Analyzing the Dallas Cowboys 2023 Draft Class

The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone, which has been a strong point of the Dallas Cowboys in recent history. What’s left is one of the more puzzling and hard-nosed drafts in a long time.

While the obvious, immediate needs came on the offensive line, the consensus for this draft seemed to favor the run game on offense and defense.

The Cowboys have made some head-scratching picks in recent history which turned into quality players (Micah Parsons, Tyler Smith) despite some initial blowback.

This year, the Cowboys took the best players to fit exactly what they wanted to do. If we include the trades for both WR Brandin Cooks and CB Stephon Gilmore, the class looks ready to impact immediately.

Broken down, this class looks even better.

Round 1, DT Mazi Smith

Mazi Smith is likely the consensus top-rated interior defensive tackle if not for Jalen Carter.

Smith, being the first defensive tackle taken in the first round of the draft by the Cowboys since Russell Maryland, comes in as what the Cowboys haven’t had in a long time: a 3-down run-stuffing nose tackle. Let alone one as large (6’3″, 325 pounds) and as athletic as this.

The re-signing of Johnathan Hankins allows Smith to play a more rotational role in year one and even be used as a 3-technique in different defensive fronts. Eventually becoming the starter, playing between center and guard gap.

Round 2, TE Luke Schoonmaker

While tight end was the smokescreen on night one, a run on the position on day two seemingly forced the Dallas Cowboys to take one. However, Will McClay stated adamantly that the Michigan tight end was the highest player on their board.

Standing at 6’5″, 250 pounds, with underrated athleticism that traditionally comes from Wolverine playmakers. His run blocking on the edges is an immediate factor, but his ability to play down the field as a receiver and create second-level separation gives him upside as a player.

My personal TE7, Schoonmaker, is going to play behind last year’s rookie TE emergence in Jake Ferguson but should give both Sean McKeon and Peyton Hendershot a challenge for snaps.

Round 3, LB DeMarvion Overshown

Overshown, a converted safety to linebacker, exhibits some of Dan Quinn’s desired traits in length and positional versatility.

It might not be too much of a stretch to see him play some snaps at JOKER, where Jayron Kearse currently plays. However, injuries and an expiring contract from Kearse could mean a player like Israel Mukuamu or even Overshown could take over.

Overshown’s ability to play coverage in the slot, blanket TEs, and RBs from out of the backfield will be what gives him a higher uptick in playing time early, in addition to special teams. His all-around play alongside Damone Clark or Micah Parsons will have him as a rotational player as an outside linebacker in year one.

Round 4, Edge Viliami Fehoko

Perhaps the one pick that is getting universal love from the draft community is the defensive end from San Jose State. The Spartan edge rusher is one of the draft’s most tenacious run defenders on the edge.

He’s an edge-setting nightmare for opposing offenses who has shown an increased ability to rush the passer in each of the last three seasons, with an incredible 44 tackles for loss and 22 sacks in that time span.

Fehoko was an official visit for the Cowboys, who love to draft players they’ve brought in, so he was always in play. With the expiring contracts of both Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler, both of whom struggled to play the run on the edges, and with Chauncey Golston moving inside to defensive tackle, Fehoko should see plenty of looks on 3rd or 4th and short situations. Similar to how Sam Williams got an increased role.

Round 5, OL Asim Richards & DB Eric Scott

After sending away a pair of fifth-round picks for Cooks and Gilmore, they used another pair of picks on developmental prospects.

Richards is a well-developed pass blocker, allowing under a 4% sack rate the past two seasons who’s above-average length (82.75″ wingspan) for his 6’4″ 310-pound frame has given him leverage in run blocking as well. His upside is likely at guard, but he will need to fix his footwork to be a more consistent swing player, taking too many steps to regain leverage.

Eric Scott is a developmental defensive back with length and the ability to make plays on the ball. These are all attributes that Dan Quinn covets.

Running a 4.42 40 on his pro day, he’s got plenty of speed and can close space with receivers to make a play but has had trouble as a tackler in the running game and can get separated at the second level in coverage. Early on, his usage will be on special teams, but he will have to improve his man coverage skills to better develop himself in the league.

Round 6, RB Deuce Vaughn

Who didn’t get a little choked up from the gameday audio between Vaughn and his dad, Chris Vaughn, a part of the Dallas Cowboys scouting department?

Dallas Cowboys scout Chris Vaughn was emotional Saturday when he got to call his son, K-State RB Deuce Vaughn, and tell him the team drafted him 🤍💙

Too wholesome.

(via @dallascowboys)pic.twitter.com/CnWvvMsspn

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 30, 2023

Vaughn is lightning in a bottle, and his burst is immediate after he makes contact with the ball. Hitting the hole with power and speed to hit the second and third levels of the defense, where his east-west speed is just as deadly as his straightforward explosiveness. Whether it’s as a runner or even as a versatile receiver who can even be lined up on the line of scrimmage.

His size (5’6″, 170-pounds) may be his biggest concern, but that didn’t affect him much in the college game and other smaller running backs like Tariq Cohen and fellow KSU alum Darren Sproles.

His year one will be to primarily serve as the RB3. Playing in a select rotation while being a valuable change-of-pace player for Tony Pollard.

Round 7, WR Jalen Brooks

Brooks’ tape wasn’t as impressive as other receivers in this draft, but it does add something the Cowboys don’t have a lot of on the roster. Size (6’2″, 205 pounds) and the ability to high-point the ball when in the air on one-on-one coverage.

He doesn’t have consistent route-running skills. He has trouble creating separation off the line of scrimmage but was used plenty as the Gamecocks fade route receiver when defenses played a heavy press man coverage. Which is an appealing niche this offense could use.

In the same breath as Noah Brown, if Brooks is to make the team, he will have to show he can play special teams in year one. Given the state of the Cowboys’ WR room, he’s got a legitimate chance to land one of the final spots on the roster.

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports