How Dexter Lawrence news could benefit Cleveland Browns

The news of a failed drug test could hurt the draft stock of Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, but that could help the Cleveland Browns

Week 17 will be the final game for the Cleveland Browns as they were eliminated from playoff contention ahead of their game the week prior. It’s been a long time since they have gone that long staying in contention, which has made this one of the more memorable seasons of the last decade.

On Sunday, they could still end up with a winning record if they can knock off Baltimore. Currently, at 7-7-1, such a win would be a huge accomplishment for a team that was 1-31 the two prior seasons combined.

The biggest reason for the turnaround was the stellar job done in the draft by general manager John Dorsey.

While he’s concerned about what happens in their final game, Dorsey likely already has an eye on the next class of collegiate stars as he tries to address the few remaining holes on the roster.

One position he may need to address is defensive tackle, and one of the bigger prospects at that position found himself in the new for the wrong reason on Christmas Eve. Lawrence and two other members of the Clemson football reportedly failed a drug test.

Considered a first-round talent, the news could be devastating to the draft stock of the nose tackle. However, that could benefit the Browns.

Heading into this draft, the Browns need to look at not only D-tackle, but also offensive line, wide receiver, and linebacker.

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Should Lawrence fall, the Browns may be able to add a No. 1 pick to a different position of need and find themselves looking at Lawrence beyond day one.

And Dorsey has shown no issues in the past with taking players that have some red flags. While with the Kansas City Chiefs, he took Kareem Hunt and Tyreek Hill. He then added Antonio Callaway in the fourth-round of the 2018 NFL Draft for the Browns.

Considering the red flags were worse for those players, there’s no reason to think Dorsey won’t be willing to give Lawrence a shot to beef up the defensive line.

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 340-pounds, Lawrence has been a star for the Tigers. He has 131 tackles and 10 sacks in three seasons. Pairing him with Larry Ogunjobi inside — and having Emmanuel Ogbah and Myles Garrett on the edges could give Cleveland one of the meanest defensive lines in the game.

They likely don’t make the move for Lawrence on Day 1, but with him potentially falling now, he could end up being Dorsey’s next steal.