Draft Prospect 2017: Carl Lawson
The 6’2 257 lb. edge rusher has the frame and athletic potential to be a quality player at the next level.
He is versatile enough to line up on both sides of the line and play multiple positions, which can create matchup issues for offenses in the NFL. Lawson has a good feel for timing snaps and typically gets a good jump off the line and has good lateral quickness. In the open field, he has decent acceleration and closing speed to the quarterback.
Lawson’s signature move is a very strong speed rush to the outside shoulder of the tackle. He uses his strong hands to fight off opposing tackles engagements. He does have a spin move in his repertoire, but he rarely uses it. Lawson definitely needs to expand his game and give himself more of a variety. Nothing a good defensive line coach in the NFL can’t develop…
He has the ability to fight off blocks, but is not as consistent with dis-engaging to the inside. Lawson has also been inconsistent in the run game at times because he has a tendency to over pursue and get too far up field, leaving holes between the tackle and guard for backs to exploit.
Although Lawson has a small sample size due to injuries keeping him out in 2014 and for some time in 2015, he is a prospect that has a ton of upside as a pass rusher in the upcoming draft.
Do I think he is a gamble in the first round?
Maybe.
But we all know, in the NFL, sometimes organizations draft the frame and the body, not the body of work and production at the collegiate level.
I’d expect him to go late first round to a team looking to bolster their pass rush:
Some potential teams who might be interested in taking Lawson are: Bengals, Raiders, Lions, Chiefs, Ravens, Saints, Dolphins, Patriots and Colts.
