Why Cowboys selected Malachi Lawrence over Jermod McCoy with No. 23 pick i

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The 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 , 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 Calen Addison Jersey  Cowboys pa sed on addre sing cornerback in favor of Tenne see's Jermod McCoy to select Lawrence. Let's take a look at why.  Why Cowboys selected Malachi Lawrence over Jermod McCoy. with No. 23 pick  Lawrence is an explosive pa s-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 pa sed on McCoy, the talented cornerback has injury concerns, as he .  That explains his slide down the draft boards and why Dallas may have gone Lawrence instead.  Fabian Zetterlund Jersey