As we head toward the 2017 regular season, we at Bengals Wire are taking a deeper look into how the defensive rookies on the Cincinnati Bengals could fare in 2017. We’ll start with perhaps the rookie receiving the most praise and attention right now, pass rusher Carl Lawson.

Lawson is the epitome of untapped potential. Coming out of high school, he was a five-star recruit. However, he succumbed to multiple injuries (ACL and hip), limiting him to just two healthy seasons through his four year college career.

Now in the professional ranks, Lawson must prove to the Bengals he has what it takes to make an impact on an NFL field. So far, Lawson has impressed coaches throughout OTAs with his explosiveness and looks to enter a pass rush rotation that includes Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Wallace Gilberry and fellow rookie Jordan Willis.

Best case scenario:

Lawson grasps the speed and power of NFL offensive linemen early on and shows why he deserved to be drafted earlier than the fourth round. He learns how to use counters effectively and becomes more multidimensional in his pass rushing, allowing him to use his violent hands and explosiveness in more ways than one. He learns to play the run more effectively, showing that he’s not just a third down pass rusher. Not only does Lawson give Cincinnati the feared pass rush it’s been missing on the right side, he gives Marvin Lewis what he’s been searching for since he coached Peter Boulware: a hybrid linebacker/defensive end that can wreck offensive game plans.

Worst case scenario:

The project to develop Lawson into a 4-3 linebacker that can also rush the passer on third downs goes awry. He finds the strength of NFL offensive linemen are too much and gets engulfed by the larger and stronger players. Also has trouble rushing the passer because he struggles to develop effective pass-rush moves other than his patented bull rush and spin move (due to him focusing on becoming a 4-3 linebacker as opposed to developing into a feared pass rusher). Becomes a “boom-or-bust” type of player who can’t stay consistent. Lastly, he ends up injuring his hip again by game eight.

Projected stats:

22 tackles

5 sacks

2 forced fumbles

I expect Lawson to show up somewhere in between the best and worst case scenario here. His work ethic through OTA’]s and college shows he isn’t content staying where he’s at. But, being a rookie, there will be some growing pains. His main weaknesses are playing against the run as well as having a limited pass rush repertoire. If he can improve on those aspects of his game between now and the regular season, expect to see more of the best case scenario.