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Malachi Lawrence is projected to be selected 27th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Scouts are finalizing their evaluations as the draft approaches.
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The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching fast and league scouts are solidifying their big boards. Linebacker Malachi Lawrence could be among the players who hear their name called early in Pittsburgh this week when the NFL welcomes its newest class of rookies.
USA TODAY Sports has all the latest on where the prospect out of UCF may land.
Here's how USA TODAY's latest mock draft currently projects draft day will play out for the former college star.
Nate Davis' Fit Analysis:
A team thats typically at its best when rolling deep on the D-line but had a league-low 20 sacks in 2025 adds depth off the edge with a player who has 19 sacks over the past three years and could be even more productive as a pro.
Ayrton Ostly's Big Board Rank: No. 93
Prototypical size and arm length at edge with elite burst for his frame. You wish that burst would translate more into speed-to-power moves. Deploys other moves instead with good hand usage. Inconsistency against the run could hamper him initially but he has the frame to improve with tools to develop.
Campus Intel:
Lawrence finished a five-year UCF career by becoming the program's fourth All-Big 12 first-team selection, joining Tre'Mon Morris-Brash, Javon Baker and RJ Harvey. He cracked the program's top-10 all-time in sacks with 20, seven this past season. The Louisville native shined at the NFL combine with a 4.52-second time in the 40 and a 40-inch vertical jump. -- Chris Boyle, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Malachi Lawrence is projected to be selected 27th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The San Francisco 49ers are expected to draft Malachi Lawrence with the 27th pick.
Malachi Lawrence plays as a linebacker for the University of Central Florida (UCF).

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The 2026 NFL Draft will take place between April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
Fans have several options to choose from to watch the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL Network and ESPN will have separate broadcasts, each providing a different analysis of each pick as it happens on draft night.
Cord-cutters can stream the different broadcasts on NFL+, the NFL's proprietary streaming service; ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited, ESPN's streaming services; or cable alternative Fubo , which offers a free trial.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Malachi Lawrence 2026 NFL mock draft: latest prediction for UCF Linebacker