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Simoni Lawrence - LB - Minnesota
Height: 6'0
Weight: 232
40 Time: 4.51
Projected: 6th-FA

Positives:

- Athletic build
- Explosive athlete
- Very fast
- Good burst with sideline to sideline range
- Converted safety
- Great in zone coverage
- Instinctive and recognizes where the ball is going in zone
- Quick to recognize the run and accelerates to the los
- Does not get fooled by play fakes
- Delivers good, strong, hits
- Can easily match up against TE's
- Does a good job of getting around blocks using his quickness
- Bumps WR's and TE's when they enter his zone
- At his best working in space
- Can be a standout special teamer in the NFL

Negatives:

- Very undersized
- Only a 2 year starter
- Will not fit many schemes
- May not have a true position in the NFL
- Hips are a bit stiff
- Will struggle when asked to play man, finds himself trailing a lot
- Needs to do a better job of wrapping up
- Will go for the big hit and will miss some tackles
- Struggles to disengage blocks by OL
- Not a good blitzer
- May fit only in Tampa 2 scheme

Overview:

Simoni Lawrence is a very athletic LB, former SS, who is successful at the college level because of his speed. Not only is he fast, he also has pretty good instincts. He comes up to stop the run well and he shows good awareness in zone. However, he is very undersized and struggles when asked to take on blockers or play close to the LOS. He gets engulfed by OL and he struggles to shed blocks. He will best fit a team that runs a Tampa 2 scheme, or may be able to sub in, in nickle packages because of his cover ability. He should be able to contribute right away on special teams.

SKILLS
1-poor, 2-weak, 3-above average, 4-very good, 5-elite

SPEED: 4.0
TACKLING: 3.0
COVERAGE:4.0
POINT OF ATTACK: 2.5
INSTINCTS: 4.0
PASS RUSH: 2.0

SIMONI LAWRENCE
6-0/232
Minnesota Senior
40: 4.59

PROS: Has good speed and closing burst on the ball able to make plays in pursuit. Gives good effort and shows nice range. Has pop as a tackler and is physical for his size, and likes to hit. Willing to take on blockers, especially the fullback at the point of attack. Has good hips and shows smoothness moving in space and in zone coverage. Reads the quarterback well and does a nice job keeping things in front of him. Shows decent instincts and ability to sniff out screens.
CONS: Is undersized and it shows at times at the point of attack. Doesn't always break down well in space and doesn't consistently wrap up. Has some difficulty getting off blocks. And lacks any pass rush moves to provide upside as a blitzer.
OVERVIEW: An undersized guy that plays with a high motor and is physical despite his limitations. He started 18 games at Minnesota, after being a JUCO transfer. Combined for 18.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 2 picks, 7 pass breakups, and 151 tackles in those two years.
NFL FORECAST: Lawrence might be too small to really impact as a starter at the next level, but good luck telling him that. He's one of those guys that could overcome that, mainly because he has such good potential and ability to play and compete in coverage. And he's tougher than his size merits. He may never overcome his limitations at the point of attack, but he played at a size that was closer to 220. At the very least, he should have a nice long, productive career as a reserve on special teams. But a few years down the road, I think he can become a decent starter. I don't think anybody will build their team around him, but I could see him being a nice starter for a couple of seasons at the WILL spot for some 4-3 team.
ATL FORECAST: Lawrence would offer good depth in Atlanta, but doesn't have the great upside to think he is a good fit as a replacement for Peterson after this season. Instead, he's more the guy that will be the backup to whoever that player is. He could evenutally work his way into the lineup, but again I don't see the Falcons wanting him to be a starter. But is good enough that by his second season he could have replaced Wire as their top reserve at linebacker.
VALUE: The earliest he should go off the board is the beginning of the fifth round.

SKILLS
1-poor, 2-weak, 3-above average, 4-very good, 5-elite

SPEED: 4.0
TACKLING: 3.0
COVERAGE: 4.0
POINT OF ATTACK: 2.0
INSTINCTS: 3.0
PASS RUSH: 2.0