Draft Profile: Lawrence Cager

February 16, 2020 /
  • Height: 6’5″
  • Weight: 220lb
  • College: Georgia
  • Tape watched: Notre Dame, Florida (2018), Pittsburgh (2018), Wisconsin (2017)

Pros

  • Hands
    Lawrence Cager has steady hands to compliment a great catch radius. Cager is very good at catching non-routine passes. He did not have drop issues evident in his tape.
  • Combat Catches
    Not great at creating space, Cager makes up for that with his ability to fight for the football. He uses his long, sturdy frame to box-out defenders for the football. Cager set-up in zones over the middle often, and made tough plays with contact.
  • Blocking
    This is where Cager will start to separate himself from the other larger receivers in his class. Cager shows great discipline and desire to make a difference. He treats his role on every run play with the same detail to get in position to block. He shows good form and technique with his blocking and will take on linebackers with tenacity.
  • Release
    Lawrence Cager wasn’t often pressed in college, due to his size and long speed, but he showed ability to get off the line quickly when the opportunities arose. He has quick, meaningful footwork and uses his long arms to keep defenders away.

Cons

  • Speed/Quickness
    While downfield speed shows on film, Cager runs with long, powerful strides. This makes it difficult for Cager to run short and intermediate routes quickly. Separation is the biggest question mark with Cager.
  • Production
    Lawrence Cager only played a full season one time in his four years at the collegiate level. He has never eclipsed 500 yards or six touchdowns in any of those seasons. Cager is somewhat of a projection in the NFL as a result, and teams will have to do their homework with his injury history and small sample of production.
  • Route Running
    Most of Cager’s receptions were a result of his ability to win contested catch situations, or sitting in zones in the middle of the field. Cager rarely won with separation in college, and he may be limited in the NFL as a matchup guy and/or slot receiver.

Overview

Lawrence Cager adds to the abundant list of tall, big-bodied receivers in 2020. He will need to impress scouts and front offices at the combine and leading up to the draft to separate himself from this class. As a receiver that moves really well for his size, he has a lot of potential. The lack of games played and stats produced in college may be enough to push him down draft boards, however.