NFL Mock Draft: Experts make home run picks for Cowboys after free agency splurge

Free agency is still in full-swing and myriad big-ticket players are still searching for homes, but the narrative surrounding the Dallas Cowboys has quickly shifted to the 2023 NFL Draft after the team’s surprisingly aggressive start to the signing frenzy.

Instead of sitting on their hands, the Cowboys have pushed the envelope to plug whatever roster holes they can before the draft.

By trading for Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks, they shored up the two biggest needs on the roster. By re-signing Donovan Wilson and Leighton Vander Esch, the safety and linebacker positions are in great spots.

It stands to reason that Dallas will add another linebacker, but Vander Esch returning certainly dampens the urgency to do so.

Following the Cowboys’ booming start to free agency, it goes without saying interior defensive line is their biggest remaining need.

Well, NFL Draft gurus Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN) and Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network) just published their latest mock drafts, and both have Dallas beefing up their defensive trenches with the No. 26 overall pick.

Mel Kiper Jr. and Daniel Jeremiah make home run picks for the Cowboys in latest mock drafts.

Kiper has the Cowboys taking perhaps the biggest star from the Scouting Combine in Northwestern DL Adetomiwa Adebawore.

The 282-pound Adebawore dropped jaws with a 4.49 40-yard dash, which was the fastest time for any player over 280 pounds since 2006. Adebawore’s stock has skyrocketed since then, and understandably so given his eye-popping athleticism positional versatility. In fact, Kiper moved Adebawore to his No. 14 player overall in this year’s class.

Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator has him available when Dallas picks in the second round (No. 58 overall), but that’s not happening. Adebawore would be great value at No. 26 overall as three-technique tackle who can also kick outside, but he wouldn’t fill the Cowboys’ need for a run-stuffing lineman.

That’s where Jeremiah’s mock enters the equation.

The NFL Network whisperer has Dallas taking Michigan DL Mazi Smith in Round 1. Smith is the flavor of the week on Cowboys Twitter right now, and for good reason. He doesn’t have much production at Michigan, but his athleticism is off the charts for a 6-foot-3, 319-pound lineman, and he led all defensive tackles at the Combine with 34 bench press reps

The Cowboys’ start to free agency has put them in a position to draft the best player available in Round 1, but that doesn’t mean they should ignore need. They’ve loaded up at every position on the defense. Why not beef up the roster’s weakest position and pair Osa Odighizuwa with a proper run-stopper?

As of this writing, DT is a massive need for Dallas.

Johnathan Hankins remains unsigned, and the latest rumblings indicate he has no motivation to ink a deal right now. Re-signing Carlos Watkins is another option, but neither Hankins nor Watkins returning should dissuade the Cowboys from pouncing on Smith at No. 26 overall if he’s still on the board.

The same goes for Adebawore. At the end of the day, either pick would qualify as a slam dunk selection by the front office.

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