Cowboys 2023 Draft: Early look at potential candidates for No. 26 pick

Jaxon Smith-Njigba – WR – Ohio St.

Height: 6’0

Weight: 197lbs

Career Stat Line: 110 receptions, 1,698 yards receiving, 15.4 yards per reception, 10 touchdowns

Evaluation: The Cowboys are in desperate need of a wide receiver that can threaten a defense opposite number one receiver, CeeDee Lamb. What better place to look than Ohio State, a team that has been able to churn out productive receivers over the past few years.

This year Smith-Njigba could be someone the Cowboys are interested in. His quickness off the line and being an outstanding route-runner as well makes him a perfect fit for what Cowboys receivers coach Robert Prince wants in a receiver. Smith-Njigba also has a knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage and working his way back to the quarterback if plays break down making him a very quarterback-friendly receiver for a quarterback that needs all the help he can get out of the position.

There are going to be questions about his durability after dealing with a hamstring injury that led him to only play in three games in 2022. While teams may have questions about that but the Cowboys shouldn’t, pairing him with Lamb and Michael Gallup who will be a year removed from his ACL injury should give the Cowboys a nice trio of receivers to work with.

Kayshon Boutte – WR – LSU

Height: 6’0

Weight: 190lbs

Career Stat Line: 131 receptions, 1,782 yards receiving, 13.6 yards per reception, 16 touchdowns

Evaluation: If the Cowboys are looking for a receiver just as physical and elusive as Deebo Samuel, well, look no further than Boutte. It doesn’t matter if you split him out wide, he’s going to be able to run past defenders. If you put him in the slot he’s going to be elusive enough to make defenders miss in space and if he can’t he’ll lower his shoulder pads and force his way up the field.

Teams took notice of Boutte early in his collegiate career after lighting up Ole Miss with 308 receiving yards back in 2020 setting an SEC single-game receiving record in the process. He’s been unable to replicate that first season after a season-ending injury in 2021 and issues at quarterback. Those issues shouldn’t stop the Cowboys from looking hard at him if they really want to bring in another receiver for Prescott. This receiver’s class is deep but it really is a crap shoot once you get out of the first round, just look at how third-round pick Jalen Tolbert has worked out so far for Dallas. It’s better to take one early and Boutte would be a good choice.

Jahmyr Gibbs – RB – Alabama

Height: 5’11

Weight: 200lbs

Career Stat Line: 2,132 rushing yards, 5.6 yards per carry, 103 receptions, 1,212 yards receiving, 11.8 yards per reception, 23 total touchdowns

Evaluation: Running back is another area the Cowboys could potentially look towards the end of the first round depending on how things go with Ezekiel Elliott and soon-to-be free agent Tony Pollard. Gibbs comes from a long line of Alabama running backs with the ability to be a weapon on the field in the passing game and running game. He has great vision and can accelerate through holes quickly to get to the second and third levels of the defense.

Teams may knock him for his size but he will have time to bulk up if needed in order to be a better pass protector. The Cowboys could take a look at him if they are unable to work something out with Elliott and or Pollard this offseason. Imagine pairing Pollard and Gibbs, two running backs with the same skill set that can be put on the field at the same time and rotated in and out wearing a defense down.