Carl Lawson, EDGE, Auburn: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Strengths

When Carl Lawson is standing up as an outside linebacker, he able to create more disruption due to timing the snap. In this play against LSU in 2016, he times the snap perfectly at outside linebacker and uses his hands to shed the blocker on the edge and gets the sack. The offensive lineman does not have the time to get his hands on Lawson to block him and shows at times, Lawson is an explosive pass rush that can bend.

Lawson is also a pretty stout run defender and is solid at tackling at the ball carriers in front of him. In this play against Louisville in 2015, Lawson sets the edge and sheds the blocker. He gets a hold of the running back and tackles him behind the line of scrimmage.

And finally, Lawson has active hand usage he can use in a bull rush or shedding a blocker with a swim move at the defensive end spot. In this play against Mississippi State in 2016, Lawson sheds the block with a swim move and gets the quarterback for a sack.

Weaknesses

While Lawson frequently pushes back the offensive lineman on downs as a bull rush, it usually does not impact the play. With a guy with his strength, you would think he would disrupt the passing and running game with a bull rush but you do not see that on tape. Most of the time he tries a bull rush, he is well blocked or is slowed down by the offensive lineman. In this play against Texas A&M in 2016, the offensive lineman does not allow Lawson to set the edge or even tackle the running back in the run play because he is inconsistent in shedding blockers and has to use more of his strength in his game.

Also, Lawson does not seem to use his counter or spin move if he is initially blocked on the play. If he cannot win with a swim or timed jump on the snap, then most likely he will not impact the play.

While Lawson has a great motor, he could have had more sacks if he finished on more plays. He is also inconsistent in setting the edge on run plays and has to be more physical as a 3 down pass rusher. In this play against Texas A&M in 2016, Lawson gets out muscled by the offensive lineman and gets thrown down on the screenplay.

And finally, the multiple injuries and athleticism are concerning. Lawson is not athletic as other faster pass rushers with length and is stiff overall. The torn ACL in 2014 and the cracked hip in 2015 will most likely drop Lawson into Round 2 as those injuries were pretty serious. Many NFL teams will be concerned if he can last a full NFL season or just be a situational pass rusher on certain downs.