The Dallas Cowboys' somewhat risky decision to use a first-round pick on pass rusher Malachi Lawrence could be validated as soon as the second week of the season, as the Washington Commanders look like the perfect pommel horse.
Dan Quinn's squad was dominated by the rival Baltimore Ravens in joint practices, with The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala deeming the offensive line "inoperable" currently and describing the recent offensive performance as the worst she has seen in years.
Every word coming out of Washington has to sound like manna from heaven for Lawrence.
With an already-poor Washington offensive line scheduled to miss 40 percent of their projected starters when Dallas faces off against them in Week 2, Lawrence now has the opportunity to show he can be more than just a designated pass rusher in his rookie season. Sacking Jayden Daniels to prove that point will just be icing on the cake.
Cowboys' Malachi Lawrence could feast against 'inoperable' Commanders OL in Week 2
This is the worst I’ve ever seen the Commanders’ offense in years. Inoperable offensive line.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 26, 2026
Lawrence may have come into the league with questions about how well he can defend the run, but no one has doubted the notion that he is a top-shelf athlete who has all the physical tools needed to challenge for double-digit sacks every year when he reaches his prime. Washington is practically begging him to take that step.
Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil will be out for a majority of the 2026 season, if not the entirety of it, with a torn triceps. Second-year first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr. has shown potential, but he went through some very low moments during his rookie season.
Lawrence won't line up over the center, but possibly missing Nick Allegretti early could help Quinnen Williams feast.
Malachi Lawrence will team with Donovan Ezeiruaku with the Dallas Cowboys
Lawrence will be joined by the recently extended Williams, a trade acquisition in Rashan Gary who wants to prove that he can be more than an edge-setting run defender at this stage of his career, and yet another young speed demon off the edge in Donovan Ezeiruaku. Any hope of Washington getting eased into the season has evaporated.
While Dallas has a better roster than the Commanders, the X-factor that Daniels brings to the table is perhaps the only reason that Washington has been projected by some to have a better record than the Cowboys. Lawrence throwing him to the turf a few times right before the new offense fully gels could set them back a bit.
Lawrence could also take advantage of this dysfunction to permanently silence those who thought he was a Day 2 player Dallas picked at No. 23 overall. Christian Parker's defense could go from good to great if Lawrence is the same game-breaker he was in college.
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