Even though defensive end Carl Lawson has been the Cincinnati Bengals most effective defensive end this season, he hasn’t started a game in 2020.
Since the Bengals drafted Lawson in 2017, he has 59 tackles, 54 quarterback hits and 17.5 sacks. Despite establishing himself as one of the best young edge rushers in the NFL, Lawson is still stuck behind defensive ends Sam Hubbard and Carlos Dunlap on the depth chart.
In four NFL seasons, Lawson has only started in three games.
The biggest reason Lawson has only started three NFL games is because he didn't have as much of a track record as a run defender.