Ranking the Top 10 Players from the 2014 NFL Draft

#9. Demarcus Lawrence

Demarcus Lawrence was picked by the Cowboys in the second round and he turned out to be one of the draft’s biggest steals. He has developed into a premier pass rusher. Armed with a lethal combination of length, speed, and power, Lawrence has disrupted opposing offenses and consistently been one of the most well-rounded edge players in the game.

A skill set that sets Lawrence apart from most of his peers is his ability to kick inside and rush from the defensive tackle position. At only 6’3 and 265 lbs, he can still win inside using fantastic hand placement and leverage that allows him to rip past guards and centers consistently.

When he moves inside during obvious passing downs, it allows Dallas to deploy an extra defensive end on the field that boosts their pass rush. He is the type of player that the Texans were hoping Jadeveon Clowney would become.

Lawrence’s biggest strength is that he is an elite run defender. His run-stop percentage is always near the top for defensive ends. He is a 3-time Pro Bowler and remains one of the most underrated players in the NFL.