NY Jets acquire Shaq Lawson from the Houston Texans (Report)

Jets give up sixth-round selection for Shaq Lawson

Joe Douglas and the New York Jets just couldn’t live without a Lawson this season.

Without prized free agent Carl Lawson (ruptured achilles) and veteran Vinny Curry both done for the season, the Jets acquired edge player Shaq Lawson from the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Texans are trading pass rusher Shaq Lawson to the Jets, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2021

The New York Post’s Brian Costello reports the compensation as a 2022 sixth-round draft selection—owned originally by the San Francisco 49ers (Jordan Willis deal).

The Jets are sending a sixth-round pick in 2022 (acquired from the 49ers in Jordan Willis deal) to the Texans in exchange for Shaq Lawson.

— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 29, 2021

Shaq Lawson’s NFL journey

Lawson, 27, was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills 19th overall in 2016. In spite of his obvious talent, the Clemson product has never met the lofty expectations that came with first-round status.

Lawson tallied just two sacks and three quarterback hits in 10 games (one game started) as a rookie. After back-to-back four-sack seasons, he enjoyed a semi-breakout in 2019 when he posted 6.5 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, 13 tackles for loss and 32 total tackles.

The Miami Dolphins handsomely rewarded Lawson with a three-year, $30 million deal during the 2020 free-agency season. Unfortunately for the team down south, Lawson disappointed, recording four sacks in 14 games.

This past March, Miami sent Lawson to Houston for linebacker Bernardrick McKinney. Now, before he even steps onto the field as a Texan, the organization most pundits believe will finish dead last in the NFL has sent him to the suddenly edge-needy Jets.

The 6-foot-3, 269-pound edge rusher could fit nicely within the Robert Saleh-Jeff Ulbrich 4-3 defense. After playing defensive end in Buffalo, Lawson switched to 3-4 outside linebacker in Miami.

While Shaq Lawson doesn’t bring the same level of edge prowess Carl Lawson does, the move feels like a low-risk, high-reward one that could go a long way if it hits right.

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