FRISCO, Texas -- The 2023 NFL draft was held Thursday through Saturday in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
ESPN provided pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Dallas Cowboys’ selections:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 26 overall: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
My take: For years, folks have clamored for the Cowboys to take a run-stuffing defensive tackle. That wish finally came true as the team departed from its pattern, picking a first-round defensive tackle for the first time since 1991 when they took Russell Maryland No. 1 overall. In a division that features strong run games in the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, plus a conference contender that has knocked the Cowboys out of the playoffs the last two years in the San Francisco 49ers, they wanted to do what they could to slow the run. They have not ranked better than No. 19 in rush defense in Mike McCarthy's first three years as coach.
Will he start as a rookie?: It would be disappointing Smith doesn’t, but the Cowboys re-signed veteran Johnathan Hankins, who is entering his 11th season and might hold that role down at least in the beginning of the season. While Smith was selected to stop the run, the Cowboys believe he has more pass-rush ability than what he displayed at Michigan. The more quickly he can show that ability, the more often he will be on the field, although defensive coordinator Dan Quinn likes to have a pass-rush package built more with speed on third downs.
What we're hearing: The Cowboys’ strength defensively is their pass rush with Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Sam Williams and Dante Fowler Jr., but McCarthy believes the addition of Smith can make it even better in 2023 by impacting the run defense. “We have an elite pass-rush group,” he said, “and just the fact of the matter, when your run defensive improves, obviously you’ve got some longer down and distances with it, which tilts the field toward our pass rush.”
Round 2, No. 58 overall: Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan
My take: After taking a Michigan man in the first round in Smith, the Cowboys went with another in Schoonmaker. He can do what the Cowboys want from their tight ends, working on the line as well as displaced. After losing Dalton Schultz in free agency, they needed a tight end to pair with Jake Ferguson (a fourth-round pick last year), Peyton Hendershot (an undrafted free agent from last year), and Sean McKeon. He is a solid blocker and comes from a system at Michigan that values tight end versatility.
Second-round hits, misses: The Cowboys’ fortune in the second round has been spotty. Trevon Diggs (2020) has been to the last two Pro Bowls. DeMarcus Lawrence (2014) has been a Pro Bowler. Jaylon Smith (2016) went to a Pro Bowl but fell off after signing a long-term deal. Kelvin Joseph (2021) has not developed; Trysten Hill (2019) was released last year; Randy Gregory (2015) was suspended multiple times. Connor Williams (2018) and Chidobe Awuzie (2017) were solid if unspectacular contributors who got better free agent deals elsewhere. There’s hope defensive end Sam Williams (2022) can make a big second-year jump after a solid rookie season.
Round 3, No. 90 overall: DeMarvion Overshown, ILB, Texas
My take: He played multiple positions at Texas, but the Cowboys will view him as a weak-side linebacker in DC Quinn’s scheme. With Leighton Vander Esch and Damone Clark as their top two linebackers (counting Micah Parsons as an edge player), the Cowboys needed to find some linebacker help. He filled up the stat sheet, finishing with 30.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 3 interceptions. Another plus for the Cowboys -- and why special teams coordinator John Fassel was spotted on the draft-room camera at the time of the selection -- is his special teams work, in addition to starting 32 of his final 33 games at Texas.
What he's saying: Overshown arrived at Texas as a safety and moved to linebacker, even lining up some as an edge rusher. Quinn likes to move his players around to different spots. “Anywhere, everywhere,” Overshown said. “He has a plan for me. Just moving me around. Kind of what I was doing in college, kind of what you see right now with the Dallas defense -- moving a lot of players around, having big guys play in space, big guys off the edge. So I know coach Quinn, he got a plan for me, and I’m so excited to work whatever they need me to do.”
Round 4, No. 129 overall: Viliami Fehoko, DE, San Jose State
My take: Dan Quinn loves Fehoko's game and the Cowboys are going by the maxim that you can never have enough pass-rushers. In his career, he had 47 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, 11 pass deflections and five forced fumbles. Like Mazi Smith and DeMarvion Overshown, he was among the top 30 national visitors to The Star. But how does he fit right away? The Cowboys have DeMarcus Lawrence, Micah Parsons, Dorance Armstrong, Sam Williams and Dante Fowler as their edge rushers. At 6-3, 276 pounds, Fehoko can also move inside at times if necessary, which is something Quinn wants out of his defensive linemen. It is a defensive end group and the Cowboys have yet to address their offensive line or running back needs so far.
Round 5, No. 169 overall: Asim Richards, OL, North Carolina
My take: In 12 of the last 15 years, the Cowboys have selected at least one offensive lineman in the draft. But can he make an impact right away? He played mostly left tackle at North Carolina, but the Cowboys envision him as a tackle/guard type. The open spot currently on the line is at left guard. They could move last year's first-rounder, Tyler Smith, to guard but their preference at the moment is to keep him at tackle. Richards played some guard at the Senior Bowl, but he will be in a competition with Chuma Edoga, Josh Ball and Matt Farniok at one of the backup spots. Richards even mentioned he could play some center.
Round 6, No. 178 overall (from Chicago via Miami, KC): Eric Scott Jr., CB, Southern Miss
My take: At 6-1, 204 pounds, he has the look of a cornerback Quinn wants. Even with the addition of Stephon Gilmore in a trade, the Cowboys have some cornerback questions with Jourdan Lewis coming back from a serious foot injury and Anthony Brown not re-signed as he works back from an Achilles injury. Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright, second- and third-round picks, respectively, in 2021, have yet to pan out. Last year, the Cowboys took DaRon Bland in the fifth round, and he led the defense in interceptions (five). Scott had five interceptions in his career and returned two for touchdowns.
Round 6, No. 212 overall: Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State
My take: The selection led to a touching moment inside the Cowboys' draft room with Vaughn's father, Chris, the team's assistant director of college scouting, making the announcement. But this was not a sentimental selection. Vaughn can help the Cowboys in a lot of ways and complement Tony Pollard, Ronald Jones and Malik Davis. Vaughn led all FBS running backs last year with 1,936 yards and he had 43 touchdowns, 3,604 yards rushing and 1,280 yards receiving. He will not be asked to be an every-down back for the Cowboys but they can line him up in the slot. He can catch passes out of the backfield. He can work on special teams. And he can be a good runner. He said his size (5-foot-5, 179 pounds) can be used an advantage and his lateral quickness makes it difficult for tacklers to get a good shot on him.
Round 7, No. 244 overall: Jalen Brooks, WR, South Carolina
My take: He caught 33 passes for 504 yards and a touchdown in his final season at South Carolina in a college career that saw him begin at Wingate, transfer to Tarleton State before moving to South Carolina. He was a combine invite and ran a 4.69 40. At this point of the draft, it's about traits. With CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks, the Cowboys are set at their top three receivers and hope Jalen Tolbert, a third-round pick last year, can make a big jump in his second season.