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UCF DE Malachi Lawrence

The Dallas Cowboys doubled down on defense in the 1st round of the 2026 NFL draft, selecting UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 overall pick.

Lawrence, who had 19.5 sacks over the last 3 seasons, followed Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who was selected by the Cowboys with the No. 11 overall pick.

“At No. 23, the Cowboys selected UCF DE Malachi Lawrence,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on Thursday night.

The Cowboys shook up the 1st round of the NFL draft by trading the No. 20 overall pick to perhaps their most hated rival, swapping places with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1st round.

In exchange for the No. 20 overall pick and a 7th round pick, the Cowboys received the No. 23 overall pick plus the No. 114 overall pick and No. 137 overall pick.

The Eagles selected USC wide receiver and Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon at No. 20 overall, likely signaling that the Eagles will trade 3-time NFL All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown after June 1.

Cowboys Looking to Reboot Edge Rusher Position

The Cowboys have had zero identity at edge rusher since trading NFL All-Pro Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers just weeks before the 2025 season.

That’s not to say Lawrence helps them have an identity. The 6-foot-5, 253-pound Louisville native ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine but wasn’t a 1st round pick in most mock drafts.

NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein projected Lawrence as a 2nd round pick.

“An NFL-caliber edge rusher with prototypical size and length, Lawrence moves with the suddenness of a smaller player,” Zierlein wrote. “Explosive get-off and a deep bag of moves/counters fuel his pocket disruption. He can win inside or outside but his speed-to-power conversion is average. His hands are subtle but skilled to quickly unlock openings and his secondary rush. He closes with burst and has the motor to hound scrambling quarterbacks. The next level will bring better tackles and more quick-sets, which will test how well his production translates. He makes splash plays behind the line but must provide better consistency and discipline in run support. Lawrence is an ascending prospect with rush polish and pro traits that should be enticing for pressure-hungry defenses.”