DeMarcus Lawrence

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.[18] 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.[19][20] 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.[21] 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.[22]

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.[23] He had a strong showing in the playoffs with two sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.[24][25]

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 made his first career start in the season opener against the New York Giants.[26] He made four tackles, three quarterback pressures and his first regular season sack against the New Orleans Saints.[27] He had his first career multi-sack game (2) against the Washington Redskins, to go along with two tackles (one for loss), one quarterback hurry, and his first career forced fumble.[28] He made five tackles, one sack and two quarterback hurries against the Green Bay Packers.[29] He had four tackles for loss, one sack and one quarterback hurry against the New York Jets.[30] He had six tackles and two quarterback pressures in the season finale against the Washington Redskins.[31]

Lawrence finished the season with a streak of seven games with at least a sack. He appeared in all 16 games (13 starts), while making 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss (third on the team), eight sacks (led the team), three quarterback pressures (second on the team)[32][33] In January 2016, he had back surgery, which turned out to be more serious than originally expected.[34]

On June 30, 2016, Lawrence was suspended for four games for amphetamine use, after his appeal was denied.[35] He had three tackles (two for loss), one sack, one quarterback pressure and one forced fumble against the Pittsburgh Steelers.[36] He made five quarterback pressures against the Minnesota Vikings.[37] He missed the last three games with a back injury, but was able to return for the Divisional Round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, totaling three tackles (one for a loss) and two quarterback pressures as a backup behind David Irving.[38]

He appeared in nine games (three starts), missing the first four contests due to the league suspension and the final three with a back injury. He tallied eight tackles, one sack, 13 quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble.[39]

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.[40]

In Week 3 of the 2017 season, Lawrence sacked Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer three times, giving him a league-leading 6.5 sacks.[41] The performance earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[42] Lawrence's 6.5 sacks was enough to earn NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors for the month of September.[43]

On December 19, 2017, after a breakout season with 14.5 sacks, Lawrence was named to his first Pro Bowl.[44] His 14.5 sacks finished tied for second in the league with the Jaguars' Calais Campbell behind the Cardinals' Chandler Jones.[45][46] He was ranked 34th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.[47]

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.[48]

In Week 4 against the Detroit Lions, Lawrence matched his career-high with a three-sack performance.[49] 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.[50] In Week 12 against the Washington Redskins he had a career high five tackles for loss, three 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, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.[51][52] He was named to his second straight Pro Bowl.[53] He was ranked 45th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.[54]

On March 4, 2019, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Lawrence, making him the highest paid defensive end in the NFL.[55] On April 5, 2019, the Cowboys signed Lawrence to a five-year, $105 million contract with $65 million guaranteed.[56]

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.[57] He started all 16 games for the third time in his career, while collecting 40 tackles, nine tackles for loss (led the team), five sacks (second on the team), 36 quarterback pressures (second on the team), three passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.[58][59]

Lawrence in 2020.

In Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, Lawrence tallied five tackles.[60] In Week 5 against the New York Giants, he recorded three tackles, six 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.[61]

In Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles, he had four tackles (one for loss), one sack, two quarterback pressures, and one fumble recovery.[62] 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, four forced fumbles (led the team) and two passes defensed.[63][64]

On September 16, 2021, Lawrence was placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery for a broken fifth metatarsal in his foot.[65] He was activated on December 2.[66] He returned in Week 13. Against the Washington Football Team in Week 16, Lawrence had a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 56–14 victory.[67] In seven games, he finished with 21 total tackles, one interception, five passes defended, and two forced fumbles.[68]

On March 14, 2022, Lawrence agreed to a 3-year, $40 million contract extension with the Cowboys. $30 million of the contract was guaranteed, making Lawrence the first defensive end to have his contract guaranteed for seven straight seasons.[69] In Week 5, against the Los Angeles Rams, he had a 19-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the 22–10 victory.[70] He finished the 2022 season with 65 total tackles, three passes defended, and three forced fumbles in 17 games and starts.[71] He was named as a Pro Bowler for his performance in the 2022 season.[72]