Analyzing the Cowboys 2023 draft class and their possible roles

The Dallas Cowboys 2023 draft class can be summed up in one word: size

The offseason is one of the more interesting parts of the NFL season, with the draft being the highlight. The Dallas Cowboys were looking to fill in some spots on their depth chart after some off-season departures. It's safe to say they did that and some.

We won't know if these decisions truly pan out until a couple of years from now, but let's take a look at what we know. That is who the prospect is, some strengths and weaknesses, their fit on the team, and the draft grade.

An average draft position (ADP) based on NFL.com, PFF, CBS and ESPN mock drafts includes the difference between mocked and actual draft positions. There will also be the lowest ranking and highest ranking for each prospect.

Analyzing the Cowboys 2023 draft class

1st Round (26th) Mazi Smith, NT, Michigan ADP: 44th (-18)

The Cowboys have struggled severely defending the run for what seems like an eternity. That's largely due to the front office not seriously investing in the interior defensive line. Instead, they signed washed-up veterans at the tail end of their careers or failed to develop day-two talent.

Osa Odighizuwa, the 2021 third-rounder, panned out but is more of a pass-rusher than a lock-down run defender. With the team's first-round pick, they drafted someone both defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and star defender Micah Parsons wanted in nose tackle, Mazi Smith.

Why is Parsons so excited, you ask? That's because Smith is the best run-defending defensive lineman in this year's draft class with an underrated pass rush. He's a big guy on the inside, standing six feet and three inches tall, carrying 323 pounds.

At Michigan, the Grand Rapids native was crucial to the dominant Wolverines' defence playing in the national semi-finals over the past two seasons. In those 28 games, he accumulated 85 tackles, with five for a loss and 0.5 sacks.

PLUS: Mazi Smith will anchor down and close the gaps which have killed the Cowboys for years. His freakish strength and agility enable him to generate pressure from the inside, forcing the quarterback to escape the pocket. He will command two blockers on run plays, leaving more room for his teammates.

He makes a big first push, followed by more power as he controls the opposing lineman. His agility, combined with his strength, gives him frequent visits into the backfield.

MINUS: He only has 0.5 sacks in his entire college career because he can't close in on the quarterback. He gets pressure but needs to do a better job finishing the play when pass-rushing if he is to develop into an elite player.

ROLE: He is a definite starter on running downs, with the potential to see snaps on passing downs if he develops. He will take over for Neville Gallimore and dip into Quinton Bohanna's goal-line role. Smith won't be a full-time starter until at least next season with the expiring contracts of Gallimore and Jonathan Hankins.

Overall, I like the pick. It fills a desperate need with a high-potential player at a premium position. It's not a sexy one, but it will pay dividends. While I would have loved to see a trade down for Smith's selection, the Kansas City Chiefs trying to trade up for him meant there was no waiting around.

ESPN's Matt Miller mocked Smith to be drafted 58th, while PFF mocked him to be drafted 33rd. It's a bit of a reach, but considering the positional value, need, and his run-defending, this was a good spot to select.

GRADE: B+

2nd Round (58th) Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan ADP: 110th (-52)

Tight end is one of the most underrated positions in the NFL right now. The Cowboys were blessed to have the transition of future Hall of Famer Jason Witten to a borderline Pro Bowler in Dalton Schultz, but the latter's departure in free agency put the position in question.

On the roster are two youngsters, Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot, who showed promise in taking over as a tandem. Both were rookies last season, but the Cowboys decided to add another promising youngster at that position despite that.

Ironically, second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker, the new rookie, is older than Ferguson and Hendershot. It's weird calling the players younger than him the "veterans" of the group, but that's what we have here.

The Cowboys love versatility, and they don't get much more versatile than him. He was featured heavily in the Wolverines' offence as both a receiver and a blocker. His best season, by far, was his most recent. He played in 12 games catching 35 passes for 418 yards and three touchdowns.

PLUS: Versatility in an offence that can kill teams on the ground and in the air mean Schoonmaker can always be on the field. He is an athletic freak, earning a 9.86 RAS. That's highlighted by his 6.81-second three-cone and 4.63-second 40-yard dash despite standing at six feet and five inches tall.

As a receiver, he is a solid route-runner that can get separation and will find some soft spots in zone coverage. As a run blocker, he is great at utilizing angles and leverage to clear the way both in tight and as a lead blocker.

MINUS: While good at many things, he is not great at anything. He must be more consistent to earn a larger role in the offence. He does not break tackles, reminding me of Jason Witten running with the ball. One tackler can bring him down despite his big frame, largely because he slows down into contact.

