NFL Draft 2017: 5 most underrated prospects to keep an eye on

Nov 19, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) makes a second quarter catch against Navy Midshipmen linebacker Justin Norton (5) to break the all time FBS record tying catch for receptions against the Navy Midshipmen at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) is pursued by Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Carlos Watkins (94) in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive tackle Carlos Watkins is another player who returned for his senior season in 2016, except with different intentions. Watkins and the Clemson Tigers got redemption last season over Alabama winning a National Championship, as did he, with his play on defense.

Watkins earned second-team AP All-American and first-team All-ACC honors after posting 12.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and 50 total tackles last season. He led the Clemson defense in sacks and ranked fourth in the ACC.

Watkins is a hidden gem in this year’s NFL Draft. While he’s not Myles Garrett, he’s a player, who if put in the right situation will give a team a flexible interior defender on the rotation. Scouts want to see more consistency out of him but spending time on an NFL roster is part of the draft process.

The Tigers defensive tackle has size that’s NFL-worthy at 6-foot-3 and 309 pounds but he’ll need to show he has the motor to be an NFL defensive lineman. Whoever takes their chance on him in the NFL Draft will have a good shot of doing so.

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