The Dallas Cowboys don’t like to play their important players very much in the preseason. In games that ultimately don’t matter, the risk just isn’t usually worth the reward. But with rookies, the equation changes. Getting some preseason action, however little, holds hidden benefits in development and readiness. As such, both of Dallas’ first round picks played a handful of snaps in the Cowboys’ 17-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Preseason Week 1 (PW1).
Malachi Lawrence, the Cowboys’ second first-round pick from the 2026 NFL draft, played a total of 18 snaps against the Seahawks. Based on Pro Football Focus play tracking, he played 17 defensive snaps, with seven coming on running plays and nine on passing plays.
As seen in the clips below, Lawrence made an impact in multiple ways. While he didn’t register a sack, he did post two solo tackles, and a QB hurry. All in all, it was graded an 80.1 on initial review, which made him the fourth-highest graded defender on the Cowboys in Preseason Week 1. Not too shabby for a player many considered developmental in nature.
Malachi Lawrence
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 16, 2026
Every snap from his NFL preseason debut pic.twitter.com/vKYAxIX6Az
While fellow first-round pick Caleb Downs has drawn most of the press this offseason, Lawrence technically outshined his counterpart against Seattle. Downs, an expected starter, was kept on a tighter pitch count and was never in position to log numbers in the stat column.
Lawrence is in the early phases of his development and is working to overcome a few bad habits. A false step that was sighted in his scouting reports is present to this day. It’s delaying his otherwise explosive release and limiting his impact off the edge.
Pass rushing chart for #Cowboys first-round pick Malachi Lawrence, who played 16 defensive snaps in his preseason debut.
— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) August 16, 2026
(via @NextGenStats) pic.twitter.com/ATpdYVgfCX
Yet, PW1 has to be seen as a positive step for Lawrence. He showed the motor and athleticism that endeared him to the Cowboys back in the draft and he showed fans and critics how high of a ceiling he offers for the future.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: WATCH: All snaps from Cowboys rookie Lawrence's debut shows promise