Paul Dawson: TCU LB Could Be Taken in First Round
By Joe Wedra
TCU LB Paul Dawson shined brightly on film study this week. Thanks to the great folks at Draft Breakdown, we were able to take a look at Dawson (you can too at the link) and give a little scouting report on why he will be a great NFL fit in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
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STRENGTHS
There’s no denying Dawson’s raw ability to simply be an athlete in the NFL. He is a very instinctive run-stuffer that knows how to hit the hole as good as the ball-carrier. His combination of above-average size and extreme athleticism will help NFL teams push him over the first/second round barrier.
With his quickness, Dawson plays a surprisingly balanced and in-tact game. He doesn’t seem to go off track too much, always having effort on his mind. When push comes to shove, NFL teams may pull the trigger on Dawson due to his impressive ability to read plays and have a pre-play feel for where each one may be going.
WEAKNESSES
Flaws are hard to come by when you turn on the tape here. As you’ll find with the majority of prospects, Dawson possesses a few simple issues. He must be a more consistent tackler, there’s room for improvement in the block-shedding area, and he could use to improve his angles a bit in the open field.
Other than that, it’s hard to pick apart Dawson’s game too much.
With NFL coaching and better players around him, things should all come together.
NFL FIT + DRAFT STOCK
Dawson fits best in either a weak-side LB role in the 4-3, or as a MLB in any scheme. With his versatility and ability to diagnose plays, NFL teams have the option to play him wherever the need presents itself.
Look for Dawson to only improve his draft stock in the pre-draft process, landing him a late first-round grade.