As the 2027 NFL Draft cycle begins to take shape, ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid recently highlighted Clemson edge defender Will Heldt as one of the more intriguing prospects to monitor this season.
Reid described Heldt as one of the toughest players to rank among the nation’s top edge defenders, and I couldn’t agree more. With former Clemson standouts T.J. Parker and Peter Woods now off to the NFL, Heldt enters the 2026 season as the leader of the Tigers’ defensive front and a player many scouts will be watching closely.
The former Purdue transfer made an immediate impact during his first season at Clemson, recording 7.5 sacks while helping anchor one of the ACC’s top defensive units. At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, Heldt possesses the size, length, and frame NFL teams covet at the position.
Through three collegiate seasons, Heldt has accumulated 114 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks across 37 games. According to PFF, he took a major step forward in 2025, earning an 84.4 overall defensive grade while generating 45 pressures and 10 sacks. His 82.4 pass-rush grade was also the highest mark of his career.
What makes Heldt particularly intriguing is the way he wins. He may not possess the elite first-step explosiveness associated with some top edge prospects, but he consistently creates disruption through technique, effort, and football intelligence. His active hands, effective spin move, and functional bull rush allow him to impact plays as both a pass rusher and run defender.
Heldt also brings a level of consistency that coaches value. He routinely takes strong pursuit angles, works through contact, and remains involved in plays long after many defenders would have given up. His ability to recognize blocking schemes and use leverage effectively has helped him become one of the more reliable defenders in Clemson’s front seven.
The next step for Heldt will be proving he can thrive as the focal point of an opposing offense’s game plan. With Parker and Woods gone, he is expected to receive considerably more attention from offensive coordinators and offensive lines alike.
For Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans, Heldt is exactly the type of prospect worth monitoring. The Buccaneers have invested heavily in the edge position in recent years, and players who combine production, versatility, and NFL-ready size always draw attention during the scouting process.
If Heldt continues developing his pass-rush arsenal while building on the momentum from his breakout 2025 campaign, he could emerge as one of the top edge defenders available in the 2027 NFL Draft.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: An Edge prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft that Bucs fans need to watch
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
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By Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
