Pick Your Prospect: Joey Bosa vs. Shaq Lawson

theScore's Pick Your Prospect series takes an in-depth, head-to-head look at some of the top players leading up to the 2016 NFL Draft.

Positions
QB - Goff vs. Wentz
RB - Elliott vs. Henry
WR - Treadwell vs. Coleman vs. Doctson
DL - Bosa vs. Lawson

Bosa vs. Lawson

With DeForest Buckner's size making him more of a fit for the interior, Joey Bosa and Shaq Lawson sit atop the board of first-round edge defenders.

Bosa has long been considered a top NFL prospect, while Lawson emerged as a star last season upon finally getting his chance to take on a key role as part of a stacked Clemson defensive front.

Here's a look at how the two players measure up head to head.

Athleticism/Explosiveness

Bosa isn't a freak athlete like many top defensive end prospects, but he does demonstrate everything scouts will be looking for in that regard. His first step to gain ground off the snap is particularly impressive, and he has the short-area quickness necessary to further develop his pass-rush repertoire at the next level.

Lawson, though certainly possessing enough athletic ability to contribute at a high level in the NFL, is a slight step behind Bosa in terms of movement. He'll always be more inclined to win with his strength at the point of attack, and it remains to be seen whether that limits certain aspects of his game.

Advantage: Bosa

Run Defense

For as much as Bosa dominated at times throughout his college career, he leaves something to be desired as a run defender on the edge. Granted, he could quite easily refine his game going forward, but holding ground against offensive tackles will only become more difficult in the NFL.

The power in Lawson's game makes him the most productive edge defender against the run in this year's draft. More often than not, the Clemson standout was controlling his opponent at the line. This ability to consistently set the edge will give him plenty of value regardless of how long it takes for him to emerge as an impact pass-rusher.

Advantage: Lawson

Pass-Rush Ability/Technique

Bosa is the more advanced prospect in terms of natural ability getting after the quarterback. He's already proven capable of beating opposing offensive linemen in a number of different ways, and his athletic traits will give him the potential to expand upon that as his career moves forward. Racking up 26 sacks over three seasons at Ohio State was no fluke.

Lawson's transition as a pass rusher is more about projectability. Though he went off for 12.5 sacks as a junior, matching that success in the NFL will depend upon his ability to win with more than a speed-to-power bull rush. Proving capable of threatening the edge would set him up for success with inside counter moves.

Advantage: Bosa

Size/Frame

At 6-foot-5, 269 pounds, Bosa has ideal size to play the edge in the NFL. That can include lining up as a strong-side base end, like he did at Ohio State, or transitioning to a standup 3-4 outside linebacker role. Either way, he shouldn't be limited to any sort of rotational role early on in his career.

Aside from a two-inch difference in height, a minor disadvantage in length, Lawson is right there with Bosa as an edge prospect boasting the necessary size to take on an every-down role from day one. Lawson checks in at 6-foot-3, 269 pounds, making this one too close to give to either side.

Advantage: Push

Instincts

Though it could very well be a result of what he was asked to do in Ohio State's defensive scheme, Bosa occasionally appeared to struggle with what was developing in front of him. In particular, he'd often lose track of the ball in run defense. This is just a minor negative, but it could have an impact on how a team will elect to use him early on.

Lawson, on the other hand, truly excelled with this area of the game. His ability to diagnose and make plays on the ball went a long way toward him posting an incredible 24.5 tackles for loss in his final season at Clemson. This is another example proving that, at the very least, he's likely to be a stout run defender from the outset of his NFL career.

Advantage: Lawson

Overall Comparison

Bosa has always been considered a pro-ready prospect, and there's little about his skill set that suggests otherwise. But a closer look at Lawson's stellar seasons indicates that the gap has been narrowed over the past calendar year.

The production level is there for both players. The question, as is the case for any team considering using a premium pick on a given prospect, is how well that translates to football's highest level.