
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
Player Information
Player: Deontae Lawson
School: Alabama
Height/Weight: 6-2/229 lbs.
Player Background
- 4-Star recruit
- All-American Bowl selection in High School
- Played basketball in High School
- No. 3 linebacker in the 2021 recruiting class
Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season
- 194 Total tackles
- 16 Tackles for a loss
- 5 Sacks
- 12 Pass Deflections
Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season
- 70.3 PFF Run Grade
- 59.5 PFF Pass Cov. Grade
- 13% Missed tackle
- 102 Defensive stops
Player Traits
- Good instincts and awareness to make plays
- Plugs running lanes consistently
- Underrated pass rush ability
- Reliable in pass coverage
- Quick reactions and reflexes to adjust to the play
Player Summary
Jihaad Campbell led the middle of the Alabama offense in 2024, but with him now in the NFL, that responsibility will fall on Lawson in 2025. In 2024, Lawson mostly played outside and was used in coverage assignments, as well as some pass rush sets in rare occurrences. He also did a good job of filling running lanes when they would go outside, directing the running back inside where a mob of defenders was always waiting for them. While it doesn't appear in the boxscore, those instincts will pop on film when his role expands in 2025.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
32 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Mavericks Trade Proposal Sees Team Move on From Anthony Davis
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After a very long year, the Dallas Mavericks are entering the NBA offseason with a ton of momentum. Despite not making the playoffs, the Mavericks did win the 2025 NBA Draft lottery. More NBA news: Thunder Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Speaks Out Following NBA Finals Game 1 Collapse Dallas will now have a chance to draft Duke star Cooper Flagg, giving them an expected generational talent for years to come. But with the likelihood of them drafting Flagg, the Mavericks now have a logjam in the frontcourt. But one new trade proposal would help the Mavericks break up the frontcourt by moving on from star big man Anthony Davis. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report put together trades for all teams and had Dallas land a strong package for the All-Star. Here is what the deal looks like: Hornets receive: Anthony Davis Mavericks receive: Miles Bridges, Jusuf Nurkić, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2031 first-round pick MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 18: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of the Play-In Tournament at FedExForum on April 18, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 18: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of the Play-In Tournament at FedExForum on April 18, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo byTrading away Davis right after the team landed him for star guard Luka Doncic would certainly be an interesting decision. But the team didn't get enough value from the Doncic deal, and this could be a way to help rectify that. This trade would likely be about getting off the large contract of Davis, mostly due to his long injury history. Dallas could net some extra draft capital as well, giving them some ammo for a larger move down the line. Bridges could slot into the rotation as a solid wing player, offering athleticism and shooting. His contract is also team-friendly, with Bridges only making a little more than $20 million in each of the next two seasons. More NBA news: Shaquille O'Neal Shares Harsh Criticism for Thunder After NBA Finals Loss Nurkić could help replace Davis in the frontcourt, while giving the Mavericks a decent expiring contract. Dallas could look to move Nurkić at the trade deadline for more future assets. All in all, a deal like this could help Dallas in the future. But if the team wants to contend for a title next season, keeping Davis around helps in that regard. Davis is one of the better big men in the entire NBA, and the Mavericks targeted him for Doncic for a reason. The Mavericks aren't likely to move Davis anytime soon, unless a deal that the team can't turn down falls into their lap. More NBA news: Former NBA Lottery Pick Joining Rockets in Surprising Role: Report Jon Gruden Makes Shocking Pick in Pacers-Thunder NBA Finals Clippers Seen as Sleeper Team to Land Former NBA MVP: Report For more on Mavericks and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.


