2016 NFL Draft Grades: Shaq Lawson Is Graded at a D+

[Phil The Thrill]

NFL.com graded all of the selections from the 2016 NFL Draft including Shaq Lawson.

 

Unfortunately Doug Whaley and company are given one of the lowest grades for Lawson.  He ended up with a D+ which is only marginally better than the F scores given to major busts like Paxston Lynch or Corey Coleman.  

 

Heres the breakdown on Shaq:

 

Grade: D+ | School: Clemson 

The Bills drafted Lawson despite concerns over an existing shoulder injury that eventually required offseason surgery and landed him on the PUP list to start the 2016 campaign. In the past two seasons, Lawson has started 16 total games while totaling eight sacks. He has good play strength and handles run duties effectively, but his lack of consistent pressure as a rusher helps make this a below-average pick at No. 19.

 

Reports out of training camp have been encouraging so hopefully Shaq puts together a good season, but he has never really planned out during his first 3 seasons

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001041302/article/2016-nfl-draft-revisited-grades-for-firstrounders-three-years-in

Edited August 15, 2019 by Phil The Thrill

[saundena]

I think D+ is a little harsh.  C+ seems about right to me. I expect him to be a very solid contributor this year

 

[GunnerBill]

I think C- / D+ is the right territory. Shaq isn't a bust he can play. But he is a disappointment as a #19 overall pick. If you take C as the "standard" production expected to be a successful pick then Shaq falls just below that.  

 

I think some of the other grades are off though. Leonard Floyd would be the same grade as Shaq for me and DeForest Buckner is an A because he had one good season after two awful ones? Come on. 

 

Karl Joseph and Darron Lee are graded too high. Ryan Kelly and Taylor Decker too low. 

[billsfan89]

C- or D+ seems right. Shaq has been a rotational defensive linemen thus far. He plays well against the run but poor as a pass rusher. He proves he can play in the league but not at a high enough level to justify his pick. He has hope for a turn around as he at least has shown that he has justified a significant amount of snaps even if he isn't a bonafide starter. 

[Tjm3]

Not that bad of a pick considering the rest of the bottom half of the round

[Kirby Jackson]

This feels harsh to me. He might not have been worth pick 19 but if it was pick 49 we’d think it was solid. He’s a solid player and pretty well-rounded. I’d call him a C+. Busts to me are guys that flame out after their first contract (or sooner). Shaq is going to have a 10 year career IMO if he stays healthy. What percentage of 19th picks make it a decade? 50%? Less? I have no idea but that feels better than a D+.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Another Whaley gem

[John from Riverside]

16 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I think C- / D+ is the right territory. Shaq isn't a bust he can play. But he is a disappointment as a #19 overall pick. If you take C as the "standard" production expected to be a successful pick then Shaq falls just below that.  

 

I think some of the other grades are off though. Leonard Floyd would be the same grade as Shaq for me and DeForest Buckner is an A because he had one good season after two awful ones? Come on. 

 

Karl Joseph and Darron Lee are graded too high. Ryan Kelly and Taylor Decker too low. 

I think he is a straight C

 

but the rest of the article is bunk because there are players that are nowhere near the grade level they are giving them.......

[Doc Brown]

Fair grade.  I expected more from a first round DE.  It's amusing to me that this board in general is more harsh on Zay Jones (a 2nd round pick) than Shaq Lawson.

[EasternOHBillsFan]

Just now, Doc Brown said:

Fair grade.  I expected more from a first round DE.  It's amusing to me that this board in general is more harsh on Zay Jones (a 2nd round pick) than Shaq Lawson.

 

Because our offense NEEDS a great WR and he just is very inconsistent. We need consistency to win... Lawson can be replaced but not a guy who was supposed to be a stable pass catching machine.

[Bobby Hooks]

2 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

Fair grade.  I expected more from a first round DE.  It's amusing to me that this board in general is more harsh on Zay Jones (a 2nd round pick) than Shaq Lawson.

Fair point. 

[Formerly Allan in MD]

Who cares.  It's three years later, when we should be judging him for better or worse.

