Justin Lawler: tweets n bits n articles n vids n stuff

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  • April 28, 2018 at 6:53 pm #85576
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    Justin Lawler, DE, SMU

    Height: 6-4 Weight: 266 lbs Projected Draft Round: 4-7

    Scouting Report:

    A run stopping machine that probably best projects as a 3-4 defensive end. Has played off the edge and in space, but excels at standing his ground and maintaining his gaps. Could stand to put on a little more bulk, and his testing at the combine will allow him an opportunity to be scouted as an OLB in a 3-4, but has established himself as an effective run stopper that 3-4 teams will find appealing.

    April 28, 2018 at 8:17 pm #85594
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    PFF LA Rams@PFF_Rams
    New #LARams edge defender Justin Lawler Pemex the draft class’s 10th highest pass-rush productivity in 2017 at 13.2. He generated 22 QB Sacks, 22 QB hits, 94 QB hurries and 138 total QB pressures on 884 pass-rushing snaps over the last three seasons

    April 29, 2018 at 9:16 am #85657
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    Ourlads Guide to the Draft

    Three-year starter from Pottsboro, TX. Two-time first-team All-AAC pick. The high energy player pressures and forces the quarterback to the other side of the formation. Has a violent rip move that he uses to get into and get by the blocker. Has shorter arms than ideal for the position, but his good speed and athletic ability make up for the shortcoming. Ultra productive with 74 tackles last season. A hell bent for election type competitor who works from snap to whistle. Did not see any top level tackles and in one game forpur sacks versus Connecticut. Has some first step quickness to gain an advantage upfield. He reacts quickly to the snap. The former high school power lifter has strength but must work to bend to leverage the off tackle crease. Not a natural knee bender. Must improve his hand use and develop a variety of pass rush moves. East-West Shrine participant. 2017 stats: 74 T! 15.5 TFL, 9.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 10 QBH, 2 FF, 3 BK. Not invited to the Combine. Seventh round/PFA. (A-31 3/4, H-9 3/4, H-9 3/8, BP-22, 10-1.74).

    April 29, 2018 at 9:20 am #85658
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    Brugler:

    30. JUSTIN LAWLER | SMU 6037 | 264 lbs. | rSR. Pottsboro, Texas (Pottsboro) 12/23/1994 (age 23.4) #99
    BACKGROUND: A two-star defensive end recruit out of high school, Justin Lawler lettered in football, basketball, baseball, powerlifting and track at Pottsboro. He earned district MVP honors with 104 tackles and 5.5 sacks as a defensive end, adding 745 receiving yards as a wideout. Lawler followed up with 124 tackles and 13 sacks as a senior with 719 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns on offense, committing to SMU over offers from North Texas and UTSA. After redshirting in 2013, Lawler was a reserve in 2014 and posted 23 tackles. He became a sophomore starter and led the team in tackles (64) and sacks (5.0), adding 9.0 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. Lawler started all 12 games as a junior and recorded 65 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks, earning First Team All-AAC honors. He started all 13 games as a senior and finished with a team-best 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks, adding 74 tackles and two forced fumbles to earn First Team All-ACC honors. Lawler accepted his invitation to the 2018 East-West Shrine Game.

    STRENGTHS: Solid burst off the snap…adequate bend to work his shoulder past the outside shoulder of the tackle…trusts his technique, using handwork to fight off blockers…flashes a closing burst once he finds a path to the quarterback…backfield vision to track the football, seeing through bodies…reads his keys quickly, allowing him to play fast…rushes with relentless energy and doesn’t take plays off…registered six blocked kicks (five field goals, one extra point) the last three seasons, including a FBS-best three blocked kicks in 2017…well-strapped together build…graduated with a degree in sport management (May 2017), currently working on his master’s…adopted a professional mindset early on and lives a mature lifestyle (married with a daughter)…led the team in sacks each of his the last three seasons.

    WEAKNESSES: Looks the part of a NFL defensive end, except for his tiny arms…minimal deception in his rush plan with noticeable tightness in his hips…lackluster contact balance through blocks, struggling to convert speed to power…pass rush stalls when his first move is ineffective, lacking effective counter measures…pad level was a consistent issue, standing up once engaged…will sell out as a pass rusher at times, losing outside contain…limited lateral agility and forced to gear down when
    redirecting in space…doesn’t close the gap when chasing vs. the run.

