Cowboys’ Malachi Lawrence Was First-Round Target Of Four Other Teams
The Cowboys opened Thursday night by moving up one spot to select safety Caleb Downs at No. 11. That was followed by a small trade down the board (20 to 23) which resulted in edge rusher Malachi Lawrence being taken.
Dallas entered the draft widely expected to seek out defensive upgrades. It thus came as no surprise when Downs in particular was targeted after he fell out of the top 10. Taking Lawrence added to a pass rush group seen as needing depth, although some questions were raised about the value of the selection. Based on how Lawrence was regarded by other teams, though, he is not being viewed as a reach.
Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay said after the first round concluded (via NFL Network’s Jane Slater) that executives from four other teams called to inform him Dallas took their Day 1 target off the board with the Lawrence selection. No specifics were mentioned, although the latter stages of the first round included several teams opting to move down the board or out of the Day 1 order altogether. It appears that was influenced in part by the fact Lawrence was no longer available.
Over the course of his four-year tenure at Central Florida, Lawrence emerged as one of the country’s top pass rushers. He posted 19.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss from 2023-25, displaying an enticing combination of size and athleticism. Lawrence drew extensive interest leading up to the draft, making him a strong candidate to hear his name called at some point on Day 1. WFAA’s Ed Werder adds he “know[s] for certain” Lawrence would have still been a first-rounder if the Cowboys had taken another player at No. 23.
During the first season after trading away Micah Parsons, the Cowboys posted 35 sacks (good for 24th in the NFL). 2025 sack leader Jadeveon Clowney remains unsigned at this point, and a departure on his part would create the need for production from elsewhere on the depth chart. Lawrence could see a large workload as a rookie, something which likely would have also been the case had he landed with another suitor given the market he generated.
Stephen Jones: Cowboys Have ‘Zero Intention’ Of Trading George Pickens
Shortly before the opening round of the draft, it was learned George Pickens will sign his Cowboys franchise tag. The timing of the news led to speculation a trade could be in the works.
Plenty of time remains for a long-term contract to be worked out between team and player, but the Cowboys stated earlier this week they will not negotiate on that front. Players who receive the franchise tag must sign the one-year tender before they can be traded. A swap involving Pickens is possible as a result, but one should not be expected.
“We have no intention of moving George,” EVP Stephen Jones said (via the team’s website) after the opening round of the draft concluded. “We’re fired up about him signing his [tag], because it means he’s ready to come in here and get to work… We have zero intention of moving [him].”
Pickens signing his tag makes him eligible to take part in offseason work. The 2025 trade acquisition will turn his attention to his follow-up campaign in Dallas, one which will feature major expectations. Pickens was one of the league’s most productive wideouts last season, posting a 93-1,429-9 statline. He will be counted on to pair with CeeDee Lamb once more in 2026, doing so at a cost of $27.3MM. Affording Lamb and Pickens on lucrative long-term deals would be challenging for Dallas, fueling the belief the latter will be playing elsewhere in 2027.
Had the Cowboys drafted a receiver last night, Pickens’ future would have been even more of a talking point. Instead, Dallas wound up with safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at No. 23. That came as little surprise, with defensive reinforcements long seen as the team’s top priority in the draft. Day 2 or 3 could see WR depth added, but Pickens will be a key figure on offense once more in 2026 provided the Cowboys’ stance does not change.
June 1 will mark the beginning of OTAs for Dallas. That will be followed by mandatory minicamp later in the month. An absence by Pickens for those events would have been possible had he elected not to sign his franchise tag, but his attendance will be expected as he prepares for Year 2 as a Cowboy.
Eagles Obtain No. 20 From Cowboys, Draft WR Makai Lemon
An intra-divisional trade is upon us. The Cowboys have dealt No. 20 to the Eagles. In exchange, Dallas will collect Nos. 23, 114 and 137 from Philadelphia, which is adding a seventh-rounder in this trade (per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo).
Dallas’ pick going to Philly is in the 2027 draft. The Eagles chose USC wide receiver Makai Lemon 20th overall. Lemon was one of the Eagles’ 15 highest-graded prospects, per The Athletic’s Zach Berman, who reports they did not expect him to slip beyond then. They swooped in before the NFL’s other Pennsylvania-based franchise, the Steelers, could grab him at No. 21. Lemon expected to go to Pittsburgh (via Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press)
“Pittsburgh called me and I thought they were going to draft me and then the Eagles called at the same time,” Lemon said. “I guess it was meant to be. I’m super excited to be in Philly.”
