Top 5 NFC East pass rushers ranked in 2023

3. DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys

The first Dallas player enters this list at number three. While DeMarcus Lawrence might not be the same type of player he was five years ago, he can still play at a high level.

The Cowboys drafted Lawrence in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft and traded up to select the Boise State star. In his rookie season, the edge rusher was quiet before taking off with eight sacks in year two.

Lawrence's best years came in 2017 and 2018 when the three-time Pro Bowler had back-to-back 10-plus sack seasons.

In 2017, Lawrence delivered a career-high 14 1/2 sacks with four forced fumbles and 26 quarterback hits. He was selected to the All-Pro second team and finished fourth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Then in 2018, the Cowboys star added back-to-back Pro Bowl sections -- finishing the year with 10 1/2 sacks and 23 quarterback hits.

Since Lawrence got paid, though, the results haven't quite been there. He has just 20 1/2 sacks over the last four seasons. However, sacks aren't everything, and he's still one of the top-edge rushers in the game.

Last season, Lawrence made his third Pro Bowl appearance following a six-sack season. It wasn't a high sack year for the veteran, but he always seems to make big-time plays off the edge for Dallas.