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2016 NFL Draft Profile: Shaq Lawson, DE Clemson

By Adam Carlson

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) as he made a sack against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) as he made a sack against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson is one of the most polarizing figures in the 2016 NFL Draft, but should the Minnesota Vikings look at the pass rusher?

Shaq Lawson is one of those physical freaks of nature that don’t have a big body of successful work on his side. He’s strong, fast, and explosive, just like most NFL teams want from their pass rushers. And while it’s arguable as to whether he’s best suited for defensive end or outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, his translation to the NFL is also one of the biggest questions in the 2016 NFL Draft.

On the positive side, He doesn’t stop. Ever. Even when stuffed and his initial block shedding attempts fail, he continues to push through toward the quarterback and disrupt the backfield. He was one of the best in college football at getting tackles for a loss and making teams adjust their gameplans for him.

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However, Shaq Lawson can also be a liability. He seems so focused on breaking into the backfield and getting near the quarterback that he get worked out of running plays often by wily blockers. He doesn’t change direction very well, and any team that drafts him will need to work with him on his agility to help him be all that he can be.

Here are Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson’s numbers from the events at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine according to NFL.com:

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Height: 6’3″

  • Weight: 269 pounds
  • Arm Length: 32 3/4″
  • Hand Size: 10″
  • 40 Yard Dash: 4.70 seconds
  • Bench Press: N/A
  • Vertical Jump: 33″
  • Broad Jump: 120″
  • 3 Cone Drill: 7.16 seconds
  • 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.21 seconds

    • Shaq Lawson compares to:

    • CBS Sports: Pernell McPhee, Bears
    • NFL.com: Courtney Upshaw, Free Agent

    Fit for the Minnesota Vikings:

    The Vikings will always be looking for pass rushers and run stuffers. Even though they have a pretty solid group at defensive end, head coach Mike Zimmer loves a great rotation and a lot of depth everywhere on the defensive line.

    Next: 5 moves the Vikings should have made in free agency

    My Take:

    I just don’t see the fit. They can’t put him at outside linebacker because he doesn’t change directions well enough to play there. And he doesn’t quite have enough value for Minnesota in the first round to warrant a first round draft pick. A team will need to work with him and develop him, as he may not be able to contribute on a regular basis immediately, and I’m not sure the team will have that kind of patience while developing other young pass rushers like Danielle Hunter, Scott Crichton and B.J. Dubose.

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