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Why Cowboys selected Malachi Lawrence over Jermod McCoy with No. 23 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
TL;DR
The Dallas Cowboys selected UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after trading back from the 20th pick. They opted for Lawrence over cornerback Jerod McCoy to enhance their defensive line.
Key points
- Dallas Cowboys selected Malachi Lawrence at No. 23 in 2026 NFL Draft
- Cowboys traded back from the 20th pick with the Philadelphia Eagles
- Lawrence is an edge rusher from UCF
- Cowboys have a strong interior defensive line with Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark
- They passed on cornerback Jerod McCoy for this selection
Malachi LawrenceJerod McCoyQuinnen WilliamsKenny Clark
Why Cowboys selected Malachi Lawrence over Jermod McCoy with No. 23 pick in 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Cowboys have made their second first-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 23 overall after trading back from the 20th pick with the Philadelphia Eagles, and the selection is UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence.
Dallas' interior defensive line is stout with Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, but adding Lawrence to the edge rusher room will take the defensive line to another level.
However, it's worth noting that the Cowboys passed on addressing cornerback in favor of Tennessee's Jerod McCoy to select Lawrence. Let's take a look at why.
Why Cowboys selected Malachi Lawrence over Jermod McCoywith No. 23 pick
Lawrence is an explosive pass-rusher who tallied 7 sacks in 2025. The Louisville native should be a Day 1 starter for Dallas and make an immediate impact as a top edge rusher.
As for why the Cowboys passed on McCoy, the talented cornerback has injury concerns, as he missed all of 2025 with a torn ACL.
That explains his slide down the draft boards and why Dallas may have gone Lawrence instead.
Q&A
Why did the Cowboys choose Malachi Lawrence instead of Jerod McCoy?
The Cowboys selected Malachi Lawrence to strengthen their edge rusher position, despite having a strong interior defensive line.
What impact will Malachi Lawrence have on the Cowboys' defense?
Malachi Lawrence is expected to elevate the defensive line's performance by adding depth and versatility to the edge rusher role.
Who are the key players on the Cowboys' defensive line?
The key players on the Cowboys' defensive line include Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, who provide a strong interior presence.
