The San Francisco 49ers‘ NFL Draft board may soon start to take shape. With the scouting combine and active free agency window now behind them, the Niners are hosting potential draft picks on visits. Nearly two weeks away from the NFL Draft taking place in Pittsburgh, 49ers GM John Lynch and Co. are set to host one of the better defenders in this year’s pool of prospects.
According to 49ers insider David Lombardi, San Francisco is set to host UCF star edge-rusher Malachi Lawrence on a top-30 visit. After recording 20 sacks for the Knights in four years, the Louisville native could be a nice addition to new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris’s defense.
Malachi Lawrence Could Give the San Francisco 49ers Some Much-Needed Depth
GettyThe 49ers currently have six total draft picks at their disposal.
Here is what Lombardi wrote via social media on Wednesday about why Lawrence makes sense for the Niners:
“252-pound Malachi Lawrence does fit the profile of what the 49ers are searching to fill the turbo rusher role on their D-line. He’ll be one of their top-30 visits.”
It is no secret that the 49ers need some help on the edge of their defensive line. After All-Pro edge-rusher Nick Bosa was lost for the season last year, the defensive line fell flat. San Francisco recorded just 20 sacks in total in 2025 (fewest in the NFL). What happens if Bosa gets hurt this upcoming season again? Who can the defense depend on to get to the quarterback?
The addition of veteran defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa will certainly help in the interior, but it isn’t enough. Lawrence can give this defense more firepower at a position of great need.
Malachi Lawrence Brings Plenty of Speed and Athleticism to the Table
GettyRaheem Morris was hired as the 49ers’ new defensive coordinator this offseason after being relieved of his head-coaching duties by the Atlanta Falcons.
The 49ers are on the lookout for a talented edge defender who can quickly get after the opposing quarterback, as well as set the edge. Lawrence proved that during his UCF career and at the combine.
An honorable mention for Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year last season, he was one of the true stars on this UCF squad. In fact, he is one of four FBS players to record at least five sacks in each of the previous three seasons.
Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 250 pounds, opposing offensive lines are going to have to worry about not just his size, but his speed, as well. He ran an impressive 4.52 40-yard dash at the combine, which certainly gained the attention of other NFL teams. With other reported visits this week to Indianapolis and Seattle, the 49ers will have some competition for Lawrence.
If 49ers fans are trying to keep an eye out for a potential edge-rusher who can give this team a jolt and be a future high-level contributor, Lawrence might be their guy. Time will tell how serious San Francisco is about drafting him, as the draft is just two weeks from Friday.
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