2023 draft picks Cowboys already regret making (and who they should’ve picked)

Cowboys should have taken Sam LaPorta over Mazi Smith

Yes, Dallas was focused too much on Luke Schoonmaker but that had a lot to do with their decision to take Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith. To be fair, the pick seemed to be a great fit at the time since they needed a run-stuffing nose tackle and that's exactly what the 6-3, 337-pound Smith does.

However, he hasn't produced much at all to start the season. In his first six games in the league, he has just four tackles, one of which did go for a loss. He's also proving he's incredibly strong but this is a team that needs to win now and they already brought back Johnathan Hankins who is still ahead of Smith in the lineup and is doing a good job of slowing down the opposing team's rushing attack.

Ideally, he will develop into a stud before long — which is what defensive line coach Andre Durde believes will happen. Durde recently stated that despite the stats, Smith is growing every week and says he's pleased with him.

He might feel that way but the Jones family is used to first-round picks making an instant impact. That's why they might be looking at Sam LaPorta in Detroit and wondering if they should have targeted him at pick No. 26 — or even dropped down a few picks to land the Iowa tight end along with more draft capital.

LaPorta, who was the 34th overall pick, has quickly become a star and has 29 receptions for 325 yards and three touchdowns for the Lions. Pairing him with Ferguson would give Dallas the depth they were hoping to get when they took Schoonmaker in Round 2.