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Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
The Chargers made large strides last year that no one saw. The Chiefs were amazing fans and media alike with their high scoring offense and starting 4-0 while the Chargers were 2-2 (and were down 17-6 in game 5). People were already writing them off as “same old chargers”. But the chargers fought and persevered. While the chiefs were putting up 50 on Monday Night football, the Chargers were stringing together a 6-game winning streak (a task that no other team in their division could manage). The chargers played consistent, tough football. After finishing with the same record as the #1 seed in the playoffs. They unveiled a version of Quarters defense that had 4 defensive linemen, no linebackers, and 7 defensive backs. The chargers hoped they were able to contain the middle with their 4 defensive linemen and use their defense backs and their speed to contain Lamar Jackson. While this plan worked for the Ravens, the Patriots hoped and prayed for the chargers to use this defense. When the Chargers used the modified quarters, the Patriots ran the ball down their throat. Any time the Patriots ran the ball, the Patriots would get a consistent push up the middle. They wouldn’t out run anyone, but they would get a healthy running game at 4.6 yards and 4 touchdowns. Once they established the run, the defensive backs starting biting on run fakes worse than Kurt Coleman. In a NFL that is attempting to get faster, the Patriots show that the power running game is still useful, in fact they rode the running game to a Super Bowl victory (fun fact, last person to throw a touchdown in the Super Bowl is Nick Foles). If the chargers are going to run this modified Quarters defense they will have to stop the run. They need a space eater who will generate a push. They need someone to force running backs outside to the speed of the team. They need Dexter Lawrence
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You can’t teach 6’4”. You can’t teach 342 (ok maybe with a few pizzas, burgers etc etc). The largest player on Clemson who earned the name “Hulk” would be a smashing addition to a stellar defensive line that includes Bosa, Ingram and Brandon Mebane. Adding Lawrence would demand double teams, take the pressure from Mebane in the middle, while forcing one on one match ups for Bosa and Ingram. They would be able to reduce the power runs up the middle and allow the Charger speed to get to the edge, creating a defense that could get pressure without blitzing, and I think that works well
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Now a man-eating nose tackle like this won’t have great stats, in fact he only had 15 solo tackles, and 1.5 sacks. Hulk’s job is to smash and let everyone else shine. This pick makes an already impressive line elite. As a run stopper he already has the grade, but what about the passing grade, let me cherry pick something from Pro Football Focus like everyone else does:
Strengths:
- Enormous frame with intimidating combination of size and power
- Healthier and much quicker in 2018
- Impressive athletic ability for his size
- Footwork allows disruptive power to travel down the down the line
- Agility to defeat or recover quickly from cut blocks
- Possesses booming upper-body power
- Disengages from single blocks whenever he wants to
- Able to thwart seal blocks and mangle down blocks that miss the target
- Has potential to eat double teams and let his linebackers roam free
- Ball carriers are finished once he gets his hands on them
- Punishing bull-rusher with leg drive to constrict pocket space
Weaknesses:
- Has been unable to equal impressive production from freshman season
- Average rush talent likely to limit draft value
- Lacks looseness as rusher to find edges
- Basic rush counters relatively ineffective
- More reliant upon size over technique at this stage
- Gets caved by double teams when he doesn’t sink his post
- Inconsistent hand placement/quickness for early control at the point
- Occasionally shortcuts flow to the ball causing him to lose his fit
How does the Hulk measure up
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Oh he’s a damn monster, posting a wingspan, weight, and bench press in the 96% percentile or better. Lawrence isn’t a flashy pick. But the chargers are fine not being the flashy team. They want to beat them. They want to smash them, and what better way to smash, than with the hulk.
Poll
Do you approve of this pick?
2019 BGN Mock Draft Order
1) Cardinals (Philliesandthebees): Kyler Murray
2) 49ers (SakPrescott): Nick Bosa
3) Jets (thealien2696): Quinnen Williams
4) Raiders (SisyphusNoMore): Josh Allen
5) Buccaneers (EAGLESBSU): Montez Sweat
6) Giants (ablesser88): Dwayne Haskins
7) Jaguars (20Safety_Hazards): Jawaan Taylor
8) Lions (89Tremaine): Ed Oliver
9) Bills (drc242): Jonah Williams
10) Broncos (ItownBallers22): Devin White
11) Bengals (Phoenix X Maximus): Cody Ford
12) Packers (Palaniappan K M): Brian Burns
13) Dolphins (wildcatlh): Andre Dillard
14) Falcons (Happy24): Rashan Gary
15) Washington (roberticus01): D.K. Metcalf
16) Panthers (JALupowitz): Clelin Ferrell
17) Giants (KevinDont): Devin Bush
18) Vikings (Eagles701): Noah Fant
19) Titans (Big Schmoopie): Christian Wilkins
20) Steelers (J. Wil): T.J. Hockenson
21) Seahawks (NickfoleonDynamite): Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
22) Ravens (GMinTraining): N’Keal Harry
23) Texans (EaglesRock94): Byron Murphy
24) Raiders (SummersInVA): Greedy Williams
25) Eagles (I Need a Username): Garrett Bradbury
26) Colts (Nolo0oo): A.J. Brown
27) Raiders (SLC Eagle): Josh Jacobs
28) Chargers (LBCeaglesFan!): Dexter Lawrence
29) Chiefs (Boxer Madness):
30) Packers (Kephas):
31) Rams (Matthieuck):
32) Patriots (Zett_66):
Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think the Chargers should pick in the 2019 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.
Poll
Who should the Chargers draft at No. 28 overall?
This poll is closed
-
56%
Dexter Lawrence
-
19%
Jerry Tillery
-
7%
Jeffery Simmons
-
11%
Dalton Risner
-
4%
Kaleb McGary
2019 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft
1) Cardinals: Kyler Murray
2) 49ers: Nick Bosa
3) Jets: Quinnen Williams
4) Raiders: Josh Allen
5) Buccaneers: Montez Sweat
6) Giants: Dwayne Haskins
7) Jaguars: Jawaan Taylor
8) Lions: Ed Oliver
9) Bills: Jonah Williams
10) Broncos: Devin White
11) Bengals: Devin Bush
12) Packers: T.J. Hockenson
13) Dolphins: Andre Dillard
14) Falcons: Rashan Gary
15) Washington: Drew Lock
16) Panthers: Clelin Ferrell
17) Giants: Brian Burns
18) Vikings: Noah Fant
19) Titans: Christian Wilkins
20) Steelers: D.K. Metcalf
21) Seahawks: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
22) Ravens: N’Keal Harry
23) Texans: Cody Ford
24) Raiders: Greedy Williams
25) Eagles: Garrett Bradbury
26) Colts: A.J. Brown
27) Raiders: Josh Jacobs
28) Chargers:
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