Sunday Sleeper: Wide Receiver, Kenny Lawler

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With Vikings Nation eager to draft Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell or TCU’s Josh Doctson on day one of the draft, an exciting mid-round talent like California’s leading receiver Kenny Lawler has quietly stayed below the surface of the draft hype and speculation around Winter Park. Lawler has been a touchdown making machine for Jared Goff and he also joins his record-setting quarterback as juniors making the jump to the NFL.

Kenny Lawler | Wide Receiver, California

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Measurements

Height – 6′ 2″
Weight – 203 pounds
Year – Junior

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At First Glance

First-Team All-Pac 12

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Projected Round:

3rd Round

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Pros

Good size and length with outstanding production in the red zone.

Plays physical and uses his hands well.

Can high point and pull down contested throws.

Great body control with excellent timing and anticipation.

Good athlete with open field wiggle.

One of the quickest releases from the line of scrimmage in this class.

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Cons

Has a slight frame. On tape he doesn’t always look as strong or as big as his length would suggest.

Needs to add polish as a route-runner. Relied on his length, timing and great quarterback chemistry.

Can make the tough catch look easy, but needs to improve concentration on the straight forward on the mark throws.

Doesn’t have great speed and will not fear defensive backs on vertical routes.

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NFL Player Comparison:

DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins

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The Vikings Slant

Vikings fit? Yes

It wouldn’t hurt to give Teddy Bridgewater a proven “possession” receiver who excels in a timing system over a vertical one. Lawyer could certainly offer a quick target with a large catch radius that would allow Bridgewater to add more rhythm to his game-manager style of play.

Lawler doesn’t have the vertical speed of DeVante Parker (Bridgewater’s favorite target at Louisville, and 2015 first-round pick by Miami), but he is quicker off-the-line with the same ability to do great things when the ball is in the air and after the catch. Both receivers have a similar body type as a tall spindly pass catchers with fluid movement, body control and natural hands.

If Lawler had returned to Cal for his senior season and continued to elevate his game under the next quarterback, he certainly would have put his name in the first-round conversation. He is a receiver with a knack for finding the end zone. His 27 career touchdowns on 143 receptions is a score very 5.3 times he catches a pass. That’s insane even compared to Doctson’s 6.3 times he catches a pass (34/215).

Lawler has great hands and is a natural hands catcher, but his concentration drops on straight forward throws which have lead to interceptions and big defensive plays, can be highly frustrating to watch. However, his highlight tape of touchdown catches and jaw-dropping moments ranks right up with Treadwell and Doctson’s splash play ability. Deeper film study on the Golden Bear’s top target will uncovers a lesser developed wide receiver prospect. Lawler has plenty of talent and upside to work with, so, if by chance Treadwell, Doctson, Thomas, Boyd and the other first and second-round pass catcher escape the Vikings selection, Lawler could also represent an exciting option in the third-round.[/vc_column_text]

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