NFL Draft Shock: Dallas Cowboys Land UCF Edge Malachi Lawrence at No. 23 After Masterful Trade

The Dallas Cowboys front office walked a tightrope in the first round of the NFL Draft, and they came away with a double victory. After a heart-pounding sequence that saw them leapfrog a division rival to snag safety Caleb Downs at pick No. 20, the Cowboys proved they weren’t done dealing. In a move that reeks of calculated aggression, Dallas traded back with the Philadelphia Eagles, moved down three spots to No. 23, and still landed a premier pass-rushing prospect: UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence.

This is not just a depth pick. This is a statement. The Cowboys have been haunted by the ghosts of their 2024 pass rush, a unit that crumbled under the weight of injuries to DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons. By adding Lawrence to a rotation that already includes the newly acquired Rashan Gary and last year’s second-rounder Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dallas has built a defensive line that is suddenly terrifying. Let’s break down how this pick happened, why it matters, and what it means for the rest of the draft.

The Art of the Deal: How Dallas Turned Panic into Profit

The first-round drama started when the Cowboys realized their top target, safety Caleb Downs, was sliding. Panic? No. Action. Dallas traded up from No. 24 to No. 20, sending a fourth-round pick to the New York Giants to secure their man. But the story didn’t end there. With the secondary now fortified, the Cowboys’ war room immediately pivoted to the edge rusher market.

“We had [Malachi] Lawrence graded as a top-15 player on our board,” a team source told Cowboys Wire. “When he was still there at 20, we knew we had to get him, but we also knew we could maximize value.”

Enter the Philadelphia Eagles. In a stunning display of intra-division cooperation, the Eagles offered Dallas a trade: move back from No. 20 to No. 23, and receive two fourth-round picks (No. 112 and No. 137) in return. The Cowboys accepted without hesitation. The result? Dallas landed their top-rated edge rusher, gained two premium Day 3 picks, and still got their safety. This is the definition of a win-win.

Malachi Lawrence: The Perfect Bookend for Donovan Ezeiruaku

Let’s talk about the player. Malachi Lawrence is not a household name yet, but by October, he will be. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound dynamo from UCF exploded onto the scene in 2024, recording 12 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. His explosive first step and violent hand usage make him a nightmare for offensive tackles. Scouts rave about his ability to bend the edge, a trait that translates directly to the NFL.

What makes this pick so brilliant is the fit. Last year, the Cowboys used a second-round pick on Donovan Ezeiruaku from Boston College, a player known for his finesse and speed. Lawrence is the exact opposite. He is a power rusher who thrives on bull-rushing and converting speed to power. Together, they form a complementary duo that offensive coordinators will dread game-planning against.

• Strengths: Elite get-off, heavy hands, ability to set the edge against the run.
• Weaknesses: Needs to develop a secondary pass-rush move; sometimes over-pursues.
• Comparison: A slightly less polished version of Haason Reddick.

“He’s a grown man,” said one NFC scout. “He plays with a chip on his shoulder. The Cowboys just got a steal.”

Filling the Void: How Lawrence Replaces DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons

The 2024 season was a nightmare for the Cowboys’ pass rush. DeMarcus Lawrence missed 10 games with a foot injury. Micah Parsons missed six games with a high ankle sprain. The result? A defense that went from elite to average, ranking 18th in sacks per game. The front office knew they could not let that happen again.

First, they traded for Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers, a former top-15 pick who is still just 27 years old. Then, they re-signed Sam Williams to a team-friendly deal. Now, they add Lawrence. The depth chart suddenly looks like this:

• Starting Edge: Micah Parsons (LDE) / Rashan Gary (RDE)
• Rotational Edge: Malachi Lawrence / Donovan Ezeiruaku
• Depth: Sam Williams / Tyrus Wheat

This is a five-man wrecking crew. Lawrence will not be asked to start immediately. Instead, he will be a designated pass-rusher on third downs, spelling Gary or Parsons. By mid-season, expect him to be playing 50-60% of the snaps. The Cowboys have finally solved their pass-rush depth problem.

What This Means for the Rest of the Cowboys’ Draft

The Cowboys entered Day 1 with seven picks. They left with ten. By trading back with the Eagles, they added two fourth-round selections, giving them a total of three picks in the fourth round (No. 112, No. 114, and No. 137). However, they are currently without a second-round pick after trading up for Downs.

Their only pick on Day 2 is the No. 92 overall selection in the third round, which they acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in the Osa Odighizuwa trade. Do not be surprised if the Cowboys package two of their fourth-round picks to move back into the second round. The team still has glaring needs at offensive tackle and wide receiver.

“We have a lot of ammunition,” Cowboys Vice President Stephen Jones said. “We are going to be aggressive.”

Expect the Cowboys to target a right tackle like Kingsley Suamataia or a receiver like Keon Coleman if they can move up. If they stay put at No. 92, they will likely take the best player available on the offensive line.

Expert Analysis: The Grade and the Ceiling

From a pure value standpoint, the Cowboys earned an A- for the first round. They filled two massive holes (safety and edge) while adding draft capital. Lawrence at No. 23 is a steal. Pro Football Focus had him ranked as the 16th-best prospect in the entire class. The Cowboys got a top-16 player at No. 23 and got paid to do it.

The ceiling for this defense is now top five. With a healthy Micah Parsons, a motivated Rashan Gary, and a hungry Malachi Lawrence, the Cowboys have the pass rush to derail any offense in the NFC. The question mark remains the secondary, but Caleb Downs is a Day 1 starter at free safety.

Strong Conclusion: A Franchise-Altering Night

One night does not define a draft, but Thursday night in Dallas felt different. The Cowboys were aggressive, smart, and opportunistic. They did not panic when their target was threatened. They did not get greedy. They executed a perfect two-step plan: secure the safety, then land the edge rusher.

Malachi Lawrence is the kind of player who will be a fan favorite in Arlington. He plays with violence, passion, and a relentless motor. Paired with Donovan Ezeiruaku, he represents the future of the Cowboys’ pass rush. And with two extra fourth-round picks in their pocket, the front office is set up for a dominant Day 2.

For a team that has been criticized for being passive in recent drafts, the 2025 NFL Draft is a breath of fresh air. The Dallas Cowboys are not just building a roster. They are building a bully. And Malachi Lawrence is the newest weapon in the arsenal.

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas Cowboys select UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at pick No. 23

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.