Safety Markquese Bell started as the deep safety with Malik Hooker. That move pushed rookie Caleb Downs to slot corner.
On the first defensive series, Downs allowed two pass receptions.
The biggest move was inserting Lawrence over Ezeiruaku, who was second on the team in quarterback pressures with 14.
In the last two games, Ezeiruaku had six quarterback pressures.
But the team feels Lawrence, one of two first-round picks last spring, is rising.
“The natural Gumby,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said of Lawrence in a pregame radio interview on The Fan 105.3 FM (KRLD-FM).
Jones later added: “He has the bend and explosiveness.”
Gumby, a fictional character, is noted for his slim build and ability to bend, which is what teams want to see in a pass rusher.