FentayeJones Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Quote Clemson's Shaq Lawson is well aware of ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest mock draft projection, which has him going 17th overall to the Atlanta Falcons -- and not because Lawson surfed the internet to find it. "My family from (Albany) Georgia was posting it on my social media," Lawson said. "I don't really pay attention to that stuff right now, but they were just saying it would be for me to come down to the 'A' to play. And I just said, 'Yeah, it would be great.'" For more than one reason. Not only would it be meaningful to become one of the top players selected in this year's NFL draft, period, but ending up in Atlanta might be the ideal scenario for a guy who lined up next to a couple of Falcons -- defensive end Vic Beasley and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett -- during the 2014 season. "It would be special to play with those guys again," Lawson said. "They were two leaders that we had at Clemson. And it would feel like playing on the defensive line at Clemson again, so it would be great playing with those guys." First and foremost, Lawson has to handle his business prior to the draft. The 6-foot-3-inch, 270-pound powerhouse led the nation with 25.5 tackles for loss last season to go with 12.5 sacks. The next phase for him is impressing NFL teams at this year's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis starting this week. Lawson, who was last seen braving through a MCL sprain in his left knee during Clemson's national title loss to Alabama, will go through all testing at the combine. His vertical should be interesting to monitor considering he was a big dunker as a South Carolina prep, when he was recruited to play at Virginia Commonwealth. "I just want to be able to show teams my athleticism and that I can play all positions -- play anything they want me to play," Lawson said. "I just want to show them how athletic I am. "I feel more comfortable playing defensive end (in a 4-3 scheme) because I've been playing it all my life, but I wouldn't have a problem playing inside, because I've played that, too. I just grew up playing end." Lawson is confident in every aspect of his game, but particularly his pass rush. The Falcons sorely need pass-rush help after finishing last in the league with just 19 sacks last season. "I feel like I'm one of the best in this draft class as far as pass-rushing," Lawson said. "I have different moves. People think I'm more of a power rusher, but I have a lot more. I've got a spin move, and that's something I learned from Vic (Beasley). I saw him do it in a game against Georgia and I was like, 'Man, I'm about to start trying that.' And it started working." Lawson has leaned on Beasley and Jarrett for advice on how to prepare for the draft. Beasley was the eighth-overall selection last year after posting big numbers at the combine, and Jarrett didn't go as high as anticipated and became a fifth-round steal. "They just gave me the advice to stay focused and enjoy the moment," Lawson said. "They know what the combine is like and the whole process is like that I'm going through now, because they've been through it. ... They've helped me out a lot." Lawson helped himself plenty by being a disruptive force on the field last season. http://espn.go.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/19095/shaq-lawson-likes-sound-of-clemson-reunion-with-atlanta-falcons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Hoopah! Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Didn't know he was from Albany. Cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovie_Lover Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Just now, mdrake34 said: Didn't know he was from Albany. Cool. All good players are from Georgia, don't you know that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capologist Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert_Falcon Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Don't forget about Goodman(I know,hard not to) also a Clemson Alumn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realist Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Draft Shaq and go all-in on a linebacker like Danny T in FA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 This reminds me of the Vic article saying the same from last year. It'll be interesting to see if it follows the same path. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkridge Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 21 minutes ago, hjerry said: This reminds me of the Vic article saying the same from last year. It'll be interesting to see if it follows the same path. Grabbing Clemson emissaries to pull in Deshaun Watson as Matty's future replacement . