Defensive expert sets the record straight about new Dallas Cowboys defense and first-round pick Malachi Lawrence’s fit in it
The Dallas Cowboys’ new defense will value versatility at edge rusher. But don’t let that confuse you into thinking Malachi Lawrence isn’t an immediate fit it.
Having two first round picks is kind of funny. Every Dallas Cowboys fan out there is beyond excited about Caleb Downs’ arrival and what he can become for the defense. When you’re perceived as one of the steals of the class, that’ll happen.
But edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, who was picked 13 spots later, comes with much less hype. And yet, you can expect him to make a Year 1 impact. Defensive guru and analyst Cody Alexander recently explained why during an interview on 105.3 The Fan.
Malachi Lawrence to make a big impact early on
Speaking on live radio, Alexander was asked which Cowboys rookie (excluding Downs) would make an impact the earliest. His answer came without hesitation.
“I look at Malachi Lawrence because I think there is an opportunity for an edge rusher in this,” Alexander explained. “I think a lot of people outside of [defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s] system probably think this is a system that wants to have these hybrid edges that they want to be able to drop into coverage.”
“And I think over time, one of the things that’s evolved from the system is that you realize those guys aren’t really helping you in coverage,” Alexander added. “I really need them to either be setting the edge in the run game or to actually get after the passer.”
Alexander’s point is massively important. With Parker expected to run a 3-4 defense, edge rushers will be outside linebackers. That alone leads many people to think edge rushers on the team will be versatile and not explosive off the edge.
But even though multiplicity will be a key to this team’s success, the need for a premium edge rusher even on a defense featuring versatile outside linebackers at EDGE showed in Philly last year. That’s why the Eagles gave up a third-round draft pick to land premium defender Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins.
“I think that’s what you saw with Jaelan Phillips being picked up by the Eagles last year,” Alexander added. “It was like, we need more juice. We can manufacture some of the things on the back end., we can answer problems, because that’s really where this system wants to place all of their capital. So you need some sort of a pass-rush engine, and I think Malachi Lawrence can do that for you being that first-round pick edge.”
Malachi Lawrence immediate role projection
Though Lawrence is likely to make an immediate impact in some way, I expect it to be as a rotational player. The Cowboys will likely start second-year edge Donovan Ezeiruaku alongside Rashan Gary with Lawrence in rotating in (probably in Gary’s place) on passing downs.
Coming out of the University of Central Florida, Lawrence’s calling card is his explosion off the edge and a vast pass rush repertoire. If he can translate that to the pros right away, he’ll be a must play edge rusher on third and long situations.
If and when Lawrence develops as a run defender, expect his snap count to keep climbing.