Cleveland Browns: Is Nile Lawrence-Stample an UDFA gem?
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns are hoping that defensive tackle Nile Lawrence-Stample is their latest find as an undrafted free agent.
The Cleveland Browns haven’t done much of anything right in recent years, but one area where they have continually found success has been with undrafted free agents.
Over the past few years the Browns roster has included Tashaun Gipson, K’Waun Williams, Isaiah Crowell, Craig Robertson, Jamie Meder, Johnson Bademosi and Taylor Gabriel, all of have joined the team as undrafted free agents.
The Browns signed 11 undrafted free agents this off-season, and while it may be difficult for them to find a roster spot as the team also has 14 draft picks to look at, defensive lineman Nile Lawrence-Stample may be a name to keep an eye on.
The 6-foot-1, 320-pound Lawrence-Stample is one of five undrafted free agents tapped by Pro Football Focus as a player that “could make an impact” in 2016:
"The Browns inked former Florida State DT Nile Lawrence-Stample to help an interior D-line group that is wanting for talent."
"As noted by Senior Analyst Steve Palazzolo shortly before the draft, Lawrence-Stample will likely be an early down run-stopper to start his NFL career, and that makes him a good fit for the Browns. He made most of his 456 snaps last season, earning the 12th-best run-defense grade among DTs in the class. His pass-rushing was solid, as well, with three sacks, a hit, and 10 QB hurries to his name in 2015."
"Lawrence-Stample—the No. 148 overall prospect on our final draft board—isn’t a name you’ll likely hear often in 2016, but will make his presence felt if given the opportunity, especially on a Browns’ roster that could already feature seven rookie starters."
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While the Browns addressed the outside of the defensive line in the draft with the selection of Carl Nassib (one of two draft picks who remain unsigned), the interior of the line could still use some help.
Danny Shelton is the unquestioned starter at nose tackle, but with Meder as Shelton’s backup Nile Lawrence-Stample should have an opportunity in training camp. Lawrence-Stample started 12 games for the Seminoles in 2015, earning All-ACC First Team honors. According to his draft profile at NFL.com, Lawrence-Stample possesses a skill that the Browns desperately need:
"Lawrence-Stample is a run-stuffer, pure and simple. The nose tackle eats double teams for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If single-blocked, however, Lawrence-Stample can find the ball and has the short-area quickness to make the play, so NFL teams looking for a pure nose tackle could be interested. A healthy 2015 season, where he played in all 13 games and earned first-team All-ACC honors (36 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two sacks), gave NFL scouts something to consider when reviewing interior defenders."
Having someone on hand to help out in the run defense is always a welcome sight for the Browns, who are coming off a season that saw them finish 30th against the run.
Next: Is a slimmer Danny Shelton better?
He’s not going to supplant Shelton for the starting role, but if Lawrence-Stample can outwork Meder in training camp, no small feat, he could find his way onto the roster as a very capable backup to Shelton.