The Eagles’ addition of Lemon will throw even more gasoline on the fire in regards to a potential A.J. Brown trade. Along with making a first-round investment in Lemon, the Eagles signed Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore in free agency. They also traded a 2026 fifth-rounder and a 2027 sixth-rounder to the Packers for Dontayvion Wicks, whom they immediately extended on a one-year, $12.5MM agreement. Moore is not a lock to carve out much of a role or even make the team, but Lemon, A.J. Brown, Wicks, Marquise Brown and DeVonta Smith make up a crowded, high-profile receiver room. There are now a lot of mouths to feed in Philadelphia.
For financial reasons, the Eagles are likely to wait until June 2 to trade A.J. Brown. New England is the probable landing spot, though the teams have not seen eye to eye on compensation yet. For now, general manager Howie Roseman continues to insist the three-time Pro Bowler is part of the Eagles’ plans.
“For us, A.J. is a member of the Eagles,” Roseman said (via Berman). “We don’t have any trades that have been made or that done. And I think for us, you know, we’re taking this one day at a time.”
Of course, it should be noted that the 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon and Brown (6-1, 226) are much different players. Lemon lined up in the slot over 75% of the time at USC, whereas Brown operates on the outside.
After a quiet first college season in 2023, quarterback Caleb Williams‘ last with the Trojans, Lemon broke out the next year. Over 12 games as a sophomore, he hauled in 52 passes for 754 yards and three touchdowns. Lemon saved his best for last in 2025, capping off his Trojans tenure with 79 receptions, 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in another dozen-game campaign. The 21-year-old won the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best receiver in the nation. After dropping just four passes at USC, Lemon should give Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts a sure-handed target with star potential.
Cowboys Add DE Malachi Lawrence At 23
The Cowboys have now added two defenders in Round 1. Trading up for Caleb Downs, Dallas moved down three spots (via Philadelphia) and added Central Florida edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at No. 23.
Lawrence gained steam as the pre-draft process wore on, being named a player likely to be chosen earlier than expected. The Cowboys revealed post-draft they would have chosen Lawrence at No. 20 had they not found a trade-down partner.
Dallas moved down three spots from No. 20, sliding down via the Eagles. This marked the second time the Cowboys had traded down to allow the Eagles to vault up for a first-rounder since 2021, when Philly tabbed DeVonta Smith (and led Dallas to Micah Parsons two picks later). The Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers in August, obtaining the No. 20 choice (along with a 2027 first-rounder). Dallas moved the ’27 first to the Jets for Quinnen Williams, highlighting the importance of Lawrence and Downs in this year’s first round.
Lawrence follows a host of early-round Cowboys edge rusher choices. After choosing Parsons in the 2021 first round, Dallas selected Sam Williams in the 2022 second round. The team then chose Marshawn Kneeland in the 2024 second round and Donovan Ezeiruaku in the ’25 second. Tragically, Kneeland died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in November.
The Cowboys also traded for Rashan Gary, doing so before re-signing Williams, this offseason. That duo joins Ezeiruaku and now Lawrence at OLB in new DC Christian Parker‘s 3-4 scheme. For all the heat Cowboys brass takes for contract timing and mismanagement, the team has done well to land first-round talent. The Cowboys have drafted eight first-team All-Pro players in the first round since 2010. After trading one of their top 21st-century talents in Parsons, the Cowboys are banking on Downs and Lawrence injecting life into their porous defense.
Totaling 19.5 sacks over the past three seasons, Lawrence registered 27.5 tackles for loss in that span. The Cowboys were not one of the teams to use a “30” visit on Lawrence, who met with half the NFL before the draft. While Downs will be expected to become an instant starter, Lawrence will likely be brought along slower. But Dallas will expect starter work from the mid-major prospect early in his rookie contract, in all likelihood.
Cowboys Acquire No. 11 From Dolphins, Select S Caleb Downs
The Cowboys have moved up one spot, acquiring No. 11 from the Dolphins. Miami will slide back a pick, and this will allow the Cowboys to block other teams from trading up to outflank them.
