The Dallas Cowboys continued to send a message in the 2026 NFL draft, selecting a 2nd edge rusher on Friday by drafting Michigan edge rusher Jaishawn Barham in the 3rd round.
Barsham, 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, was an All-Big Ten pick in 2025 after switching positions from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher.
“No. 92 pick is in: Cowboys have selected Michigan pass rusher Jaishawn Barham, per sources,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account.
The Cowboys drafted an edge rusher in the 1st round with UCF’s Malachi Lawrence at No. 23 overall. They also used a defensive pick on the No. 11 overall pick with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
“Barham logged most of his snaps at off-ball linebacker, but his 2025 tape showed explosiveness that will attract teams seeking a developmental rush ‘backer in an odd front,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote. “He’s raw as a rusher, relying heavily on athleticism, but the missing elements are teachable. Whether outside or inside, he’s a professional block-beater with the tools to stack or slip blocks, though his edge-setting needs work. His bend and reactive agility create unlikely tackle chances that few can find. His intensity and motor are top-tier but he needs to play with better discipline to avoid negative snaps. With explosive traits and inside-outside versatility, he projects as an impactful future starter once his technique catches up.”
Huge Drama Before No. 23 Overall Pick
The Cowboys shook up the 1st round of the NFL draft by trading the No. 20 overall pick to perhaps their most hated rival, swapping places with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1st round.
In exchange for the No. 20 overall pick and a 7th round pick, the Cowboys received the No. 23 overall pick plus the No. 114 overall pick and No. 137 overall pick.
The Eagles selected USC wide receiver and Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon at No. 20 overall, likely signaling that the Eagles will trade 3-time NFL All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown after June 1.
Cowboys Looking to Reboot Edge Rusher Position
The Cowboys have had zero identity at edge rusher since trading NFL All-Pro Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers just weeks before the 2025 season.
That’s not to say Lawrence helps them have an identity. The 6-foot-5, 253-pound Louisville native ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine but wasn’t a 1st round pick in most mock drafts.
From Bleacher Report: “Malachi Lawrence is a late riser in the 2026 NFL draft class, catching people’s attention with a strong performance in both the East-West Shrine Bowl and NFL combine. Even better, he has the tape to match with the potential to become a high-quality pass-rusher in the league.”
Lawrence, 6-foot-4, 253 pounds, had a career-high 7.0 sacks in 2025.
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