Lawrence arrives ready to dominate. The Cowboys' new pass-rusher vows to be a productive force, bringing energy and impact to their defense.
New Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Malachi Lawrence has made it clear that he's here to be a productive member of Christian Parker's defense.
Taken with the No. 23 overall pick, after the Cowboys traded back and managed to get multiple picks in return, Lawrence found his way to Dallas and now becomes a key cog in Parker's pass-rush arsenal.
Having been mocked to the Cowboys several times pre-draft, Lawrence was always thought to be available to Dallas, and, given its pass rush needs, a move made sense.
So the Cowboys turned the draft card in, and Lawrence is now at The Star getting used to life as a member of the Cowboys.
Among his first words in Frisco? Malachi "This is crazy!'' Lawrence said in his reaction to being inside The Star.
But while everything is still all fresh and new, some want to know exactly what sort of player the Cowboys have got in Lawrence.
And when asked what he hopes to be in Dallas, Lawrence kept it simple.
"Somebody that's just going to be productive," Lawrence said. "Someone that's going to go out there, give it his all. I'm just ready to come in and be productive."
Cowboys Nation will like that.
The pass rush took a huge hit when Micah Parsons was traded, and now it is hoped that Lawrence, along with Rashan Gary and Quinnen Williams, will help bring some juice to Parker's defense.
But sometimes, when a player is drafted, there can be doubts that occupy the mind; after all, college is vastly different from the NFL.
However, some players are built differently mentally, and it is clear to see that Malachi is different.
"The film, when you watch it, it's very apparent," said head coach Brian Schottenheimer. "His ability to bend, to turn his toe and to accelerate off of different angles (is impressive). What we love about him is he doesn't just get the quarterback. He gets the ball.
"And that's a big emphasis for us this year — getting back right in the giveaway and takeaway market."
When asked why he feels like he's ready, he gave a superb response.
“I feel like I'm ready just because I wouldn't be put [in] this opportunity if I wasn't," Lawrence added. "I believe God makes no mistakes, and I believe that I'm here, it wasn't a mistake. I'm here, and I'm ready for it."
It was a superb first round for the Cowboys.
They managed to get one of their star defensive players early without reaching, while also addressing their pass-rush needs with Lawrence.
And for Malachi, he knows he's ready for the moment of his life, and he is ready to get down to work as a Dallas Cowboy.