Malachi Lawrence
Career Summary
Malachi Lawrence is a UCF edge rusher selected by Dallas in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Lawrence spent his entire college career at UCF, developing into one of the program's most productive pass rushers before Dallas selected him 23rd overall.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
Early Life
Lawrence is from Louisville, Kentucky.
Lawrence is from Louisville, Kentucky.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
College Career
Lawrence played four seasons at UCF and finished 10th in program history with 20 career sacks.
Lawrence spent all four college seasons at UCF. He completed his Knights career with 20 sacks, including seven in 2025, to finish 10th on the program's career sacks list.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
Path to the NFL
Lawrence's four-year climb at UCF turned him into a first-round edge prospect.
Lawrence developed at UCF without changing schools, a rarity in the transfer-portal era. His production and pass-rush traits led the Cowboys to make him the 23rd overall selection.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
NFL Career
Dallas selected Lawrence 23rd overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys selected Lawrence with the 23rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after trading with Philadelphia. He entered Dallas as a rookie outside linebacker and edge rusher.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
Career Accomplishments
Lawrence became UCF's highest-drafted defensive player and finished among its career sack leaders.
Lawrence was UCF's fifth first-round NFL Draft selection and its highest-drafted defensive player. His 20 career sacks ranked 10th in program history.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
Playing Style
Lawrence is an explosive edge rusher with size, length, and a varied rush repertoire.
NFL draft analysis described Lawrence as a prototypically built edge rusher with an explosive get-off and a deep bag of moves and counters. The evaluation credited him with the ability to win either inside or outside.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
32494, 00-0041537, 7/21/2003, Malachi Lawrence, Malachi, Lawrence
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
MFT Score: 0.0
2026 preseason baseline. Position-relative and updated through the site’s weekly review process.