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NFL mock draft: Pro Football Focus gives Giants Clemson DE Shaq Lawson

Pro Football Focus released its first 2016 mock draft, and pegged the Giants to select Clemson's top defensive end.

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Shaq Lawson
Shaq Lawson
Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Pro Football Focus this week released its first 2016 NFL mock draft. The draft order is based on if the season ended on Dec.15, and not all underclassmen that are projected to be selected have officially declared for the draft. Pro Football Focus believes that the New York Giants, who own the 13th pick in this particular mock draft, should select Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson with their first-round pick. Here's what PFF had to say about the selection:

With Jason Pierre-Paul possibly hitting free agency, adding an edge rusher makes a lot of sense for the Giants. Lawson was excellent in limited time in 2014 (+16.0 on 329 snaps) and broke out this year with a +20.6 pass-rush grade and +16.7 mark against the run.

Lawson, a junior at Clemson, leads the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss and is a big reason why Clemson is one of the top 10 defenses in the country and the #1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff. Last week, Lawson shared with FOX 26 Houston that he would enter the 2016 NFL Draft.

"I’m going to declare for the draft," Lawson said. "It was a tough decision.

"I sat down with my family, sat down with the support staff at Clemson. I enjoyed being at Clemson, but it’s time. I’m ready for the next level."

ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. currently lists Lawson as the No. 11 player on his big board, crediting the Clemson defensive end for having a "full arsenal" of "quickness, spin moves, rips, power."

Here is some game tape of Lawson from Clemson's win against Florida State earlier this season.

What do you think of the Giants potentially taking Lawson with their first-round selection?