Following the trade for CB Stephon Gilmore, the Dallas Cowboys were down from nine picks to eight. With the addition of WR Brandin Cooks, they now have seven remaining. One for each round of the NFL Draft.

The team is rejuvenating a number of weaknesses with veterans, going against their philosophy of using the draft as their primary source of talent acquisition. Bringing back key players for more than what many thought the front office would pay and giving up draft picks for veteran upgrades.

Now, with seven picks at their disposal, the Cowboys are in the position to primary their picks on depth.

In some cases, even upgrading the team at key areas for 2023 and even beyond.

This will be the first of what will be three mock drafts pertaining to the Dallas Cowboys. As we get closer to the event, players’ draft stocks will change, as well as the team’s needs. However, at the present moment, this is a likely concourse for what the franchise will likely look to do.

Round 1, Pick 26

G, Steve Avila, TCU

The offensive line is by far the Dallas Cowboys’ biggest need up to this point. Even with the addition of OT/OG Chuma Edoga to the depth chart.

Connor McGovern is now in Buffalo and Jason Peters may have been a one-year player in Dallas. Players like Tyron Smith, Terence Steele, Matt Waletzko, and Matt Farniok are coming off injuries.

Just down Highway 30 is the best interior offensive lineman in the draft in local product Steve Avila.

As a consensus All-American, he is a powerful run blocker who’s an easy plug-and-play at left guard. His pass blocking excels with his balance and footwork in protection, even at 330 pounds.

Since 2010, the Cowboys have spent the majority of their first-round picks on the offensive line. In the middle of a revamp, getting another powerful player to pair on the left side with Tyler Smith should keep QB Dak Prescott protected and elevate the running game.

Round 2, Pick 58

CB, Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State

His 6’0″ 180-pound frame may scare off some scouts but his ball-hawking skills are a Dan Quinn special. In fact, despite his smaller weight, he plays much bigger and with much more physicality than expected. Even more so than some who outweigh him in the same position.

With 14 career interceptions in 35 games, Forbes has some of the best ball skills in the draft that would be a natural fit with All-Pro Trevon Diggs across from him.

The great thing for Forbes is that with Diggs, Gilmore, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis on the team, it won’t force Forbes to have to play year one unless needed.

However, with Diggs, Lewis, and Gilmore all on expiring contracts and both Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright having yet to stand out as potential starters, giving the defense another player who can make plays on the ball but also be a physical tackler would be a great move for the future.

Round 3, Pick 90

DT, Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin

Perhaps the most physical and powerful nose tackle in the draft. Benton is a natural run defender that would add depth to an area that saw a rejuvenation with the addition of Johnathan Hankins last season.

While Hankins is still a priority for re-signing, the Dallas Cowboys also love to get younger at every avenue. Even with Quinton Bohanna on the team, who has taken a step forward in his second season, most of their tackle depth is from players who can play as pass rushers from the 3-technique position.

While Benton doesn’t display the position versatility coming out of college, the organization covets, he may be so powerful as a 1-technique that he may be too good to pass up.

Round 4, Pick 129

WR, Parker Washington, Penn State

The best thing about the Cooks trade is it allows the Dallas Cowboys not to have to spend as high a draft pick on a receiver. However, the less-than-quality depth behind Cooks, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup still makes receiver a need.

Washington is not going to be a WR1 any time soon but he might be better than any receiver in the draft after the catch.

With strong hands and the build of a running back (5’10” 210-pounds), Washington is a very fun project player who can develop as a flexible slot/Z-receiver who won’t be a burner but will be a headache to bring down (think Deebo Samuel-lite).

His first year will probably be as a special teams player, but with the receiver depth the way it is, Washington shouldn’t have much trouble climbing the Cowboys’ depth chart.

Round 5, Pick 169

LB, Cam Jones, Indiana

In what’s a relatively average linebacker draft, the Indiana product may be the best overall tackler in his position class. At 6’3, 235 pounds, Jones is a traditional middle linebacker who doesn’t do anything spectacular but is always around the ball and rarely, if ever, allows the ball carrier to break free.

A five-year senior with the Hoosiers, Jones excels inside as a MIKE linebacker in zone coverage and playing the run. Reading the offense and taking proper angles to get to the ball carrier.

He’s not an athletic freak and doesn’t have the consistent man coverage ability or pass rush skills to rely on him as an outside option. Still, he provides depth inside as a run defender behind Leighton Vander Esch and can easily be a willing special teams player.

Round 6, Pick 212

TE, Will Mallory, Miami

Right here is the sweet spot for the Dallas Cowboys to take a tight end. Using a day-three pick on a raw playmaker with plenty of upside. Even with the loss of Dalton Schultz, the offense has some juice from second-year tight ends Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot.

Mallory is nowhere near a finished product, struggling as an outside blocker in zone runs, serving much better as an in-line blocker first.

As a receiver, Mallory is a dangerous playmaker, especially after the catch. Playing with above average speed, displayed from leading all tight ends in the 40 at the NFL Scouting combine (4.54), Mallory is a player who could develop into a dangerous receiving threat but is better served as a TE3 to primarily play special teams and be used as both a modified H-back to keep his hands off the ground. To allow him to better develop his blocking skills.

Round 7, Pick 244

QB, Jake Haener, Fresno State

The career passing yards champion at Fresno State, Haener has a number of traits that work in his favor as well as many that limit his abilities coming out of college.

He’s only 6’0″ and 205 pounds, which for some wouldn’t matter as much, but when you combine it with his less-than-stellar arm strength, he looks more like a backup with decent upside.

What he does have going for him despite his arm is just about everything else. He’s a consistently accurate passer who reads defenses and has the mobility to escape pressure and deliver on the run. Drawing defenders off and creating an opening when faced with pressure.

Jerry Jones has made it clear the Cowboys will take a quarterback at some point in the draft, and taking a productive athlete with a seventh-round pick may sound familiar but Haener is not Ben DiNucci. Whether or not Haener ever becomes a franchise player of any kind is irrelevant.

Seventh-round picks are made for taking chances. Taking one on a quarterback as productive and with these kinds of intangibles is a good gamble to make.