The dog days of summer are upon us. To help pass the time, the staff at The Clemson Insider is picking sides.
\nAlong with publisher Robert MacRae, staff writers Will Vandervort, William Qualkinbush and Hale McGranahan are drafting players from the Clemson roster to fill out their own teams.
\nHere\u2019s how the third-round of the TCI Open Draft played out:
\nWilliam Qualkinbush
\nThird round (9th overall) \u2013 D.J. Reader, DT (6-2, 325)
\nSince the only no-doubter on the line is gone, I\u2019m going with Reader to anchor the interior. His quickness and athleticism can create major problems for guards and centers. He also has a ton of snaps under his belt and can finally emerge from the shadows of his predecessors to become his own man.
\nReader has a unique ability to quietly disrupt the quarterback by wiggling into tight spaces. Time and time again, he is lauded by television commentators for this ability, and it has endeared him to me because he can both make plays AND create plays for others to make. He\u2019s that kind of player.
\nThis year represents a great chance for Reader to show out as he showcases himself before the nation. His presence as the anchor of my defense allows me to get creative in putting pieces around him that can highlight his strengths.
\nRobert MacRae
\nThird round (10th overall) Deon Cain (6-2, 190)\u00a0
\nWith my next pick I will take Deon Cain. \u00a0Cain\u2019s addition to Artavis Scott and Mike Williams gives me hands down the best set of receivers in the draft.
\nBut I am taking Cain for another reason as well. \u00a0Since I will be taking Schuessler or Israel at some point at my QB, Cain gives me a great athlete that can also play QB. \u00a0Cain of course played QB in high school.
\nMy set of playmakers at receiver is scary. \u00a0Now I will begin filling in my roster around these great players.
\nHale McGranahan
\nThird round (11th overall) Jayron Kearse (6-4, 210)
\nRobert went all Detroit Lions on me and took another wide receiver, who also happened to be the guy I wanted to take in the fourth-round, the next pick, but I digress.
\nHow in the world did Jayron Kearse last this long? Lucky for me, my secondary has the best two defensive backs on the Clemson roster.
\nIn Kearse, I\u2019ll get a very player who can play all over the place and do just about anything you need. He can cover receivers, stop the run, blitz. Shoot, if need be, I could put him on the offensive side of the ball and let him make plays.
\nWill Vandervort
\nThird round (12th overall) \u2013 Mitch Hyatt (6-6, 270)
\nIn the second round I went with a promising young quarterback in Kelly Bryant to build my team around so it is only natural I take a left tackle to protect his backside.\u00a0 I thought I might go with a running back with this pick, but with so many good running backs, not great ones, on this year\u2019s roster, I feel as if I can get a good quality back in the later rounds and still be okay at that position.
\nIt also helps that I have the first pick in the fourth round, too.
\nI think from an overall talent standpoint, Hyatt is the best tackle on the roster. He has plenty of upside and in the spring he showed he is a fast learner as well.
\nI feel by the end of fall camp or after the first two games Hyatt will be the starter at right tackle, where he crossed trained in the spring. Right now he heads into the summer as the second team left tackle behind starter Isaiah Battle.<\/p>\n
Current Rosters
\nWilliam Qualkinbush
\n(1) DeShaun Watson
\n(2) Ben Boulware
\n(3) DJ Reader<\/p>\n
Robert MacRae
\n(1) Artavis Scott
\n(2) Mike Williams
\n(3) Deon Cain<\/p>\n
Hale McGranahan
\n(1) MacKensie Alexander
\n(2) Isaiah Battle
\n(3) Jayron Kearse<\/p>\n
Will Vandervort
\n(1) Shaq Lawson
\n(2) Kelly Bryant
\n(3) Mitch Hyatt<\/p>\n