Malachi Lawrence Joins Cowboys at 23rd Pick

After trading down from the 20th overall selection with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys will select UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Lawrence spent his entire college career playing for UCF but did not carve out a full-time role on the defense until his second season. In 2023, Lawrence would tally 7.5 sacks with 105 tackles for loss. After a somewhat down season in 2024, where he logged only 5.0 sacks, Lawrence would return to form in his senior campaign, logging a career-high 11.0 tackles for loss with 7.0 sacks, and was named first-team All-Big 12. Per scouting reports, Lawrence has the skill set to win on the line with both his power and speed. Lawrence will join a Dallas defense that struggled to pressure the opposing quarterbacks last fall, logging just 35.0 total sacks.

Source: Ari Alexander