The Dolphins will add Nos. 12, 177 and 180 in this swap, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. This will boost Miami’s pick count to 13. Considering where the Dolphins are on their latest rebuild timeline, it makes sense for new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan to add two Day 3 picks to drop one spot. The Cowboys drafted Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the pick.
It is no surprise the Cowboys spent their top choice on a defensive player after the unit struggled to stop anyone last season. Despite boasting one of the NFL’s premier offenses, the Cowboys finished 7-9-1 in 2025. A defense that ranked dead last in scoring and 30th in passing ‘D’, yards and turnovers was the main culprit.
Dallas has since added a pair of veteran safeties, Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, to join the returning Malik Hooker, but Downs is now the most talented member of the group. The Cowboys are hoping he quickly emerges as a standout under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. As the Eagles’ defensive backs coach from 2024-25, Parker helped develop Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean into stars.
The 5-foot-11, 206-pound Downs began a decorated college career in 2023 at Alabama, where he notched 107 tackles, four passes defensed, 3.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. After earning second-team All-America honors, Downs transferred to Ohio State. He was a unanimous All-American during a 2024 showing in which he totaled 81 tackles, six passes defensed and two picks. Downs helped the Buckeyes to a national title in his first year with the team. They were unable to repeat in 2025, but Downs closed his Buckeyes tenure with another tremendous season. He put up 68 tackles, including five TFL, and a pair of INTs. Downs was a unanimous All-American again. He also earned the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the top defensive back in the nation.
Downs may not end up as the only high-profile defensive prospect to join the Cowboys on Thursday. They are also scheduled to pick 20th, where they could address another need on that side of the ball.
George Pickens To Sign Franchise Tag
6:30pm: The news that Pickens will sign his tag comes after Stephen and Jerry Jones “extended an olive branch” to agent David Mulugheta (per Rapoport). Pickens’ situation was discussed, although it remains to be seen what his future awaits. NFL Network’s Jane Slater adds no trade talks have taken place yet, pointing to no major developments for at least tonight.
5:03pm: The Cowboys will not negotiate a long-term extension with wide receiver George Pickens, but he is now in position to play next season under the franchise tag. Pickens is signing his $27.3MM franchise tender, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
This move could keep Pickens in Dallas in 2026, but it also makes him eligible for a trade. As of April 14, the Cowboys had not received any trade calls for Pickens. Perhaps that will change during or after the draft. If Pickens is still a Cowboy when mandatory minicamp and training camp kick off over the summer, he will be subject to fines if he does not report.
As things stand, Pickens is the first NFLer in line to play under the tag since Bengals receiver Tee Higgins did so in 2024. Higgins went on to score a four-year, $115MM extension with the Bengals in March 2025. Pickens may have angled for a similar payday with the Cowboys this offseason, but executive vice president Stephen Jones shot down the possibility of an extension on Wednesday. If Pickens stays in Dallas, he will become the fifth Cowboy to play under the tag in an eight-year span, joining DeMarcus Lawrence (2018), Dak Prescott (2020), Dalton Schultz (2022) and Tony Pollard (2023).
Pickens was a post-draft addition last year for the Cowboys, who acquired him and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Steelers for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder. The move worked out beautifully for Dallas, which saw Pickens’ production go from solid to great. After the former second-rounder averaged approximately 16 games, 59 grabs, 947 yards and four touchdowns per year during his three seasons as a Steeler, he hauled in 93 receptions, 1,429 yards and nine TDs over 17 contests in 2025. Pickens ranked top 10 in the league in all three categories.
Barring another post-draft trade, the 25-year-old Pickens should continue forming an elite receiver tandem with CeeDee Lamb in 2026. The Cowboys authorized a four-year, $136MM extension for Lamb in August 2024, but they have not been willing to sign off on a second huge contract at the position. With another excellent season, Pickens could join Lamb among the league’s highest-paid receivers next spring.
Cowboys Will Not Negotiate Extension With George Pickens
10:55pm: The Cowboys have until July 15 to work out a multiyear deal with Pickens, but it does not appear that will happen. “We’ve made a decision that we’re going to have George Pickens (play under the franchise tag),” executive vice president Stephen Jones said Wednesday (via Jon Machota of The Athletic). “There won’t be negotiations on a long-term deal.”
