So much talk about Downs. Are we overlooking our other 1st rounder?

[Coogiguy03]

All of the talk is about Downs, and how much of generational player he is due to his exceptional mental capacity. We know he's a play maker and will help this defense. Somehow it seems that we're forgetting about Lawrence who was our first round pick as well. I can see a lot of good things coming from this kid, what if he made more noise for us than Downs??

Doesn't really matter as long as these guys are ready to play and have a successful season. Get this defense to be respectable and get key stops for us, please give your input!!

 

[LouBrown]

Downs is probably going to be better right away but Lawrence being immediately productive (pretty unlikely) would go much further to making the defense competitive.

 

[DallasEast]

Malachi Lawrence has not been forgotten. He is a rookie within the mix of veteran linebackers. Hopefully, he will eventually become a fixture and an asset within the defense.

On the other hand, drafting Caleb Downs' has been a hoped for solution to a long-standing defensive issue. It has needed a solid backfield field general for a bunch of seasons.

Downs established a high college pedigree. Veterans and coaches have been praising his safety IQ before he has taken his first regular season snap.

The greater emphasis on Downs instead of Lawrence has been demonstrated by observers for good reason. I highly doubt anyone has developed Lawrence Amnesia Deficiency. Modern medicine may cure any sufferers, though, probably with caffeine injections or via IV drip.

 

[erod]

Lawrence will likely take some time to learn. He wasn't dominant in college.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Downs is probably going to be better right away but Lawrence being immediately productive (pretty unlikely) would go much further to making the defense competitive.

Totally agree!!

Malachi Lawrence has not been forgotten. He is a rookie within the mix of veteran linebackers. Hopefully, he will eventually become a fixture and an asset within the defense.

On the other hand, drafting Caleb Downs' has been a hoped for solution to a long-standing defensive issue. It has needed a solid backfield field general for a bunch of seasons.

Downs established a high college pedigree. Veterans and coaches have been praising his safety IQ before he has taken his first regular season snap.

The greater emphasis on Downs instead of Lawrence has been demonstrated by observers for good reason. I highly doubt anyone has developed Lawrence Amnesia Deficiency. Modern medicine may cure any sufferers, though, probably with caffeine injections or via IV drip.

Wouldn't be fair to Lawrence if anyone did without actually seeing him play. If he were our only pick then he would have more attention surely

Lawrence will likely take some time to learn. He wasn't dominant in college.

Hopefully it isn't a long time, just get out there and rush that passer, damn I sounded just like Jerry lol

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Hopefully it isn't a long time, just get out there and rush that passer, damn I sounded just like Jerry lol

I don't think pure strength works in the NFL like it used to. They'll have to get him some NFL techniques, especially arms/upper body.

 

[fivetwos]

Well, he isn’t going to be counted on to play a full time role immediately, coupled with competent play inside, he should be fine. At least have the shot to thrive for sure.

Part of what I consider a very good rotation of pass rushers. I see this defense being about playing as a unit rather than individuals though (other than Caleb, who obviously is going to be the talk of the entire league early on).

 

[DeaconMoss]

MLaw didnt play against the toughest comp in the world. And he was a better player than the guys trying to block him 90% of the time. Coach Brim bumped up his rank bc of the familiarity. Guy has really impressive traits in shorts at the combine. It sometimes shows on the film. We shall see what it looks like against NFL comp. My forecast is above avg prospect. He def not a Mazi or Taco pick. Better player than those guys.

 

[Coogiguy03]

I don't think pure strength works in the NFL like it used to. They'll have to get him some NFL techniques, especially arms/upper body.

I agree we don't want him just being a one trick pony, thankful they have that pass rush specialist on the team working with the guys!!

Well, he isn’t going to be counted on to play a full time role immediately, coupled with competent play inside, he should be fine. At least have the shot to thrive for sure.

Part of what I consider a very good rotation of pass rushers. I see this defense being about playing as a unit rather than individuals though (other than Caleb, who obviously is going to be the talk of the entire league early on).

