PFF scouting report: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

Here is the PFF draft profile for Clemson's Shaq Lawson, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here. 

Position fit:

Ideal fit for 4-3 defensive end, but could be worked into a 3-4 scheme at linebacker or end

Stats to know:

Second-highest run defense grade among edge defenders

What he does best:

• Power end. Tosses around tackles and tight ends when he two-gaps
• Relentless rushing the passer. Rarely gets washed past quarterback and can win with a secondary move if his initial rush fails
• Bull rush almost always squeezed the pocket
• Can win with his hands against both the run and pass. Doesn’t rely solely on strength
• Similar rate of production sophomore year in 329 snaps
• Devastating spin move

Biggest concern:

• Lacks first step of a pure pass rusher
• Little ability to counter inside outside of a spin move
• Played on a stacked Clemson line that pushed a handful of cleanup sacks his way
• Profiles to an interior rusher on 3rd downs, but took very few snaps on the interior

Player style comparison:

James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers

Bottom line:

The junior has prodigious strength that should only improve in an NFL weight room. His discipline against the run will translate well to the NFL, but his skillset doesn’t profile to a feared third-down pass rusher.