The Dolphins moved quickly on Shaq Lawson, inking the defensive end to a three-year, $30 million contract early in the free agency period. The team views Lawson as another versatile athlete who can bolster the defensive front.
The pluses: Lawson is a 25-year-old coming off his best season (6.5 sacks), and Miami is reuniting him with defensive line coach Marion Hobby, who also coached Lawson at Clemson. At 6-3, 267 pounds, he could be an interesting fit in the Dolphins' hybrid defense.
As a bonus, Miami plucked him from the Buffalo Bills, a division rival whose roster is in far better shape than the 'Fins and who are farther along in their building process.
The negatives: Even as a former first-rounder, Lawson didn't earn a fifth-year extension from the Bills. He also only has 16.5 career sacks in four seasons, causing many to scratch their heads at the $21 million guaranteed that Miami forked over for Lawson. In free agency, you have to bet on the come and make some high-risk projections, which is why most teams delve cautiously into this part of the acquisition process. Lawson fits squarely into this category of risk, though the 'Fins have protected themselves somewhat with a short-term deal.
The bottom line: Despite the hefty price tag in guaranteed money, Lawson should be seen as a piece of Miami's rebuilding plan and not a cornerstone. He'll be something of an innings eater on the defensive line, with residual hope that he can make the leap into a force in a new system.
This signing drew some raised eyebrows around the league, but the Dolphins had the trifecta of money to burn, massive holes, and an appetite for young, high-pedigree, versatile players. In that context, Lawson is a reasonable addition to a franchise that will need to hit some lottery picks in order to foster a turnaround.
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