Schoonmaker is not the strongest tight end and will not overpower defenders. He relies on technique and must build muscle to more securely block against bigger defensive linemen or linebackers.

ROLE: It will likely be a rotation between the three tight ends, with Ferguson getting the lead snaps to start the season; however, Schoonmaker will get his opportunity to carve out a larger role as he proves himself. He will also be the primary run-blocking tight end, seeing snaps on play actions.

Schoonmaker was a very stable prospect but more of a third-round pick. Much like the Mazi Smith selection, interest from other teams could have scared them into drafting the tight end when they did. After all, the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted a tight end only three picks later, and three tight ends were picked at the top of the round.

CBS' Chris Trapasso mocked Schoonmaker to be drafted 164th, the fifth round; meanwhile, PFF mocked him to be drafted 84th. That's quite the reach from 58th, but the Cowboys' front office clearly loves his versatility, athleticism, and football IQ. The reach and being good, not great at anything, worries me, though.

GRADE: B-

3rd Round (90th) DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas ADP: 135th (-45)

Inside linebacker is a position that asks a lot from you. One must be able to read plays early and react, be strong enough to deal with offensive linemen lead blocking, cover tight ends, and be fast enough to shadow running backs.

In a division with two mobile quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts and Daniel Jones, shutting down their legs is important to contain them. You want someone that runs hard and will lay out the opponent when they get that opportunity. They got that in linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, A.K.A. Agent 0.

The safety-turned-linebacker improved in his three seasons of playing after two seasons primarily staying on the bench. One of the leaders on the Texas defence, he had 60+ tackles in a season the past three seasons, including 96 this past season.

Another big-time athlete, Overshown, showcased elite speed at the combine, notching a 4.56-second 40-yard dash and, more impressively, a 1.55-second 10-yard split. That quick burst and play-reading ability led him to have ten tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks last season.

PLUS: Overshown is versatile. While not the same prospect, the versatility of Micah Parsons made him so valuable, and the same can be said for the Texas product. He will defend the run, cover linebackers, run downhill on running backs, and has a nice touch of pass rushing in his arsenal.

Making ball carriers pay is one of the defining traits of his game. Agent 0 doesn't look to tackle guys. He tries to run through them. The potential of the 22-year-old is great, and working with Parsons will only improve him.

MINUS: Looking to blow players up doesn't always go your way. That's because shifty ball carriers can make you bite on a move, and bigger ball carriers can bounce off you. While he is six feet and two and a half inches tall, he weighs only 229 pounds. Overshown must work on his wrap tackling.

When defending the run, bigger offensive linemen can get the better of him. He doesn't have the size or anchoring ability to handle them right now. He relies on going around them or getting there before a lineman does, which won't always work.

ROLE: When Jaylon Smith was at the top of his game, he sat back, read the evolving play, and utilized his speed to break up a pass or tackle a back. That same role will be where Overshown thrives. If he is as smart as the Cowboys' front office believes, expect him to get a decent defensive role early.

Dallas still rosters other young linebackers like Damone Clark and Jabril Cox, but the latter has yet to carve out a consistent role with the team. With Parsons taking more of a pass-rushing role, Overshown will help Clark and Leighton Vander Esch on the second level.

At a position needing more stability, the Cowboys added a versatile piece. The selection makes for a perfect fit, and the prospect can make an immediate impact while continuing to develop. At this point in the draft, late in the third, it becomes more of picking your guys rather than worrying about reaches. I love this pick.

GRADE: A

4th Round (129th) Viliami Fehoko Jr. DE, San Jose State ADP:169th (-40)

Dan Quinn made it his offseason priority to help fix the team's run defence. With two of the first three selections in the draft, defenders known to stop the run were added in Smith and Overshown. Considering how well the pass defence and offence were last year, the Cowboys weren't done addressing that yet.

Fans were waiting for a running back or guard to fall to them, but other teams got there first. To add some power and someone that lives in the backfield to the defensive line, they drafted San Jose State's Viliami Fehoko Jr.

Very noticeable on tape for the intensity he plays with, the 276-pound end has many pass-rush moves to challenge any offensive lineman. That's how he managed to rack up 12.5+ tackles for a loss in each of the past three seasons, combining for 44 in 32 games.

The cousin of Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea said the team already made it known they want him to play on the inside and edge of the defensive line. He may need to gain some weight to be more stable on the inside, but he certainly has the skills to do it. He is the heaviest DE in Dallas.