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 2 minutes ago, Arkridge said: Grabbing Clemson emissaries to pull in Deshaun Watson as Matty's future replacement . You planning on us losing most of our games next year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkridge Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 47 minutes ago, hjerry said: 22 minutes ago, hjerry said: You planning on us losing most of our games next year? Man, I hope not. We're way better than that. But I'd love to have Deshaun Watson. I know he'd love to be in ATL and having him sit under Matt for a few years would do absolute wonders for his game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blizzard_falcon Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 My hope going into last year was that we'd get Vic Beasley and Stephone Anthony. But Beasley and Jarrett was a nice consolation prize. Would love to add Shaq Lawson in the first round. I'm just worried he'll be picked ahead of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stryka Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 44 minutes ago, Arkridge said: Grabbing Clemson emissaries to pull in Deshaun Watson as Matty's future replacement . Man now that is a pipe dream indeed!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stryka Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 2 minutes ago, virginiafalcon said: My hope going into last year was that we'd get Vic Beasley and Stephone Anthony. But Beasley and Jarrett was a nice consolation prize. Would love to add Shaq Lawson in the first round. I'm just worried he'll be picked ahead of us. While I would love to see those guys working together to become stars....DE has me at ease. Even if the top 4 or 5 guys are gone by 17...we still can get a very good quality DE then or later. I just cant decide if we go DE or LB but FA should help sort that out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bawse Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 59 minutes ago, hjerry said: You planning on us losing most of our games next year? If it means we can ditch Matts bum ***, then yes. Dual Threat QBs are the future and Watson is an animal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwifalcon Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 41 minutes ago, Bawse said: If it means we can ditch Matts bum ***, then yes. Dual Threat QBs are the future and Watson is an animal. LOL and when's the last time a dual threat guy won the SB again ??????. Watson after watching him does impress me though as he stands in the pocket mostofthese guys run like rabbits afterthe 2nd progression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Hoopah! Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 45 minutes ago, Bawse said: If it means we can ditch Matts bum ***, then yes. Dual Threat QBs are the future and Watson is an animal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bawse Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 1 hour ago, kiwifalcon said: LOL and when's the last time a dual threat guy won the SB again ??????. Watson after watching him does impress me though as he stands in the pocket mostofthese guys run like rabbits afterthe 2nd progression. Uhhh? Russell Wilson?? The last four Super Bowls have featured dual threat QBs. Times change. Peyton Manning threw for an astounding 140 yards in this years bowl, if he didn't have an amazing D, the Broncos get shredded by Scam. Fact..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bawse Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 1 hour ago, mdrake34 said: Yeah, that's how I felt when Richt & Bobo thought Watson couldn't fit in as a QB here @ UGA =/... And deciding to make Derrick Henry a LB.... =/.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam25 Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Yea, I'd love to have Shaq here too, I'm sure Vic, Grady and Goodman would too lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamPlayer1 Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 2 hours ago, Bawse said: If it means we can ditch Matts bum ***, then yes. Dual Threat QBs are the future and Watson is an animal. Bawse, We got it. You hate Matt Ryan. Get some new material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 27 minutes ago, Bawse said: Uhhh? Russell Wilson?? The last four Super Bowls have featured dual threat QBs. Times change. Peyton Manning threw for an astounding 140 yards in this years bowl, if he didn't have an amazing D, the Broncos get shredded by Scam. Fact..... Dual threat =/= Mobile Also, Wilson hardly did **** in that SB. Wilson succeeds b/c he is a great pocket passer, that can evade when necessary. Cam got better when he became a better pocket passer. Mobility will always help, but pocket passing will always be the key to a great NFL QB. Aaron Rodgers types not RGIII types Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I like the sound of Shaq Lawson liking the sound of coming to Atlanta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Wouldn't be upset if we got any of Lawson, Dodd, or Reader. Just make the whole **** line Clemson, I don't care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realist Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 3 hours ago, Stryka said: While I would love to see those guys working together to become stars....DE has me at ease. Even if the top 4 or 5 guys are gone by 17...we still can get a very good quality DE then or later. I just cant decide if we go DE or LB but FA should help sort that out Agreed. It seems like Bosa, Spence, and Ogbah will be gone, but having a choice of Lawson, Nkediche, Floyd, and Dodd isn't bad at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sui_Generis Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 8 hours ago, Yo_Lover said: All good players are from Georgia, don't you know that? Lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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