Risen Star
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Boise State DE Demarcus Lawrence is the one of the most intriguing prospects I have watched on tape this offseason. The 6-foot-3 and 251-pound Lawrence is an above-average athlete that possesses excellent length (33¾) along with active and heavy hands (11 inches). While he is a bit linear in his lower body, Lawrence plays with quality leverage and uses his length well to lock out blockers when setting the edge.
His biggest upside comes as a pass-rusher. Lawrence has ideal length, above-average first step quickness, active hands and most important displays tremendous flexibility throughout his torso. This allows him to not only transition speed-to-power but also provides him the ability to bend the edge and finish at the top of his rush which is not often seen at the collegiate level.
Lawrence is a junior college transfer (Butler CC in Kansas) who has just two years of FBS experience and still has some developing to do in terms of instincts and recognition skills. He also comes with some character baggage and will likely need to transition from mostly playing with his hand in the dirt as a true DE to a SLB or 34 OLB at the next level. He does not have ideal experience dropping into coverage or playing in space and may need time adapting in terms of awareness and angles in drop zones.
Combined these issues and it could bring some minor concerns from teams. However, Lawrence has been productive registering 34 tackles for loss and 19 sacks in two seasons at Boise State. He displays the natural athleticism to make the transition to a stand-up linebacker and has favorable frame to continue to add bulk and increase his strength and power. Teams like the Bengals, Cardinals and Saints, who are looking for pass-rushing help from an edge linebacker could find strong return on Lawrence in the Day 2 range.
Clemson WR Martavis Bryant is another prospect that has flashed big upside on tape throughout the evaluation process. At nearly 6-foot-4 and 211 pounds, Bryant has a physical skill set that translates well to the next level. He is a flat out burner on tape who flashes the ability to eat up cushions and get down the field in hurry (4.42 40-yard dash). In addition, he has a loose and flexible frame and flashes explosive leaping ability (39-inch vertical) that gives him a wide catching radius and provides him with a lot of upside as a vertical big play threat.
Admittedly, Bryant’s tape has not matched up with his physical talent level. He has had his share of focus drops and needs to continue to get stronger as a route-runner. In addition, he is a bit straight line and can have trouble dropping his weight and separating from underneath coverage. However, in Bryant’s defense, he was not a great fit within offensive coordinator Chad Morris’ scheme at Clemson which relied heavily on quick hitting underneath throws. Also Bryant’s production was hampered a bit because of inconsistent deep ball accuracy from QB Tajh Boyd on tape.
If he's able focus and maximize his potential, Bryant has the talent to become a strong No. 2 with a few years of development. However, a team drafting him with expectations for him to step in right away as a No. 2 may be a bit disappointed initially. Bryant also won’t be a fit for every team. But he has a chance to bring good value in the fringe Day 2 range with a team that has a strong armed quarterback with an established receiving corps like the 49ers, Steelers or Lions, where he can fit a role similar to the late Chris Henry who posed as a vertical threat next to Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh for the Bengals in the last half of the '00s.
Boise State DE Demarcus Lawrence is the one of the most intriguing prospects I have watched on tape this offseason. The 6-foot-3 and 251-pound Lawrence is an above-average athlete that possesses excellent length (33¾) along with active and heavy hands (11 inches). While he is a bit linear in his lower body, Lawrence plays with quality leverage and uses his length well to lock out blockers when setting the edge.
His biggest upside comes as a pass-rusher. Lawrence has ideal length, above-average first step quickness, active hands and most important displays tremendous flexibility throughout his torso. This allows him to not only transition speed-to-power but also provides him the ability to bend the edge and finish at the top of his rush which is not often seen at the collegiate level.
Lawrence is a junior college transfer (Butler CC in Kansas) who has just two years of FBS experience and still has some developing to do in terms of instincts and recognition skills. He also comes with some character baggage and will likely need to transition from mostly playing with his hand in the dirt as a true DE to a SLB or 34 OLB at the next level. He does not have ideal experience dropping into coverage or playing in space and may need time adapting in terms of awareness and angles in drop zones.
Combined these issues and it could bring some minor concerns from teams. However, Lawrence has been productive registering 34 tackles for loss and 19 sacks in two seasons at Boise State. He displays the natural athleticism to make the transition to a stand-up linebacker and has favorable frame to continue to add bulk and increase his strength and power. Teams like the Bengals, Cardinals and Saints, who are looking for pass-rushing help from an edge linebacker could find strong return on Lawrence in the Day 2 range.
Clemson WR Martavis Bryant is another prospect that has flashed big upside on tape throughout the evaluation process. At nearly 6-foot-4 and 211 pounds, Bryant has a physical skill set that translates well to the next level. He is a flat out burner on tape who flashes the ability to eat up cushions and get down the field in hurry (4.42 40-yard dash). In addition, he has a loose and flexible frame and flashes explosive leaping ability (39-inch vertical) that gives him a wide catching radius and provides him with a lot of upside as a vertical big play threat.
Admittedly, Bryant’s tape has not matched up with his physical talent level. He has had his share of focus drops and needs to continue to get stronger as a route-runner. In addition, he is a bit straight line and can have trouble dropping his weight and separating from underneath coverage. However, in Bryant’s defense, he was not a great fit within offensive coordinator Chad Morris’ scheme at Clemson which relied heavily on quick hitting underneath throws. Also Bryant’s production was hampered a bit because of inconsistent deep ball accuracy from QB Tajh Boyd on tape.
If he's able focus and maximize his potential, Bryant has the talent to become a strong No. 2 with a few years of development. However, a team drafting him with expectations for him to step in right away as a No. 2 may be a bit disappointed initially. Bryant also won’t be a fit for every team. But he has a chance to bring good value in the fringe Day 2 range with a team that has a strong armed quarterback with an established receiving corps like the 49ers, Steelers or Lions, where he can fit a role similar to the late Chris Henry who posed as a vertical threat next to Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh for the Bengals in the last half of the '00s.
