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NFL Draft 2019: Top 32 prospects – Post-Senior Bowl edition

By Conor Dorney

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on while playing the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on while playing the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 27: Dexter Lawrence #90 of the Clemson Tigers in action during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Clemson won 59-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 27: Dexter Lawrence #90 of the Clemson Tigers in action during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Clemson won 59-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

If you thought I was done listing draft prospects from Clemson’s defensive line, think again!

Another one of the Tigers’ outstanding defensive talents on the interior, Dexter Lawrence is potentially the third first-rounder the club will have from its defensive line alone on draft day.

Whereas Wilkins offers more upside as a pass rusher, Lawrence makes his money as an outstanding run defender and profiles as a nose tackle at the next level.

At 6-foot-4, 340 pounds, Lawrence is an anchor in the middle of any defense. He has surprising quickness for his size but is much more adept at using that to impact the running game than rushing the quarterback. Lawrence can anchor and drop his hips with the best of them and uses that ability to swallow up any running back who makes the unfortunate mistake of running into his gap.

Run defenders don’t carry as high of a value as three-tech interior pass rush types, but don’t let that discount Lawrence’s potential as an impact player in the NFL. With some further development as a pass rusher, Lawrence could establish himself as one of the league’s best interior players in a couple short years. He’ll have to answer for his performance-enhancing drug suspension for Ostarine that kept him out of the College Football Playoff at the Combine.

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