Dallas Cowboys entered the 2023 NFL Draft with the aim of roping in as many talented individuals as possible. While they did pick some high-quality players, there are a few question marks around some of the youngsters who are being added to their roster.
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While evaluators have been critical about Dallas’ approach in the draft, Jerry Jones’ men do seem content with the individuals they got. Hence, we will analyze their picks in an attempt to provide a clearer picture regarding how good or bad the America’s team looks on paper at the moment.
Cowboys’ 2023 draft picks
- Mazi Smith: In the first round, the Cowboys picked defensive tackle Mazi Smith out of Michigan. He is an enormous player with exceptional athletic ability, making him an ideal fit for Dan Quinn’s defensive strategy. Smith is expected to make an immediate impact on Cowboys’ lackluster defense.
- Luke Schoonmaker: The America’s team selected TE Luke Schoonmaker, a tight end from Michigan, in the second round. This suggests that the Cowboys recognized the need for depth at the tight end position after the departure of Dalton Schultz in free agency.
- DeMarvion Overshown: DeMarvion Overshown was selected in the third round of the 2023 draft. A linebacker out of Texas, DeMarvion is a super athletic player who started his career as a safety. He is definitely going to add more depth to the linebacking core.
- Junior Fehoko: Dallas selected defensive lineman Junior Fehoko out of San Jose State. He is a valuable addition to the team’s defensive line, as he possesses the abilities required for stopping the run. With his impressive skills in disengaging from the blockers, Fehoko is in the 99th percentile for run-stoppers, making him an excellent asset for the Cowboys’ defense.
- Asim Richards: Selected in the fifth round of the draft, offensive lineman Asim Richards is a player who possesses the physical size and ability to play multiple positions. Although he might not excel in pass protection, his proficiency in run blocking would allow him to leave a strong impact.
- Eric Scott Jr: In the sixth round, the Cowboys traded to acquire Eric Scott Jr. from Southern Miss. While there isn’t much information available on Scott, he has the physical attributes and athletic traits that fit the criteria Dan Quinn looks for in a cornerback.
Cowboys are in need of more versatile players
Recently, there has been a lot of emphasis on drafting versatile players. Teams feel that it is crucial to find individuals who can play at multiple positions. This became even more apparent after Will McClay, the Vice President of Player Personnel, revealed what coach Mike McCarthy thinks about the idea.
“Coach McCarthy talks about it(versatility) all the time – it is doing two things. When you can find a player that can do two things at a very high level, it is attractive. We are definitely looking at the different ways you can use a player, and the versatility is key,” McClay recently said.
It will be interesting to see what the new players bring to the team.
