Cowboys load up on offense after Mazi Smith pick in Day 2 mock draft

Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books and the Dallas Cowboys have their first rookie. At pick No. 26, they decided to add Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith — a selection met with a mix of emotions.

Now with Day 2 looming, we look ahead to what picks remain for the Cowboys on Day 2 and Day 3 with our latest NFL mock draft.

Cowboys Round 2, Pick 58: Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State

Much like the Mazi Smith selection, this one will have some of the fan base a little worked up as they cry out — "reach." Also like Smith, that would be a bit of an overreaction.

Sure, a case could be made that Tucker Kraft should go later than pick No. 58 but if Dallas really wants to improve their tight end position, this would be a huge plus for them. And Kraft is far better than any option they can land in Round 3 and beyond (plus Dane Brugler had him as the 51st prospect on his big board, so an argument can be made the other way as well).

Kraft is a 6-foot-5, 254-pounder with great athleticism that allows him to find openings in the defense. He's also a bully with the ball in his hands, successfully breaking tackles with ease at the FCS level.

There will be a learning curve due to the level of play but he's got enormous potential and is already a solid blocker. This would be another win for Big D as they could go three-deep at tight end with Kraft joining Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot who both flashed as rookies.

Cowboys Round 3, Pick 90: DeWayne McBride, HB, UAB

Back on the clock at No, 90, Dallas again focuses on offense. This time, they add UAB running back DeWayne McBride, which will put an end to the speculation that Ezekiel Elliott could return before training camp.

McBride was a workhorse the past two seasons, racking up 3,084 yards and 32 touchdowns over his last 25 games. He was hardly used in the passing game but his ability to break tackles and wear down defenses gives Dallas the perfect complement to Tony Pollard.

While Pollard can break the big play and put the points on the board, McBride can wear defenses down when they're milking a lead. And believe me, tackling McBride doesn't look like something a tired defense will enjoy.

Cowboys Round 4, Pick 129: Parker Washington, WR, Penn State

Dallas has several wideouts that will make this team in 2023. CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Brandin Cooks — and even Jalen Tolbert — will be there. That means any wide receiver they draft will have to fit a specific role, which is where Parker Washington comes in.

The Penn State product is a pure slot receiver. At 5-foot-10 and 212 pounds, he's built like a running back and he plays like one after catching the ball. He's quick, shifty, and decisive after the catch which leads to many broken tackles and a lot of yards after the catch.

Washington might not see the field a lot as a rookie but he could wind up developing into a major contributor down the road. He also brings in experience as a punt returner, in case the soft whispers about KaVontae Turpin not being safe have any merit.

Cowboys Round 5, Pick 169: Cam Jones, LB, Indiana

With Micah Parsons, Leighton Vander Esch, and Damone Clark on their roster, the Cowboys don't have a desperate need for linebackers. They do, however, need to fill out some of the depth behind their starters following the loss of Luke Gifford — who was a special teams ace.

Enter Cam Jones, who is one of the more underrated prospects in this class. Jones is listed at 6-foot-1 and 226 pounds, so he's slightly undersized but he made huge strides as a defender over the past two seasons. He's known as a hard-hitter in the run game but also held his own in pass-coverage drills at the Combine.

As a rookie, his role will be to replace Gifford but there's a lot to like about his future in the NFL.

Cowboys Round 6, Pick 212: Antonio Mafi, G, UCLA

Dallas has a capable starting five for their offensive line — even if they want to put one of them on the bench. Knowing this, they can wait to add an interior lineman until the fit is right, and it's right with Antonio Mafi.

An absolute bully in the run game, Mafi is all of 338 pounds. The UCLA product was one of the players brought to The Star for a pre-draft visit and could develop into a starter before long.

Cowboys Round 7, Pick 212: Richard Gouraige, OT, Florida

With their final pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Dallas again looks for offensive line depth. Richard Gouraige never stood out as a star for the Gators but he was also never a liability. He's incredibly durable and hardly gave up any quarterback sacks.

His lack of arm length is a primary cause for concern but if he's there for the Cowboys at pick 212, it would be a wise investment.