Almost immediately after the 2017 NFL Draft wraps up this weekend, Mel Kiper, Todd McShay and every other professional draft expert will begin the tedious process of breaking down next year's class.
There are obvious players who will likely get selected early — but inevitably — there will be several guys who jump on to the scene out of nowhere with strong performances in the upcoming season.
With the recent success of programs like Clemson and Florida State paired with a strong second-tier of upcoming teams like Louisville, Virginia Tech and North Carolina, the ACC is clearly on its way to cementing its claim as one of the best conferences in college football. As each year passes, more and more ACC prospects land on NFL rosters.
We know it's a bit premature, but here's an early look at the ACC players who have a good chance of getting selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Wilkins had a decent showing during his freshman campaign in 2015, but morphed into a dominant player on the Tigers front seven in 2016. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound mammoth might be big, but he's freakishly athletic with deceptive speed. NFL teams place a premium on big-bodied defensive linemen who are quick enough to get to the quarterback on a regular basis while thriving against the run.
Wilkins closed out last season with 48 tackles (17.5 for loss), 9 pass deflections, 5.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. If this production continues, the Clemson big man has a chance to hear his name called in the first ten picks.
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S Derwin James, Florida State
This is one of my favorite players in the ACC heading into 2017-18. The Seminoles' safety should be better than former Michigan jack-of-all-trades Jabrill Peppers and possesses a rare ability to rush the passer on a regular basis as a defensive back.
James has a big frame for a safety (6-foot-3, 211 pounds) and has flashes of Sean Taylor and Kam Chancellor when it comes to physicality, though he's a bit leaner. Don't sleep on his coverage ability though, there's no question James will be the catalyst of the Seminoles' defense in 2017-18.
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The FSU rising star was poised for a breakout year last season but suffered a torn meniscus in his knee the second game of the year. He looked better than ever during the spring game, recording a team-high seven tackles with three for a loss and two sacks. There's a real chance James will be the first safety drafted next year.
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CB Tavarus McFadden, Florida State
NFL talent evaluators love cornerbacks who can come away with interceptions and McFadden is one of the best in the business. The Florida State DB is coming off a 2016 campaign where he came away with 8 interceptions and 6 pass deflections. He's poised to become one of the top coverage corners in the ACC, and quite possibly, the country.
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DE Bradley Chubb, N.C. State
Wolfpack DE Bradley Chubb made up for a terrible PF he was called for with this sack in the redzone. pic.twitter.com/sd9qJH657m
— Pack Pride (@PackPride) October 8, 2016
Chubb might not be a household name on a national scale, but anyone who follows the ACC closely understands the talent the Wolfpack standout possesses. A dominant pass rusher has become the second-most important position in the NFL behind quarterback, and Chubb's knack for rushing the passer is his strong suit.
The N.C. State defensive end had 56 tackles (21 for loss), 10 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 2 pass deflections and a fumble recovery. Can you say playmaker?
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OT Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
It might be Wofford….But I think we are gonna be just fine with Mitch Hyatt..Beast!! #Clemson pic.twitter.com/lcWUKE65zk
— Justin (@TigerJustin13) September 9, 2015
It takes an elite-level offensive linemen to earn a first-round grade, but the Clemson monster fits the mold. Just take a close look at Hyatt (No. 75) in the video above. Good lord almighty, he completely obliterates the defender. It's often hard to evaluate offensive linemen, but the 6-foot-5, 295-pound talent makes it easy. Hyatt earned freshman All-American honors in 2015 starting in 15 games and first-team All-ACC honors in 2016. One of the craziest stats I've seen is Hyatt becoming the first freshman tackle to start at Clemson in the season opener since 1944. That's a long time and another testament to how talented this kid truly is.
The Tigers bruiser recorded 32.5 knockdown blocks in 994 snaps last season. He has a chance to be the first tackle taken off the board in the 2017-18 NFL Draft.
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DE Harold Landry, Boston College
Harold Landry again. Same stuff. pic.twitter.com/GFZq7xBnqJ
— jefferson steelflex (@WurthDraft) November 13, 2016
There hasn't been a Boston College player selected in the first round since Luke Keuchly in 2012, but Landry is on pace to change that narrative. The Eagles have struggled mightily in recent history, but their defense has remained one of the best in the ACC and Landry is a major piece of that success.
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At 6-foot-3, 250-pounds, the BC standout is a bit undersized to play as a true defensive end in the NFL but there's certainly a chance that's how he will be used. It's more probable though, for Landry to follow Keuchly's lead and catch on as a true linebacker who is asked to rush the quarterback on a regular basis. The rising senior is coming off a breakout year where he broke the Boston College record for sacks in a season, finishing the year with a whopping 16.5, the most from any player in the country.
Clearly Landry has flown under the radar playing for the Eagles, but NFL scouts are well-aware of his ability. He's a first-round talent that could have been drafted high in this year's draft, but chose to return for a senior season.
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DT Derrick Nnadi, Florida State
Gotta give credit to BIG DAWG @DerrickNnadi . Nice LEVERAGE,GREAT USE OF HANDS N POWER RUSH to cause havoc for the resulted SACK. #UFvsFSU pic.twitter.com/UEjCmfBdAK
— 5StarLinemenAcademy (@5StarLATA) November 27, 2016
There's a reason Florida State is the early favorite in the ACC heading into the 2017-18 season, and could quite possibly make a run toward the College Football Playoff. Nnadi is the third Seminoles defensive standout that could earn a first-round ranking in next year's draft.
Nnadi is coming off a season where he started at nose guard, coming away with 6 sacks, a pass deflection, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. The FSU big boy should take another step toward greatness this year and cement his status as one of the top defensive tackles of the 2017-18 class.
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CB Brandon Facyson, Virginia Tech
I covered the Virginia Tech football program closely last season and believe Facyson is one of the most underrated cornerbacks in the ACC. CBS obviously agrees, listing the Hokies' shutdown corner as the No. 2 overall draft-eligible CB of the 2018 class right now.
Facyson had a breakout season during his freshman campaign in 2013 with five interceptions but battled a slew of injuries that slowed him down in 2014 and 2015. He bounced back last season though, starting in all 14 games recording 48 tackles, 11 pass deflections and two forced fumbles. People harp on Facyson's lack of interceptions since the stellar freshman outing, but Hokies' defensive coordinator Bud Foster will tell you its a lot more about offenses avoiding the VT No. 1 corner and a lot less about Facyson's talent.
This is a guy with every tool necessary to succeed as a starting NFL corner and a strong final season in Blacksburg could propel him into first-round consideration.
