Cowboys Draft 2023 — Breaking down who might be there at #26 for Dallas

Within Striking Distance — Good Chance of being available & who Dallas should target

*These are not necessarily in order, but going offense to defense, grouped by position.*

19-21 — Top Tight Ends (Darnell Washington, Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid)

Assuming the first 18 players are all gone as expected, the player I am most hoping is there for Dallas is Darnell Washington.

Washington can help immediately in the run game as almost a quasi-6th offensive lineman while also being a 6’7” gazelle as a pass-catching threat up the seam or in the flats.

There’s another tight end (Luke Musgrave) who I’d also be fine with, but I prefer one of these three.

22-23 — Top Interior Offensive Lineman (O’Cyrus Torrence, Steve Avila)

John Michael Schmitz would also be an option as well, but he’s outside of the top 26 players Dallas should target for me.

The starting offensive line seems set, but insurance/depth is needed.

My biggest issue with selecting another offensive lineman in the first would be this player is likely a backup all year unless an injury happens.

With Zack Martin being close to the end of his career, Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz in the final year of their deals, there will likely be a job or two open on the interior offensive line in 2024.

An offensive lineman at 26 is a break-in-case-of-emergency scenario for me. Only draft one if the worst-case scenario plays out.

24 — Mazi Smith, Defensive Tackle

As of this writing, Jonathan Hankins is still unsigned. Even if re-signed, Hankins will be 31 at the end of March so Dallas needs to get younger at the position.

Hopefully, Dallas saw the impact that a massive, run-stuffing nose tackle can make on the entire defense with the Hankins trade last year.

They may not produce much individually, but there is value in eating double teams to allow your linebackers and other defensive linemen to hunt.

25-26 — Cornerbacks (Deonte Banks, Cam Smith)

This may not seem like a position they need or would pick in the first round, but the draft is often looked at for future needs.

When you look at the cornerback room, Trevon Diggs, Stephon Gilmore, and Jourdan Lewis are all in the last year of their deals. Hopefully, Diggs signs an extension or, at worst, is given the franchise tag.

Even with Diggs back, the 2024 cornerbacks would be Diggs, DaRon Bland, Kelvin Joseph, and Nahshon Wright.

Bland was really good as a rookie, but there’s likely going to be at least one starting role open this time next year if not addressed in next month’s draft.

The Wildcards — Players that might not fit a need, but I could see being selected

Right Tackles — Darnell Wright, Dawand Jones

Dallas only committed to Terence Steele for one year. He’s coming off an ACL injury and only has one year of good film.

I would like for them to sign him long-term, but do the Cowboys feel the same?

Is his asking price too high?

Was the 2nd round tender a bridge to see if they can find a replacement?

Wide Receivers — Jordan Addison, Quentin Johnston, Jalin Hyatt, Zay Flowers

To me, Smith-Njigba is the only wide receiver prospect worthy to add to what Dallas has.

Before the Cooks move, I’m on board with selecting a non-JSN wide receiver. Now? Not so much.