Clemson pros ranked among the NFL's best (2024)

Pro Football Focus has been ranking the Top 32 players at each position for the 2024 season, and for the interior defenders, Clemson pros line the list.

Dexter Lawrence ranks second only to KC's Chris Jones there.

"What separates Lawrence from other defensive tackles is his elite pass-rushing production, primarily from a nose tackle alignment," PFF's Sam Monson said. "Others may be nose tackles in name only, but Lawrence has 81 total pressures over the past two seasons when lined up as a nose tackle. No other player has more than 16."

Also in the Top 10 is new Las Vegas Raider Christian Wilkins, at No. 10.

"New Raiders acquisition Christian Wilkins was an all-around force for the Miami Dolphins over the past few seasons. He has the fourth-best PFF run-defense grade among all interior defenders over the past two seasons and racked up a career-high 61 quarterback pressures in 2023," Monson said. "Wilkins actually didn’t hit free agency coming off his best season, but his two campaigns before that were among the league’s best."

DJ Reader, now of the Detroit Lions, ranks No. 13, and Atlanta Falcons stalwart Grady Jarrett is No. 28.

"At his best, Grady Jarrett was a top-five player on this list, but as he plays into his 30s, we haven’t seen his very best for a few years now. 2023 was an injury-curtailed season, but even the year before he earned only above-average PFF grades and production as opposed to the elite marks he had been hitting just a couple of years prior," Monson said. "Jarrett has enough credit in the bank to still make the list, but this is a big season for him to bounce back and prove that he isn’t firmly in decline late in his career."

In the site's QB rankings earlier this month, Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville) checked in at No. 12 and Deshaun Watson (Cleveland) ranked No. 23.

"Lawrence has shown us flashes, and even extended periods of brilliance, but I continue to want more consistent high-level play before vaulting him into the top 10, which he is capable of. He ranked in the top five in big-time throws (33) but also in turnover-worthy plays (24) with 21 total turnovers on the year," PFF's Trevor Sikkema said. "His season was a story of dealing with injuries, so he wasn’t feeling his best through those struggles. On a positive note, Lawrence had by far the most big-time throws on passes of 20-plus yards downfield (30). Adding Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis will only allow that to continue."

PFF ranked Lawrence teammate Travis Etienne No. 11 in the league at running back.

"Etienne upped his workload in 2023 and reaped the benefits, posting another 1,000-yard rushing season and adding 11 touchdowns on the ground while earning a 77.0 grade — 17th best among running backs," PFF's Thomas Valentine said. "His efficiency dropped from 5.1 yards per carry to 3.8, way below league average, but no running back forced more missed tackles than Etienne (64) in the regular season and his 10 rushes of 15-plus yards tied for 15th at the position."

Elsewhere on the site, Atlanta's AJ Terrell and Cincinnati's Tee Higgins have been tagged as top comeback candidates.

"The Falcons field several blue-chip youngsters who could dominate in 2024, and Terrell headlines those looking to regain traction. Terrell was one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks in 2021, but his past two seasons haven’t met that mark. He finished with overall grades below 75.0 and passer ratings allowed of at least 95.0 in 2022 and 2023," PFF's Bradley Locker said. "With defensive-oriented head coach Raheem Morris in place, Terrell should benefit from one of the game’s better minds on that side of the ball. It’s no coincidence that Morris had success with Jalen Ramsey and helped develop players like Darious Williams with the Rams. With his contract set to expire at the end of the year, Terrell has an extra incentive to play like the superstar he showcased he once was."

"Whether he stays in Cincinnati or is dealt, Higgins has a strong incentive to bounce back this year: a line of Brink's trucks are prepared to reward him for previously excellent play. He’s never played a full season and collected a receiving grade lower than 78.8, and if Higgins looks again like a WR1, he should cash in."