PFF scouting report: Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn

Name: Carl Lawson
School: Auburn
Position fit: Edge defender, either outside linebacker in a 3-4 or defensive end in a 4-3
Stats to know: Averaged a sack, hit or hurry once every 5.4 pass rushing attempts in 2016

What he does best:

Wins as a pass-rusher in variety of ways. Picked up sacks, hits and hurries on outside moves, inside moves, bull rushes and on spin moves.
Consistent pass-rush threat. Had just one game in 2016 where he failed to register at least three total pressures.
Finally put together a full season after missing all of 2014 and half of 2015 through injury.
Uses his hands very well as a pass-rusher, helping him to a pass-rushing productivity rating of 15.1, ranking ninth among 3-4 outside linebackers.
Responsible for three of the 14 total pressures charged to Mississippi State right tackle Justin Senior, a draftable prospect, beating him for a sack and two hurries.
Productive when kicking inside to rush the passer, creating pressure on 40 percent of his rushes in between the tackles
Has flashed against the run, with 11 of his 13 tackles resulting in a defensive stop. Still has room to grow here.

Biggest concern:

While he has flashed against the run, has lacked consistency. 11 of his 13 tackles may have resulted in a defensive stop, but his run stop percentage of just 4.5 percent was seventh-worst among 3-4 outside linebackers in the SEC.
Missed a season and a half of playing time over his college career. Leaves a lower sample size than you would like to see.
Had some struggles against pull blocks in the running game. Just one positively graded play in this area in 2016.
Not a consistent problem, but was caught losing contain or overpursuing five times in 2016.
Could be more disciplined. Had six offsides or neutral zone infraction penalties in 2016.

Player Comparison: Cameron Wake, Miami Dolphins

Wake has never really been a dominant player against the run, but has consistently been one of the league's top pass-rushers since entering the league in 2009.

Bottom line: The lack of consistency and overall production against the run is something of a concern with Lawson, but his talent as a pass-rusher is impossible to deny. In the very least though, he has the talent teams are going to fall in love with as a pass-rusher.