2019 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 25 Prospects entering NFL Combine

Dexter Lawrence’s suspension for testing positive for PED’s prior to the College Football Playoff shouldn’t affect his draft stock. It looks to have been an honest mistake, with the blame falling further on the university than the player.

Lawrence is an extremely powerful nose-tackle who can eat up space and occupy multiple blockers, freeing up teammates to make plays against the run or to harass opposing quarterbacks. Calling him a mere space eater doesn’t do his game justice, though, as Lawrence is surprisingly nimble despite his 340 pound frame.

His bull rush ability allows him to pressure quarterbacks in the passing game, but he’s unlikely to ever be a truly imposing pass rusher. His value is as a run-stuffer, but I don’t see him as merely a two-down player. He can close the pocket enough from the defensive interior to affect the quarterback, even if he isn’t producing sacks.

Lawrence’s place in the first round will depend on schematic fit. He won’t make sense for every system, but teams looking for a nose tackle to plug in as a day-one starter will be intrigued by the mammoth Clemson product. He’s mobile enough to play in a 4-3 alignment, but his best fit will be as a 3-4 nose tackle.

The Browns and Vikings could make sense in the middle of the first round, with a pair of AFC West teams – the Chargers and Chiefs – licking their chops if he falls toward the end of day one.