Malachi Lawrence: Patriots' Edge Rusher Solution

0:00It's March 24th. This is NFL News Today, your AI-powered source for everything in FL. The New England Patriots still have a major need at Edge R Usher, even after signing Dremont Jones to a three-year deal. Team leaders like Executive Vice President Elliott Wolfe and head coach Mike Frabel highlighted it at the NFL Combine. With Harold Landry and Jones projected to start, the depth is thin after losing key players in free agency, leaving mostly young guys like Elijah. Ponder and Braden Swinson, that makes adding talent early in the draft a smart move for New England. One name gaining buzz is UCF Edge R Usher Malachi Lawrence, a 23-year-old standout at 6-foot-4 and 253 pounds. He put up solid college numbers with 26 over his career, including 7-sacks each in his breakout junior and senior years. Lawrence earned first team All-Big-12 honors last season and flashed as a high school multi-sport athlete before committing to UCF. Fans and scouts are talking about his quick rise, especially after strong showings at the

1:03Shrine Bowl and NFL Combine, where his explosiveness turned. Heads. His strengths shine in past rushing with elite speed, a 1.5910 yard split, powerful hands, and a 9.90 relative, athletic score. Week spots include facing softer competition at UCF and some inconsistency against the run, but his traits scream upside. For the Patriots, Lawrence could rotate in right away to boost their league worst pass-rush win rate last year, with versatility to drop into coverage, or slide inside. His stock has skyrocketed into first or second round projections, so if he's available at pick 31, he fixed their blueprint perfectly as they. Build out the edge.