At the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft, most pundits gave the Dallas Cowboys decent overall marks for their eight total selections, many noting that America's Team didn't have a ton of holes to fill following a third consecutive 12-5 season.
Here's a quick look at how that draft played out for Dallas.
- Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan (R1, 26th)
Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan (R2, 58th)- DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas (R3, 90th)
Viliami Fehoko, EDGE, San Jose State (R4, 129th)- Asim Richards, OL, North Carolina (R5, 169th)
- Eric Scott, CB, Southern Mississippi (R6, 178th)
- Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State (R6, 212th)
- Jalen Brooks, WR, South Carolina (R7, 244th)
Given their roster at the time, most of the eight picks were seen as depth moves. Even first-round pick Mazi Smith, who was taken 26th overall, wasn't viewed as someone who would come in and immediately crack the starting lineup, which he didn't, starting just three games as a rookie.
The defensive tackle out of Michigan was expected to make more of an impact in his second season, but that certainly didn't happen either, which we'll dive into in just a moment when we hand out our grades for these players after two years.
You'll only see six grades, however, as fourth-round pick Viliami Fehoko and sixth-round selection Eric Scott never took a regular-season snap with the Cowboys and are no longer with the franchise, as both were waived ahead of the 2024 campaign.
With that said, let's get to it.
Mazi Smith, DT, No. 26 overall
As the Cowboys were having a little trouble against the run, Smith was brought in to help fix the issue, as he was one of the best in the country in that department during his time with the Wolverines.
As it turns out, though, that's been the worst part of his game over his first two seasons with the Cowboys.
In 2023, his run defense grade at PFF was 34.9, which ranked 190th among 215 defensive linemen. And in 2024, it was 35.9, which ranked 201st of 219. That's not what you want to see from a first-round pick.
Smith showed some promise as a pass rusher during his rookie season but regressed something fierce this past year, dropping from a 70.3 mark to 49.6.
While he started all 17 games in 2024, that may not be the case in 2025. That's if the Cowboys opt to keep him, that is, as he's one of several players Dallas could conceivably trade during this year's draft.
Grade: D
Luke Schoonmaker, TE, No. 58 overall
With Dalton Schultz out of the picture, the Cowboys were clearly looking for a tight end to pair alongside Jake Ferguson and opted for Smith's Michigan teammate, Luke Schoonmaker, at No. 58 overall.
I still maintain they didn't need to use a second-round pick on the position, but Jerry Jones loves his tight ends, so it wasn't a huge surprise.
Overall, Schoonmaker has been a decent enough TE2, catching 35 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns over the past two years. But it's clear that Ferguson is still the stronger option, which makes the use of a second-rounder on Schoonmaker look even worse.
Grade: C
DeMarvion Overshown, LB, No. 90 overall
The best player from the Cowboys' 2023 draft class is clearly DeMarvion Overshown, and it's not even close.
The problem here, of course, is that the Texas alum may very well miss the entire 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL back in December against the Cincinnati Bengals. There's hope he could return near the end of the year, but that will likely all depend on where Dallas sits in the standings, as there would be no need to rush him back if the playoffs aren't on the table.
Before his injury, Overshown was improving each and every week and was becoming one of the top pass rushers at his position, ranking 11th among all linebackers with a 78.9 PFF grade in that category.
He still needs some work against the run, but if he can fully recover from this injury, the Cowboys could have something special.
Grade: B+
Asim Richards, OL, No. 169 overall
It's extremely difficult to grade a backup defensive lineman, and that's precisely what Asim Richards is and will likely always be. I suppose he helps out on special teams, but you get the point.
When the North Carolina product is on the field with the offense, he's undoubtedly better in pass protection than he is as a run blocker, as evidenced by the fact that he's allowed just one sack over his first two seasons.
Grade: C+
Deuce Vaughn, RB, No. 212 overall
Deuce Vaughn was one of the heartwarming stories of the 2023 draft, as his father, Cowboys scout Chris Vaughn, got the opportunity to call his son to tell him he was being drafted at No. 212 overall.
Just as he was then, Vaughn continues to be a third- or fourth-string running back, recording just 110 yards on 40 carries in 14 appearances over the last two years. And that's essentially all Dallas needs from him at this point.
Grade: C
Jalen Brooks, WR, No. 244 overall
Jalen Brooks is pretty much the wide receiver version of Vaughn and simply steps in when called upon to take a few snaps here and there.
In 21 games thus far, Brooks has amassed 18 catches for 241 yards with a touchdown. Again, this is pretty much all the Cowboys need from him right now.
Grade: C