ESPN.com analyst Todd McShay predicted Wednesday the Bears will select Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson with the No. 11 overall pick in next month’s draft.
The 6-3, 269-pound Lawson had 12 1/2 sacks and 25 1/2 tackles for loss last season, his first as a regular starter for the national champion runners-up. He fits both 4-3 and 3-4 teams as an edge rusher after both standing up and rushing from a three-point stance last season.
McShay said Wednesday he was torn between Lawson and Georgia outside linebacker Leonard Floyd — who he characterized as “extremely talented but has never has quite found his niche” — for the Bears. He wound up assigning Floyd to the Colts at No. 18.
“They’re very different players,” McShay said. “Lawson is going to be the most consistent-effort guy. He’s going to bring a lot of fire and emotion. He’s got power, he’s disciplined, he has good closing burst and he’s a natural pass rusher in terms of his instincts. But he’s not a speedster, even though he ran well (at the NFL Scouting Combine), and he’s not great in terms of change of direction. He’s a little bit tight in the hips.
“But I think he’s a junkyard dog. I just love the way he plays.”
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Email: pfinley@suntimes.com