Barring a 180 from the Cowboys, Pickens is in line to become the first NFLer to play under the tag since Bengals receiver Tee Higgins did so in 2024. Pickens has yet to sign his franchise tender, though, and it is unclear if he will take part in their offseason program (per Machota). Pickens will be the fifth Cowboy to play on the tag since 2018, as DeMarcus Lawrence (2018), Dak Prescott (2020), Dalton Schultz (2022) and Tony Pollard preceded the wide receiver here.
11:24am: The Cowboys have made little progress on a long-term deal with wide receiver George Pickens, who is currently tied to a $27.3MM salary cap for the 2026 season.
“They’re nowhere with George Pickens right now,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on Get Up ESPN on Wednesday. “They are not really talking about an extension. They’re not close to an extension. They are not getting a deal done at this point in time.”
Pickens, 25, arrived in Dallas last offseason via a trade with the Steelers. He put up career-highs of 93 catches, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns, leading the Cowboys and ranking among the league’s top-10 receivers in each category.
With the wide receiver market eclipsing $40MM, Pickens’ production set up an inevitable franchise tag. The Cowboys have repeatedly indicated they would like to work out a long-term deal, but the four-year veteran may have an aggressive ask. Dallas could also be comfortable with the price of his franchise tag and plan to see if Pickens can recreate his production. That would set up an even more expensive franchise tag and/or multiyear extension in 2027, though any regression could perhaps lead to a cheaper deal. That still feels unlikely given Pickens’ ascendance and the ever-rising price of premium receiver talent, but it is certainly possible.
The Cowboys may also consider selecting a top wideout in this weekend’s draft to give themselves multiple options for their receiver room in the short- and long-term.
“That situation is just sitting out there,” Schefter adds. “And the Cowboys are said to really like [Arizona State wide receiver] Jordyn Tyson.”
Tyson’s stock has risen significantly since his workout in front of several teams, who are now more confident about his medical history. The Cowboys would probably have to use their first first-round pick (No. 12 overall) to get him, if he even falls that far. They have been linked to a trade into the top 10, but those reports have generally indicated that Dallas would make such a move for an elite defender, not an offensive skill player.
Cowboys Rumors: Styles, Bain, Safeties
The Cowboys are entering the draft with a pair of first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 20), but they might not land two players they deem worthy of first-round selections. Speaking with reporters Wednesday, executive vice president Stephen Jones revealed that they have only given first-round grades to 12 players (links via Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS).
Owning multiple firsts may give the Cowboys the ammunition to move up for one of their favorite prospects, but Jones does not anticipate vaulting into the top five. He said doing so is not a possibility for the Cowboys. That jibes with a report from ESPN’s Dan Graziano, who writes that the Cowboys are more likely to make a “small move up” than do anything drastic.
The Cowboys do not appear willing to surrender the 20th pick to climb the board. If anything, they could trade down from 20 to replenish Day 2 capital, per Graziano. The Cowboys traded their second-rounder to the Jets in last November’s Quinnen Williams blockbuster, leaving a 72-pick gap from No. 20 to their next selection (No. 92).
As of Wednesday morning, Jones said the Cowboys had not many any calls about trading up. Doing so has been a rarity for Dallas, which Graziano notes has not gone up in Round 1 since 2012. But the team is “exploring” what it would cost to move up a few spots for Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles if he lasts into the back half of the top 10, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. Drafting Styles should give the Cowboys a desperately needed off-ball linebacker upgrade. It was a glaring weakness entering the offseason, but it has gone unaddressed thus far.
Edge defender and safety are also among the areas the Cowboys could strengthen in the draft. As expected, two of this year’s top safety prospects – Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman and Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren – have caught their attention, Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports relays. Having already added two new safeties (Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke) to one edge defender (Rashan Gary), the Cowboys regard the latter position as the greater need, ESPN’s Matt Miller reports. However, they do not see Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. as a fit in rookie coordinator Christian Parker‘s 3-4 defense. Bain is unlikely to make it to 12, but if the Cowboys trade up, it does not appear he will be the target.
