It’s time to kick off the summer scouting series for the 2026 NFL Draft. Preseason evaluations are all about getting more familiar with the player from an NFL skills and outlook standpoint, rather than as a college football player.
These summer evaluations are a baseline to build off as the player progresses through the upcoming CFB season. It’s about identifying things the player might already do at an NFL level, and also identifying areas for improvement.
First up: Clemson CB Avieon Terrell. He stood out when evaluating the Tigers’ defenders in the 2025 NFL Draft with his quick feet, natural coverage instincts and all-around presence as an outside cornerback. A more extensive look into Terrell’s skills only made me more excited about where his considerable skills can take him at the next level.
Avieon is the younger brother of Falcons starter A.J. Terrell, a first-round pick by Atlanta in the 2020 NFL Draft. A.J. is a little bigger than Avieon, who was listed by Clemson at 5-11 and 181 pounds (A.J. is 6-1/194 according to the Falcons). The slight build definitely stands out with Avieon. His body type reminds of Browns standout Denzel Ward, who has had some durability issues throughout his otherwise impressive NFL career.
Terrell doesn’t play like he’s a lightweight, and that’s part of his appeal as an outside CB. He will get into the pads and understands how to use his arm extension and quick feet to win the leverage battle on the outside. He’s also a strong tackler who appears to take pride in his run defense. Terrell uses what size he’s got very effectively, like both older brother A.J. and also the aforementioned Ward. Bonus points earned for aggressively attacking the ball while still making the tackle; those are two qualities that don’t always go in hand.
Then there are his hips. The first game I flipped on to study Terrell was North Carolina State. On the very first Wolfpack drive, there’s No. 20 playing right outside CB and looking like he’s demonstrating teaching tape on flipping his hips and staying low in his backpedal. It’s greasiness at its finest; the balance and smoothness with which Terrell can suddenly change direction is special, and it’s likely to very strongly appeal to the NFL if it persists (and there’s no reason it shouldn’t).
Twitchy CBs like Terrell can sometimes get impatient in coverage, but that didn’t really show in the games I watched (NC State, Georgia, Louisville, South Carolina, Texas). He’s an aggressive playmaker, empowered by the Clemson staff to take some risks and some liberties with the rule book. My biggest knock on Terrell, aside from the body frame, is that he will get caught peeking or jumping routes too early in an effort to create a play on the ball. Different NFL coordinators will have different tolerance levels for that sort of thing, as well as his propensity for being a little too handsy on in-breaking routes. Terrell was flagged for seven penalties in 2024.
He does have real talent with the ball in the air. The 13 PDs and 2 INTs are not flukish. Terrell is adept at getting his head around and reading the receiver cues. His incredible agility helps him get in good position to go get the ball and avoid crashing into the wideout. Again — very Denzel Ward-like. If he can add even five more pounds of bulk without losing the cat-like quickness or solid closing burst, Terrell has the potential to be a very high pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.