[Bobby Hooks]

2 minutes ago, EasternOHBillsFan said:

 

Because our offense NEEDS a great WR and he just is very inconsistent. We need consistency to win... Lawson can be replaced but not a guy who was supposed to be a stable pass catching machine.

You made his point for him. If we NEEDED a great receiver so badly we should have taken that in the first. 

 

Or signed, or traded for one. You dont expect a 2nd round receiver to be THE guy. 

Edited August 15, 2019 by Bobby Hooks

[Locomark]

Run = B-  ,   Pass = D In My book    His only improvement in the pass game is batted balls because he doesn't get there!

[Rc2catch]

I’m still a big fan of shaq. I don’t think he’s reached his potential or put it all together yet. 

Some players take a little longer and some situations are not good for players development. To use Hughes as an example the colts were a mess defensively and jerry was considered complete trash, comes here and something clicks and he’s arguably our best defensive player for years now. To me anyways, he seems to still be growing and getting better. The draft grade is fair though I can’t dispute he hasn’t lived up to his potential from that draft pick 

[BADOLBILZ]

29 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I think C- / D+ is the right territory. Shaq isn't a bust he can play. But he is a disappointment as a #19 overall pick. If you take C as the "standard" production expected to be a successful pick then Shaq falls just below that.  

 

I think some of the other grades are off though. Leonard Floyd would be the same grade as Shaq for me and DeForest Buckner is an A because he had one good season after two awful ones? Come on. 

 

Karl Joseph and Darron Lee are graded too high. Ryan Kelly and Taylor Decker too low. 

 

D+ is more than fair for Shaq to this point.

 

I don't know about using "standard production" as a basis.........in no world has Shaq's production not been VERY disappointing.  

 

I think you need to use the first round to draft studs and even if that means getting some busts you don't take the average when grading as much as you pick the studs who end up in pro bowls and all pro lists and base the comparison there.    The Pro Bowl is basically a who's who of early round picks for a reason.    In a matchup league the difference between extraordinary and average is a chasm.

 

By comparison A for Buckner is reasonable.

 

Shaq's career totals for tackles and QB hits are just an average season for Buckner and he's evolved into a legit star now.

 

I mean a guy that big with 70 tackles and 10+ sacks?   That's what you want.

 

And Buckner has been durable.

 

 

[Da webster guy]

Nothing like getting a D+ grade and a contract year to get a guy to play at a high level.

 

Shaq wasn't drafted by Beaner, he's here because he's a good player and he's been able to shake some injuries and flash some talent here and there.  On 3rd and short I like him at DE over anybody else we have at that position.

[unbillievable]

Anyone got JJ Watt's draft grade?

 

I actually think Rex got duped because of his Clemson connection.

 

[Locomark]

17 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

I’m still a big fan of shaq. I don’t think he’s reached his potential or put it all together yet. 

Some players take a little longer and some situations are not good for players development. To use Hughes as an example the colts were a mess defensively and jerry was considered complete trash, comes here and something clicks and he’s arguably our best defensive player for years now. To me anyways, he seems to still be growing and getting better. The draft grade is fair though I can’t dispute he hasn’t lived up to his potential from that draft pick 

 

Just curious but what are you a big fan of? I really don't see a high motor on the kid and he plays end in a pass rush league yet has done very little to show pass rush skills. I am certainly rooting for him as a fan but I just haven't seen much to make me an optimist. He certainly isn't twitchy like Jerry to make me think he will suddenly find his pass rush skills. Honestly not ripping you, just wondering what I am missing that some others may be seeing.

[unbillievable]

Notable drafted players after Shaq was picked 19th in 2016

 

23 L. Treadwell Vikings

36 M. Jack Jaguars

38 X. Howard Dolphins

45 D. Henry Titans

47 M. Thomas Saints

52 D. Jones Falcons

56 C. Whitehair Bears

64 K. Byard Titans

69 Y. Ngakoue Jaguars

81 A. Hooper Falcons

99 J Schobert Browns

135 D. Prescott Cowboys

150 J. Howard Bears

165 T. Hill Chiefs

 

 

Edited August 15, 2019 by unbillievable

[Drunken Pygmy Goat]

1 hour ago, saundena said:

I think D+ is a little harsh.  C+ seems about right to me. I expect him to be a very solid contributor this year

 

 

I agree...sort of. I think draft status factored in. If he would have went top 10, they would have given a D-

[unbillievable]

1 minute ago, Drunken Pygmy Goat said:

 

I agree...sort of. I think draft status factored in. If he would have went top 10, they would have given a D-

 

I imagine Clelin Ferrell for the Raiders will have a Shaq type start to his career.

