The Dallas Cowboys selected Malachi Lawrence 23rd overall in the 2026 NFL Draft after trading back with the Philadelphia Eagles. The decision was influenced by their need for a linebacker and the potential impact Lawrence could have on the team's defense.
The Cowboys drafted Malachi Lawrence to address their critical need for a linebacker and to stabilize their defense after losing Micah Parsons.
The Cowboys traded back from the 20th to the 23rd pick with the Philadelphia Eagles, which allowed them to select Malachi Lawrence.
Before drafting Malachi Lawrence, the Cowboys debated selecting CJ Allen, a linebacker from George, but ultimately chose Lawrence.
Malachi Lawrence is expected to significantly enhance the Cowboys' defense by filling the gap left by Micah Parsons and providing a strong pass-rushing presence.
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Before the draft started the most critical position of need for the Cowboys was linebacker. You could argue that it remains so even at this point. You never want to draft for need, but the reality is that the Cowboys were in desperate need at linebacker. When they were on the clock at 20 overall they seemed to like their options to such a degree that they traded back with the Philadelphia Eagles. ESPNâs âThe Pick Is Inâ documentary (it was released on Sunday evening) chronicled all of this action. When Dallas moved back from 20 to 23 after the Philly trade they were debating taking Lawrence (which they ultimately did) against George linebacker CJ Allen. Brian Schottenheimer, as Jon Machota transcribed in his post, petitioned for Lawrence and the impact that a pass rusher could make for the team. Lawrence projects to be someone who will stabilize what the team lost in Parsons last August. As far as linebacker is concerned, there has been some chatter in the aftermath of the documentary airing that the Cowboys would have been reaching on CJ Allen if theyâd taken him there. Relative to where Allen was projected to go that certainly makes sense. You have to remember though that the Cowboys didnât have a second-round pick. It would have been logical, on some level, to prioritize getting a player who they knew wouldnât have made it to 92 overall which was their next selection. They correctly would have anticipated the run on linebackers that began in the second round. The run was so significant that Dallas executed a trade as it was happening with the San Francisco 49ers to acquire Dee Winters and shore up their need in a different manner. In the interest of discussing an alternate universe, is there anyone who would have preferred CJ Allen? Why? Why not?