How Malachi Lawrence Impressed Brian Schottenheimer at Cowboys Mandatory Minicamp
How Malachi Lawrence Impressed Brian Schottenheimer at Cowboys Mandatory Minicamp
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer admitted he was particularly impressed with one aspect of Malachi Lawrence's game this offseason.Mike Moraitis|
In this story:
Dallas Cowboys | News, Scores, Schedules & StandingsWith so much attention on Caleb Downs, fellow Dallas Cowboys 2026 first-round draft pick Malachi Lawrence has been flying under the radar this offseason.
That's something Lawrence has absolutely no issue with, according to Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News.
"He said that’s a comfortable place for him, dating to college, or even during the draft process, as he rose in public opinion to eventually becoming a first-round pick," Hoyt reported.
“It really doesn’t phase me,” Lawrence said.
Schottenheimer impressed with Lawrence
While Lawrence has been pretty low key this offseason, he has no doubt caught the attention of head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who noted that the rookie has been particularly impressive when dropping into coverage, something he didn't do a lot of at UCF.
“I’ve been most pleasantly surprised by the instincts when he drops in coverage,” Schottenheimer said of Lawrence. “They didn’t drop him much at UCF, for the right reasons."
Despite not having much experience doing so, Lawrence actually has the ideal level of athleticism to be effective in coverage. The UCF product scored a near-perfect Relative Athletic Score, with Lawrence notching a 9.95 out of 10.
Schotty has been encouraged by Lawrence's work overall during his first offseason in the NFL and is a believer in the rookie, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
"But I like the way he’s tackled this offseason. I think he’s another guy that the talent is real. I don’t remember him making a lot of mistakes, and that’s a good thing," Schottenheimer added.
A point of emphasis for Lawrence
One of the things the Cowboys have tried to clean up with Lawrence's game is his false-stepping.
The UCF product is no doubt explosive, but the false step negates that impressive quality and doesn't allow him to utilize his first-step quickness to his advantage.
Lawrence remains dead-set on continuing to work on that aspect of his game.
"With the false stepping, I’ve seen great work, just hitting it every day and making it one of my key focuses so I can use my explosiveness to my advantage when getting off the ball,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence's 2026 outlook
First-round picks are expected to make an immediate impact, but don't be surprised if we don't hear a lot from Lawrence out of the gate in 2026.
That's because the Cowboys have a crowded situation at edge rusher. Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku are expected to start, and Sam Williams looms as a solid veteran backup who could be first off the bench at the position.
Because of that situation, Lawrence may not be anything more than the No. 4 edge rusher when the season starts. That said, it's not like Lawrence is completely blocked from earning a big role.
We know the question marks surrounding Ezeiruaku, who remains unproven, and Williams and Gary, both of whom had disappointing showings last season, so it's not impossible for Lawrence to jump one or more of them on the depth chart.
One way or the other, if Lawrence proves to be an asset, the Cowboys are going to find a way to get him involved.
Published 16 hours ago
MIKE MORAITISMike Moraitis is a freelance writer who has covered the NFL for major outlets such as Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News. He has previously written for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and FanSided, and got his start in sports media at Bleacher Report.
Home/News
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