 

[Drunken Pygmy Goat]

13 minutes ago, unbillievable said:

Anyone got JJ Watt's draft grade?

 

I actually think Rex got duped because of his Clemson connection.

 

 

He was in love with "Sack" Lawson

[Rc2catch]

8 minutes ago, Locomark said:

 

Just curious but what are you a big fan of? I really don't see a high motor on the kid and he plays end in a pass rush league yet has done very little to show pass rush skills. I am certainly rooting for him as a fan but I just haven't seen much to make me an optimist. He certainly isn't twitchy like Jerry to make me think he will suddenly find his pass rush skills. Honestly not ripping you, just wondering what I am missing that some others may be seeing.

The jerry comparison was just cause they’re both first round picks. They’re much different players I agree. Watching shaq reminds me of Charles Johnson when I used to watch the panthers play (my nephew was a huge fan of them) He wasn’t amazing the first couple years either. 

Jerry is great, one of the best speed rushers in the game. I think his rush skills actually hurt Lawson’s game. In years past jerry speed rushes, the quarterback steps up right into that zone jerry leave wide open with his speed rush as jerry gets pushed farther back and loops around. If the defensive tackles don’t penetrate the quarterback has a decent amount of time to throw. That leaves Lawson or whoever is on that end having to come across the whole line to get to the quarterback. Mario had the speed to get there for a pressure, shaq does not. He stops his rush and tries to get his hands up which has actually been very effective and is just as important as a pressure. Hopefully adding Oliver fixes that issue and when the quarterbacks go for that open pocket the defensive tackle is there. What jerry does should lead to tons of sacks for the other end or the DT’s but we have lacked skill in the middle. I think shaq has the skill to get sacks and pressures but he needs the quarterback in the actual pocket or on Shaqs side of the line. Him and Murphy both have a ton to prove this season. 

[JaCrispy]

I blame Rex for this pick more than Whaley...he was obsessed with Clemson...Whaley was just trying to get guys that Rex told him he needed for his system imo.

Edited August 15, 2019 by JaCrispy

[NoSaint]

1 hour ago, saundena said:

I think D+ is a little harsh.  C+ seems about right to me. I expect him to be a very solid contributor this year

 

 

If C is average, I’d say it’s fair to hit him as average to below average, without doing a deep dive for bust rates to compare. 

 

Dudes a solid player even if not spectacular but to take a guy with a known injury that wipes out a year of his 4 with you...well, he has to be good in the other 3 to make up for either the risk calculations or flubbed medical exam. 

 

I get that any guy guy could go tear an ACL the day after the draft but with a known injury there’s got to be an expectation of more upside with the added risk. He was on my shortlist with the assumption he wasn’t a medical risk- so it’s not that I had hard feelings or dislike his play today either.

Edited August 15, 2019 by NoSaint

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

31 minutes ago, unbillievable said:

Anyone got JJ Watt's draft grade?

 

I actually think Rex got duped because of his Clemson connection.

 

I'm not sure anyone really needed to dupe Rex.  He's just an idiot that was in way over his head.  If his old man hadn't had a successful NFL coaching career, he would have been lucky to be a beer vendor in a stadium.  What a waste of two seasons for the Bills.

[MJS]

Perfect grade. Shaq has done pretty much nothing. The Bills declined his 5th year option.

[TPS]

1 hour ago, Tjm3 said:

Not that bad of a pick considering the rest of the bottom half of the round

Yes, once you get past #7, that may have been the worst R1 draft in history....

[Boca BIlls]

2 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Fair grade.  I expected more from a first round DE.  It's amusing to me that this board in general is more harsh on Zay Jones (a 2nd round pick) than Shaq Lawson.

Shaq isn't a McDermott guy.

