APRIL 16: The Patriots used a “30” visit on Lawrence, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald relays. Along with the Pats and the previously reported Colts, 49ers, Seahawks and Texans, Lawrence met with the Cardinals, Chiefs, Falcons, Saints, Chargers, Ravens, Eagles, Dolphins, Buccaneers, Commanders, Raiders, Titans and Jets, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.
APRIL 9: As a possible first- or second-round pick, UCF edge defender Malachi Lawrence is generating significant interest within the lead-up to the NFL draft. Sixteen teams have arrange visits with Lawrence, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The Colts, 49ers and Seahawks will all meet with him this week.
The 6-foot-4, 253-pound Lawrence’s college profession took off as a redshirt sophomore in 2023. He registered 10.5 tackles for loss and a personal-best 7.5 sacks in 13 games that 12 months. Lawrence’s production dropped a bit during an 11-game 2024 (six TFL, five sacks), but he earned a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season. Over 12 games, Lawrence picked up 11 TFL and 7 sacks.
Lawrence further boosted his stock with an off-the-charts performance on the Mix, where he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash. He finished second amongst edge defenders on the Mix in 40 time, 10-yard split, vertical jump and broad jump (via PFF College). Dane Brugler of The Athletic (No. 36) and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (No. 46) consider Lawrence a top-50 prospect.
The Colts were a passable fifteenth in sacks last season, but they ranked an alarming thirtieth in pass rush win rate. The team made a run at Trey Hendrickson early in free agency, however the Ravens won that sweepstakes. The Colts have settled for modest additions (Arden Key and Micheal Clemons) to exchange the departed Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam. They proceed to lack needle-moving pass rushers to enhance Laiatu Latu. Indianapolis is and not using a first-round pick, but Lawrence may very well be on the board when it selects forty seventh overall within the second round.
The 49ers will pick twenty seventh and 58th in the primary two rounds. They totaled the fewest sacks within the league last season, though losing Nick Bosa to a Week 3 ACL tear heavily contributed to their struggles. They need to get Bosa and Mykel Williams, who tore his ACL in November, back next season. The remaining of their edge rushers – Sam Okuayinonu, Keion White, William Bradley-King, Andrew Farmer and the just-signed Cameron Sample – combined for just five sacks last 12 months. With that in mind, bolstering the pass rush via the draft must be a high priority for the 49ers.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks aren’t exactly teeming with weaknesses, but taking an edge defender early could also be on their to-do list. Owners of just 4 picks, including Nos. 32 and 64 in the primary two rounds, the Seahawks lost Boye Mafe in free agency. They’ve not brought in a substitute for Maye, and the clock is ticking on Demarcus Lawrence‘s profession. The soon-to-be 34-year-old pondered retirement after the season, which could add to the Seahawks’ urgency to make a notable investment along the sting.