Shaq Lawson-DE/OLB-Clemson | Page 7

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.

Apr 17, 2016 at 7:25 AM

#91

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 131,730

Originally posted by KRS-1:
People will also call it a reach or that we could have had him in a trade down. Reality is, a lot of teams picking after us can stand to upgrade or have a big need for an edge rusher so that talk is all just hot air.

Aldon Smith and JJ Watt were both found somewhere in the teens in 2011 on most experts final big boards.

If they take Lawson at 7 it tells me they think he can be a double digit sack guy annually. I have no qualms with it but envision a ton of hate on the GM.

The Jaguars, Giants, Iggles and Ravens have all had him in for a visit. Some have him mocked as high as #5 to Jacksonville and the shoulder issues he got redflagged for checked out fine.

Wouldnt be the sexiest pick but he could step in as a 3 down player at OLB right away. My guess is that it would mean the end for Brooks.

Apr 17, 2016 at 7:39 AM

#92

evil
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Posts: 46,713

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Originally posted by KRS-1:
People will also call it a reach or that we could have had him in a trade down. Reality is, a lot of teams picking after us can stand to upgrade or have a big need for an edge rusher so that talk is all just hot air.

Aldon Smith and JJ Watt were both found somewhere in the teens in 2011 on most experts final big boards.

If they take Lawson at 7 it tells me they think he can be a double digit sack guy annually. I have no qualms with it but envision a ton of hate on the GM.

The Jaguars, Giants, Iggles and Ravens have all had him in for a visit. Some have him mocked as high as #5 to Jacksonville and the shoulder issues he got redflagged for checked out fine.

Wouldnt be the sexiest pick but he could step in as a 3 down player at OLB right away. My guess is that it would mean the end for Brooks.

Could see us moving Brooks on draft weekend should we spend a high pick on a pass rusher. It is probably what he will want anyway.

Apr 17, 2016 at 6:50 PM

#93

Phoenix49ers
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Matt Miller ‏@nfldraftscout Shaq Lawson had 46.5 TFLs in three seasons...and only started for one full year.

49ers GM Trent Baalke was on-hand to watch Clemson edge rusher Shaq Lawson's private club workout on Thursday.

"When I found out the GM was coming," Lawson said, "that told me something about how serious they are about me. He makes the decisions on the team, he's going to draft guys, so with him there, it was more pressure, but I liked that." The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder added, "He's the main guy, he picks the players." A nagging shoulder injury was flagged during the NFL Scouting Combine last month, but Lawson has expressed little concern over it, saying flat-out, "My shoulder is fine." Fine or no, he will be undergoing a medical recheck once we hit April.

Apr 17, 2016 at 7:27 PM

#94

9erism
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Posts: 101

Baalke is gonna pick shaq this draft

Apr 18, 2016 at 7:02 AM

#95

Phoenix49ers
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Clemson edge rusher Shaq Lawson was put through an explosion test by the Detroit Lions' staff, and Lawson performed extremely well.
"Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek told him he'd only seen one ever do it better: Jadeveon Clowney," NFL Media's Chase Goodbread tweeted. Lawson is arguably the draft's most athletic pass rusher when factoring in size and weight. For some reason he is not receiving the "upside" label, however, and teammate Kevin Dodd could even be selected earlier than Lawson. We think that is totally ridiculous. Apr 18 - 8:30 AM

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/cfb/132696/shaq-lawson

Apr 18, 2016 at 7:07 AM

#96

NCommand
Hall of Fame
Posts: 123,365

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Clemson edge rusher Shaq Lawson was put through an explosion test by the Detroit Lions' staff, and Lawson performed extremely well.
"Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek told him he'd only seen one ever do it better: Jadeveon Clowney," NFL Media's Chase Goodbread tweeted. Lawson is arguably the draft's most athletic pass rusher when factoring in size and weight. For some reason he is not receiving the "upside" label, however, and teammate Kevin Dodd could even be selected earlier than Lawson. We think that is totally ridiculous. Apr 18 - 8:30 AM

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/cfb/132696/shaq-lawson

I could see this one too!

Apr 18, 2016 at 7:08 AM

#97

ParkingLotPimpin
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I'd be the least excited about this pick, but I could see it happening.

Apr 18, 2016 at 8:11 AM

#98

BuZzB05
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Posts: 3,615

Originally posted by 9erism:
Baalke is gonna pick shaq this draft

DObb looked better than shaq lawson.

Apr 18, 2016 at 8:24 AM

#99

Phoenix49ers
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Originally posted by BuZzB05:
DObb looked better than shaq lawson.

Not really. Lawson had the tougher matchups, playing well against elite tackles such as Ronnie Stanley. Dodd vanished at times going against lesser blockers.

Apr 18, 2016 at 8:46 AM

#100

NYniner85
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Wouldn't be suprised to see him the pick

Apr 18, 2016 at 8:53 AM

#101

Since07
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Imagine Buckner being on the board and we pick Lawson, zone would lose It

Apr 18, 2016 at 9:00 AM

#102

Phoenix49ers
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Originally posted by Since07:
Imagine Buckner being on the board and we pick Lawson, zone would lose It

I dont believe that they pass up on Buckner for anyone. Kelly already knows him and he fulfills Baalke's long arm fetish.

Apr 18, 2016 at 9:29 AM

#103

NYniner85
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Posts: 118,935

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Originally posted by Since07:
Imagine Buckner being on the board and we pick Lawson, zone would lose It

I dont believe that they pass up on Buckner for anyone. Kelly already knows him and he fulfills Baalke's long arm fetish.

Yup I don't even think we brought him in or anything...chip knows what Buckner can bring. Fingers crossed lol

Apr 19, 2016 at 5:41 AM

#104

Zachary
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Saw Shaq on Highly Questionable. The guy is a class act. Talking about how his dad died 5 years ago in a crash and how he had to be strong for his family. He refers to his seniors as "sir" and seems very mature.

Reminds me of how Patrick Willis acted.

Apr 19, 2016 at 9:43 AM

#105

Heroism
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Posts: 26,269

Originally posted by Zachary:
Saw Shaq on Highly Questionable. The guy is a class act. Talking about how his dad died 5 years ago in a crash and how he had to be strong for his family. He refers to his seniors as "sir" and seems very mature.

Reminds me of how Patrick Willis acted.

Yup! Lawson's demeanor does remind me of Willis.

Lawson is one of the highest character guys in the draft, and a straight up dog on the field. Unlike a guy like Ronnie Stanley, you don't have to worry about his love for the game or his work ethic with shaq Lawson. The guy played through an MCL tear in the national championship game!

[ Edited by Heroism on Apr 19, 2016 at 9:44 AM ]