DeMarcus Lawrence

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DeMarcus Lawrence
refer to caption
Lawrence with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021
No. 90 – Dallas Cowboys
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1992-04-28) April 28, 1992 (age 29)
Aiken, South Carolina
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:254 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High school:Silver Bluff (Aiken)
College:Boise State
NFL Draft:2014 / Round: 2 / Pick: 34
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2021
Total tackles:305
Sacks:45.5
Forced fumbles:16
Fumble recoveries:6
Interceptions:2
Pass deflections:6
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

DeMarcus Lawrence (born April 28, 1992) is an American football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boise State.

Early years[]

Lawrence attended Silver Bluff High School.[1][2] As a senior, he played tight end, offensive tackle and defensive tackle, while tallying 97 tackles and 3 sacks. He received North-South All-Star honors.

College career[]

Lawrence enrolled at Butler Community College and was redshirted in 2010.[3] As a redshirt freshman in 2011, he collected 69 tackles (second on the team), 21 tackles for loss (led the team) and 12 sacks (led the team), while earning All-Jayhawk Conference and NJCAA All-America honors.[4]

He transferred to Boise State University before the 2012 season.[5] As a sophomore, he started all 11 games and led the team with 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.[6] He also made 48 tackles, 4 forced fumbles (tied for the team lead), 2 fumble recoveries (one returned for a 25-yard touchdown), one interception and one blocked kick. He had 9 tackles against Michigan State University. He made 2.5 tackles for loss against San Diego State University. He had 2.5 sacks against Miami University.

As a junior in 2013, he started in all 12 games, posting 72 tackles (third on the team), 20.5 tackles for loss (sixth in the nation and ninth in school history), 10.5 sacks (fifth in school history) and 2 blocked kicks. He had a streak of six-consecutive games with a sack. His 20 career sacks were tied for the seventh in school history and his 34 career tackles for loss ranked 14th in school history. He had 3.5 sacks against the University of Nevada. He made 9 tackles (5 solo) against the United States Air Force Academy. He declared for the 2014 NFL Draft after the season.[7][8]

Collegiate statistics[]

NCAA Collegiate Career statistics
Boise State Broncos
Season Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Year Class GP Comb Solo Asst Loss Sack Int Yards TD Long PD FF FR Yards TD
2012 SO 11 48 24 24 13.5 9.5 1 8 0 8 0 0 0 0 0
2013 JR 12 72 39 33 20.5 10.5 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0
Career 23 120 63 57 34.0 20.0 1 8 0 8 1 3 0 0 0

Professional career[]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+7⁄8 in
(1.90 m) 		251 lb
(114 kg) 		33+3⁄4 in
(0.86 m) 		11 in
(0.28 m)		 4.80 s 1.68 s 2.80 s 4.31 s 7.46 s 34+1⁄2 in
(0.88 m)		 9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m)		 20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[9]

Dallas Cowboys[]

2014[]

After releasing franchise career sack leader DeMarcus Ware in a salary cap move and having previously lost starters Jason Hatcher and Jay Ratliff, the Dallas Cowboys looked to improve the talent of their defensive line in the 2014 NFL Draft.[10] The team traded up with the Washington Redskins moving to the 34th position, in exchange for a second (#47-Trent Murphy) and a third round (#78-Spencer Long) draft choices, in order to select Lawrence in the second round.[11][12] After fracturing his right foot in training camp, he started the year on the injured reserve list and did not appear in a game until Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals.[13] The lost time affected his play and with little impact (11 tackles with no sacks), he could not earn the starter right defensive end job ahead of Jeremy Mincey.[14]

He played a significant role in the Wild Card Round against the Detroit Lions on January 4, 2015, with the Cowboys leading 24–20 and just over two minutes remaining in the game, quarterback Matthew Stafford fumbled deep in Detroit's territory. Rather than falling on the ball to down it and securing the game-clinching turnover, Lawrence attempted to pick it up and score, which resulted in his fumbling the ball back to the Lions. He redeemed himself on the ensuing drive, on 4th and 3 with a minute left and the Lions threatening to win the game from the Cowboys' 42-yard line, he sacked Stafford, causing a fumble and recovering it all in one play, sealing the victory.[15] He had a strong showing in the playoffs with two sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.[16][17]

2015[]

