The Cowboys' rookie class has been put through its paces at The Star, and Malachi Lawrence is loving every minute of it.
The NFL Draft has come and gone, and now the Dallas Cowboys' rookie class has had their first chance to get on the grass at The Star.
Granted, rookie minicamp isn't too strenuous, given it is early in the offseason, but rookies like Malachi Lawrence are already putting their best foot forward.
It is going to be a big offseason for all of Dallas' rookies, but in particular for Caleb Downs and Lawrence, both of whom are expected to come in and start Day 1 for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
But that is months down the track; now, it is all about learning Parker's playbook as quickly as possible. Which starts Day 1 of rookie minicamp.
And as Lawrence details, working with coach BT Jordan, a pass-rush specialist consultant with the Cowboys, Malachi is focused on one thing.
"It's been fun just getting to learn a new defense, new scheme," Lawrence said. "Now I'm transitioning kind of to more of an outside linebacker position than defensive end that I was at UCF, kind of in a 4-2-5. So, just getting those, just learning techniques, really. It's been really technique-based with coach."
The natural urge is for a rookie to make a big impression straight out of the gate to increase their chances of making the roster.
But for first-round picks, that is a given, so they have to show the coaching staff in other ways.
Granted, that is hard at this time of year, given all the rules and restrictions placed on practices and their physicality.
Lawrence, who made his name as a violent and physical player, this time of year is hard because he can't showcase his strength and violence in practice.
So, how is he trying to make an impression when his one-wood is firmly tucked away in his kit bag?
"Just following the little things," Lawrence said. "So when coach is teaching a certain technique, just actually doing that technique, even if it's a walkthrough tempo, because just trying to perfect and refine those things that you need to work on to make you a better player."
Day 1 is in the books for Lawrence, and he'll have the rest of the weekend to soak in as much information as possible.
Yes, getting drafted is great, but the hard work begins now, and it appears Lawrence is all smiles as he navigates his first NFL offseason.