2. Shaq Lawson, DE
We stay on the defensive line here with Shaq Lawson, a former first-round pick from Clemson. Lawson was chosen 19th overall even though there were times it appeared he would go much higher than that. One of the reasons he lasted until then was a shoulder injury that he was still recovering from.
He ended up having surgery and started his rookie season on the PUP list. Lawson played just 10 games as a rookie and had only two sacks. He then recorded just four in each of the next two seasons as he struggled to become the player Buffalo expected him to be.
Because of that, the Bills elected not to exercise the fifth-year of his rookie deal which makes him a free agent in the offseason. Lawson has responded with the best season of his career as he’s registered 25 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He’s already set a personal best for sacks and is just nine tackles away from doing the same there.
Buffalo did the right thing not picking up the option but that doesn’t mean Lawson should leave in the offseason. He provides good depth for the Bills and should be kept around.
Of course, it all comes down to price. He’s still not a player you break the bank for, but if he is wanting to sign a fair deal, then he needs to stay with the team that drafted him.