2026 NFL Draft: Nick Saban caught on hot mic criticizing Cowboys pick of Malachi Lawrence in first round

Lawrence earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025. Playing in all 12 games for the Knights, Lawrence recorded a career-high 28 combined tackles and 11 tackles for loss, to go along with seven sacks and two forced fumbles.

As a recruit, Lawrence was ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 1162 overall recruit in the 2021 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. Lawrence checked in as the No. 115 defensive end in the class and No. 11 overall player from the state of Kentucky, hailing from duPont Manual High School (Louisville, Ky.).

Lawrence’s four-year deal is worth $19,427,870, carrying an AAV of $4,856,969. His signing bonus is worth $10,589,362.

NFL.com‘s Lance Zierlein wrote about Lawrence ahead of the draft. Zierlein said that Lawrence has the “prototypical size and strength” of an NFL edge rusher.

“An NFL-caliber edge rusher with prototypical size and length, Lawrence moves with the suddenness of a smaller player,” Zierlein wrote. “Explosive get-off and a deep bag of moves/counters fuel his pocket disruption. He can win inside or outside but his speed-to-power conversion is average. His hands are subtle but skilled to quickly unlock openings and his secondary rush. He closes with burst and has the motor to hound scrambling quarterbacks.

“The next level will bring better tackles and more quick-sets, which will test how well his production translates. He makes splash plays behind the line but must provide better consistency and discipline in run support. Lawrence is an ascending prospect with rush polish and pro traits that should be enticing for pressure-hungry defenses.”