Does DeMarcus Lawrence deserve to be named in J.J. Watt’s class?

DeMarcus Lawrence leads the league with 5.5 sacks but is graded only the 24th best edge rusher, according to Pro Football Focus.

Lawrence is good, but he’s no J.J. Watt, the Houston Texans’ defensive end who is rated No. 2 in the league and one of the elites. At least that’s the general consensus across the league. And it’s hard to argue with Watt’s bona fides, especially considering the 74.5 sacks he accumulated over the first five seasons of his career before injuries wiped out most of the previous two years.

Even the Texans’ Jadeveon Clowney, who is rated in the same class as Lawrence, arguably has more name recognition than Lawrence.

But no one has more sacks than Lawrence’s 20 over the past 20 games going back to the start of the 2017 season. What gives?

Perhaps his recognition will start to improve with another standout performance when the Dallas Cowboys play the Texans on Sunday Night Football at NRG Stadium.

The trio has 12.5 sacks combined through four games. Each of them can make game-changing plays. All three are coming off multi-sack games. This is a chance for Lawrence to make sure he’s considered in the same breath as Watt and Clowney.

“He’s worthy,” Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith said. “He’s very appreciated on this team, the impact he has on and off the field. It’s amazing. I’m happy to have him on my team.”

Smith suggested that Lawrence’s star power may be dimmed by most of the wattage shining on Cowboys’ stars Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.

“It’s America’s team. When you’ve got Dak and Zeke on the team, other guys may get overshadowed,” he said. But with a few big, primetime performances, Lawrence could see his nickname ‘Tank’ become as synonymous with the Cowboys as Dak and Zeke.

“Yeah, but for us and I know for him especially, that doesn’t matter,” Smith said. “As long as he’s producing and we’re winning games, that’s what really matters. From a compensation standpoint and those big bucks keep coming in, I mean who cares about all that extra stuff?”

Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said Lawrence’s mindset and routine during the week are what sets him apart. He belongs in the elite category of defensive ends, Marinelli said.

“His numbers are good, but it’s how he plays. I don’t know if many guys play like him every snap,” Marinelli said. “He never takes a down off. He is full speed every snap. He’s a great teammate. He leads with how hard he plays. That’s what I love about him. He plays the run. He does everything we ask of him.”

That non-stop motor is what Cowboys’ offensive coordinator Scott Linehan says sets Watt and Clowney apart.

“They just don’t quit. They have these motors .Some guys are playing half the plays. These guys seem like they’re going every play through the whistle,” he said. “You cannot fall asleep on these guys. You don’t have plays off when you play these guys. You have to play them every down.”

Cowboys’ coach Jason Garrett called Watt and Clowney elite players.

“They can really disrupt a game, can effect everything you are trying to do in the run game and the passing game,” he said. “It’s hard to block those guys one on one. You have to have a plan for them. Most teams have a plan for them and typically they show up anyway.”

You could say the same thing about Lawrence. So far, however, most people don’t. Perhaps that will change Sunday night.

“Guys throughout the defense and all over our team have great respect for him,” he said. “Beyond his performance, just how he goes about it everyday. I just think he loves playing at a high level and he’s making a big impact on our team.”

This story was originally published October 5, 2018 at 4:19 PM.