The Cowboys have agreed to a deal with first-round edge defender Malachi Lawrence, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Lawrence’s four-year rookie contract will be worth $20.22MM, all of which is guaranteed.

The Cowboys took Lawrence 23rd overall, completing a two-pick opening round for a defense-needy team that added former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11. Unlike the highly touted Downs, Lawrence was not seen as a clear-cut first-rounder for the entire pre-draft process. However, the UCF product’s stock began to soar in the weeks leading up to the draft. Lawrence met with at least 17 of the NFL’s 32 teams. Four other clubs targeted him in Round 1 before Dallas took him off the board, according to Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay

The 6-foot-4, 253-pound Lawrence spent four years at UCF, where he broke out as a sophomore in 2023. Lawrence racked up 10.5 tackles for loss and a personal-best 7.5 sacks in 13 games that season. His numbers dropped a bit during an 11-game 2024 (six TFL, five sacks), but he closed his college career with a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season. Over 12 games, Lawrence tallied 11 TFL and seven sacks.

Lawrence upped his stock considerably with a tremendous showing at the Combine, where he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash. He checked in second among edge defenders at the Combine in 40 time, 10-yard split, vertical jump and broad jump. The Cowboys (and other teams, judging by the vast interest in Lawrence) expect his athleticism to pay off in the NFL.

After trading all-world edge defender Micah Parsons to the Packers last August, the Cowboys tied for 26th in sacks (35) during a disastrous year for their defense. Journeyman Jadeveon Clowney led the team with 8.5 sacks, but the Cowboys did not re-sign him or fellow veteran pass rusher Dante Fowler in free agency. While Clowney is still on the open market, he may not be a fit in new coordinator Christian Parker‘s defense. Barring a Clowney re-signing or another outside pickup, the Cowboys will enter the year with Lawrence, trade acquisition Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, James Houston and Sam Williams as their top options along the edge.

While Lawrence hasn’t officially signed yet, the Cowboys will have their entire rookie class under contract when he puts pen to paper. Here is a refresher on the seven-player group:

• Round 1, No. 11 (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State) (signed)
• Round 1, No. 23 (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
• Round 3, No. 92 (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham (EDGE, Michigan) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 112: Drew Shelton (T, Penn State) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 114 (from Falcons via Eagles): Devin Moore (CB, Florida) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 137 (from Eagles)*: LT Overton (EDGE, Alabama) (signed)
• Round 7, No. 218 (from Titans): Anthony Smith (WR, East Carolina) (signed)