PLUS: The Cowboys already roster many speed guys on their defensive line. They have missed power, which is what Fehoko gives. He can bull rush, chop, swim, spin, whatever you want when pass rushing. If his relentless effort doesn't give opposing linemen a headache, his many pass-rush moves will.

His athletic metrics better suit him on the interior, but playing on the edge gives Quinn a big front and more hybrid looks. The California native was very productive in the Mountain West conference playing all over the defensive line.

MINUS: If he plays on the inside, he will be quite undersized. If he plays on the outside, he will be too heavy and slow. The Cowboys need to be precise about when they utilize him to ensure the offence doesn't exploit him, especially with the jump in competition.

He will struggle to anchor when double-teamed and must win at the point of attack on the edge. Tackles pushed him to the outside, opting to make him run around them since they don't view him as much of a threat compared to the inside.

ROLE: He will be a great asset at the three or four spot, with the flexibility to go on the edge for running downs. Fehoko adds an element of power to the Cowboys' pass rush that has been missing outside DeMarcus Lawrence and occasionally Micah Parsons.

He is more of a 3-4 DE than a base 4-3 DE, but that's ok because Quinn will find ways to maximize his strengths. He wasn't much of a reach and adds big-play ability to the Cowboys' defensive line.

More help defending the run and position flexibility is a plus to me. The competition jump worries me, so he will need time to adjust, getting some snaps early in the season in specific situations. A solid pick, but other positions of need were neglected. He ranged from 113th on PFF's mock to 220th on CBS' Chris Trapasso's.

GRADE: B-

5th Round (169th) Asim Richards, OT, North Carolina ADP: 204th (-35)

The offensive line has been the bread and butter of the Dallas Cowboys' success. That's not just recently but throughout their history. With Connor McGovern leaving in free agency and injury concerns among their starters, depth was a huge need, especially adding someone with flexibility.

There is not a definitive lineup for Dallas' line. Injuries to Terrence Steele, Tyron Smith, and Matt Waletzko have the front office scrambling for stability. In the fifth round, they drafted an offensive tackle that can shift inside in North Carolina's Asim Richards.

The three-year starter was the left tackle protecting quarterback Sam Howell in 2020 & 2021 and Drake Maye this past year. That's in a Tar Heels offence that is more complicated than most college offences.

He has decent size at six feet and four inches tall, carrying 309 pounds, which is more suitable at guard than tackle. His wingspan caught much attention, leading the class with 82 ¾-inches.

PLUS: While he played most of his snaps at tackle, he started one at left guard. With the Cowboys needing depth positional flexibility, he fits the description to a tee. His long reach enables him to get on rushers first and quickly.

He has solid speed, allowing him to get to the linebackers quickly. He ran a 3.02-second 20-yard split and a 1.77-second 10-yard split. His first few steps are quick, allowing him to explode off the snap. Richards is aware of incoming blitzes and always keeps his hands ready to strike a rusher.

MINUS: He is not strong and not able to sustain his blocks. He was not at the combine, but he only benched 13 reps of 225 pounds at North Carolina's pro day. I don't expect him to break the record, but he needs to be able to have a push. He won't overpower anyone and relies on his reach and positioning.

His hands can get lost sometimes, leading to some awkward blocks. Even when he wins blocks, it looks like he is losing them. He will struggle with bull rushes and must avoid getting pushed into the quarterback.

ROLE: He needs at least two or three years to develop until he can earn a shot at a starting gig. In the meantime, the Cowboys view him as someone that can play on the left or right, at guard or tackle, likely specializing at left guard and helping out on special teams.

I love the position flexibility, and I can see the potential, but he is not playable right now. Then again, he is a fifth-round lineman. The developmental depth piece was a crucial need and is filled. NFL.com's Chad Reuter had him mocked at 159th, but CBS' Chris Trapasso had Robinson going undrafted.

GRADE: C

6th Round (178th) Eric Scott Jr. CB, Southern Mississippi ADP: Undrafted

Dallas focused much of the draft addressing needs. Later in the draft, it's time to find some hidden gems. Guys you don't expect to have an immediate impact but can contribute to special teams while they develop. Hopefully, within two or three years these players carve out a role for themselves.

You can never have too many cornerbacks. That's why the Cowboys drafted at least one in the past four drafts, which now becomes five. This time around, it's Southern Mississippi's Eric Scott Jr.

