2014 NFL Draft: Kansas City Chiefs Draft Order, Final Mock Draft
By Ben Nielsen
Feb 22, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Boise State Broncos defensive end Demarcus Lawrence speaks at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
THIRD ROUND (87): Demarcus Lawrence, DE/OLB, Boise State
HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 251
40: 4.69 3-CONE: 7.46 BENCH: 20
I’m not sure how Lawrence fell all the way to 87 in this mock draft simulation on FanSpeak but this would be a huge steal for the Chiefs – the equivalent of having two first round draft picks. Lawrence is the Chiefs’ future pass rushing partner for Justin Houston, and eventual replacement for Tamba Hali. For now he’ll learn the position behind Hali and add depth to the pass rush, something KC needs desperately.
Lawrence has a lot of the traits one sees in a good pass rusher in terms of explosiveness and motor. He could use a year to get bigger and there are some technique issues he needs to sort out, but the ability to get to the quarterback is there. Again, a year behind Hali would do him a lot of good while still providing solid production for the Chiefs a reserve pass rusher.
Drafting Lawrence adds some security for the Chiefs if they are unable to retain Justin Houston. While Lawrence isn’t Houston, he’s at least a solid future pass rushing prospect, which is something the Chiefs do not have on the roster right now. Lawrence also allows the Chiefs to part ways with Hali next offseason if they are able to re-sign Houston and are looking extra cap room.