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2017 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Week 13

By Shawn Spencer

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive line lines up against the Ohio State Buckeyes defense line during the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive line lines up against the Ohio State Buckeyes defense line during the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NFL Draft Carl Lawson
Nov 5, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Carl Lawson (55) sacks Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) during the fourth quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

Carl Lawson (DE – Auburn) vs. Alabama

Although he’s only a junior, Carl Lawson is a near-lock to enter the 2017 NFL Draft. Why? It’s not because he has nine sacks or 12.5 tackles for a loss through 11 games, it’s not even because he’s a projected first-round pick.

The reason why it’s assumed he’ll now enter the 2017 NFL Draft is because he was honored along with the senior class prior to last week’s homecoming game.

Lawson has had an injury-riddled college career, but his ceiling is as high as almost any edge rusher in the 2017 NFL Draft class.

Although he lines up on both the left and right sides of the defensive line, all eyes will be on him when he’s matched up against Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson. The two didn’t face each other a lot last season, but Robinson did get the best of the junior defensive end.

Lawson was credited with two QB hits in last year’s Iron Bowl, but one was a missed tackle on a play he didn’t go up against Robinson. On the other play, as seen below, Lawson runs a stunt and ends up getting a hit on the QB while Robinson lays out an Auburn defender to the inside.

If Lawson is going to be worth an early first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, he’s going to have to prove himself against NFL-ready talent. In this game, that would be Robinson.

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