Kenny Lawler Scouting Report, WR, Cal, 2016 NFL Draft

Introduction

Hometown: Pomona California
High School: Upland California
Recruitment: 4-Star Recruit by ESPN, 4-Star recruit by Rivals
Injuries/Discipline: Nothing notable

Awards

First-team All-Pac-12 selection

Measurables

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 195
Class: Junior
Projected 40 Time: 4.5

Stats

2015: 53 receptions, 658 yards, 12.7 yard average, 13 TD's
2014: 54 receptions, 701 yards, 13.0 yard average, 9 TD's
2013: 37 receptions, 347 yards, 9.4 yard average, 5 TD's

Positives

• Good size and reach for the position
• Makes extremely difficult catches
• Plays physical
• Uses his hands well
• Pulls down contested balls
• Shows excellent timing and anticipation
• A good athlete with open field wiggle
• Not elite speed, but good enough
• A good red-zone target in 2015

Negatives

• Has a slight frame
• Needs to polish his route running
• Can sometimes take a little time to get up to full speed.
• Needs to improve concentration on straight forward passes.

Conclusion

Kenny Lawler is one of the most frustrating players to watch. He has all the ability to take over a game - just look at some of his 3 TD performances - but the consistency isn't quite there. He makes the most difficult one handed catches but drops some straight forward passes.

However, I really like Lawler. He has a real feel for the position, and 2015 saw him really zone in around the red-zone. He just needs to produce more between the twenties. Can you name a team who wouldn't be interested in drafting a red-zone touchdown producer? I can't. He'll go on the 2nd day of the draft, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him go early either.

He has a lot of talent and he works hard. He made a great jump from 2014 to 2015 and had QB Jared Goff stayed in school, I would have said one more year and he'd be a sure fire 1st rounder. However, with the University of California getting a new QB in 2016, it makes sense for him to jump to the NFL now.

Draft Grade: 78

90-100 = Exceptional Talent
80-90 = Impact Player
70-80 = NFL Starter
60-70 = Solid NFL Potential
50-60 = Draftable - Lot of work needed
>50 = Undraftable, - Long Shot To Stick