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Cowboys trade up, pick UCF DE Lawrence No. 23

4/25/2026

37 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Cowboys Draft Lawrence

Dallas Cowboys selected UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence No. 23 overall on April 24, 2026.
The Cowboys traded the No. 20 slot to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 23 pick, fourth-round picks No. 114 and No. 137, and signed Lawrence to a $20,220,666 rookie deal.
He logged 28 tackles, 11 for loss, seven sacks, three passes defended and two forced fumbles, helping a defense that ranked seventh-least in sacks and tenth-worst in run defense.

Summary

Cowboys Reach

Nick Saban called the Cowboys’ pick of Malachi Lawrence a “reach” on a hot-mic before the selection.
Christian Parker sent pictures of Lawrence to vice-president Will McClay during the draft, influencing the decision.
Analysts projected Lawrence as a second-round pick (No. 35 overall), noting his combine 4.52-second 40-yard dash, 9.94 Relative Athletic Score, 40-inch vertical and 13th-best defensive-end athletic rating since 1987.

History

Historical Context

In 1990 the Cowboys traded up to the 17th overall pick and selected running back Emmitt Smith, whose rushing titles helped secure three Super Bowl victories and a 2010 Hall of Fame induction. That draft-day willingness to pay premium value set a pattern the franchise continued in 2026, when it traded with the Philadelphia Eagles for defensive end Malachi Lawrence at No. 23.

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Cowboys Draft Lawrence

Dallas Cowboys selected UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence No. 23 overall on April 24, 2026.
The Cowboys traded the No. 20 slot to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 23 pick, fourth-round picks No. 114 and No. 137, and signed Lawrence to a $20,220,666 rookie deal.
He logged 28 tackles, 11 for loss, seven sacks, three passes defended and two forced fumbles, helping a defense that ranked seventh-least in sacks and tenth-worst in run defense.

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