Shaq Lawson-DE/OLB-Clemson

Phoenix49ers · 2016-02-28T10:14:33-08:00

He's been a player that I've been intrigued by. He's having himself a pretty good Combine and showing that he could be a fit as an OLB in a 3-4. He's a bigger guy, going about 6'3" and 270 pounds, very strong and physical, plays with a high motor and is a beast against the run game. Needs to develop his technique as a pass rusher but he did have 12.5 sacks for Clemson this season. He especially had a very good game against Notre Dame when matched up against Ronnie Stanley. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25328905/stock-report-shaq-lawson-a-difference-maker-says-nfl-scout In the biggest game of the weekend, Lawson stepped up and had one of the best performances of his career against Notre Dame, which is even more impressive considering he faced future first round left tackle Ronnie Stanley most of the night. Lawson finished the game with seven tackles, including 3.5 of those stops for loss, beating Stanley with quickness and power. He has quick, strong hands to create push with his upper body strength, showing the fluid lower body to drive his legs and smoothly change directions based on his reads. Lawson plays decisive and disciplined to hold the edge and not abandon his responsibilities, something that was evident against the Irish's athletic backfield. And scouts were definitely watching: "this #90 is a difference-maker!" That was a text I received during the game from an AFC scout who wasn't at the game, but was watching while on the road. Lawson is a power player with the lower body athleticism to be equally dominant against the run and the pass, putting his draft value in the early rounds if he chooses to declare.https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/02/10/draft-7-best-nfl-draft-prospects-from-the-acc/Lawson missed only one tackle all season. he 6-foot-3, 270-pound Consensus All-American's more lauded work came as a pass rusher, of course. Lawson doubled his hurries by piling up 24 last season. In addition, he more than quadrupled the number of sacks (13) and quarterback hits (11). Clemson wanted him attacking from the blind side. All 344 of Lawson's pass rush snaps came from the right side. He ran the 40 in 4.7, showing good speed for his build. http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/49519 Pass Rush Skills-3-First step quickness is slightly above-average but won't consistently threaten with pure speed at next level. Fires off with low pad level and quality leverage. Average torso flexibility running the loop around edge. Does show the ability to dip inside shoulder to gain outside leverage and flashes the strength and power to work through contact. Has quality speed to power capabilities. Shows the instincts to flatten or back up field when getting pushed past the pocket. Biggest issue right now is hand usage in this area. He has long arms and flashes a heavy punch but needs to be more active and violent with hands on a consistent basis and can continue to develop as a counter puncher.Versus the run-1-Area of strength. Flashes the quickness to create penetration and disruption in the backfield. Also shows very good core strength setting the edge vs the run. Appears to have long arms and uses it to his advantage at the point of attack to stack and shed blockers. Heavy hands that has some shock in them. Shows quick eyes to find and react to the ball. Adequate lateral agility and range working down the sideline. Long arms and strong hands to latch on finish as a tackler.Versatility-2-Ideal fit is as a LDE in a base 43 scheme. Also has reduced inside on pass rushing situations. Has experience lining up in a two-point stance but was not asked to drop into coverage often. Will have some limitations in space if asked to convert to a 3-4 OLB.Instincts/Motor-1-oiled motor. Chases in pursuit and finishes through the whistle. Made a handful of effort plays on tape. Willing to mix it up. Shows the toughness to play through pain. Played in the National Championship game after spraining knee 10 days prior. High energy player whose passion shows up on tape.

Feb 28, 2016 at 10:21 AM

JustinNiner
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i thought he might of been too big to play OLB but damn he came in fast on the 40. Good blend of size and speed.

[ Edited by JustinNiner on Feb 28, 2016 at 10:21 AM ]

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Feb 28, 2016 at 10:22 AM

FaTaL
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a lot of guys lose weight for the combines, he was probably playing at 280. i dont think he can play olb

Feb 28, 2016 at 10:25 AM

Phoenix49ers
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Originally posted by FaTaL:
a lot of guys lose weight for the combines, he was probably playing at 280. i dont think he can play olb

He looked good in the drills, moving in space, speed looks good overall, he could be a replacement for Brooks as a run stopping OLB that can bring some pass rushing as well.

Feb 28, 2016 at 10:29 AM

49er_Rider
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As 1st round option? #7 kinda high IMO

Feb 28, 2016 at 10:30 AM

JustinNiner
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Originally posted by FaTaL:
a lot of guys lose weight for the combines, he was probably playing at 280. i dont think he can play olb

that is definitely something to investigate. would hate to have another tank guy who is stuck in limbo between DE and OLB

Feb 28, 2016 at 10:31 AM

Phoenix49ers
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Originally posted by 49er_Rider:
As 1st round option? #7 kinda high IMO

He'd be a guy you could move down a bit in the 1st round for. In a draft that is deep in DL and OL, adding 2nd and 3rd round picks and using other picks to move up into those rounds would be a plus.

Feb 28, 2016 at 10:32 AM

JustinNiner
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Posts: 6,762

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by FaTaL:
a lot of guys lose weight for the combines, he was probably playing at 280. i dont think he can play olb

He looked good in the drills, moving in space, speed looks good overall, he could be a replacement for Brooks as a run stopping OLB that can bring some pass rushing as well.

kinda like a courtney upshaw OLB? I actually wouldnt mind picking up courtney upshaw in FA so we can get back to being a beast at stopping the run

Feb 28, 2016 at 10:33 AM

FaTaL
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Originally posted by JustinNiner:
that is definitely something to investigate. would hate to have another tank guy who is stuck in limbo between DE and OLB

yea you have to check those things out, he did have a impressive combine though

if the niners trade down he should be a option

Feb 28, 2016 at 10:34 AM

FaTaL
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Posts: 5,491

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
He looked good in the drills, moving in space, speed looks good overall, he could be a replacement for Brooks as a run stopping OLB that can bring some pass rushing as well.

if your spending a first on somebody we should hope to get more then some pass rush, he better be the next coming

Feb 28, 2016 at 10:39 AM

#10

Phoenix49ers
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Originally posted by FaTaL:
if your spending a first on somebody we should hope to get more then some pass rush, he better be the next coming

Well if you can find the next coming, let me know. Beyond that, I see Lawson as a potentially very good player in the NFL, a true three down player with very good upside.

Feb 28, 2016 at 12:03 PM

#11

jreff22
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Looks a little loose in the middle. What's his real playing weight?

Feb 28, 2016 at 12:11 PM

#12

theninermaniac
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I like Dodd better

Feb 28, 2016 at 1:14 PM

#13

Mdizzle27
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Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Originally posted by 49er_Rider:
As 1st round option? #7 kinda high IMO

He'd be a guy you could move down a bit in the 1st round for. In a draft that is deep in DL and OL, adding 2nd and 3rd round picks and using other picks to move up into those rounds would be a plus.

I don't think he'd make it out of the top 20, so a trade down to the teens wouldn't be so bad while getting an extra 2nd and/or 3rd. This is assuming Goff or Wentz aren't sitting there at 7 though.

Feb 28, 2016 at 1:25 PM

#14

NYniner85
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He's the one wild card I could see Baalke picking at 7...