Clemson DT Dexter Lawrence to meet for second time with Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are beginning to get invested in draft visits and meetings, and another name has surfaced.

Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has a second meeting with the team scheduled, after bumping elbows with the Birds at the combine.

He also spoke to his interest in playing with a former Clemson defensive tackle in Falcons standout Grady Jarrett.

Lawrence was a member of that ferocious Clemson defensive front that has three of its players heading into the NFL draft as top-flight prospects (Clellin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins being the other two, and DE Austin Bryant is expected to go in the mid-rounds).

ESPN’s Todd McShay mocked him to Atlanta in December and described as a run-stuffer and an ailing force for Atlanta’s moribund run defense. The team does need some beef up front, and Lawrence certainly seems like he’d be adept in that arena.

He was one of the Clemson players who got suspended for a failed drug test before the big playoff games in January, so that might knock him a bit through the Falcons filter. It’s not an eliminating factor, though it’ll certainly be one the team considers, as it always does.

Interestingly, though, the team’s not scheduled something with Lawrence’s teammate, Wilkins, just as of yet. That could always change.

It’s good to see them doing their homework on defensive tackles, and this could very well be the pick as late April grows closer. We’ve got a good bit of time for the team to decide between a defensive end, defensive tackle, and offensive lineman, as we expect they ultimately will.