The Dallas Cowboys front office, led by vice president of player personnel Will McClay, has done an excellent job of filling holes in free agency in order to advantage of their draft board. We already know some of the positions they will be looking to fill through the draft, including tight end, running back, wide receiver, cornerback, and defensive tackle.
Another thing we know is that they are looking to make things easier for Dak Prescott, and this offense with head coach Mike McCarthy taking over the play-calling duties. They also want to strengthen positions on defense and if he has a chance Dan Quinn will sprinkle in a few defensive players as well.
So let’s get this draft started as the Cowboys are now on the clock.
7-round Cowboys mock draft following free agency moves
With the No. 26th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select:
Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah
Height: 6’4 Weight: 246lbs
Career Stats: 107 receptions, 1,414 receiving yards, 13.2 yards per reception, 16 touchdowns
Kincaid has been linked to the Cowboys so often that you start to believe it isn’t going to happen much like when the Broncos took Patrick Surtain ahead of Dallas a few years ago. This time around, though, Kincaid will fall to Dallas due to concerns about a back injury that’s kept him from working out at the Combine and Utah’s pro day.
The teams that passed on him may be kicking themselves down the road, but the Cowboys, on the other hand, will be getting a fast, big-bodied, wide receiver-mentality tight end that can be a linebacker and safeties worst nightmare in man coverage.
The Cowboys get themselves that weapon that owner Jerry Jones was gushing about during the Combine.
NFL Player Comparison: Dennis Pitta
With the No. 58th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select:
Rashee Rice, Wide Receiver, SMU
Height: 6’1 Weight: 204lbs
Career Stats: 233 receptions, 3,111 receiving yards, 13.4 yards per reception, 25 touchdowns
If the Cowboys want to make sure that they can put points on the board against anyone they are going to need to get another receiver that can pick up those tough yards and Rice is that type of player. Once the ball is thrown in his direction, defenders are going to have to do everything they can to stop him from making the catch. That alpha mentality on the field is what has made Rice the receiver he is today: tough, physical, and a player who looks like he can become an even better player as he gets his footing in the NFL.
The Cowboys have added speed this offseason in the form of Brandin Cooks. Now they can add a physical possession receiver with a high ceiling as well to give them a well-rounded group of receivers.
NFL Player Comparison: Brandon Aiyuk
*Trade: Browns receive 90th pick (140 points), Cowboys receive 98th and 126th picks (total of 156 points)*
With the No. 98th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select:
Kyu Blu Kelly, Cornerback, Stanford
Height: 6’0 Weight: 191lbs
Career Stats: 147 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 23 passes defended, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble
The Cowboys’ addition of Stephon Gilmore isn’t going to stop them from taking a cornerback in this draft, and for good reason because the depth of this class is pretty solid. Kyu Blu Kelly would be a nice addition to this already impressive defensive backs group. He’s scheme versatile having played in both zone schemes and press man coverages with fluid hip movement and a good ability to close on the football quickly.
Getting Kelly in the third round would be a steal for Dallas and allow him the ability to learn from Gilmore as he gets acclimated to Quinn’s defensive scheme. Then once he’s ready he can start to come in and help make plays on special packages to help this defense along with special teams.
NFL Player Comparison: Kendall Fuller
With the No. 126th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select:
Roschon Johnson, Running Back, Texas
Height: 6’0 Weight: 219lbs
Career Stats: 2,190 rushing yards, 5.6 yards per carry, 56 receptions, 420 receiving yards, 26 total touchdowns
The Cowboys made a tough decision releasing running back Ezekiel Elliott but it was the right one and now they need to find themselves the running back of the future for this franchise. While everyone is talking about Bijan Robinson, his fellow Longhorn running back Roschon Johnson could be the player they decide to target, and getting him in the fourth round would be a great value. Dallas would be get a running back with fewer carries than Robinson but a player that can run between the tackles and make plays in the passing game, much like Pollard does now.
He’s also a bit bigger than Pollard so he would be able to pick up those tough yards like Elliott did for the Cowboys on short-yard and goal-line situations.
NFL Player Comparison: Tyler Allgeier
With the No. 129th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select:
Keondre Coburn, Defensive Tackle, Texas
Height: 6’2 Weight: 332lbs
Career Stats: 95 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles
With their next pick, the Cowboys look to solidify the interior of their defensive line by adding Johnson’s teammate Keondre Coburn. Coburn is on the shorter side for a defensive tackle, but he has used that to his advantage throughout his playing career. His quickness off the line allows him to get into opposing offensive linemen’s pads and control them in the process. He’s a double-team eater with a strong anchor that gives him the ability to free up linebackers to make plays.
The one knock on him has been consistency, but once Dan Quinn gets ahold of him that issue should be fixed.
NFL Player Comparison: Johnathan Hankins
With the No. 169th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select:
Clayton Tune, Quarterback, Houston
Height: 6’2 1/2 Weight: 220lbs
Career Stats: 956 career completions, 11,994 passing yards, 63.9 completion percentage, 104 touchdowns, 41 interceptions
They’ve said that they needed to look at drafting a quarterback and they meant it, as the Cowboys take Clayton Tune in the fifth round. Tune is someone that the athletic ability to make plays in both the passing game and with his legs if he needs to. He has nice accuracy and a knack for leading his receivers giving them the ability to run after the catch, something Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy wants to lean into this season.
Tune arm strength might be an issue but if you can be accurate in this league you have a good chance of sticking with a team.
NFL Player Comparison: Geno Smith
With the No. 212th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select:
Chandler Zavala, Guard, North Carolina State
Height: 6’5 Weight: 325lbs
Career Snaps:1,083 at left guard
The loss of Connor McGovern this offseason was to be expected, the Cowboys didn’t seem to put much effort into bringing him back the way they did with LVE and Donovan Wilson. Now the Cowboys are looking for a guard and much to their surprise Zavala is still sitting there in the sixth round. Zavala is a strong and decent blocker in the passing game but does most of his best work in the running game where he can use that strength and good hand placement to move defenders off their spots.
He will have trouble with speed rushers at times and that along with a perceived lack of a mean streak could push him to the Cowboys in the sixth round.
NFL Player Comparison: Cade Mays
With the No. 244th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select:
Dee Winters, Linebacker, TCU
Height: 6’1 Weight: 223lbs
Career Stats: 246 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 7 passes defended, 3 interceptions
The Cowboys love speed, especially on the defensive side of the football, that speed allows Quinn’s defenders to read and react, and that is something Winters can do as well. Many will overlook him due to his size but Winters is a play-making machine that can be deployed either opposite Micah Parsons to play the run, drop back into coverage, or even rush the passer. The Cowboys are getting an up-close look at Winters on Dallas Day and he’s going to be a player to keep an eye on during day 3 of the draft for the Cowboys thanks to his speed and toughness.
NFL Player Comparison: Deion Jones
NFL Mock Draft: Experts make home run picks for Cowboys after free agency splurge
Draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Daniel Jeremiah make home run picks for the Cowboys in their latest mocks after the first wave of free agency.