DeMarcus Lawrence
USACollege Career at Boise State
Lawrence attended Butler College from 2010 to 2011 before transferring to Boise State University prior to the 2012 season. In his first year with the Broncos, he led the team in sacks with 9.5. In 2013, he again led the team with 10.5 sacks. He declared for the 2014 NFL Draft after the season.
Dallas Cowboys
2014 SeasonAfter releasing franchise career sack leader DeMarcus Ware in a salary-cap move and previously losing starters Jason Hatcher and Jay Ratliff, the Dallas Cowboys looked to bolster their defensive line talent in the 2014 NFL Draft. The team traded with the Washington Redskins, moving up to the 34th overall pick in exchange for a second-round pick (No. 47—Trent Murphy) and a third-round pick (No. 78—Spencer Long), to select Lawrence in the second round. After suffering a fractured right foot in training camp, he began the year on the reserve/injured list and did not make his regular season debut until Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. The lost time impacted his play, and with a modest impact (11 tackles, no sacks) he failed to earn the starting right defensive end job ahead of Jeremy Mincey.
On January 4, 2015, he played a significant role in the Wild Card Round against the Detroit Lions. The Cowboys held a 24–20 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the game, and Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford completed a deep pass into Detroit territory. Rather than falling on the ball to down it and secure a turnover, Lawrence attempted to pick it up and run, resulting in his fumbling the ball back to the Lions. He redeemed himself on the ensuing drive, on fourth down and three with just under a minute remaining and the Lions threatening to win the game from the Cowboys' 42-yard line, he sacked Stafford, forcing a fumble and recovering it all in one play, sealing the victory. He had a strong showing in the playoffs with two sacks, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
2015 Season
Despite the Cowboys' big offseason acquisition of defensive end Greg Hardy in 2015, Lawrence became more impactful at his left defensive end position. He entered the season with an improved physical presence and would build upon his pass-rushing skills with each passing week. He finished the season with a seven-game streak of at least one sack, registering a team-leading eight total, 31 quarterback pressures (second on the team), and 56 tackles. His best games came against the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, and New York Jets. In January 2016, he underwent back surgery that proved to be more extensive than initially expected.
2016 Season
On June 30, 2016, Lawrence was suspended for four games after his appeal was denied. Lawrence was relatively unproductive during the 2016 NFL season, recording only one sack in 12 games at right end that year.
2017 Season
Lawrence had a breakout season in 2017 after being moved back to the left side, his natural position. On September 17, 2017, in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos, Lawrence forced a fumble by sacking quarterback Trevor Siemian. The fumble helped set up the Cowboys for a touchdown drive in their 42–17 road loss. In Week 3 of the 2017 season, Lawrence recorded three sacks of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, giving him a league-leading 6.5 sacks. His performance in Week 3 earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Lawrence's 6.5 sacks were enough to earn him NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors for September. On December 19, 2017, after a breakout season with 14.5 sacks, Lawrence was named to his first Pro Bowl. His 14.5 sacks finished tied for second in the league with the Jaguars' Calais Campbell and behind the Cardinals' Chandler Jones. He was ranked 34th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.
2018 Season
On March 5, 2018, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Lawrence, who officially signed it later that day after the two sides failed to agree on a long-term deal.
In Week 4 of the 2018 season, against the Detroit Lions, Lawrence matched his career high with three sacks. On October 13, 2018, it was revealed that Lawrence had been diagnosed with a torn labrum in his shoulder, an injury that went unnoticed for two years. He finished the 2018 season with 10.5 sacks, 64 total tackles, 23 quarterback hits, one interception, and two forced fumbles.
2019 Season
On March 4, 2019, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Lawrence, making him the highest-paid defensive end in the NFL.
On April 5, 2019, the Cowboys signed Lawrence to a five-year, $105 million contract with $65 million guaranteed.
In Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Lawrence recorded a strip-sack on Carson Wentz that was recovered by teammate Antwaun Woods in the 37–10 road victory. It was Lawrence's first career sack against the Eagles.
