With the No. 19 in the 2016 NFL Draft, Buffalo Bills selects Shaq Lawson
Shaq Lawson is a 6’3″ 269 pound defensive end/line backer from Clemson University. Lawson was rated the top player in the country out of high school in 2012. Despite playing on a crowded line, and only being a full-time starter for one season, he recorded 12.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss in 2015.
It is easy to tell why Lawson was so highly regarded out of high school, because he has the body type and the look of an NFL defensive lineman. He is best used rushing the passer off of the edge, and while he can play the outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, he probably is best as a 4-3 defensive end with his hand on the line. He does have experience, and showed success playing off of the line though, which gives you the versatility that is needed in today’s NFL.
Lawson has some ironing out to do, espeically considering he did not see much time in two of his three years at Clemson. Some see his teammate Kevin Dodd as a better prospect after Dodd had a strong showing in the 2015-16 National Championship, with 3 sacks against Alabama. However, Lawson is three years younger, has put in more production over the past three years than Dodd, and is a more versatile football player.
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