Malachi Lawrence drafted 23rd overall by the Cowboys

The Shan and RJ podcast breaks down the Dallas Cowboys' selection of Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Hosts Shan and RJ celebrate the pick as a high-upside edge rusher who fits Christian Parker’s vision for a pass-rush-heavy defense. They highlight Lawrence’s elite athleticism—ranked in the top 1% of defensive ends by Math Bomb’s relative athletic score—and his potential to become a double-digit sack threat. The discussion dives into why the Cowboys passed on other edge rushers like Keldrick Falk and Caleb Downs, emphasizing that Lawrence’s pure pass-rush ability and fit with the team’s defensive identity outweighed other considerations. The hosts also reflect on the emotional weight of the moment for Lawrence, who stayed at UCF to finish his career and now joins the Cowboys with a strong character reputation and a deep bag of pass-rush moves. The episode ends with a look ahead to Day Two of the draft, where the Cowboys have no second-round pick, sparking some disappointment but also anticipation for future moves.