2023 NFL Draft Almost here. This weekend, the Dallas Cowboys will gather an impressive number of new starters to add to their roster. We’ve racked our brains for months trying to figure out which players they might go after, and tried to condense all of those goals into one easy-to-follow draft board.
By knowing the traits the Cowboys are looking for and taking into account all the players they have some level of contact with (30 hits, combine, pro day, etc.), we compiled a list of 40 prospects who should be on the Cowboys team. Radar this season project. Let’s run these guys down and give a brief description of what each of them has to offer.
Blue chip players
The Cowboys stand a very small chance of ever landing one of these players at Pick 26, but as we’ve seen before, anything is possible. Here are a few of the “running to the podium” picks who would be huge scores for Dallas if they somehow make it to them.
CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois A talented, intelligent corner who can play anywhere. The size is there, the essentials are there, and this guy can do it all.
WR Jackson Smith-Njigba, Ohio State – Elite break with first-class ball skills. He has the size, IQ, and athleticism to be one of the best WRs in the league.
OT Broderick Jones, Georgia – A powerful and aggressive striker with great agility for a man of his size. He has the skills to be one of the next best businessmen at the pro level.
First round goals
Setting our sights on some more realistic prospects, here are six players who have a better chance of being in the Cowboys selection at age 26.
WR Quentin Johnston, TCU – Great size and ball skills to be one of the next big playmakers in the NFL.
OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee – A powerful player with good agility to be a dominant run blocker and effective pass blocker.
WR Zay Flowers, Boston College – With speed and long pace, this explosive playmaker is a threat to house anytime he touches the ball.
T. Dalton Kincaid, Utah – A tight athletic space with elite ball skills, and like another Dalton we know, he’s a better blocker than he’s got.
J Okeros Torrence, Florida – A big-bodied bully with the strength and the length to take you for a ride
de Will McDonald, Iowa – the turn, the shiver, the hands, it’s all there. Will McDonald is a stud, Ee I ee I oh.
The second goal
The Cowboys have met so many players who fell in the late first/early second range snapping their fingers that a good player would hit them at 58.
Dr.. Mazie Smith, Michigan Strong, tall, and ready to get his TFLs, this 323-pound defensive tackle can solve a lot of problems along the Cowboys’ inside defensive line.
CB Cam Smith, South Carolina A fluid mover who matches step by step with his man, Smith’s instincts and height make him a nice upward prospect in this draft.
CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi Extremely tall, extremely nimble, and extremely fast, this corner has it all, except maybe a little bit of meat on his bone that could physically challenge him to the next level.
RB JHMIR Gibbs, Alabama – Electric rushes/recoveries with great speed and has turned out to be one of the most dynamic fullbacks in the game.
LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas This sharp fullback has the athleticism and height to finish off a lot of ball carriers. His coverage and dashing ability also add more tools to his arsenal.
LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson Another tall full-back with great speed to get everywhere. He is a top level player with a strong sportsmanship.
J Steve Avila, University of California – Strength, versatility, mean demeanor… This guy checks all the boxes in what cowboy loves he is in a trench warrior.
The third round of goals
With so many second round chances on the Cowboys’ radar, it would be very nice if one of them slipped all the way to the end to pick 90. Here are some cross players who might have a chance of being there.
LB Daiyan Henley, Washington state – A compact but quick fullback who can cover a lot of ground quickly. Anthony Hitchens gives the sentiment.
CB Terek Stephenson, Miami – With height, physique and an agile side-swing, Stephenson has the attributes you look for in an outside corner.
WR Marvin Mims Jr., Oklahoma A track-running burner who tracks the ball well, Mims will be a great asset to any team that drafts him.
OT Tyler Stein, Alabama A four-year starter with raw strength and a vice grip for hands, Bama blocker has some interesting traits that can be molded into a starting major.
Fourth round steals
This is where the fun begins as there are many talented players in this area of the draft who will offer some great value on Day 3.
TE Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan A smooth runner with a catch radius suitable for a QB, Schoony is a well-balanced player with solid blocking skills.
RB Tank Bigsby, Auburn A quick foot-in-the-ground cutter who brings a little pop to his game, this former Tiger has great power to play.
RB Kendre Miller, TCU A complete running back with vision, turnaround, and strength, Miller has the attributes to be a workhorse back in the NFL.
RB Roschon Johnson, Texas A strong running back with a high personality, Johnson is a player that coaches love to love. He’s a con man who would be the perfect complement to Tony Pollard.
Jonathan Mingo WR, Mississippi Its size, hands and body control make it a good target. He uses the basics more than sports out breaks.
SGL Skinner, Boise State – Long range safety works through traffic and puts wood. It gives Donovan Wilson good vibes, only with better covering ability.
LB DeMarvion Overhawn, Texas – Fireworks for the chaser, Overhawn brings energy, but needs to build up his playing strength and play familiarity to avoid being washed away by plays.
S Marte Mapu, Sacramento State – This hybrid booster can shoot down the line of scrimmage or drop back into coverage. It is a utility knife defense that will be a good tool for any defense.
OL Anthony Bradford, LSU – One of the last rising linemen/forwards at this point in the draft, Bradford offers great size and agility.
Five goals round
The team should be looking for the in-depth players they can develop at this point in the draft, and there are some names that could fit in well with Dallas.
QB Aidan O’Connell, Purdue – An accurate pitcher with a good internal clock, O’Connell has the tools to be a good backup player.
DBJ Ward, LSU A competitor with good closing speed and ball skills. He’s a little skinny, but has a nice length to get his hands on things.
CB Corey Trice Jr., Purdue — CB Trice, real name No Gimmicks, Boilermaker Corner This is one of only two players mentioned here (Broderick Jones is the other) who didn’t make the team with some complicity, but his build and athleticism just scream “Cowboys pick.”
TE Cameron-Luto, Alabama A fundamentally balanced tight end, Latu knows how to open up and knows how to handle the blocks. It would go well with the mix with grits and grits.
DL Junior Fuhuko, San Jose State – A bit of a tweener in terms of the in/out, Fehiko’s bread and butter is his relentless energy and energetic hands to get the job done.
DT Jaquelin Roy, LSU With good strength and awareness, Roy makes a good candidate for development to eventually work himself in the defensive line rotation.
Sixth / Seventh / PFA Round Goals
When they finish their development projects, here are five final names to circle on your draft paper.
QB Clayton Town, Houston – Good arm strength, good accuracy and good dribbling to keep defenders on their toes if his number is called.
OL Antonio MaffeiAnd University of California Another good mover for this big bodied guy, Mavi has heavy hands to fight defenders and get them where they need to go.
T Bryden Willis, Oklahoma – A blocking specialist, Willis could punch his ticket as a direct contributor with a special teams value.
DT Calvin Avery, Illinois – DT is big and strong with her massive wingspan for catching ball carriers, Avery can bring some pop up the middle.
Dee Dorel Johnson, Liberty – With a good blast and a good bend, this ramrod has potential if he can add more power.
Here is a complete draft of the goal board with the 40 players we talked about today.