2023 NFL Draft ‘Dos and Don’ts’ for the Dallas Cowboys
By Riley Donald
Do: Add an off-ball linebacker in Rounds 2-3
Leighton Vander Esch is a free agent with a past of injuries. Anthony Barr is an aging free agent with some mileage. The Cowboys need to beef up their defensive interior with a stout middle linebacker who is younger and more cost-friendly, both of which the draft can provide.
Off-ball linebackers are a bit like the running backs of the defense. They can be supremely talented but they often don’t make sense as a first round pick. Dallas can get extremely great value in rounds two or three to strengthen this position.
Names to watch: Jack Campbell, Iowa; Trenton Simpson, Clemson; Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati
Don’t: Ignore the offensive line, always add talent here
The Cowboys hit big time on Tyler Smith last year and it is a proving grounds for how you can always afford to bolster the offensive line. His versatility and ability to jump in was huge. Sadly, Tyron Smith is aging and who knows what the future looks like for him. Zack Martin is really the sole position to not touch.
Aside from Martin and Smith, there is a case to be made that the Cowboys could top-grade in the draft. If a lineman falls or there is one their camp loves, adding them cannot be ignored if the opportunity presents itself unexpectedly.
Names to watch: Anton Harrison, Oklahoma OT; Dawand Jones, Ohio State OT; Cody Mauch, South Dakota State OT; Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse OT