Although defensive end Greg Hardy was the big offseason acquisition by the Cowboys, Lawrence had a bigger impact from his left defensive end position. He entered the season with an improved physical presence and would develop his edge rushing skills with every passing week. He finished the season with a streak of seven games with at least a sack, registering a total of eight (led the team), 31 quarterback pressures (second on the team) and 56 tackles.[18][19]

He made his first career start in the season opener against the New York Giants. He made 4 tackles, 3 quarterback pressures and his first regular season sack against the New Orleans Saints. He had his first career multi-sack game (2) against the Washington Redskins, to go along with 2 tackles (one for loss), one quarterback hurry and his first career forced fumble. He made 5 tackles, one sack and 2 quarterback hurries against the Green Bay Packers. He had 4 tackles for loss, one sack and one quarterback hurry against the New York Jets. He had 6 tackles and 2 quarterback pressures in the season finale against the Washington Redskins.

He appeared in all 16 games (13 starts), while making 56 tackles, 8 tackles for loss (third on the team), 8 sacks (led the team), 3 quarterback pressures (second on the team). In January 2016, he had back surgery, which turned out to be more serious than originally expected.[20]

2016[]

On June 30, 2016, Lawrence was suspended for four games for amphetamine use, after his appeal was denied.[21] He was relatively unproductive during the season, only registering one sack in 12 games played, this year at right end.[22] He had 3 tackles (2 for loss), one sack, one quarterback pressure and one forced fumble against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He made 5 quarterback pressures against the Minnesota Vikings. He missed the last 3 games with a back injury, but was able to return for the Divisional Playoff Game against the Green Bay Packers, totaling 3 tackles (one for a loss) and 2 quarterback pressures as a backup behind David Irving.

He appeared in 9 games (3 starts), missing the first four contests due to the league suspension and the final three with a back injury. He tallied 8 tackles, one sack, 13 quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.

2017[]

Lawrence about to sack Kirk Cousins in a game against the Washington Redskins

Lawrence had a breakout season in 2017 after shifting back over to the left side, his natural position. On September 17, 2017, in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos, Lawrence forced a fumble off quarterback Trevor Siemian. The fumble helped set up the Cowboys on a touchdown-scoring drive in the 42–17 loss.[23]

In Week 3 of the 2017 season, Lawrence sacked Arizona Cardinals' quarterback Carson Palmer three times, giving him the league-lead 6.5 sacks. The performance earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[24] Lawrence's 6.5 sacks was enough to earn NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors, for the month of September.[25]

On December 19, 2017, after a breakout season with 14.5 sacks, Lawrence was named to his first Pro Bowl.[26] His 14.5 sacks finished tied for second in the league with the Jaguars' Calais Campbell behind the Cardinals' Chandler Jones.[27][28] He was ranked 34th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.[29]

2018[]

On March 5, 2018, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Lawrence, who officially signed it later that day after they were unable to come to terms on a long-term deal.[30]

In Week 4 against the Detroit Lions, Lawrence matched his career-high with a three-sack performance.[31] On October 13, 2018, it was revealed that Lawrence was diagnosed with a torn labrum in his shoulder, in which the injury was intact for two years.[32] In Week 12 against the Washington Redskins he had a career high 5 tackles for loss, 3 tackles and one quarterback pressure. He finished the season with 15 starts, 47 tackles, 12 tackles for loss (led the team), 10.5 sacks (led the team), 39 quarterback pressures (led the team), one interception, 2 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.[33] He was named to his second straight Pro Bowl.

2019[]

On March 4, 2019, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Lawrence, making him the highest paid defensive end in the NFL.[34] On April 5, 2019, the Cowboys signed Lawrence to a five-year, $105 million contract with $65 million guaranteed.[35]

In week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Lawrence recorded a sack forced fumble on Carson Wentz which was recovered by teammate Antwaun Woods in the 37–10 win. This was Lawrence's first sack in a game against the Eagles.[36] He started all 16 games for the third time in his career, while collecting 40 tackles, 9 tackles for loss (led the team), 5 sacks (second on the team), 36 quarterback pressures (second on the team), 3 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.

2020[]

Lawrence in 2020.

In Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, Lawrence tallied 5 tackles. In Week 5 against the New York Giants, he recorded 3 tackles, 6 quarterback pressures, his first sack of the season on Daniel Jones, a strip sack which was returned by Anthony Brown for a 29 yard touchdown during the 37–34 win.[37]

In Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles, he had 4 tackles (one for loss), one sack, 2 quarterback pressures and one fumble recovery. He posted 15 starts during the season, 52 tackles (8 for loss), 6.5 sacks (led the team), 37 quarterback pressures (led the team), one fumble recovery, 4 forced fumbles (led the team) and 2 passes defensed.