[Doc Brown]

2 hours ago, EasternOHBillsFan said:

 

Because our offense NEEDS a great WR and he just is very inconsistent. We need consistency to win... Lawson can be replaced but not a guy who was supposed to be a stable pass catching machine.

A great WR would be nice but it's rare to find one in the 2nd round.  I expected more from Jones up to this point too as you'd expect a 2nd round pick at WR to be a solid #2 option.  Lawson was a first round pick and the general consensus at the time was he was a steal that we got him that far back in the 1st round because of his injury.  He's been more disappointing than Jones  to this point and the overall sentiment on this board suggests the opposite.

[Boca BIlls]

Well he has this year to prove he is better. This is a big year for Shaq, he can earn some money big or small all on his play. He is set up to succeed this year, let see what he can do.

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

D+ is more than fair for Shaq to this point.

 

I don't know about using "standard production" as a basis.........in no world has Shaq's production not been VERY disappointing.  

 

I think you need to use the first round to draft studs and even if that means getting some busts you don't take the average when grading as much as you pick the studs who end up in pro bowls and all pro lists and base the comparison there.    The Pro Bowl is basically a who's who of early round picks for a reason.    In a matchup league the difference between extraordinary and average is a chasm.

 

By comparison A for Buckner is reasonable.

 

Shaq's career totals for tackles and QB hits are just an average season for Buckner and he's evolved into a legit star now.

 

I mean a guy that big with 70 tackles and 10+ sacks?   That's what you want.

 

And Buckner has been durable.

 

 

 

I am not arguing Buckner shouldn't have a higher grade than Shaq. He obviously should. But I don't think you can give an A at this stage to a person who has had one good year and two bad ones.  Judged just on 2018 Buckner might be an A. But on body of work over 3 years how can he have the same grade as Jalen Ramsey? Makes no sense. 

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

I give Lance Zierlein a D- as an analyst 

[skibum]

I feel like Shaq has always made a positive contribution on the field. Who cares when he was drafted three years ago. Why is this even remotely important? 

[Shaw66]

10 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

I think he is a straight C

 

Right.  A guy who plays essentially full time in his scheme is a C. A D is a guy on the team who can't see the field.  

 

Pity is that Shaq could end up with a really nice 10 year career and he will always be remembered as ad D because he wasn't some sackmaster right out of the gate.  

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

This is so stupid.  The question should not be "How did Shaq do as a first rounder." The questions should be "Was Shaq the best player available at a position of need at 19?"  If he is not, the next question should be "how far off were they."  

 

As far as I can tell, there was 1 or 2 DEs that have done better than Shaq after he was drafted.  It wasn't nearly as bad a pick as "D+" or even "C."

[Shaw66]

51 minutes ago, skibum said:

I feel like Shaq has always made a positive contribution on the field. Who cares when he was drafted three years ago. Why is this even remotely important? 

It isnt important but it's interesting.  It's one way to evaluate your teams gm and how he drafted.  

 

If you're drafting Shaq in the first round every year, you're hurting for talent.  Like how about Maybin, Spiller, Manuel, Dareus, Watkins, Shaq?  How'd that work out?

 

Look how much better the team looks when you draft White, Allen, Edmunds, Oliver and Cody.  

 

Drafting matters.  That's why people talk about Shaq.  

[bigK14094]

11 hours ago, Formerly Allan in MD said:

Who cares.  It's three years later, when we should be judging him for better or worse.

Bean/Mcd judged him already...no 5th year option.  Shaq knows he is playing for his next contract.  Unless he has a breakout year, he will get a prove it contract somewhere for one year.  History of performance says that won't go well, and he won't make 10 yrs in the league imho.

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

2 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

It isnt important but it's interesting.  It's one way to evaluate your teams gm and how he drafted.  

 

If you're drafting Shaq in the first round every year, you're hurting for talent.  Like how about Maybin, Spiller, Manuel, Dareus, Watkins, Shaq?  How'd that work out?

 

Look how much better the team looks when you draft White, Allen, Edmunds, Oliver and Cody.  

 

Drafting matters.  That's why people talk about Shaq.  

Yeah, but your point assumes that had they not drafted Shaw, they would have drafted some other better player.  So, who is the other player we would have drafted that would have been a better contributor?