Cowboys trade second, third round pick, draft DE Demarcus Lawrence
The Dallas Cowboys desperately needed to improve their defensive line, so they traded their second and third round picks Friday night to get it done.
Dallas moved up to the 34th overall selection and drafted Boise State defensive end Demarcus Lawrence.
The price? The Cowboys sent rival Washington the No. 47 and No. 78 overall picks to move up 13 spots.
Despite the hefty price tag, there were smiles all around, fist bumps and high-fives in the Cowboys war room as the pick was announced by former Cowboys linebacker Dat Nguyen.
Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett, Stephen Jones and Rod Marinelli each passed around the phone to congratulate Lawrence after the selection.
"You ready to put your hand in the dirt and start rushing," Marinelli asked.
"Yes, sir," Lawrence responded. "I'm ready to go to work."
Lawrence, who was one of the Cowboys' pre-draft visitors, is an exceptional athlete who projects to be the Cowboys' starting right defensive end, replacing seven-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware.
In two seasons at Boise State, the 6-3, 251-pounder recorded 20 sacks and 34 tackles for loss.
"Words can't even explain it," Lawrence said during a conference call. "It's just really a blessing just to become a Cowboy. You wanted to be a Cowboy all your life and now you get to put on that blue and that silver, so it's just amazing."
Lawrence said his entire family supports the Cowboys because his dad is a longtime fan of the franchise.
"My dad, he's the head of the household," Lawrence explained. "Somebody can't stay in this house unless they are a Cowboys fan."
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