Packers 2018 Draft: 5 intriguing East-West Shrine prospects
5. Chad Thomas, DE
If there was anybody at the EWSG that totally looked the part, it was Thomas, who checks in at a chiseled 6-foot-6, 275 pounds with 34 1/8-inch arms.
But though he may look like Julius Peppers from a physical standpoint, the former 5-star recruit hasn’t always delivered. In fact, the biggest knock on Thomas has been his lack of consistency in that he can get washed out and disappear from games.
But the seeds are there for him to at least be a useful player at the next level based primarily on his versatility to play both on the edge and inside. Thomas’ quickness to turn inside blockers and gain penetration was on display in St. Petersburg.
The former Miami Hurricane has also shown the ability to explode past right tackles and get to the quarterback with his superior closing speed. His agility also allows him to chase plays down in space.
Thomas’ draft stock is on the rise and the Packers could secure him with a mid-to-late round pick and add to their pass-rush arsenal.
4. Justin Lawler, DE
The 6-foot-4 defensive end was among the more active players on the field Saturday and really turned it on in the third quarter both as a run defender and pass rusher.
Lawler’s ability showcased his prowess to quickly diagnose plays and attack the ball carrier on J.T. Barrett’s 2-yard scramble in which the SMU product hustled to take down the quarterback by his ankles.
He followed that up with a sack in which he used his devastating first step to explode off the line, pop Jamar McGloster and run around the offensive tackle.
Lawler’s instincts make him the third-best edge defender in this year’s draft class, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) rankings. What’s more, the former Mustang was No. 1 at his position in creating outside pressure (one per every 13.2 snaps).
His skill set does not include the ability to drop back into coverage, but a solid coaching staff will know how to best utilize this promising down lineman who has the knack for shutting down running lanes.