Detroit Lions Draft 2017: Players Who May Fall to Lions’ Second Round Pick
By Ash Thompson
Carl Lawson: DE, Auburn
Lawson fits the Lions defensive scheme perfectly as the LDE. He is one of the most physical edge setters in this draft. The former Auburn Tiger fights through blocks rather than dancing around them. He stack and sheds blockers better than any player who will be selected outside the top ten. He has experience standing up, and with his hand in the dirt, which bodes well for the Lions. If the team intends to continue the 2016 zone blitz tendencies Teryl Austin implemented, they need a player like Lawson. He has the athletic ability to actually be threatening to his zone.
While he is capable of dropping back, Lawson’s true value is as a violence engine. He attacks the hands of an offensive tackle with a skill level not commonly found among college linemen. This allows him to get in to a blocker’s body. The first thing coaches teach offensive linemen is that if their opponent gets in to their body, they’ve lost. Lawson wins a lot of battles during the engagement stage.
As a pass rusher Lawson isn’t beautiful to watch. He’s not Von Miller, leaning at a 20 degree angle with the ground using his blocker to remain upright as he blazes around the corner. His first step is explosive, and he rockets toward the quarterback after winning the battle. He tends to lock in to the event between those two things. Blockers are able to latch on due to Lawson’s power rushing style.
Lawson’s combine was impressive. He put up a 4.67s 40 yard dash, 35 bench reps and a 4.19s 20 yard shuttle. That was at 6’2″ 261 lbs. He is a powerful and sudden athlete that sets the edge vs the run. He works tirelessly his way toward the quarterback when immediately stopped. Lawson would put the Lions defensive end depth chart in it’s proper order with Kerry Hyder coming off the bench in rotation. Lawson could be the steal of the second round.