Ever since trading away Micah Parsons, the Dallas Cowboys have been trying to fill their pass rush vacancy. That included selecting former UCF standout Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Still, not everyone is convinced Dallas' pass rusher problems are solved. In fact, it remains the team's biggest weakness, argues Aaron Schatz of ESPN.
“Rashan Gary, acquired from Green Bay, didn't have a sack in the final 10 games of last season,” Schatz wrote. “Donovan Ezeiruaku is coming off hip surgery and has been limited in the offseason. Sam Williams had just one sack in 2025. James Houston had 5.5 sacks but couldn't play against the run. Marist Liufau is moving to the edge but hasn't played the position before. And first-rounder Malachi Lawrence is a promising rookie, but he's still a rookie.”
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The Cowboys are currently counting on a lot of things to go right when it comes to their pass rush. Gary was the non-pick headliner in the Micah Parsons deal. Dallas will expect him to take a step forward another year in their system.
Both Lawrence and Ezeiruaku, who was a second-rounder in 2025, offer plenty of potential. But Ezeiruaku must make a successful return from injury while Lawrence must prove he is immediately ready for the NFL level.
As the team evaluates their roster in minicamp and beyond, they'll be able to get a real look at where their pass rush stands. If their established players are developing as expected, perhaps Dallas sticks with what they have. But if it's clear getting to the quarterback remains a problem, the Cowboys could look outside the organization.
Ever since trading away Micah Parsons, the Dallas Cowboys have been trying to fill their pass rush vacancy. That included selecting former UCF standout Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, not everyone is convinced Dallas' pass rusher problems are solved.