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

Round 5, Pick 163: Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma

With the rumor that the Cowboys will ask Ezekiel Elliott to take a massive pay cut still lingering, there’s a real chance they could be looking for someone else to pair with Tony Pollard in 2023. If so, they should have confidence in Malik Davis, but still need to bring in some competition.

Eric Gray could fill that role and comes in here as their first of three selections in Round 5. Gray spent two seasons at Tennessee before heading to Oklahoma and finally had a massive breakout in 2022 when he went for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s also a weapon in the passing game with 99 career catches for 827 yards and five touchdowns.

Round 5, Pick 170: John Ojukwu, OT, Boise State

With Josh Ball proving to be a liability, the Cowboys need more depth at offensive tackle. They did place a second-round tender on Terence Steele and are still banking on Tyron Smith but with Steele coming off an injury and Smith not playing a full season since 2015, they need to find players they trust on the bench.

The good news is that they have Tyler Smith, who can kick out to tackle but then that leaves a hole at guard. That leads to the selection of John Ojukwu from Boise State. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 309-pounds, Ojukwu has the build of an NFL tackle but the ability to play guard if needed. Like Tyler Smith, he might offer some much-needed versatility.