He is an interesting prospect. He ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, but that's supposedly linked to a pulled quad. Before that, Scott claims he was running a 4.41. What's not questionable, though, is his explosiveness. He had an eleven-foot one-inch broad jump and 39.5-inch vertical.

He loves playing the ball, which led to him allowing only a 50 percent completion percentage, picking off two passes (both pick-sixes), and knocking down five passes last season. The former Golden Eagle is not afraid to jump in front of his receivers to make a play on the ball.

PLUS: Scott already has a relationship with Overshown and Smith, as they worked out together before the draft. That early connection will only help him while with the team.

He has all the traits to succeed as a zone corner. Solid tackling, explosiveness, and an eye for the ball. His instincts are good, leading to his jumps into making a play. He also tracks a ball like a wide receiver, so if one is thrown in his way, there's a 50 percent chance he can grab it.

MINUS: While he is always in contention to pick off a pass, his interceptions were not impressive, with most stemming from a deflection or poor throw. They were essentially open catches, except for one in which he stepped in front of a receiver and grabbed it.

He is not the most agile player, which could be why he did not do the agility drills on his pro day. Man coverage could be problematic if his speed is not as fast as he thinks.

ROLE: His solid tackling will do him well on special teams. Scott will have to earn his stripes there before coming in as a pure zone player for a few seasons from now. The potential is there with his playmaking ability and explosiveness.

At this point, teams just project. The Cowboys asked him for DB tape, then traded up for the top pick in the sixth round to grab him. I bet they were banking on his 40-time scaring other teams off and were waiting until this round to grab him. Only one of the four mock drafts had him drafted.

Dallas clearly sees something they love in him, so why shouldn't we? Not everyone had him getting drafted, so trading to grab him at the top of the sixth is concerning to me. Could Scott have fallen to 212th? If not, was he really worth getting traded for? This seemed like a must-grab to them, but I'm not convinced yet.

GRADE: C+

6th Round (212th) Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State ADP: 184th (+28)

The Dallas Cowboys have been at the center of the largest positional controversy over the past few years. Their selection of Ezekiel Elliott 4th overall at the 2016 NFL Draft, followed by a whopping six-year $90 million contract extension and a failure to live up to it, frustrated owner Jerry Jones and Cowboys fans.

The forever Cowboy was released this offseason largely due to the team's confidence in Tony Pollard, but now they needed to groom the next man up. Pollard is playing on a one-year franchise tag, so the Cowboys needed someone who could step in a bit this year and possibly start as early as next year.

In what has got to be one of the best draft stories, Cowboys assistant director of college scouting Chris Vaughn got the phone to make the draft call. That was to his son, Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn. The reaction and the tears of joy on Chris' face made you choke up a bit.

What's also amazing is the play and potential of Deuce himself. His production, tape, and athleticism are great, but some scouts were concerned with his small frame. Some NFL teams completely ruled him out due to his five-foot-five-inch stature, but the Cowboys used that to their advantage, drafting him late.

This is a guy that has shown what it means to be a dominant versatile player, being one of five players in the FBS since 1996 to have 3,600 rushing and 1,200 receiving yards. He combined for 1872 total yards and 22 touchdowns in 2021 and 1936 total yards and 12 total touchdowns in 2022. Amazing production from the back.

PLUS: If you put on his tape, you will see a star. His small frame allows him to slip through little gaps between defenders, which he often creates with his quick feet. Vaughn thoroughly understands defenders' body positioning and attacking angles, manipulating them to juke or spin past them.

His field vision is great, noticing the gaps his linemen give him and where the defence collapses. If his side is cut off, the quick agility is enough to turn to the opposite side and break free. I'm sure head coach Mike McCarthy loves his catching ability, which he has shown when running routes out of the backfield and the slot.

MINUS: There's not much to not like the guy other than his size and strength. Vaughn is not going to be the goal-line back or pass-protection guy. He also isn't going to win contested catches. Any downsides that typically come with being a small player are there but amplified due to how small he is.

I would have loved to see him do more kick and punt return work. He returned seven kickoffs in 2020 for an average of 20.7 yards but hasn't returned anything since. The Cowboys have Kavonte Turpin, but another option would be great for insurance.

ROLE: I can still see the Cowboys staff giving Vaughn a shot at returning because of how good he is in open space. Aside from that, look at him competing to be the change of pace back behind Pollard. He will compete with Rico Dowdle and Malik Davis, which were promising despite limited action.

