As both Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf and head coach Mike Vrabel said at the NFL Combine, the edge position is one of the biggest needs for the New England Patriots.
Even after signing Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year deal on the first day of free agency, that remains true. Jones is expected to start opposite of Harold Landry, but the veteran’s ability after an injury plagued season is TBD. And after losing K’Lavon Chaisson and Anfernee Jennings in free agency, just second-year
players Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson remain as options on the depth chart.
That being said, the Patriots adding to the group early in the NFL Draft seems like a foregone conclusion based on the offseason so far. And if they do, UCF’s Malachi Lawrence looks like a candidate to be brought aboard.
Hard facts
Name: Malachi Lawrence
Position: Edge rusher
School: UCF
Opening day age: 23 (7/21/2003)
Measurements: 6’4”, 253 lbs, 74 1/4” wingspan, 33 5/8” arm length, 9 1/4” hand size, 4.52 40-yard dash, 1.59 10-yard split, 40” vertical jump, 10’ 10” broad jump, 9.90 Relative Athletic Score
Experience
Colleges: UCF (2022-25)
Career statistics: 39 games (47 starts) | 1,336 defensive snaps, 115 special teams snaps | 72 tackles, 28.0 TFLs, 3 FFs, 1 FR | 96 quarterback pressures (20 sacks, 10 hits, 65 hurries) | 5 PDs | 3 penalties
Accolades: First-team All-Big 12 (2025)
An outside linebacker and tight end — in addition to state shot put medalist — in high school, Lawrence committed to UCF and played just three games over his first two years as he redshirted. Appearing in 13 games as a redshirt sophomore, Lawrence broke out recording 7.5 sacks and earning an honorable Mention on the All-Big 12 team chosen by league coaches.
Lawrence continued his ascension as a junior starter before posting a career-senior season. That included 7.0 sacks and new bests in tackles (28) and tackles for loss (11.0) as Lawrence was named All-Big 12 First Team and an honorable mention for Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Following his redshirt senior season, Lawrence declared for the NFL Draft and had strong showings at the Shrine Bowl and NFL Combine that has resulted in his draft stock rising.
Draft profile
Projected round: 1-2 | Consensus big board: No. 49 | Patriots meeting: N/A
Strengths: An exceptional athlete at 6-foot-4, 253 pounds, Lawerence blew up the NFL Combine with a 1.59-second 10-yard split (89th percentile), elite jumps, and hitting a top speed of 13.91 mph (third-highest) while turning the corner in pass rush drills. That explosiveness shows off the line of scrimmage while his straight line speed is evident chasing down quarterbacks. Lawrence pairs the athleticism with strong length and powerful, fast hands plus a variety of pass rush moves.
Weaknesses: Playing his entire collegiate career at UCF, one of the biggest questions surrounding Lawrence is the level of competition he faced. He was not often tested by the tackles he went up against, which will make for a significant jump at the next level. Lawrence has just average bend at his size (which could be viewed as a positive for his size) and also been inconsistent as a run defender — while he flashes with occasional splash plays, lapses in awareness can lead to missed assignments.
Patriots preview
What would be his role? With the aforementioned Harold Landry and Dre’Mont Jones projected as the starters on the edge, Lawrence has the ability to join the top of the rotation out of the gate. New England’s edge group combined for the lowest pass rush win rate in the NFL last season, so Lawrence’s addition should be a step towards fixing that.
Does he have positional versatility? Lawrence spent his collegiate career rushing over both tackles and has the ability to move down the line of scrimmage. UCF also used him sparingly as an off-ball linebacker and Lawrence has flashed occasionally dropping into coverage from the edge — something the Patriots factor into their evaluation of the position.
What is his growth potential? Lawrence has high level traits that teams look for in pass rushers and already has a good rush plan. That leaves his ceiling at an extremely high level while some better developed counters and growth in the run game could make him a big-time player along the edge.
Why the Patriots? Edge remains perhaps the biggest need on the Patriots roster and Lawrence has the size and tools that the Patriots and most teams across the league covet in their pass rushers. His ceiling makes him worthy of a high pick.
Why not the Patriots? At this rate, Lawrence might not even make it to pick No. 31. Starting the draft process as a projected late day two player, a strong Shrine Bowl and NFL Combine has seen Lawrence’s stock rightfully skyrocket. With the pre-draft performance and impressive tape, Lawrence has a real chance to hear his name called on the first night of the draft.
One-sentence verdict: Lawrence has high-level traits at a position of need, making him a strong candidate for the Patriots first-round selection if he’s on the board.
For more information about Malachi Lawerence and the rest of this year’s class of prospects, please take a look at Adam’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide.
Also, what do you think about Lawrence as a potential Patriots target? Do you like him? Where would you pick him? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.
