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2019 NFL Draft: April’s fools gold

By Ryan Roberts

STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 06: Johnathan Abram #38 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs celebrates during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 06: Johnathan Abram #38 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs celebrates during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/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)
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) /

Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

Dexter Lawrence’s hopes of being a first round pick may be about 5-10 years too late. The 6-4, 342-pound defensive tackle profiles well as a first and second down run defender who has the ability to transition to both even or odd defensive fronts. His absolute best fit may be as a two-gapping nose tackle in a 3-4 alignment.

The problem is, where do you draft a run-stopping dynamo who lacks the ability to affect the pocket consistently in passing situations? Over the last two seasons, Lawrence has shown little ability as a pass rusher. Athletically and strength wise, he has the talent to feast on interior offensive linemen in those pass rush situations. Right now he is a bull in a china shop. There is no finesse, plan or productivity against the pass.

The tools are certainly there, but right now, he is as one-dimensional as they get. So again, the question is whether that type of player is worthy of an early round selection. I have seen Lawrence more than a few times mocked at the end of the first round. That seems rich for a player who does not have the ability to make a significant impact on every down.

Is he a valuable player to a team? Sure. Does he have a ton of untapped potential? Without a doubt. Would I draft a defensive lineman in the first round who, in the current state of the NFL, can’t affect the pass? Absolutely not.

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