The Cowboys drafted Central Florida Edge Malachi Lawrence 23rd overall on Thursday night. The pick came after Dallas traded down in a deal that allowed the Eagles to draft WR Makai Lemon. Lawrence got three years of starter-level playing time at UCF, tallying 20 sacks among 28 total tackles for loss.
Shane Hallam, DS film guru: "His violent hands and explosive first step make him dangerous."
Lawrence ranked third among this edge class in speed score at the Scouring Combine, delivering a 95th-percentile number in that category historically.
Going to the Cowboys could limit Lawrence's immediate opportunity. Dallas retains 2025 second-round pick Donovan Ezeiraku and acquired former Packers Edge Rashan Gary in trade this offseason.
Lawrence will need to push past one of them for a starting gig to make sense as a draftable asset in most IDP redraft leagues.
Lawrence carries intriguing longer-term upside. He should work ahead of one of those aforementioned new teammates, and that move could come as soon as this season.
Lawrence showed inconsistency in his final college season but also brings a nice combo of athletic ability and college production.
Expect to find him ahead of Chargers selection Akheem Mesidor in our rookie rankings.
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