Former UCF EDGE Lawrence Continues Productive Start to Rookie Season

For former UCF EDGE Malachi Lawrence, his rookie season has been quiet statistically.

Through the opening three weeks, the Dallas Cowboys' first round pick is yet to record his first professional sack, notching nine total tackles.

But, he has done a good job of pressuring the quarterback, with his 24.1% pass rush win rate leading all rookies by a wide margin. 

Throughout his UCF career, Lawrence displayed the ability to generate pressure through various different pass rush moves, using his quick burst to attack from the outside and a swim move to get back to the interior.

This has been no different in the NFL, with Lawrence using his versatile bag of moves to penetrate the line of scrimmage and make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable.

For a Cowboys defense looking to provide their explosive offense with significant improvements from last season's struggles, Lawrence and fellow first rounder Caleb Downs have fit the mold thus far.

Lawrence's development during his four years with UCF was a big reason why the Cowboys opted to select the draft riser.

Stephen Jones, Cowboys co-owner, executive vice president, CEO, and director of player personnel, praised Lawrence for staying in Orlando for all four years.

"The character was just outstanding. I really look up to these men who stay with the schools who gave them their first opportunity," Jones said. "He had opportunities probably to take more money and go to a bigger school, but he felt like UCF had given him the opportunity and he wanted to give back."

After being drafted, Lawrence had nothing but praise for his time at UCF.

"It's a standard now to be set I'd say," Lawrence said. "You can go to UCF and be a first round pick."

With current Knights defensive linemen like Horace Lockett and Sincere Edwards getting off to strong starts, UCF could continue to produce NFL-level talent in the trenches.

UCF's defensive line is among the FBS leaders for pressures, with the players listed behind Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly on the depth chart last season are taking a big step with their increased roles.

Both Lockett and Edwards got to spend last year with Lawrence, and witness how he works, giving them a blueprint to follow.

Lawrence and the Cowboys have a tough matchup on Sunday, traveling to their in-state rivals, the Houston Texans.

The Texans offensive line has been solid to this point, but it is not impenetrable.

Expect Lawrence to continue to have a big impact as the Cowboys look to beat out Philadelphia for the NFC East title.