Cowboys select UCF DE Malachi Lawrence at No. 23 overall

Dallas bolsters pass rush with explosive edge talent.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Apr 241 min read

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Dallas bolsters pass rush with explosive edge talent. Video

What happened: The Dallas Cowboys chose University of Central Florida defensive end Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Adam Schefter reported the selection live from the draft. Lawrence recorded 11 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in his senior season at UCF.

Why it matters: Cowboys address a key need on the edge after Micah Parsons' injury-plagued 2025 season limited their sack production to 42, 18th in NFL. This pick shifts Dallas' Super Bowl on major books. Early second-round edge rushers start 65% of games within two years.

By the numbers: Pre-draft Lawrence to Cowboys. 2025 college stats: 11 sacks, 45 tackles, 4 FF. Cowboys 2025 record: 9-8, missed playoffs. No major injury history.

What to watch: Monitor Cowboys' next picks for secondary help and Lawrence's pro day measurables.

Sources

@AdamSchefter Apr 23, 10:22 PM ET

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Cowboys select UCF DE Malachi Lawrence at No. 23 overall

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