Cowboys: Winners and losers from the 2023 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys made eight selections in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Fans speculated whether the team would trade down at a certain point in the name of compiling more equity, but they actually traded up in the fifth round to nab corner Eric Scott Jr. after they drafted offensive lineman Asim Richards nine picks earlier.

In a vacuum, Dallas filled all of their needs in the draft. Fans can debate whether certain positions should have been addressed sooner, but they reacted to how the board fell and opted to go defensive tackle (Mazi Smith), tight end (Luke Schoonmaker) and linebacker (DeMarvion Overshown) with their first three picks.

Like any draft, the Cowboys' picks will have a domino effect on the rest of the roster. With that, who are Dallas' biggest winners and losers following the draft?

Cowboys winners and losers from the 2023 NFL Draft

Winner: Jalen Tolbert

It's crazy to think Tolbert is the biggest winner, but here we are.

The Cowboys met with several notable WR prospects during the pre-draft process, including Quentin Johnston, Zay Flowers, Josh Downs, Jalin Hyatt, and Jonathan Mingo. That indicated they planned to take a wideout early. Whether that was a smokescreen or the board just didn't fall properly, though, they waited until their final pick -- No. 244 overall in the seventh round -- to address the position.

Had Dallas used an early pick (anything before the fifth round) on a receiver, Tolbert would be further buried in the position's pecking order. Now, though, he could cement himself as WR4 in the offense behind CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup with a strong camp and preseason.

Nobody would've blamed the Cowboys if they took a wideout early. Tolbert is a huge question mark, but they're clearly thrilled with the Cooks trade and are confident in Gallup bouncing back after an injury-slowed 2022 season.