Longtime Draft Analyst Pegs Former Tiger Among Favorite '24 Picks

With the 2024 NFL Draft in the books, this longtime draft analyst took a look back through the proceedings and ranked his top three favorite selections in each round.

NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, who has covered the draft since 2000, named Clemson’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. as his No. 1 favorite pick of the fifth round.

A multi-time All-America linebacker and Eagles legacy, Trotter Jr. was selected by Philadelphia with the No. 155 overall pick.

Trotter’s father, a four-time Pro Bowler during his 12-year NFL career, was a third round pick of the Eagles in the 1998 NFL Draft.

“I could have included this pick for sentimental reasons alone,” Reuter wrote. “The son of the former Eagles Pro Bowl linebacker of the same name brings a physical, instinctual game to Philly. He’s not big (6-foot, 228 pounds) but he finds the ball and gets to it quickly, avoiding blockers and shooting gaps when given the go-ahead. Nakobe Dean and free-agent acquisition Devin White (who signed a one-year deal) dealt with injuries last year, so don’t be shocked if the young Trotter comes in when needed and doesn’t relinquish the job by season’s end.”

Trotter Jr. became the first Clemson player to join his father as an NFL Draft pick since wide receiver Amari Rodgers — the son of quarterback and 2000 NFL Draft pick Tee Martin — was selected by the Green Bay Packers in 2020.

Trotter Jr. collected second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press, third-team All-America status from Pro Football Focus and All-ACC honors from select individual outlets in 2022, and he again earned All-America status from numerous outlets in 2023, in addition to being named a Butkus Award finalist.

Trotter Jr. finished his Clemson career with 202 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 13 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and four interceptions (including two returned for touchdowns) over 39 career games from 2021-23.

–Photo courtesy of Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!