NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Quarterbacks rise post-combine, Redskins land pass catcher
Clemson. Dexter Lawrence. 28. player. 13. . Defensive Tackle
A man of Dexter Lawrence’s size simply shouldn’t be as athletic as he is. At the NFL Combine, Larence weighed in at 6-4, 342 pounds, yet he was able to run a 5.05-second 40-yard dash, total 36 reps on the bench press (second-best in the group), and log a 10 1/2 foot broad jump.
That’s absolutely insane. There’s no other way to describe it.
Lawrence’s talent was overshadowed at Clemson because he played alongside Christian Wilkins and Clelin Ferrell. While they received more acclaim, Lawrence’s size and athletic ability allowed him to occupy blockers and open up lanes for his teammates. That explains why he had just 1.5 sacks last year, but he has upside and should log more like he did his freshman season (6.5 sacks and 40 tackles).
The Chargers could use a big-bodied nose tackle for their defensive line. They probably would have taken one in the first round last year had Daron Payne or Vita Vea been on the board and had Derwin James not fallen into their laps. But now, they will get their chance to address that need with Lawrence. And he could really help take that line, along with Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa, to the next level.