2019 WorldWide Rams Draft Profile: Dexter Lawrence | Clemson | DT

WorldWide Rams

Doug Nelson

​​Dexter Lawrence
DT

HOMETOWN              |            CLASS
Wake Forest, NC        |            Junior
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DRAFT YR:  2019     COMBINE INVITE: YES


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Player Bio: Dexter Lawrence played his high school football at Wake Forest High School in North Carolina, where he made a name for himself by being named Associated Press High School Player of the Year, notching 13 sacks. Considered a top-five recruit was coming out of high school, he lived up to that billing as a freshman at Clemson, being named Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2016. The next year he was named First Team All-ACC, and repeated that honor ain 2018 as a junior. The only red flag on an otherwise stellar college career was his suspension for testing positive for a PED (performance enhancing drug) as a junior. Lawrence decided to forego his senior year and enter the 2019 NFL draft, where most observers think he could go in the first round.

​​Dexter Lawrence
Defensive Tackle
SCHOOL:  CLEMSON      |      CONFERENCE:  ACC      
HEIGHT/WEIGHT:  6-4  / 342         ARMS:34 3/4"          HANDS: 10 1/2       40: 5.15         

COMBINE RESULTS
BENCH |   40 YD DASH  |   VERTICAL JUMP  |  BROAD JUMP |   3 CONE DRILL   |    20 YD SHUTTLE  |   60 YD SHUTTLE
​    36      |         5.05          |              N/A              |            N/A         |             N/A            |            N/A               |             N/A

PRO-DAY RESULTS
BENCH  |   40 YD DASH  |   VERTICAL JUMP  |  BROAD JUMP |   3 CONE DRILL   |    20 YD SHUTTLE  |   60 YD SHUTTLE 
​    36       |         5.05          |          N/A                  |           N/A           |            N/A            |               N/A             |             N/A
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Game Film
#90 Dexter Lawrence vs. Duke (2018)

Strengths: A massive man who is capable of playing either DT in a 4-3 alignment or nose tackle in a 3-4, Lawrence is a classic run-stuffer who can clog up the middle of the field and shut down the inside running game. Lawrence can shed blocks quickly and shows surprising lateral movement and athleticism for a man his size. He can easily occupy two blockers and hold the point of attack against the run. Played against top opponents in college, although he did miss Clemson's playoff games last season because of his drug suspension. While he isn't a polished pass rusher, he can overwhelm blockers on sheer size and strength.  Has a high ceiling based on his natural physical ability and the fact he came out of college a year early.

Weaknesses: As good as he was at Clemson there are those who think he underachieved in college. Not a great pass rusher, and tends to rely on brute strength rather than technique. Some scouts think he would be a better overall player is he dropped a few pounds. Didn't make a lot of big plays in college, and some think he gets a little sloppy when he gets tired. Was suspended for taking a banned substance in college.

Draft Grade: 6.19

Draft Projection:  First Round

Does He Fit?:  Absolutely. The Rams defense lacked a true classic nose-tackle the past couple of seasons, and Lawrence could solve that problem and go a long way towards shoring up a run-defense that has been below average to downright bad. The big problem is that Lawrence probably won't be available when the Rams pick at number 31. Could they engineer a trade to move up and get him? Given Les Snead's willingness to aggressively go after players he really wants, you can't rule it out.

​NFL Comparison: Linval Joseph
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