Cowboys post-combine 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Josh Downs can fix the passing game

The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is behind us, which is the unofficial start of the new season. The Dallas Cowboys brass was in Indianapolis with the rest of the league’s decision-makers, scouting the incoming class of rookies.

Dallas has several holes to fill and nine draft picks to work with as they look to fill those spots. Here, we try and predict who could be on the radar when the Cowboys are on the clock with this post-combine seven-round mock draft.

Cowboys post-combine 2023 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 26: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

After trading away Amari Cooper last season, the Dallas passing attack suffered tremendously. CeeDee Lamb rose to the occasion and had a fantastic campaign, but none of the other receivers were consistent threats.

That’s why wide receiver is suddenly a huge need for Big D, and they address it early. At pick No, 26, Josh Downs is the selection and the North Carolina product is exactly what they need on offense.

Downs isn’t the biggest receiver at 5-foot-9 and 171 pounds but he might be the smoothest athlete in the class. He showed that off during the combine and anyone who watched him with the Tar Heels expected him to test well in every category.

Over the past two seasons, he had 195 receptions for 2,364 yards with 19 touchdowns. In Dallas, he could be a real nightmare if teams focused too much on Lamb.

Round 2, Pick 58: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

Outside of receiver, the biggest need for Dallas heading into the draft is at cornerback. They need someone who can replace Kelvin Joseph, and they find that in Deonte Banks from Maryland.

Listed at 6-foot-0 and 197 pounds, Banks ran an impressive 4.35 in the 40-yard dash and hit 42 inches on his vertical jump. He’s a boundary corner with the size and confidence to be a starter early in his career.