Patriots Set To Draft 20-Sack Pass Rusher, A Potential Replacement for K'Lavon Chaisson

The New England Patriots are poised to draft their second-round pick with Malachi Lawrence on the board. Lawrence, a UCF product who has been praised as one of the top pass rushers in this year's class, is expected to be picked up by the Patriots. Lawrence, 30, had four seasons at UCF where he made 39 starts and accumulated 28 tackles for loss with 20 sacks.

He was ranked seventh-best overall in the draft guide 'The Beast' by the Athletic's Dane Brugler. Despite being an older player, Lawrence is expected to have a strong impact on the Patriots’ defense. If the Patriots decide to replace K'Lavon Chaisson, who signed with Washington Commanders this offseason, Lawrence could effectively fill that role as he has proven himself in the NFL.

The trade between the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals, which saw Dexter Lawrence II go from a first-round pick to the third overall pick of the draft, shouldn’t have much impact on the Patriots' plans. This draft move is seen by many fans and analysts alike as a potential game-changer for the Patriots, who are expected to make their mark in the NFC North this season. The team's defense has been improving under new head coach Josh McDaniels, making Lawrence’s addition even more intriguing.