The Cowboys’ first-round gamble on Malachi Lawrence already has a chance to pay off fast, and Week 2 suddenly looks like the kind of matchup a young pass rusher dreams about.
Washington’s offensive line has been described in brutal terms after the Commanders were overwhelmed by the rival Baltimore Ravens in joint practices. The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala called the unit “inoperable” and said the recent offensive showing was the worst she has seen in years. For Lawrence, that kind of report has to sound like a gift.
The timing makes it even better for Dallas. When the Cowboys meet Washington in Week 2, the Commanders are expected to be missing 40 percent of their projected starters along the offensive line.
That opens the door for Lawrence to do more than just win with speed off the edge in his rookie season. If he can get to Jayden Daniels, that’s the bonus.
“This is the worst I’ve ever seen the Commanders’ offense in years. Inoperable offensive line.
- Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 26, 2026”
Lawrence entered the league with some questions about his run defense, but the bigger picture has never changed: he has the kind of athletic traits that make double-digit sacks a real possibility once he hits his prime. Washington’s current state only adds to that belief.
The Commanders are already dealing with major issues up front. Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil is expected to miss most of the 2026 season, if not all of it, because of a torn triceps. Second-year first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr. has shown flashes, but his rookie year also came with some rough stretches.
There’s also the possibility that Nick Allegretti is out early, which would only create more openings for Dallas. Lawrence won’t be lining up over the center, but the overall mess could still help Quinnen Williams find room to work.
Dallas isn’t planning to send Lawrence out there alone. He’ll be part of a front that includes the recently extended Williams, trade pickup Rashan Gary, who wants to prove he can be more than a run defender at this stage of his career, and another young edge threat in Donovan Ezeiruaku. That’s a lot of heat for a Washington offense trying to find its footing.
Some around the league have pointed to Jayden Daniels as the reason Washington has been projected by some to finish ahead of Dallas. But if Lawrence is dropping him a few times before the new offense gets rolling, that could slow everything down.
And if Lawrence does flash the way Dallas believes he can, the payoff goes beyond one game. It would be a strong early answer to the people who thought he was a Day 2 player before the Cowboys took him No. 23 overall. If that happens, Christian Parker’s defense could jump from good to great in a hurry.
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