Malachi Lawrence to Cowboys, Fans React to New EDGE Joining Caleb Downs in 1st Round of NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys added more defensive help with their second first-round pick.

After trading back to No. 23, the Cowboys drafted UCF star edge rusher Malachi Lawrence. That selection came after Dallas picked Caleb Downs at No. 11.

After the year the Cowboys had on defense in 2025, adding help on that side of the ball was a priority in the first round. Fans were thrilled to see Dallas pick up Lawrence.

Lawrence spent all four of his collegiate seasons at UCF, racking up 72 tackles, 20 sacks and three forced fumbles during his time. As a senior, he had 28 tackles, seven sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.

Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department considered Lawrence to be the No. 46 overall player and the seventh-best edge rusher.

The Cowboys initially had the 20th pick in the first round, but they traded that pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in return for the No. 23, 114 and 137 picks. Considering Dallas was able to fill a need while also gaining two more picks, that trade should be considered a win.

Coming into the draft, addressing defensive flaws was the main point of emphasis, and the Cowboys landed one of the best players in the draft in Downs and managed to add a solid edge rusher later in the first round.

Now, Dallas will spend the next few days trying to strike gold in the later rounds as it looks to put together a competitive defense.