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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.
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