2019 NFL Mock Draft: Defensive line dominates as quarterbacks fall

By Randy Gurzi | Jan 14, 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 01: Dexter Lawrence #90 of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

28. Los Angeles Chargers: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

There were a lot of problems for the Los Angeles Chargers in their final game as they simply couldn’t stop the New England Patriots on either side of the ball. One problem that stood out was their inability to keep pressure off Philip Rivers. Another was the way Siny Michel did whatever he wanted to on the ground for the Pats.

The rookie out of Georgia went for 129 yards in his debut playoff game and rushed for three touchdowns. With him gashing them constantly, it kept everything off balance and the Patriots ended up winning easily. Here the Chargers look to add a player who could have made a difference against that very rushing attack with Dexter Lawrence.

The big Clemson nose tackle is a run-stuffing beast but had some bad press when he was suspended in the playoffs for a failed drug test. Originally, it seemed like that could push him out of the first round, but here he finds his way back into the top 32 picks simply because his talent is too good to pass up on. Plus, he has plenty of time to prove to NFL teams that this was an isolated incident and that they can trust him going forward.

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