Cleveland Browns free agency target and former Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Carl Lawson got a quite a lot of reactions when he posted his latest Instagram photo.
“Guns for hire” is exactly what Lawson will be when he hits NFL Free Agency. I already gave my pitch for the Browns making a serious run at Bud Dupree. However, Lawson would be one hell of a consolation prize. The 6-2 speed rusher will still only be 26 when training camp rolls around in the summer. If the Browns don’t want to pay a hefty fee for Dupree, then Lawson is the man for the Browns to go all in on.
Browns Free Agency Target Carl Lawson
Lawson was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He had a great rookie season rushing the quarterback. He had 8.5 sacks and 21 QB Hits in his first year with the Bengals. However, in 2018 he tore his ACL in week seven, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 2018 season.
In 2019, just one year after the injury, Lawson recorded five sacks, 22 QB Hits, and six tackles for loss. Clearly, Lawson hadn’t fully recovered from the injury, but his defensive display in 2019 was a very good one for someone coming off of ACL surgery. This past year, Lawson played in all 16 games for the Bengals, recording 5.5 sacks and 32 QB Hits. Lawson might be the biggest low risk, high reward player in the entire 2021 NFL Free Agency.
Carl Lawson Statistics
Tackles: 81 | Tackles For Loss: 19
Sacks: 20 | QB Hits: 83
Age: 26 (By Training Camp) | Games Played: 51
Projected Contract: 4-years, $36 Million
Why The Browns Should Push Hard for Lawson
For almost his entire career, Lawson was stuck behind Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson on the Bengals Defensive Line Depth Chart. However, if he chose to sign with the Browns, he would be an immediate starter opposite arguably the best defensive end in the NFL, Myles Garrett. Just look what happened for Olivier Vernon this year. Vernon had nine sacks for the Browns this year, which were the most he’s had since his second season in the league in 2013. Teams are forced to double, and at times, triple-team Myles Garrett, so that leaves the young Lawson 1on1 with a single offensive lineman. In that situation, I’ll take Lawson 75% of the time.
As I’ve said before, it’s very possible that the only returning starter on the Browns defensive line next year is Myles Garrett. Larry Ogunjobi is hitting the open market this summer, and the team might part ways with Sheldon Richardson to clear some cap space. Bud Dupree, is the better player in my opnion, but Lawson in no slouch. On top of that, Lawson will also come a lot cheaper than Dupree. Instead of putting $72 Million into Bud Dupree, which I’ve said isn’t a bad idea, the Browns can sign Lawson from a division rival for about $36 Million over four years.
