DL: 2026 Draft Class

Originally posted by NYniner85:

This boy has some juice

[tweet https://x.com/joedeleone/status/2036518411006513609]

[tweet https://x.com/bengalsbrews/status/2032922621780603044]

Originally posted by Heroism:

UCF edge Malachi Lawrence, a @MoveTheSticks Top 50 prospect who ran a 4.52 40 at the Combine, is visiting the #Colts, #Seahawks and #49ers this week — three of 16 visits for him ahead of the NFL Draft. Significant work on Lawrence from clubs following his performance in Indy. pic.twitter.com/3gDANgILdu

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 9, 2026

Originally posted by ritz126:

Originally posted by Heroism:

UCF edge Malachi Lawrence, a @MoveTheSticks Top 50 prospect who ran a 4.52 40 at the Combine, is visiting the #Colts, #Seahawks and #49ers this week — three of 16 visits for him ahead of the NFL Draft. Significant work on Lawrence from clubs following his performance in Indy. pic.twitter.com/3gDANgILdu

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 9, 2026

would be worth a 27 pick

• Mid-cut frame, with broad shoulders and decent build
• Quick vertical take-off; uses long arms to initiate rush sequencing (see 2025 Baylor tape)
• Complements long-arm moves with a variety of swats, clubs and push-pull moves
• Darting lateral cuts to cross blocker's face and create entry points
• Has a knack for locating and swiping the football when he gets near QB
• Shoots his hands in run game to leverage the edge
• Plays with urgency in lateral pursuits to keep the ball contained
• Aggressive on the field; easy-going off it (NFL scout: "He keeps to himself, not a leader-type, but very good toughness and solid football character.")
• Finished top 10 in UCF history in career sacks

• Upright rusher; moves with some stiffness in attack
• Exhibits more pops of power than overwhelming strength
• Has trouble escaping big offensive tackles who engulf point of attack
• Lean muscle mass — doesn't have ideal bulk for edge work
• Missed tackles are byproduct of revving-hot motor
• Has had surgery on both shoulders over the years
• Just 72 tackles in 39 career games

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Strengths

• Mid-cut frame, with broad shoulders and decent build
• Quick vertical take-off; uses long arms to initiate rush sequencing (see 2025 Baylor tape)
• Complements long-arm moves with a variety of swats, clubs and push-pull moves
• Darting lateral cuts to cross blocker's face and create entry points
• Has a knack for locating and swiping the football when he gets near QB
• Shoots his hands in run game to leverage the edge
• Plays with urgency in lateral pursuits to keep the ball contained
• Aggressive on the field; easy-going off it (NFL scout: "He keeps to himself, not a leader-type, but very good toughness and solid football character.")
• Finished top 10 in UCF history in career sacks

Weaknesses

• Upright rusher; moves with some stiffness in attack
• Exhibits more pops of power than overwhelming strength
• Has trouble escaping big offensive tackles who engulf point of attack
• Lean muscle mass — doesn't have ideal bulk for edge work
• Missed tackles are byproduct of revving-hot motor
• Has had surgery on both shoulders over the years
• Just 72 tackles in 39 career games

Dane's takeaway

Lawrence is a linear mover and lacks ideal bend, but he offers skill as a pass rusher,-shed toughness versus the run and the demeanor that will help him carve out a starting role at the next level. Despite being an older player, he still has upside.

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Strengths

• Mid-cut frame, with broad shoulders and decent build
• Quick vertical take-off; uses long arms to initiate rush sequencing (see 2025 Baylor tape)
• Complements long-arm moves with a variety of swats, clubs and push-pull moves
• Darting lateral cuts to cross blocker's face and create entry points
• Has a knack for locating and swiping the football when he gets near QB
• Shoots his hands in run game to leverage the edge
• Plays with urgency in lateral pursuits to keep the ball contained
• Aggressive on the field; easy-going off it (NFL scout: "He keeps to himself, not a leader-type, but very good toughness and solid football character.")
• Finished top 10 in UCF history in career sacks

Weaknesses

• Upright rusher; moves with some stiffness in attack
• Exhibits more pops of power than overwhelming strength
• Has trouble escaping big offensive tackles who engulf point of attack
• Lean muscle mass — doesn't have ideal bulk for edge work
• Missed tackles are byproduct of revving-hot motor
• Has had surgery on both shoulders over the years
• Just 72 tackles in 39 career games

Dane's takeaway

Lawrence is a linear mover and lacks ideal bend, but he offers skill as a pass rusher, stack-shed toughness versus the run and the demeanor that will help him carve out a starting role at the next level. Despite being an older player, he still has upside.

Originally posted by 49ers808:
^ Nevermind Hoov, I got it. Has him ranked #15 overall and #4 Edge! A lot of it based on '24 and his young age, compares him to Mykel Williams.

Originally posted by ritz126:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Strengths

• Mid-cut frame, with broad shoulders and decent build
• Quick vertical take-off; uses long arms to initiate rush sequencing (see 2025 Baylor tape)
• Complements long-arm moves with a variety of swats, clubs and push-pull moves
• Darting lateral cuts to cross blocker's face and create entry points
• Has a knack for locating and swiping the football when he gets near QB
• Shoots his hands in run game to leverage the edge
• Plays with urgency in lateral pursuits to keep the ball contained
• Aggressive on the field; easy-going off it (NFL scout: "He keeps to himself, not a leader-type, but very good toughness and solid football character.")
• Finished top 10 in UCF history in career sacks

Weaknesses

• Upright rusher; moves with some stiffness in attack
• Exhibits more pops of power than overwhelming strength
• Has trouble escaping big offensive tackles who engulf point of attack
• Lean muscle mass — doesn't have ideal bulk for edge work
• Missed tackles are byproduct of revving-hot motor
• Has had surgery on both shoulders over the years
• Just 72 tackles in 39 career games

Dane's takeaway

Lawrence is a linear mover and lacks ideal bend, but he offers skill as a pass rusher,-shed toughness versus the run and the demeanor that will help him carve out a starting role at the next level. Despite being an older player, he still has upside.

His tape and 10 yard split would disagree with tha

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:

Originally posted by 49ers808:
^ Nevermind Hoov, I got it. Has him ranked #15 overall and #4 Edge! A lot of it based on '24 and his young age, compares him to Mykel Williams.

Ok. If you need it let me know

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:

Originally posted by 49ers808:
^ Nevermind Hoov, I got it. Has him ranked #15 overall and #4 Edge! A lot of it based on '24 and his young age, compares him to Mykel Williams.

Ok. If you need it let me know

Good pod with Dane talking about the EDGE guys…on the athletic.

Kendrick Faulk Is a no for me, we need juice off the edge not another base down DE who rushes from the interior.

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:
I still prefer Howell to Lawrence short arms and all.

That's not how he wins.

SEC defensive player of the year. 11 sacks. In the hardest conference vs the best talent.

Lawrence in a weaker conference and only 6.5 sacks (still like him a lot though).

My order of EDGE preference:

Myles Garrett
Mesidor
Howell
Jacas
Young
Lawrence
Mason Thomas
Moore