The ability to impact immediately, high potential and an amazing storyline. This is one of my favourite draft picks, and it will pay dividends down the road. Those unwilling to select him due to the size will be kicking themselves.

PFF had Vaughn mocked at 133rd, while NFL.com's Chad Reuters mocked him at 223rd. At worst, it's a team-fit pick. At best, it's a low-risk, high-potential steal on a gamble others were too scared to take. I like those odds. It's also the only pick Dallas didn't reach for, according to the ADP.

GRADE: A

7th Round (244th) Jalen Brooks, WR, South Carolina ADP: Undrafted

The seventh round is one of the most intriguing rounds to me, simply because it's where a team drafts a player they see as an athlete they want to turn into a player or a player that needs to become more of an athlete.

The Cowboys lost some depth pieces on offence and need to reload. Grabbing a wideout late helps with the departure of Noah Brown. South Carolina's Jalen Brooks fills that style well.

The six-foot-one-inch tall wideout dealt with some off-field issues in his college career. He played two years at Wingate University, transferred to Tarleton State, then immediately to South Carolina before playing a snap at Tarleton. The NCAA didn't make him eligible until the fifth game of 2020.

He left the team mid-season the following year but returned during the summer to have a productive 2022 season. Over his last two seasons, he played in 17 games, catching 47 passes for 685 yards and two touchdowns.

PLUS: Brooks has great hands and ball-tracking abilities. If the ball is within reach, he will have a good shot at coming down with it. He fights, has strong hands on the ball, and has great hand-eye coordination, which leads to highlight catches like the one above.

His skills as a ball carrier are underrated. He won't break ankles like Vaughn or truck over guys, but he changes his angles and breaks through tackles. South Carolina utilized him a lot on crossing routes, screens, and reverse runs, which allowed him to show off his shiftiness.

MINUS: He is not a great athlete, relying on finding open space against zones or making the most of specific plays designed to get him open. The Harrisburg native was never eye-grabbing on tape. Don't expect him to take your breath away.

He will have a hard time getting open at the NFL level. It's hard to see how the Cowboys will use him on the offence unless he cleans that up.

ROLE: The obvious route is to start on special teams while Brooks works on his craft. He doesn't need to be the best route-runner, but if he can specialize in being that physical red zone threat, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy would be very happy. Throw the ball up, and come down with it.

If Brooks does that, he can be a WR4/WR5. I don't see the potential to become an impact player, but he can be a reliable depth piece that makes a big play occasionally. Unfortunately, those once-in-a-while plays could get some in over their head thinking he is better than he is.

None of the mock drafts projected him getting his name called. He is not a flashy player, isn't fast, and doesn't run routes great, but he gets the job done. That's about it. A meh pick. I would've preferred picking him up as a UDFA and using the pick on someone with more upside.

GRADE: D

Breaking It All Down

The 2023 Dallas Cowboys draft class has to be one of the more "boring" classes of recent memory, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The team focused on grabbing players they needed to do the dirty work, which will enable their stars to shine.

The most impactful pick, as usual, is the first-rounder. This time around, Mazi Smith. The nose tackle is already a two-down starter with the potential to become an impact, three-down guy. The edge guys will love him for flushing out quarterbacks, and linebackers will love him for eating up blockers.

The most underrated pick was third-rounder Demarvion Overshown, A.K.A. Agent 0. He may not be happy Jayron Kearse snagged number zero for his jersey, but he will be happy to work alongside Parsons in giving quarterbacks a headache. I can't wait to see him on the field.

The most overrated pick was fifth-rounder Asim Richards. I think he relies on his length too much and doesn't have the strength or technique to be reliable right now. I see the potential of developing a player like that, but the team needs someone ready to combat injuries right now, not later.

I can understand why some aren't high on the Cowboys' draft picks. One, maybe two will come out right away as starters in Week 1. To those, I want to remind you that it is a good problem.

The Dallas Cowboys have a very talented roster, and the rookies can jump into play when they are ready while learning behind very talented players rather than getting thrown into the fire. The young depth will develop over the next four years as high-potential players.

I don't love this draft, but it's the one we needed. Run defence, low-risk, high-reward skill players, and size. Brooks and Vaughn are the only two players that don't have that big body. The one key missing piece is a reliable depth offensive lineman, which the team will now search for in free agency.

We have only 84 days until training camp, and then we will see these rookies in full practice. Only three months away from seeing them compete in the preseason. Only four months from the 2023 regular season. I'm very excited to see this draft class get to work and help win a Super Bowl.

OVERALL GRADE: B-