Yes like no guy having 20 sacks, but more like a group of them getting them

 

[LouBrown]

I don't think pure strength works in the NFL like it used to. They'll have to get him some NFL techniques, especially arms/upper body.

Lawrence is pretty well-known for having good hands and technique. He's not really that raw.

 

[fivetwos]

I agree we don't want him just being a one trick pony, thankful they have that pass rush specialist on the team working with the guys!!



Yes like no guy having 20 sacks, but more like a group of them getting them

I’d just rather have six decent to pretty good guys over one HOFer and a few stiffs…with crap at DT.

I think that’s what they have. Injuries can easily kill it all, but hopefully that doesn’t happen.

 

[fivetwos]

Lawrence is pretty well-known for having good hands and technique. He's not really that raw.

Interesting. Facing NFL-caliber LTs could maybe affect that, but your comment made me think about the inevitable camp reports of battles between Lawrence and Guyton. One does well and we celebrate. It also means the other did not. We might need Lawrence to not have such a great camp lol.

 

[fivetwos]

MLaw didnt play against the toughest comp in the world. And he was a better player than the guys trying to block him 90% of the time. Coach Brim bumped up his rank bc of the familiarity. Guy has really impressive traits in shorts at the combine. It sometimes shows on the film. We shall see what it looks like against NFL comp. My forecast is above avg prospect. He def not a Mazi or Taco pick. Better player than those guys.

More nice points.

Finally they aren’t asking so much of a first round pick immediately. That ought to help. Really does lessen the bust factor, or the perceived one by fans. That can snowball and the right situation can mitigate it,

Yeah if I had to guess on him, he will be a good contributor in a rotation situation. Looking forward to getting underway…..

 

[Aven8]

I think we will see splash plays from him and then will disappear at times as well. Not many pass rushers come in and are Micah like.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Lawrence is pretty well-known for having good hands and technique. He's not really that raw.

Great! I was under the impression reading HERE that he was.

 

[erod]

Lawrence is pretty well-known for having good hands and technique. He's not really that raw.

He was far from dominant last year against a very weak UCF schedule.

 

[75boyz]

I just hope he can at least have a Dorance Armstrong ceiling and not be another Gregory or Kneeland(RIP) attempt at edge.

Heck EZ too so far, for that matter, but I'm leaving room this year for a sophomore season leap in his case.

Lawrence's college film was underwhelming to say the least.

 

[75boyz]

Lawrence will likely take some time to learn. He wasn't dominant in college.

That would be an under statement, lol.

 

[calicowboy54]

Lawrence will likely take some time to learn. He wasn't dominant in college.

So i did some looking and i am by no means saying he's going to be D-Ware, but here are some stats:

DeMarcus Ware played college football for the Troy Trojans (2001–2004), where he finished with 27.5 sacks, 201 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 10 forced fumbles. His 27.5 sacks rank second in Troy school history, while his 55.5 tackles for loss rank first.

Malachi Lawrence played college football for the UCF Knights from 2021 to 2025, serving as a linebacker/edge rusher. His career statistics are as follows:

• Total Games: 39 (Started 22)
• Total Tackles: 72 (48 Solo, 24 Assisted)
• Tackles for Loss: 28
• Sacks: 20.0
• Forced Fumbles: 3
• Pass Deflections: 5

Some would say Malachi played in a tougher Division against better competition, and only started 22 games. Ware started almost every since game for troy and played against inferior Offensive tackles.

Ware is a HOF guy who knows what Malachi can do, i am interested in seeing him over next 3 years to see how he ends up, its going to be between the ears where we need to watch with Lawrence.

 

[conner01]

Lawrence will likely take some time to learn. He wasn't dominant in college.

It’s also a position that tends to develop slower. Safety is generally fairly early to develope. And Downs is such an elite prospect so he’s pretty developed. Lawrence has great upside though and will get lots of reps to get the process going