Day 3 Prospect To Watch

Rashard Lawrence, DT, LSU

No, Lawrence didn’t light up the Combine, but that was to be expected based on his tape. Lawrence is a tight-hipped interior defensive lineman who lacks the juice and flexibility to be a coveted pick in the top 100 selections of the 2020 draft.

That being said, the senior is a powerful gap-setter who wins in the trenches more often than not despite playing high in his stance. Lawrence’s motor always runs hot, he’s at his best when his snap count is limited and he’s surprisingly instinctive to find the ball through blocks. His teammates rave about him, heralding his leadership, work ethic and ability to play through injury to get “W’s.”

Lawrence is the type of person and player any team would be glad to add on Day 3 of the draft, especially the Bucs. Tampa Bay has prioritized adding quality people to their locker room, and Lawrence would accomplish that objective while also improving their depth and versatility to play up and down the defensive front.

Free Agent To Target

Ronald Leary, OG, Denver Broncos

The past year was a rough one for Leary, but it’s the anomaly when looking at his career as a whole. Granted, Leary is 31 years old, but that should only serve to make his price more affordable. The Bucs need veteran competition, leadership and work ethic on their offensive line, and Leary would immediately provide that. He’d push Alex Cappa for a starting spot and bring the physical mentality to the offensive line that the Bucs signed Ryan Jensen and drafted Ali Marpet to provide.

Tampa Bay would be best served to add to their offensive line through free agency (depth) and through the draft (long-term starters) this offseason, and they’ve got the cap space and available talent to do both.

NFC South Bullets

• If I were a betting man, I’d think the Saints would love to add a receiver from this draft class with their first round pick. They believe if they can get their offense one more explosive weapon, the Super Bowl is within their sights again, perhaps even more likely than a year ago. That being said, the cornerback spot opposite Marshon Lattimore remains open, and the draft is deep at both corner and wide receiver. One of those positions will likely be addressed at No. 24.

Panthers CB James Bradberry – Photo by Mary Holt

• Based on multiple reports coming out of the NFL Scouting Combine, it sure sounds like the Panthers will be letting James Bradberry hit the market in free agency. That’s a bold decision by the Carolina front office, adding to their list of gaping holes to fill this offseason – offensive tackle, cornerback, free safety, middle linebacker, defensive tackle, edge defender and maybe quarterback and tight end.

You might also want to add interior offensive line to that list, as the team doesn’t have a clear starter at left guard, and is reportedly looking to trade stud right guard Trai Turner this offseason. It’s a full-scale rebuild in Carolina this year, and it should mean one less NFC South team standing in Tampa Bay’s way.

• Everyone – and I mean everyone – is mocking LSU edge defender K’Lavon Chaisson to the Falcons at No. 16. That talk has just increased since the Combine, after Chaisson couldn’t hide his excitement at the podium when discussing his formal meeting with Falcons’ brass in Indy. The junior is raw, but still extremely talented with upside through the roof. Atlanta hasn’t done a good job of developing pass rushers in recent years, so it’s a risky move for them if they end up drafting Chaisson.

Something about that kid though, he just seems to be built different. His collegiate production profile suggests he’s a long shot to live up to Round 1 expectations, but I sure don’t want to be the one to bet against him. You can find my full breakdown of Chaisson’s tape here.