USA Today
43 minutes ago
- USA Today
Falcons OL Ryan Neuzil ranked among NFL's worst centers by PFF
Falcons OL Ryan Neuzil ranked among NFL's worst centers by PFF Ryan Neuzil was ranked near the bottom of Pro Football Focus' center rankings for 2025 NFL season The Atlanta Falcons spent years building their offensive line before selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. While the majority of offensive starters will return in 2025, the Falcons lost center Drew Dalman in free agency. The former Stanford Cardinal worked his way up from a fourth-round pick to become one of the better centers in the entire league. The Chicago Bears signed Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract over the offseason, leaving a big hole in the middle of Atlanta's offensive line. Without much salary cap space, the team re-signed former backup Ryan Neuzil to a two-year, $9.5 million contract. The 27-year-old appeared in eight games for the Falcons last season after Dalman was placed on the injured reserve list with an ankle injury. While Neuzil didn't exactly set the league on fire, he more than held his own in the time Dalman was out. So where does Neuzil rank among the starting centers in the league going into the 2025 NFL season? The veteran offensive lineman was ranked 29th out of 32 starters in Pro Football Focus' center rankings: Neuzil stepped in for the injured Drew Dalman this past season, and while he didn't dominate, he performed well enough to earn the nod for a full season in 2025. Neuzil needs to better limit mistakes in the run game but did show some flashes, ranking in the 72nd percentile in positively graded run play rate (15.7%). -- Mason Cameron, PFF The Falcons are putting their faith in Neuzil to get the job done this season. Fortunately, he'll be surrounded by elite talent. Pro Bowl guard Chris Lindstrom is one of the better players in the NFL and third-year left guard Matthew Bergeron has been solid since taking over in 2023. As for Dalman, the former Falcons center was ranked fifth by Pro Football Focus: After his final season in Atlanta was cut short due to injury, Dalman heads to a perfect situation with Ben Johnson in Chicago. His reputation as one of the best run-blocking centers in the game will be a huge asset in Johnson's zone-heavy scheme, where the veteran has produced a career 93.8 PFF run-blocking grade. -- Mason Cameron, PFF The Falcons offense is loaded with playmakers, including Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts. With a full offseason to prepare, Penix is in a position to thrive as the undisputed QB1 in Atlanta. The team just needs Neuzil to hold down the center position and this could be one of the most prolific units in the NFL this season.


USA Today
43 minutes ago
- USA Today
Jalen Williams on Game 1 loss to Pacers: 'It sucks, but we have been here before'
Jalen Williams on Game 1 loss to Pacers: 'It sucks, but we have been here before' Being the first to the ball after a bad inbound pass, Jalen Williams ran down the court and had the easy jam. After a forgettable three quarters, a loud start to the fourth frame looked like the All-Star was going to be on the verge of a classic late-game takeover. Instead, Williams' mistakes couldn't be erased. He finished with 17 points on 6-of-19 shooting, six assists and four rebounds. He shot 1-of-4 from 3 and went 4-of-4 on free throws. He also had a steal. The Thunder suffered a stunner in a 111-110 Game 1 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton's game-winner gave his squad the lead for just 0.3 seconds. But they were the most important 0.3 seconds of the game. The Thunder need more from Williams. We know this by now. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will get his numbers, but how the rest of the roster does will decide a lot about this series. When the 24-year-old gets in a groove, it's basketball poetry. When his jumper is off, like it was tonight, annoyance boils over into frustration. You like the shot process by Williams. He took jumpers that he usually makes. He barreled to the rim on drives he usually finishes. But Indiana did enough to disrupt his rhythm and force close misses. He almost got away with it with a strong start to the fourth quarter, but OKC's collapse brought his inconsistency issues to the forefront. "It sucks, but we have been here before. Obviously, like the Denver series. Honestly, around the same thing, to be totally honest," Williams said. "We'll get back to 0-0, look at what we can do to be better. It's first to four. Regardless, if it's the Finals or Round 1, Round 2, you still have to win four games. We'll take that and be ready for Game 2." Williams referred back to their Round 2 classic against the Denver Nuggets. They felt similar feelings after a frustrating Game 1 loss featured an Aaron Gordon game-winner. The Thunder ultimately won the series, but in seven games. OKC hopes for history to repeat itself.