NFL Draft 2018: Top 32 draft prospects entering Championship Weekend
Kendall Joseph
LB, Clemson
It’s a big week for the Clemson program. They enter the ACC Championship Game as the top-ranked team in the country. If they win against Miami, they will be going to the College Football Playoff.
A big reason that the Tigers have a chance to return to the College Football Playoff after losing many key players from last year is the veterans that remained over. One of those veterans is Kendall Joseph.
When it comes to the linebacker spot, Joseph has been the definition of consistency when it comes to wrapping up and making tackles in the field. He might not be as flashy as some of the other prospects, but he’s still a very good one.
Against South Carolina, he finished with five tackles and half of one for a loss. There isn’t a better place to raise draft stock and gain the spotlight then this time of the year. Joseph and the rest of his teammates will once again have all eyes on them as the top team in the nation.
Da'Ron Payne
DL, Alabama
Da’Ron Payne in a one-on-one situation is bad news for anyone. He’s just way too massive to get overpowered or ran over by a running back. It was a struggle in the Iron Bowl, but Payne had some nice plays on the day.
With three tackles and a quarterback hurry, Payne had about the typical day many would expect from him. He plays in a spot where his stats aren’t going to jump off the page, but it’s everything else he does.
As part of the lineage of large Alabama defensive linemen, Payne lives off the reputation of occupying space and closing up any windows that might try to open in the running game each and every week.
He’s in a crowded class of defensive linemen and he’s going to have to show through the draft process he’s worthy of a round one pick. He certainly has the frame that teams would love to throw right in the middle.