Pick 23: Malachi Lawrence EDGE

I could argue that he's the best speed rusher in the class outside of Bailey. He's not as well rounded as guys like Bain or Mesidor, but he's probably a better fit as a 3-4 OLB.

He doesn't have the power of those guys but if you want someone to run around the outside shoulder of an OT and bend to the QB, Lawrence does it as good as anybody except Bailey.
 
He is a better fit than Bailey, though Bailey is a better overall prospect I think.

One area he seems to have an advantage is he’s still maturing and so it’s growth potential.

Christian Parker now has an opportunity to shape the DNA of young key players in EZ, Lawrence, Downs, Revel, and today and tomorrow’s draftees.
 
Simpleton said:
I could argue that he's the best speed rusher in the class outside of Bailey. He's not as well rounded as guys like Bain or Mesidor, but he's probably a better fit as a 3-4 OLB.

He doesn't have the power of those guys but if you want someone to run around the outside shoulder of an OT and bend to the QB, Lawrence does it as good as anybody except Bailey.
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I think real speed at OLBer is important to our team and to Parker. What I really like about Lawrence is he has that elite first step quickness. I think UCF used him a little too far inside sometimes. You watch him play and he isn't always lined up far outside. Sometimes it almost looks like they shaded him to the insode shoulder of the OT. I wonder what his numbers would have looked like playing in Texas Tech's defense for example.

We once had the Taco/Watt debate and now we can have the Faulk/Lawrence debate.
 
Simpleton said:
I could argue that he's the best speed rusher in the class outside of Bailey. He's not as well rounded as guys like Bain or Mesidor, but he's probably a better fit as a 3-4 OLB.

He doesn't have the power of those guys but if you want someone to run around the outside shoulder of an OT and bend to the QB, Lawrence does it as good as anybody except Bailey.
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That was my thing during this whole process. Bain Mesidor, even Bailey all the rushers in this class besides Reese were very thick and stocky that’s fine for a 43 defense but even in a 43 I prefer a lean edge speed rusher. These guys were all more like Brandon Graham.

Of the DeMarcus Ware Jason Taylor Charles Haley variety, Lawrence seems like the best player in this draft in that mold. Whether that is an elite player or not is another question but if you want a guy that can play 34 outside linebacker, this was probably the guy. Even Reese is almost more of a hybrid traditional linebacker.
 
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