2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Malachi Lawrence (EDGE – UCF)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Central Florida EDGE rusher Malachi Lawrence.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Malachi Lawrence

Malachi Lawrence (EDGE – UCF)

6-foot-4 | 250 Pounds

Background

Malachi Lawrence played linebacker and tight end in high school, then sparingly for the Knights in 2022. Rotated into the defense in 2023, posting 27-10.5-7.5. Became a starter in 2024 and went 15-6.0-5.0. His 2025 season saw a rebound to 28-11.0-7.0 to conclude his career.

Positives

Pretty well-built two-year starter and three-year contributor as a stand-up EDGE rusher in Central Florida’s odd defensive front. Played at weights between 250 and 270 pounds and typically lined up on the left side of the defense during the games reviewed.

Relatively advanced, given that he was playing linebacker in high school. Brings consistent effort on a snap-to-snap basis, with a physical style of play. Works to set the edge in the run game, generally with above-average anchor strength and square shoulders in the team’s defensive front, which featured a lot of two-gap principles.

Shows some good violence and suddenness in his hands to shed blockers. Patient on the backside. Does a nice job of mixing up his rush approach to keep opponents guessing, with good technique in his hands and a repertoire of counters. Has quick feet and good flexibility in his ankles to bend around the corner, with a rip move that he works in.

Dips his shoulder well when turning the edge. Brings solid intensity with speed-to-power. Mixes in inside moves and shows impressive contact balance. Can slip through gaps and generate pressure. Gets his hands up to contest passing lanes.

Negatives

Lawrence’s frame is slightly top-heavy. Awareness/recognition skills in the run game still look like a work in progress, as he’s not the quickest to locate. Would like to see him get a more consistent extension with his arms to lock out opponents.

Center of gravity rises more than you’d like at times, sapping his anchor strength. Works hard in pursuit, but isn’t the rangiest player. Tackling hasn’t been the most consistent. Doesn’t have the most explosive first step as a rusher and is somewhat reliant on technique and intensity to generate pressure.

The UCF product’s closing burst isn’t the fastest, and athletic quarterbacks can run away from him. Technically a rush linebacker, but has taken very few snaps where he’s dropping into coverage.

Summary

A physical, intense EDGE rusher with good technique in his hands. Lawrence offers solid and above-average anchor strength in the run game and can mix in different moves as a pass-rusher, with nice flexibility and bend on those snaps.

Lawrence is perhaps not the most aware run defender at the moment, or the most explosive rusher, but there aren’t glaring flaws to his game, either. Looks like he might get some interest late on Day 2 as a strongside EDGE rusher in a two-gap front. Shouldn’t last much longer than the fourth round or so.

Projection: Round 3/Round 4