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

[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.