Browns Expected To Trade Back From Sixth Pick
While some have speculated that Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft could feature of frenzy of trades, others have more conservative predictions. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, an overabundance of teams looking to trade down on Thursday could actually indicate that fewer trades will take place in 2026 as those teams struggle to find trade partners.
A year after trading down from the second overall pick, the Browns are once again “taking calls about” trading out of their top draft pick, per Schefter. Cleveland already has nine picks scheduled in this year’s draft, and by trading down, the Browns would likely be collecting quite a bit more in a trade down. The franchise is notorious for trading back, and with a draft that is considered thin in top-level talent and thin in depth at the positions Cleveland needs to improve on most, all signs are pointing to another deal getting done.
Initial reports on Cleveland’s desire to move back indicated that the team was looking to land a wide receiver or offensive tackle and believed it could still get a desired prospect after slipping back a few picks. Per Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports, at this point in time, the Browns “would have no problem moving out of the top 10 if the right offer is put in front of them.” That could be crucial as one of the teams most linked to a potential trade up to No. 6 overall is the Cowboys, who currently hold the 12th pick of the draft.
There are several top end prospects at both positions Cleveland is looking at. The rumors of a trade-crazy first round were centered mostly around the idea that several teams would be looking to trade up into the top 10 for offensive tackles. If Cleveland is willing to move down into the double-digit picks, though, it could mean the team is looking to add at wide receiver first, otherwise it would be first in line for the best offensive tackles available if the team just stayed put.
Even if they target an offensive tackle first, though, it’s widely expected that it will be after a trade back. The sources of NFL insider Jason La Canfora “are convinced at this point that (the Browns) will not be using the sixth overall pick.” There are several strategies that Cleveland could be adopting in its attempts to trade back. We’re only days away from seeing what those strategies might be and whether or not the Browns will be able to put them in action.
Cowboys, K Brandon Aubrey Agree To Extension
11:10pm: Aubrey will receive a $8.25MM signing bonus with his new extension, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. His $1.5MM salary in 2026 and $4.75MM in 2027 are guaranteed, and almost all of his $5.017MM salary for 2028 becomes guaranteed early in the 2027 league year. The deal also contains $250K in active roster bonuses each year with a 2026 cap hit of $3.4MM.
11:24am: The Cowboys have worked out another market-setting extension agreement. Kicker Brandon Aubrey has agreed to a long-term deal with Dallas.
Team and player finalized a four-year extension on Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This will be a $28MM pact, giving Aubrey a position-topping $7MM average annual value. The deal runs through 2030 and includes $20MM guaranteed, which is also a new high mark for kickers. The news is now official.
Aubrey was due to collect $5.77MM in 2026 while playing on the second-round restricted free agent tender. The deadline for RFAs to sign offer sheets recently passed, and with no outside suitors showing interest it was confirmed he would spend at least one more year in Dallas. A long-term deal had been the team’s goal throughout the offseason, although as of one month ago there was still plenty of work to be done on the negotiating front.
Talks heated up over the weekend, according to Schefter’s colleague Jeremy Fowler. He adds Aubrey will collect $10MM in 2026. An extension averaging that much per year had been the target in this case, but Aubrey has still managed to secure a notable payday in line with Dallas’ best offer. The kicker market moved to $6.5MM earlier this offseason, and it has now seen another jump.
Aubrey’s football career only began in 2022 when he took on kicking duties for the Birmingham Stallions. Strong showings in that capacity once again the following year put the former Major League Soccer draftee on the NFL radar. Aubrey joined the Cowboys in 2023 and won out the kicking gig. Since then, he has emerged as one of the league’s best at the position, particularly from long range.
Aubrey, 31, has connected on 88.2% of his field goal attempts during the course of his career, including a remarkable success rate (24-for-27) on attempts of 50 yards or longer. The three-time Pro Bowler has missed just four extra point kicks, and he will be expected to remain a consistent weapon on offense for the Cowboys for the foreseeable future. Maintaining a high-scoring unit will be a goal for Dallas moving forward, and a major commitment to Aubrey will be part of the team’s planning in that regard.
The Cowboys will of course turn their attention to this week’s draft, but today’s news leaves franchise tag recipient George Pickens as the next major in-house priority. A trade is not expected in his case, and a long-term agreement would ensure a presence on Dallas’ offense beyond 2026. In any event, Aubrey will be in the fold for years to come.