All of the talk about edge rushers in the NFL Draft has centered around Arvelle Reese, David Bailey and Rueben Bain. They're the three prospects expected to go in the top 10 picks, and if the New Orleans Saints pick an EDGE in Round 1, it'll be one of those players. Malachi Lawrence isn't being talked about much, but he could be a steal for the Saints at 42.
More than just a steal, Lawrence could be the steal of the draft if he falls to the Saints. Draft expert Jon Ledyard believes Lawrence is the top edge rusher of the class. Ledyard does admit he isn't in the elite tier, but he doesn't have any EDGE prospect in that tier. He sees a late bloomer in Lawrence with a lot of tools in his pass rush toolset. There's still room to grow and Ledyard thinks that growth could lead to Lawrence being a Pro Bowl or All Pro player.
Malachi Lawrence is the No. 1 edge in the class, according to @LedyardNFLDraft
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“It’s an imperfect edge class, there aren’t any clear-cut, top-tier, all-around talents. I just feel like he’s the player I’d want to bet on the most to achieve the highest-end outcome in the NFL.” pic.twitter.com/fU0UAgot9n
2nd round could be the sweet spot for the Saints to land an edge rusher, and Malachi Lawrence may be the best bet
Think Chris Bell but at edge rusher. Bell is often looked at as a great fit for the Saints because of his history with Tyler Shough. That certainly helps, but Bell is also a highly talented player at a position of need with the skillset the Saints need at the position.
For Bell, it's yards after the catch. For Lawrence, it's more speed off the edge. The Saints could benefit from some speed all around as they continue to flesh out their defense. It's not something Cam Jordan brings to defense, so the Saints will need that whether he returns or not.
If the Saints are unable to land one of the top three, edge rusher will be a big focus next time they're on the clock, and it may be the sweet spot to land one. When you get to the Saints' second round pick, you're going to see a lot of the smaller, twitchy players available. Lawrence is one of them, and he's joined by R Mason Thomas and maybe Cashius Howell.
That's a few of the names that could be available in this range. Those are still players who have shown to be able to get to the quarterback. There's some questions like size or sustained production, but the talent is there. It's also guys who have done it against high level competition.
The Saints can get an impact player elsewhere in the first round and still grab a quality player at a major need in Round 2. Once you get past this pick, it may be more guesswork involved on the prospects. That frame between the second and third round is so unpredictable that players you thought would be gone could be there at pick 73 and vice versa.