Pittsburgh offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings was a fast climber on most draft boards this season. Iowa defensive tackle Carl Davis, meanwhile, seemingly regressed a bit on the field. But they have had different results at the Reese's Senior Bowl this week.
NFL Media analysts say Clemmings (6-foot-5, 307 pounds) has struggled and Davis (6-4 1/2, 321) has impressed.
Analyst Mike Mayock said during the NFL Network's coverage of Senior Bowl practices Thursday that going into the week, he had Clemmings as a potential top-10 sleeper pick. That's not the case anymore for Mayock.
"I think he's got a lot of talent, but he's so darned raw," Mayock said. "He's struggled all week in practice."
Clemmings has played just two seasons on the offensive line and both were at right tackle; still, there was a thought he could play left tackle. Mayock did say Clemmings' issues were "technique-related," and that those are correctable. Remember that Clemmings never has played left tackle, and getting your first reps at left tackle at the Senior Bowl can be daunting.
Davis had a strong junior season and was expected to truly blossom as a senior. But he didn't consistently flash in 2014, and in some games, he was overshadowed by fellow tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat, who also is at the Senior Bowl. But analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Davis definitely has helped himself this week.
"You know he can play the run," said Jeremiah, who noted that Davis showed more up-the-field quickness than expected this week.
One reason for that is that Iowa's defense is predicated on its linebackers making a lot of plays, meaning it's the job of the defensive tackles to take on double teams and open up things for the linebackers. Davis is known for his strength -- he holds the school record for a "hang clean" by a defensive tackle at 415 pounds -- but the quickness he showed this week should help his draft status.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
