49ers Eyeing UCF Edge Rusher Malachi Lawrence in Draft

The 27th overall pick could be the ideal fit for the 49ers' defensive scheme.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:34am by

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A fragmented, geometric painting in shades of red and gold depicting a football player in the midst of a pass rush, their body broken down into sharp, overlapping planes that convey a sense of explosive movement and raw athletic power.A cubist interpretation of a 49ers pass rusher captures the fractured, high-energy action of an NFL edge defender.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco 49ers have met with potential first-round edge rusher Malachi Lawrence during the pre-draft process, according to reports. The 22-year-old UCF product is projected to be selected late in the first round or early in the second round, which aligns with the 49ers' first pick at No. 27 overall.

Why it matters

The 49ers are in need of edge-rushing support with Nick Bosa and 2025 first-round pick Mykell Williams recovering from ACL injuries, and Keion White recovering from an off-field gunshot wound. Lawrence could provide an immediate impact as a Day 1 starter for the 49ers' defense.

The details

Lawrence had 20 sacks, 28 tackles for a loss, 72 combined tackles and three forced fumbles in his college career at UCF. He stands at 6-foot-4 and 253 pounds, and NFL.com's Lance Zierlein has compared him to Arizona Cardinals pass rusher Josh Sweat. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah endorsed Lawrence as an ideal fit in the 49ers' defensive scheme, saying he brings the necessary "juice off the edge" that the team is looking for.

  • The 49ers met with Lawrence during the pre-draft process.

The players

Malachi Lawrence

A 22-year-old edge rusher from the University of Central Florida (UCF) who is projected to be selected late in the first round or early in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

John Lynch

The general manager of the San Francisco 49ers.

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Nick Bosa

A defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers who is recovering from an ACL injury.

Mykell Williams

A 2025 first-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers who is recovering from an ACL injury.

Keion White

A defensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers who is recovering from an off-field gunshot wound.

Raheem Morris

The defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.

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What they’re saying

“When you talk about guys who fit that scheme, you've got to feel their juice off the edge and (Lawrence), he brings that. The run [stopping] stuff, he's got to get a little better. There's times he gets stuck at the point of attack. He needs to improve. But if you told me Malachi Lawrence, you could handpick him to play in one defense, I'd send him to San Francisco.”

— Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network Analyst

What’s next

The 49ers will continue to evaluate Lawrence and other potential first-round picks leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 24-26.

The takeaway

The 49ers' meeting with Malachi Lawrence suggests they see him as a potential solution to their pass-rushing needs, especially with key players recovering from injuries. If Lawrence is available at No. 27, he could be an ideal fit to bolster the 49ers' defensive front.