Justin Lawler, DE, SMU: 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report

The Texas native has worked long and hard to hear his name called when the 2018 NFL Draft comes to his home state of Texas.

Justin Lawler spent four seasons at SMU, culminating in a solid 2017 season boasting 9.5 sacks. The big defensive end is known for his nose for the football, as he finished his senior season with six or more tackles in seven games.

Measurables/Bio

Position: Defensive End

High School: Pottsboro High School

School: Southern Methodist (SMU)

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 265 lbs

Strengths

Lawler is a frequent visitor to the backfield. He compiled 40.5 tackles for loss across his four-year career at SMU. He also racked up 20.5 sacks.

The ex-Mustang is one heck of a run-stopper. He closes gaps very quickly, often forcing the ball carrier backward to scan for other running lanes.

Getting to the quarterback is where Lawler separates himself from the competition. He has a rapid-fire approach, as his quick first step makes his rip move to the edge even more devastating to offensive tackles.

Weaknesses

Inconsistency plagued Lawler throughout the 2017 campaign. Four of his 9.5 sacks came in a single game against Uconn, accounting for almost half of his season total, and his numbers were far from consistent down the stretch.

He cannot drop back into coverage. While Lawler is an elite rusher, he is not nearly as valuable as an outside linebacker, where some NFL scouts may try to play him.

Final Thoughts

Lawler looks like a solid prospect. At one point, he was referred to as one of the better edge rushers in the nation, before he tailed off down the stretch of the season.

His talent is worthy of one of the top rounds, but the vast range of his numbers simply don’t command such an early pick. Expect him to go in the middle rounds, potentially even slipping to Day 3.