How did the Cowboys use the Demarcus Lawrence compensatory pick?

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 08: DeMarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in action during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images The 2026 NFL Draft will award compensatory picks to teams that lost top free agents from last year’s class. That includes the Dallas Cowboys, who saw DeMarcus Lawrence sign a three-year, $42 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

Original Terms of DeMarcus Lawrence leaving in free agency The Cowboys received a fifth-round pick for letting Lawrence walk. That was number 177 overall pick in the draft. What did the Cowboys do with the compensatory pick from DeMarcus Lawrence?

The Cowboys used the selection in their first-round trade up package for Caleb Downs. How was DeMarcus Lawrence’s performance for the Seahawks in 2025? Lawrence was a key contributor for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

He played and started in 16 games, recording 53 tackles, six sacks, and three fumble recoveries, two of which went for touchdowns. It was a career year for Lawrence, who also made his fifth career Pro Bowl. After 11 years with the Cowboys, Lawrence proved that he still can be an elite defender in the league.