FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys signed first-round pick Malachi Lawrence on Friday, putting all seven of their draft choices under contract.
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Lawrence, the 23rd overall pick out of UCF in April, agreed to a $20.2 million, four-year contract at the end of the first week of voluntary offseason practices. Workouts resume Monday.
Safety Caleb Downs out of Ohio State was the 11th pick of the first round and signed his $28.95 million, four-year deal on May 1, the day rookie minicamp started.
The Cowboys have fifth-year options on both contracts, and must make those decisions during the 2029 offseason.
Lawrence was the first UCF selected in the first round since defensive back Mike Hughes was picked by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 30 pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
Lawrence was the fifth Knights’ player selected in the first round, joining quarterback Daunte Culpepper (1999), quarterback Blake Bortles (2014), receiver Breshad Perriman (2015) and Hughes.
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The Louisville native spent five seasons with the Knights, rising to become one of the best edge rushers in the Big 12 last season. Lawrence ranked fifth in the conference in sacks (seven) and seventh in tackles for loss (11), finishing with 28 total tackles, three passes defended and two forced fumbles while starting all 12 games in 2025.
His performance earned him first-team, All-Big 12 honors and honorable mention as the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year.
It was his showing in the NFL combine in Indianapolis in February that helped Lawrence climb the draft boards. He ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, which was one of the fastest times for a defensive end.
The other Dallas draft picks signed at the same time as Downs. They included third-round linebacker Jaishawn Barham and three fourth-round choices in offensive lineman Drew Shelton, cornerback Devin Moore and defensive end LT Overton. Receiver Anthony Smith was the last Dallas pick in the seventh round.
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