Malachi Lawrence
Getty
UCF EDGE rusher Malachi Lawrence
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard mentioned at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine that the team would aim to get younger and faster in the defensive front 7 this offseason.
The Colts have added pass rushers, such as Arden Key and Micheal Clemons, but none of them would be labeled “young” in NFL terms. Indy has remained quiet after the initial two weeks in free agency and may have its eyes set on the upcoming draft to add a young and faster pass rusher.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Indianapolis is scheduled to meet with UCF EDGE rusher Malachi Lawrence.
Mike Garafolo
UCF edge Malachi Lawrence, a @MoveTheSticks Top 50 prospect who ran a 4.52 40 at the Combine, is visiting the #Colts, #Seahawks and #49ers this week — three of 16 visits for him ahead of the NFL Draft. Significant work on Lawrence from clubs following his performance in Indy.
The defender has recorded 20 sacks in his collegiate career, 72 total tackles (28 for a loss) and earned a Big 12 first-team nod in his final season with the University of Central Florida.
The defender had an overall grade of 80.1, a pass-rush grade of 89.5, and a pass-rush win rate of 19% from Pro Football Focus in the 2025 season.
Lawrence has been rated as one of the best pass rushers of this year’s draft and is slated to become a late first-round to mid-second-round pick. Unfortunately for the Colts, the team doesn’t have a first-round selection after trading it away for Sauce Gardner.
If Malachi Lawrence falls to the 47th overall pick, the Colts first selection of the draft, he could become the “younger and faster” option GM Chris Ballard was aiming for.
Mock Draft Has Indy Taking Malachi Lawrence
Shane Steichen
GettyShane Steichen could add Malachi Lawrence to his defense
With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, many publications will release their mocks ahead of the date. ESPN’s scouting department released its latest mock draft and it has Malachi Lawrence falling to the Indianapolis Colts on Day 2.
“Edge rusher is one of the Colts’ top needs. And despite not picking in Round 1, they can check a box here. Lawrence is a long and physical edge setter with excellent bend and closing speed,” draft analyst Jordan Reid wrote for the publication.
PFF ranks Lawrence as the 10th-best EDGE rusher and 54th-best prospect in this year’s draft class.
Indy lost Kwity Paye to the Las Vegas Raiders and Samson Ebukam to the Atlanta Falcons, leaving a gap in the team’s pass-rushing ability. Paye and Ebukam combined for 6 sacks in the 2025 NFL season. Lawrence, in the 2025 collegiate season, took down opposing quarterbacks 11 times.
Adding Malachi Lawrence would give a nice complement to Laiatu Latu on the opposite side of him, who had a major increase in production in his second season in the league.
Drafting the UCF defender would also come at a benefit after the Colts lost out on signing Trey Hendrickson.
Does Malachi Lawrence Fall to Day 2?
Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard has decision on Anthony Richardson.
GettyIndianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard
While adding Malachi Lawrence would be a huge help for Lou Anarumo in his second season as the Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator, the question remains if the EDGE rusher will fall into Day 2.
Chris Ballard mentioned that the Colts were open to trading for more picks and this doesn’t shut down the notion that the team could trade up, even if it were in the earlier second round and allows the team to draft Lawrence.
Indy could offer the 47th overall and a third-round selection in either this year’s or next year’s draft class to move up in the second round, making it somewhat easier for the team to get the UCF defender.
But, with limited resources and Lawrence’s high draft stock, it is unlikely that the Colts would do something like that.