The NFL Draft has come and gone and in those days we've seen aggressive trades and college players realize their dreams, and the Dallas Cowboys were able to address their needs and fill out their roster.
Since the NFL Combine all we've heard from the Cowboys camp was how much they are interested in this tight end class but in a twist, the Cowboys would go in a very different direction in the draft than what many assumed. Many assumed Dallas would go heavy on the offensive side of the football, instead, they went with a more balanced approach. One that could very well turn out to be the best approach or one that unfortunately will end with the offense continuing to have issues and the defense keeping this team in games.
Time will tell on that. In the meantime let's take a look at these players, rank them from best to worst pick, and grade the Cowboys' draft overall.
2023 Cowboys picks
Rd1-Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
Rd2-Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan
Rd3-DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
Rd4-Junior Fehoko, DE, San Jose St.
Rd5-Asim Richards, OL, No. Carolina
Rd6-Eric Scott Jr., CB, Southern Miss
Rd6-Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas St.
Rd7-Jalen Brooks, WR, So. Carolina
1. Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
Taking Smith with their first pick caught everyone off guard, the Cowboys had everyone fooled to the point that the Bills moved ahead of them to take Dalton Kincaid. The fact that the Cowboys finally realized their issues with stopping the run is a very good sign. The fact that they got the best run-stopping defensive tackle that can develop into a three-down player is an added bonus.
Grade: A-
2. Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan
On day two the Cowboys continued to find great value in selecting another Michigan product in tight end Luke Schoonmaker with their second-round pick. While most fans were stunned by this selection with the tight ends that were still on the board, Dallas what they are getting with Schoonmaker, a physical tight end that can help in both the passing game and running game. He's also a player without injury or red flag concerns that can come in and immediately help this team.
Grade: B
3. Asim Richards, OL, North Carolina
The third Cowboy on this list, Richards, is here for his versatility along with his positional needs. Not only does Richards' give them that he gives them another offensive lineman with a serious mean streak. He's in play for left guard right now, and he's a nice insurance piece in case Terence Steele or Tyron Smith go down. It would have been nice if Dallas addressed the offensive trenches earlier, but Richards could develop into the team's long-term solution at left guard in the not-too-distant future.
Grade: B
4. Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State
Take Vaughn's height and straight-line speed (he ran a 4.60 40-yard dash at the Combine) out of the equation and the Cowboys got themselves a player who maybe the most explosive and biggest mismatch in the NFL. Can you see linebackers or safeties being able to cover let a lone keep up with the elusive Vaughn? I don't, and that size people worry about may help him, just as Darren Sproles how it helped him. The former Wildcat was named second-team All Big 12 the last two years and led FBS with 1,936 all-purpose yards in his final season. Dallas got excellent value with the pick, which is icing on th cake.
Grade: B+
5. DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
Once the Cowboys saw how much success Jayron Kearse has had in this system as a safety-linebacker hybrid who feasts near the line of scrimmage, it's no wonder Will McClay found his eventual replacement. Just think about it in reverse for Overshown. He can come in as a three-down linebacker with the speed to cover tight ends and running backs. Possibly having two of them on the field at the same time would make things very tough on quarterbacks. His pass-rushing tape leaves something to be desired but he should have an immediate impact on special teams while he adjusts to life in the NFL.
Grade: B-
6. Junior Fehoko, DE, San Jose State
The Cowboys have to find themselves an eventual replacement for defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and Fehoko fits the mold. A left defensive end that can set the edge and also rush the passer. His ability to drop inside and beat guards with his quick first step also reminds me of Lawrence. Fehoko was one of the best run defenders in the Mountain West the last couple years and the potential of him converting to a 3-technique defensive tackle is exciting.
Grade: B
7. Eric Scott Jr., CB, Southern Miss
The Cowboys secondary may look great on paper now, but after this season there will be a lot of new names back there. Scott Jr. is one of those players who could step into a prominent role depending on departures. He'll need to prove himself on special teams and if he can do that then he might be able to knock Kelvin Joseph off this roster. Trading up for Scott was unnecessary, but he visited The Star pre-draft and could be an immediate standout on special teams.
Grade: C+
8. Jalen Brooks, WR South Carolina
Brooks is big and strong and brings a punisher's mentality to the game. The Cowboys waited longer than expected to draft a receiver but the depth chart isn't crying out for help after they acquired Brandin Cooks from the Texans. Brooks is raw, but his ball skills and body control stick out when watching film. He made some physics-defying grabs, including one that made the rounds on social media after he was drafted.
Grade: C
Overall, the Dallas Cowboys front office and scouting department did a very nice job selecting players that can help now and be developed to eventually replace players on this roster. Like all rookies coming into the NFL, though, they are going to have to prove themselves on the field, but looking at this class now that's where I see the ranking of best to least favorite pick for the Cowboys this year.
Solid draft once again by Dallas.