The Bills announced that they have officially inked first-round pick Shaq Lawson. The Bills selected the Clemson product with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2016 Draft. 
Lawson’s shoulder issues were known coming into the draft, but that didn’t stop the Bills from taking him high in the draft or allowing him to partake in their three-day rookie minicamp, when Lawson aggravated his shoulder. Unfortunately for Buffalo, Lawson had to go under the knife and he’ll now miss the start of the 2016 season. The Bills have not announced a timetable for the Clemson product’s recovery, though the expectation is that he’ll start the preseason on the PUP list and miss 4-5 games.
Lawson’s surgery was a big blow for Buffalo as they anticipated giving him a major role on defense right from the get go. Earlier this offseason, Bills GM Doug Whaley said that he was anticipating three rookies in the team’s starting lineup to start the season.
“At least three,” Whaley said when asked how many of his rookies will be on the field in Week 1. “[First-round defensive end] Shaq Lawson is going to walk in off the bus starting. [Second-round linebacker] Reggie Ragland, and then [third-round defensive tackle] Adolphus Washington— all three of those guys will start right off the bus. And we’re excited for some guys from the fourth through sixth rounds that will contribute for us.”
With Lawson under contract, fourth-round pick Cardale Jones stands as the only unsigned player left in Buffalo’s 2016 class.
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