With the 22nd pick in the 1st round the 49ers select, Manny Lawson…

Height: 6-5, Weight: 240, 40 Speed: 4.48
Position: Outside Linebacker, College: North Carolina State

SUMMARY
Lawson was a tough player to get a good feel for because he struggled to consistently pressure the quarterback from his defensive end alignment, but was clearly an elite athlete who has the tools to play somewhere in the NFL. From watching him on film, he does not look like he has the frame to add the necessary bulk/weight to be able to hold up as a defensive end—he looks much more like a linebacker on the ‘Hoof’. No question whatever team drafts him will need to be patient as he learns the linebacker position, but his explosiveness and athleticism will enable him to contribute as a pass rusher and on special teams. He was a dangerous punt rusher at N.C. State and he will be a very good special teams player as a rookie. Overall, teams should be careful not to over-draft Lawson based on his tremendous workout numbers, but he doe have athleticism, explosiveness and playing speed. He is going to need a season or two as a backup linebacker before he becomes comfortable playing behind the line of scrimmage. He would be best suited to go to a team that plays a 3-4 defense, where he could play the hybrid rush-linebacker position and take advantage of his ability to rush the quarterback from a wide alignment.

STRONG POINTS
Lawson is a very good athlete with all the physical tools. He has the foot quickness, acceleration and playing speed that are hard to find. He consistently hustles and chases hard in pursuit and has the playing speed and closing burst to finish plays when he gets close. He has very good size for a linebacker and will be a strong player at the point of attack. He has long arms to jolt blockers and can stay free to make plays. His experience at defensive end will combine with his natural explosiveness and athleticism to make him a dangerous pass rusher from his linebacker alignment.

WEAKNESSES
Obviously, the biggest negative is that Lawson played defensive end at N.C. State and will have to learn to play linebacker in the NFL. At defensive end, he did not consistently explode off the ball and he must show that he can get started moving quickly right at the snap from his linebacker alignment. He must use his hands more consistently to aggressively punch blockers to stay free and make tackles. He has virtually no experience in coverage and will need to really learn and adjust to playing behind the line of scrimmage.