NFL draft profile: Clemson DE Shaq Lawson, well-built edge rusher

Shutdown Corner is counting down the top 50 prospects in the 2016 NFL draft with a scouting report, quotes from NFL evaluators and a projection where they might be drafted.

12. Clemson DE Shaq Lawson
6-foot-3, 269 pounds

Key stat: In his first two seasons, Lawson collected 21 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. In 2015, replacing first-round pick Vic Beasley, Lawson collected 25.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.

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The skinny: Growing up in the shadows of Clemson, Lawson spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy and then was a role player his first two years in college on a talented Tigers line. Then Lawson broke out as a junior in 2015, finishing as a finalist for three major awards (Hendricks, Nagurski, Lombardi) and led the NCAA in tackles for losses. He had two sacks in the national championship loss to Alabama despite having sprained his knee in the semifinal win over Oklahoma the week before.

Lawson left school early and peformed well at his pro day and at the NFL combine, although a left shoulder injury prevented him from doing the bench. Scouts asked him to work out at the pro day as a linebacker, and he looked able enough. Clemson had Lawson standing up at times, as well as kicking down inside at times as a defensive lineman, so his versatility is solid. NFL teams noted to Shutdown Corner that Lawson had strong interviews throughout the pre-draft process.

Best-suited destination: Fairly scheme-diverse, Lawson could be a open-side rusher in a 4-3 front or as a stand-up rush ‘backer in a 3-4, although the former might be a little better fit. He’s well-built but not that long and possesses goof but not elite change-of-direction skills. Teams that could use a front-seven “force” player such as Lawson includes the Atlanta Falcons (who drafted Beasley last year), Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and others. So, basically half the NFL teams or more.

Reason he’ll rise in draft: The pass-rushing talent in this class is slightly overwhelming, and it drops off precipitously after the top 40 or 50 picks in the draft. It would be shocking to see Lawson fall past that point or, frankly, even that close to it. He could develop into an elite run-stopping end and even a solid pass rusher. There’s little doubt he can be a three-down impact player. As long as his conditioning is in line, there are not many major concerns in Lawson’s game.

Reason he’ll fall in draft: But on the flip side, other than run stopping is there anything that Lawson is truly great at? That’s the debate that NFL teams could be having — even if they’ve slapped a very strong grade on him previously — on the clock when weighing two options. He has some versatility, but he likely fits best as a 4-3 end and might not solve any team’s pass rush overnight. Beasley was considered the far superior QB hunter coming out, and he had moments struggling to adapt at times as a rookie.

Scouting hot take: “When you watch him, you have to remind yourself when he’s making all these plays. They’re all third downs, fourth quarters, big plays when you need them. That’s what I like best about him: Dude finds a way. We could use some of those.” — NFC pro scout who cross-checked defensive linemen

Player comp: Jabaal Sheard, who will command big money next year

Expected draft range: Top 25 pick

Previous profiles

50. Ohio State WR Braxton Miller
49. Indiana OT Jason Spriggs
48. Florida DL Jonathan Bullard
47. Texas Tech OT Le’Raven Clark
46. Arkansas TE Hunter Henry
45. Oklahoma WR Sterling Shepard
44. Michigan State QB Connor Cook
43. West Virginia S Karl Joseph
42. Michigan State DE-OLB Shilique Calhoun
41. Notre Dame WR Will Fuller
40. Pitt WR Tyler Boyd
39. Oklahoma State DE Emmanuel Ogbah
38. Alabama DE-DT A’Shawn Robinson
37. Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott
36. Memphis QB Paxton Lynch
35. Alabama C Ryan Kelly
34. Louisiana Tech DT Vernon Butler
33. Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche
32. Georgia DE-OLB Leonard Floyd
31. USC S-LB Su’a Cravens
30. Alabama LB Reggie Ragland
29. Mississippi State DT-DE Chris Jones
28. Baylor NT Andrew Billings
27. Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith
26. Houston CB William Jackson III
25. Alabama RB Derrick Henry
24. Ohio State CB Eli Apple
23. Eastern Kentucky DE-OLB Noah Spence
22. Baylor WR Corey Coleman
21. Ohio State OT Taylor Decker
20. Kansas State OG Cody Whitehair
19. Michigan State OT Jack Conklin
18. Alabama DE-DT Jarran Reed
17. TCU WR Josh Doctson
16. Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander
15. Ohio State LB Darron Lee
14. Clemson DE Kevin Dodd
13. Cal QB Jared Goff