2021[]

On September 16, 2021, Lawrence was placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery for a broken fifth metatarsal in his foot. He was activated on December 2.

NFL career statistics[]

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Total Ast Sack Int Yards Avg Long TD PD FF FR
2014 DAL 7 0 9 6 3 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 2
2015 DAL 16 13 55 35 20 8.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 1 1 0
2016 DAL 9 3 11 8 3 1.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0
2017 DAL 16 16 58 35 23 14.5 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 4 2
2018 DAL 16 15 64 42 22 10.5 1 13 13 13 0 1 2 1
2019 DAL 16 16 45 30 15 5.0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2
2020 DAL 16 15 58 34 24 6.5 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 1
Career 96 78 300 190 110 45.5 1 13 13.0 13 0 6 15 8

References[]

  1. ^ "DeMarcus Lawrence, Silver Bluff , Weak-Side Defensive End". 247Sports. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  2. ^ "Flashback: Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence learned toughness as a child the hard way". SportsDay. September 27, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  3. ^ "DeMarcus Lawrence, Butler C.C. Grizzlies, Weak-Side Defensive End". 247Sports. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  4. ^ "Cowboys' Tyrone Crawford and DeMarcus Lawrence have family bond". ESPN.com. December 13, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  5. ^ "Lawrence Signs with Broncos". Broncosports.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  6. ^ Rains, BJ. "BSU's Lawrence hoping to be even better after big 2012". Idaho Press. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  7. ^ "DeMarcus Lawrence Entering NFL". CBSSports. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  8. ^ Rains, BJ. "Boise State's Lawrence to enter NFL Draft". Idaho Press. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  9. ^ "NFL Draft Profile: Demarcus Lawrence". NFL.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  10. ^ Rosenthal, Gregg. "DeMarcus Ware released by Dallas Cowboys". NFL.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  11. ^ MacMahon, Tim. "Cowboys paid premium for Lawrence". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  12. ^ "2014 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  13. ^ "Demarcus Lawrence (broken foot) out 8 to 12 weeks". NFL.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  14. ^ "Demarcus Lawrence 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  15. ^ Wilson, Ryan (January 4, 2015). "Cowboys' Demarcus Lawrence recovers two fumbles in final 2:10". cbssports.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  16. ^ "Wild Card - Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys - January 4th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  17. ^ "Divisional Round - Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers - January 11th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  18. ^ "2015 Dallas Cowboys Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  19. ^ "Demarcus Lawrence 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  20. ^ "Cowboys DE Lawrence OK, but back surgery more serious than expected". Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  21. ^ "Cowboys' Lawrence suspended 4 games". ESPN.com. June 30, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  22. ^ "Demarcus Lawrence 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  23. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos - September 17th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  24. ^ Lam, Quang M. (September 27, 2017). "Tom Brady, Kirk Cousins among Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  25. ^ Lewis, Edward (September 28, 2017). "Kareem Hunt, Todd Gurley among Players of the Month". NFL.com.
  26. ^ "NFL announces 2018 Pro Bowl rosters". NFL.com. December 19, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  27. ^ "Demarcus Lawrence 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  28. ^ "2017 NFL Defense". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  29. ^ NFL Top 100 Players of 2018 - No. 34 DeMarcus Lawrence
  30. ^ Patra, Kevin (March 5, 2018). "Demarcus Lawrence signs Cowboys' franchise tag". NFL.com.
  31. ^ George, Brandon (September 30, 2018). "Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence is showing why he's no one-trick pony, but even he could use some help". SportsDay. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  32. ^ Teope, Herbie. "DeMarcus Lawrence has had torn labrum for 2 years". NFL.com. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  33. ^ "Demarcus Lawrence 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  34. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (March 4, 2019). "Cowboys franchise tag DE DeMarcus Lawrence". NFL.com. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  35. ^ Maya, Adam (April 5, 2019). "Cowboys, DeMarcus Lawrence agree to $105M deal". NFL.com.
  36. ^ "Cowboys run over Eagles, take 1st in NFC East with 37-10 win". www.espn.com. October 20, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  37. ^ "New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys - October 11th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2020.

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