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NFL Mock Draft 7.0: Giants, Patriots trade up; Redskins land defensive help

By Jacob Camenker

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 03: Daniel Jones #17 of the Duke Blue Devils heads to the sidelines in the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 03: Daniel Jones #17 of the Duke Blue Devils heads to the sidelines in the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 2: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence #90 of the Clemson Tigers #90 celebrates a tackle against the Kent State Golden Flashes on September 2, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 2: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence #90 of the Clemson Tigers #90 celebrates a tackle against the Kent State Golden Flashes on September 2, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images) /

. Defensive Tackle. Clemson. Dexter Lawrence. 28. player. 13

The Chargers already put in work to help strengthen the middle of their defense by re-signing middle linebacker Denzel Perryman and adding outside linebacker Thomas Davis in free agency. Now, they’ll continue to strengthen the middle by drafting a huge defensive tackle with upside.

In the lead-up to the 2019 NFL Draft, Dexter Lawrence is on the rise. The Clemson defensive tackle hasn’t gotten as much attention as his teammates Clelin Ferrell and Christian Wilkins, but he is still talented.

In his three years at Clemson, Lawrence logged 131 tackles and 10 sacks playing on a stacked defensive line. His sack numbers went down as his career progressed, but that was partially due to the talent that was surrounding him. He still has a lot of pass rushing upside and should be a high-level run stuffer at the next level thanks to his 6-4, 342-pound frame.

Lawrence was surprisingly agile for his size at the combine, as he logged a 5.05 time in the 40-yard dash. For a man that big, that is an unbelievable time. He also logged 36 reps in the bench press, which showcases that he has strength. And he uses that strength well on the field.

Lawrence would be a long-term option for the Chargers next to last year’s third-round pick, Justin Jones. Brandon Mebane has been a good nose tackle for a long time in the league, but he turned 34 in January, so he may decline soon. Adding Lawrence and playing him in rotation with Mebane could keep both fresh and strengthen the Chargers’ run defense, which was a problem for the squad against the Patriots in the playoffs.

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