3 things that need to happen for an A+ Cowboys draft

2. Focus on DT within first three rounds 

The Cowboys’ run defense has been suspect in recent years and the draft will be a great time to improve it. 

Re-signing Johnathan Hankins was a big plus for Dallas upfront and Osa Odighizuwa showed improvements from his rookie season in year two. But the Cowboys still lack depth at that position.

Neville Gallimore didn’t excel in his third season and was a “cut candidate” for most of the offseason. Quinton Bohanna still had his struggles in year three and Isaac Alarcon doesn’t have much experience at defensive tackle. 

Last season, Dallas ranked 22nd in rush yards allowed per game (124.4), which was up from their 2021 average of 115.9. Add in the loss of Carlos Watkins too, and the Cowboys need more help up front. 

After the offseason acquisition of Stephon Gilmore and Donovan Wilson returning on a three-year deal, the secondary is no longer the Cowboys’ biggest defensive weakness.

That’s why focusing on defensive tackle should be a priority early in the draft. 

The Cowboys have been looking to add that defensive tackle playmaker up front in recent drafts. They have drafted one in the first three rounds in three out of the last four drafts, including two in the third round in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

If the Cowboys follow a similar pattern, they could be looking to target this position between their second and third-round pick. 

A player like Siaki Ika out of Baylor could be a great fit in Dallas. He’s a big, strong, and athletic 6-foot-4 defender, who can clog up the middle. Even a player like Jaquelin Roy can be a big addition in the third round. 

Dallas needs to fix its run defense for 2023 and drafting a solid contributor in the third round would be huge for the defense.