others openly discuss Clemmings possibly pushing Kalil/Loadholt to start this season. I would guess they'll have Clemmings back up both tackle positions this season and then make a decision on Kalil/Loadholt next offseason (if they feel Clemmings is ready). If Kalil plays to his potential then obviously he isn't going anywhere but I could see them moving on from Loadholt because of age/salary. If not next offseason then definitely when Loadholt's contract expires after the 2016 season.

I definitely can't see him pushing Loadholt this year. Phil is an elite run blocker and a decent pass blocker. I feel like he's improved his pass blocking over the year. For this year, I feel like he'll be filling in for Kalil if he blows. I doubt fill loses any time to him this year or even next.

[fiestavike]

I definitely can't see him pushing Loadholt this year. Phil is an elite run blocker and a decent pass blocker. I feel like he's improved his pass blocking over the year. For this year, I feel like he'll be filling in for Kalil if he blows. I doubt fill loses any time to him this year or even next.

Do you guys see any chance of Tiny Richardson emerging as a competitor at Tackle?