The discussion around trading up for the Cowboys is a hot one

Let’s take a look at how both David Bailey and Malachi Lawrence are close to a mirror image of one another.

Combine Measurements

As you can see from their measurements from the combine as well as their testing numbers, both David Bailey and Malachi Lawrence are nearly identical across the board. Standing one another in pads and helmet it might even be difficult to tell them apart. Going by these numbers, it makes more sense to forget about trading for Bailey in favor of Lawrence.

While the physical and athletic attributes matchup nearly identical between Bailey and Lawrence, we all know that doesn’t tell the whole story. The on-field production helps to complete the picture and in that regard Bailey has the advantage, or so it would seem.

In his one season at Texas Tech, Bailey accumulated 52 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three passes defensed in 14 total games. He was part of one of the better defensive units in collegiate football last season, and as such, may or may not have benefited from the talent surrounding him.

Lawrence, on the other hand, played on the talent deprived defense at UCF in 2025, accumulating 28 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and three passes defensed in 12 total games. Would his production had been even better had he been surrounded by the same talent Bailey was a Texas Tech? Maybe, maybe not.

David Bailey or Malachi Lawrence is an interesting debate and one only the Dallas Cowboys can answer. Based on where each player is projected to get drafted, it’s difficult to imagine giving up so much draft capital to trade up for Bailey with a similar player like Lawrence available for them in the latter part of the first-round or little later. But, these are the types of questions and player comparisons Dallas has to answer.

Where do you stand? Trade up using draft picks for Bailey, or stay put/trade down for some like Lawrence.