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NFL Combine Aftermath: Who’s Rising and Who’s Falling?

By David Harrison

Feb 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general view of Lucas Oil Stadium during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general view of Lucas Oil Stadium during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) is sacked by Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) during the second quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) is sacked by Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) during the second quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

RISING:  Shaq Lawson – DE – Clemson

There’s defensive line talent spread throughout this year’s draft class, and it’s hard to imagine any team with a need on the front line coming out of it without a new weapon. Out of all the prospects who took the field on Sunday, Shaq Lawson from Clemson made the biggest statement.

Lawson finished the day top-6 in three measured events, and showed great explosiveness in drills all day long. After being banged up at the end of the college football season, it was important for scouts to see he was healthy and could move the way they’d seen in his career at Clemson. They got just what they wanted, and Lawson has brought himself back to the forefront of the defensive line conversation.

With less than stellar performances by other front-runners, Joey Bosa, Noah Spence, and DeForest Buckner, Lawson has brought this already tight group even tighter, and pro-days for all of these individuals will carry even more weight than expected.

At a minimum, Lawson has cemented his status as a first-round selection, and now could be in the conversation to be the second lineman taken off the board come April 28th.

Next: TE - David Morgan II

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