2016 NFL Draft Prospect Thread ...............

[hagan714]

Originally Posted by K Major

Ok. He has soft hands, serious follow through on his catches.

Possibly another diamond in the rough?

Powe is a steady Freddy. You know what you getting for the most part. The question is football IQ and a pro route tree. Cal is not a pro set offense by any stretch of the imagination. Thus my concerns with Goeff as well.

I am betting the saints ran him through a pro route tree. If he did as well as they said, he just just made him self some money and took his upside rating to a whole new level.

He is ahead of where Coleman was at coming out of college. Coleman was coming off of injury and had sub par QB play issues. Given the time and coaching he could be talked about as a steal in the draft in a few years.

[ChrisXVI]

I'm just about ready to make Shaq Lawson my #1 choice for the first round. From a piece on PFF called "5 Low-Risk, High-Floor Prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft"...

DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson
Shaq Lawson is an excellent football player. Lawson isn’t, however, an exceptional edge rusher. He ranked 17th amongst edge defenders as a pass rusher, recording 13 sacks, 12 hits and 25 hurries. Lawson only finished 21st in pass rush productivity amongst 4-3 defensive ends. He lacks the explosion to consistently win with speed off the edge. What Lawson provides, however, is the reliability and discipline to become a complete defensive end. He wins with power, and on counter-moves to the inside, as much as he wins running the arc.

Furthermore, Lawson is an excellent run defender. He ranked second in that facet of play, behind only Joey Bosa amongst edge defenders. Lawson has great instincts, showing a particular aptitude at recognising down blocks, enabling him to keep contain on sweeps and tosses. He also makes his fair share of tackles against the run, finishing with 24 on the year (in addition to just one miss). Assuming his shoulder checks out medically, nothing should hold Lawson back. He may not dominate consistently off the edge, but he’s a complete defensive end capable of impacting games in both facets of play.

[|Mitch|]

Originally Posted by ChrisXVI

Shaq Lawson is an excellent football player. Lawson isn’t, however, an exceptional edge rusher.

He looks pretty good to me:

Shaq Lawson Highlights || Nation's Best Lineman - YouTube

Shaq Lawson Highlights || Nation's Best Lineman - YouTube

Shaq Lawson Official Highlights | Clemson DE - YouTube

Shaq Lawson Official Highlights | Clemson DE - YouTube

[K Major]

I like Lawson as well.

Some scouts have compared him to Shawn Merriman.

[brees84]

Lawson, Ogbah, Correa... I'd be happy if we draft one of those guys.

[ChrisXVI]

I think Shaq Lawson would be a perfect fit at strong side DE replacing Bobby Richardson in our base defense. Cam Jordan did pretty darn well on the weak side so I feel confident leaving him there.

[exile]

I'm not sold on Lawson. I think Dodd will make a better pro.

[|Mitch|]

Kevin Dodd vs. Shaq Lawson | 2016 NFL Combine Face Off - YouTube

Kevin Dodd vs. Shaq Lawson | 2016 NFL Combine Face Off - YouTube

Kevin Dodd Clemson DE || 2015 Highlight Mix - YouTube

Kevin Dodd Clemson DE || 2015 Highlight Mix - YouTube

Kevin Dodd*, DE, Clemson
Height: 6-5. Weight: 277.
40 Time: 4.86.
Projected Round (2016): 1-2.
3/12/16: Sources at some teams are grading Dodd in the second round, but across the league, team contacts expect him to go in Round 1. Dodd had a decent performance at the combine and didn't harm his draft stock.

Dodd put an exclamation point on his breakout 2015 season with a tremendous National Championship game against Alabama. He abused the Crimson Tide's right tackle with speed and power to record three sacks of quarterback Jacob Coker.

After being buried on the depth chart in previous seasons, Dodd and Shaq Lawson were able to make life hard on quarterbacks in 2015. Dodd totaled 62 tackles with 23.5 for a loss, 12 sacks, and one forced fumble on the year. He had a total of 21 tackles over his previous three years. Dodd entered the 2016 NFL Draft, but he probably would have had a better shot at the first round if he had one more productive year in college before turning pro.


Shaq Lawson*, DE, Clemson
Height: 6-2. Weight: 269. Arm: 32.75.
40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2016): 1-2.
3/12/16: At the combine, Lawson ran fast and did well in the team drills. He showed that he could be a fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Some teams have second-round grades on Lawson, but like with Dodd, they wouldn't be surprised if he goes in the first round.

Lawson played well for Clemson in 2015 and was a quality defender against the run while also putting steady pressure on the quarterback. He totaled 60 tackles, 25.5 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks and one forced fumble on the year. Lawson turned in strong performances against Louisville and Notre Dame. He is a smooth defender who has some natural pass-rushing skills, but isn't explosive or super twitchy. For the NFL, Lawson fits a 4-3 defense, but he isn't a good fit in a 3-4.

8/22/15: In 2014, Lawson was part of Clemson's tough defense as a rotational backup. He totaled 34 tackles with 11 for a loss and 3.5 sacks. Lawson played better than the numbers indicate as he only started one game due to the presence of three seniors, including Vic Beasley. Clemson was so loaded at defensive end that it was hard for snaps to go to the sophomore Lawson. He is being counted on to replace Beasley this season.

[hagan714]

Dodd + Lawson = one year wonders?

Lawsons upside is flexibility. He moved so well at the combine I think some 34 teams now may view him as an option at OLB. Still a reach IMO but in a 43 as a DE that can drop into space in basic zone coverage allowing others to rush is well with in his skill set. Lawson doing so well in the LB drills at the combine put him back on my short list at 12.

As edge setters they both are solid. I say Lawson is better.

As a pass rusher I still have to go with Lawson. Neither will lead the NFL in sacks. But both will get more than their fair share of hurries and hits. Lawsons pass rush style is more a JJ Watt type. He is no JJ Watt lets make that clear but he has a solid set first and secondary pass rush moves. Nothing to do with speed around the edge but interior pass moves while maintaining gap assignments is the best way to put it. Since Cam is the player we must stop now I think this is a must have skill set.

Dodd I am not sure what to make of to be honest. Dodd bothers me with a second half season of impact plays after a first half of nothing really special. The factor was DJ Reader return to the field. Always has always will stick out to me and cause me pause on the kid. My conclusion? DJ freed up Dodd to make the plays he did.

Move down get a pick or two and ending up with Dodd? I might sit well with it. Depending on who those other picks get us.

But I go back to 1 year wonders (?) for both.

[brees84]

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