Cowboys insiders debate Dallas’ biggest 2023 draft needs
With two weeks to go before the Carolina Panthers are “on the clock” with the first pick in the NFL draft, teams are combing over their personnel and identifying their biggest needs. The Dallas Cowboys took care of a surprising number of their needs via offseason free agency moves but roster questions linger.
Dallas Morning News‘ Cowboys insiders Calvin Watkins and David Moore recently broke down what they believe the team’s biggest needs are heading into the first round on April 27.
Their varying answers mirror Jerry Jones’ regarding Dallas’ strong position at this point of the offseason. The Cowboys owner said last month that he believes the team should be able to go for the “best available” when their number is called.
“I would say get an interior offensive lineman,” Watkins writes in the DMN’s Q&A. “You want to find a left guard for the future, especially if Tyler Smith is going to remain at tackle for the 2023 season and beyond.
“The other area I’m concerned with is wide receiver. Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup are tied at the hip. If both don’t succeed in 2023 as Nos. 2 and 3 on the depth chart, you’re in trouble.”
Cowboys hunt for depth in 2023 NFL Draft
“Need? It’s really more about preferences in each round,” Moore writes. “With that in mind, there are three positions I’d focus on the first two days of the draft. Let’s start with tight end. Are the Cowboys in good shape now and for the future with Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot? Sure. It’s why the club didn’t feel compelled to retain Dalton Schultz. But Schultz was a very productive player for this club…
“Second would be running back. It’s hard to envision a scenario where Bijan Robinson falls to Dallas in the first round, but that doesn’t mean they should ignore the position in the first two days of the draft. This offense needs someone to share the load with Tony Pollard.“
Despite the addition of veteran Stephon Gilmore, Moore would also like to see Dallas add a young cornerback.
Watkins added that would like the Cowboys to draft a quarterback to develop behind Dak Prescott. Dallas has already expressed interest in doing just that. They’ve had meetings and private workouts with some of the draft’s mid-round QBs already.
More on the 2023 NFL Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event location this year is the plaza just outside of Union Station.
Round 1 of the NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft broadcast runs throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.
Following two trades that cost them two fifth-round compensatory picks (No. 161, No. 169), these are the seven draft picks left on the Cowboys board for April.
Round 1, No. 26Round 2, No. 58Round 3, No. 90Round 4, No. 128Round 5, No. 176*Round 6, No. 212*Round 7, No. 243
*denotes compensatory pick
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