3.81: Rashard Lawrence, IDL, Louisiana State
In yesterday’s loss to the Saints, the Buccaneers failed to get to Bridgewater even once on the day as NFL sack leader Shaquil Barrett was held without a sack and the duo of Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh were rarely in the backfield. Additionally, Suh is more than likely to be playing elsewhere in 2020 (whoever gives him the most money), so the Buccaneers will need to address the interior of their defensive line.
Enter LSU’s Rashard Lawrence to the pewter and red in the third round of this mock draft. Listed at 6-2 and 308 pounds, Lawrence is fit to play a 3-4 defensive end post, the one more than likely abandoned by Suh this offseason; it will not be a shock to see him test as one of the more athletic defensive tackles at the combine either in March.
Lawrence was injured in the second game of the season for the Tigers, but was on a great pace for an interior defensive lineman before being slowed down. In his two games of action this season, Lawrence has tallied one sack, one tackle behind the line of scrimmage, one pass deflected, and one forced fumble for the Tigers; in his career, Lawrence has recorded seven and a half sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.