    SUMMARY: A three-year starter at SMU, Lawler started primarily as the field defensive end in the Mustangs’ four-man front, occasionally lining up inside or on the boundary as the “Leo” defensive end. He became only the third player in school history to reach 20 sacks in a career, setting the single-game record with four sacks vs. UConn (Sept. 2017). Lawler isn’t a speed rusher who will scream off the edge, but he plays with the initial quickness and juice to break down tackles, relying on his mechanics and effort to get the job done. He is a smart run defender, finishing first or second on the team in tackles each of the last three seasons. Overall, Lawler is a classic overachiever who lacks NFL length or edge speed, but he plays alert, relentless and fundamentally-sound, which could be enough for a NFL roster spot.
    GRADE: 7th Round

    April 29, 2018 at 9:26 am #85660
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    I appreciate all the additions, CR.

    You may have noticed already, but since we have so many dedicated threads this draft (with 11 picks) I made a guide that links you to each individual dedicated player thread. Makes it easier to find them on a board that is bouncing around a lot. That’s here: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/guide-to-2018-draft-discussion-threads/

    April 29, 2018 at 9:52 am #85664
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    I enjoy sharing this information. I am unusually fond of all things Draft. Thanks for the link.

    April 30, 2018 at 4:31 pm #85768
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
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    Agamemnon

    April 30, 2018 at 5:07 pm #85770
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    PFF LA Rams@PFF_Rams
    New #LARams edge defender Justin Lawler produced the draft class’s 10th highest pass-rush productivity in 2017 at 13.2. He generated 22 QB Sacks, 22 QB hits, 94 QB hurries (!!!) and 138 total QB pressures on 884 pass-rushing snaps over the last three seasons

    May 2, 2018 at 1:21 am #85807
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    Agamemnon

    June 1, 2018 at 12:36 am #86876
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    Lawler has been stepping up in OTAs in the absence of Obo and Fox. He has gotten a lot of positive buzz so far.

    …

    June 2, 2018 at 8:45 pm #86960
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    Two Weeks Into OTAs, Lawler Taking Reps with First-Team Defense

    Kristen Lago

    http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Two-Weeks-Into-OTAs-Lawler-Taking-Reps-with-First-Team-Defense/2c9aac86-f610-4b64-86f3-7e7baabe57bb

    It’s not often that a seventh-round draft pick is thrust into the first-team lineup just one month into the offseason program. But such is the case for the Rams’ final draft pick, Justin Lawler, who is up for a tough challenge during the team’s OTAs.

    “It’s been going good. I’m picking up the defense slowly,” he said this week. “As you can see we’ve had some injuries, so I’m going and kinda thrown in with the ones.”

    The injuries Lawler referred to include Morgan Fox and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who suffered a season-ending knee

    injury and a foot injury that required surgery, respectively. Both injuries occurred in the offseason program.

    With both out for the remainder of the offseason, Lawler has been asked to step up in their place — something that may have surprised the rookie at first, but was not entirely unexpected.

    “I knew they were thin [and] that’s why they drafted three of us,” Lawler said. “You never wish that upon anybody, but that’s football. It’s next man up. I get hurt, hopefully not, but the next man’s gotta play. That’s football and that’s the business we’re in.”

    Through six OTAs, Lawler has been taking reps with the ones as the club’s strongside linebacker. While at SMU, he played the majority of his time on the weak side, representing yet another transition for the young player.

    But with the help of linebacker’s coach Joe Barry, Lawler is hopeful that he will be able to not only learn the terminology and scheme, but also to improve his technique at a new position.

    “I have to drop a lot more. So, the route combos, the motions, just the communication overall, that’s been the toughest to pick up,” he said. “I’ve got to get better as a pass rusher. Joe B always says that we’re paid to rush their quarterback and that’s something that I’ve gotta refine.”

    Fortunately, Lawler says he has found a mentor in second-year outside linebacker Samson Ebukam — who has experience on the strong side from his first season with the franchise in 2017.

    “He’s helped me out a lot — just in the huddle. Since I’m going and I’m already in the huddle with him, he kinda just says ‘hey, remember this’ or gives me little tips,” Lawler said. “So, he’s been a huge help, just kinda having someone in my pocket to go to on the field.”

    And while it may seem daunting to be competing with and against some of the club’s top players, Lawler believes he is up for the challenge. The outside linebacker said he is happy to be “thrown into the fire” early on, recognizing that it will only help him down the line.

    “That’s the good thing is I’m seeing it now. I’m making mistakes, but I’m trying not to make the same one twice and so it’s good to see it,” Lawler said. “I’m asking them to be patient with me as I pick up the defense, but it’s going well. I’m just getting better everyday, that’s my goal.”

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