The Dallas Cowboys have shifted focus to the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City.
The draft kicks off on April 27th and Dallas has six selections, plus a few more compensatory picks are expected.
The Cowboys have been known to avoid signing outside free agents to big deals, or making blockbuster trades. Rather, Dallas often looks to improve through the draft.
Here are the picks that would best fill the team’s needs:
Round 1, no. 26: Devon Witherspoon, Illinois CB
Devon Witherspoon would be an immediate impact player in Big D. He’d pair well with Trevon Diggs, who is a bigger, more physical CB at 6’1, 195-pounds. Witherspoon is only 6’1, 180-pounds but his pros include speed and quickness.
Witherspoon also gained a ton of experience in college, playing in 41 games in four seasons for the Fighting Illini. Pro Football Focus gave him a 92 grade; the second-highest of any CB in college football last year.
With CB being such a glaring need for the Cowboys going into the 2023 season, it makes sense to address the issue in round one.
Round 2, no. 58: Zay Flowers, Boston College WR
At 5’10, 182-pounds, Zay Flowers will likely fall in the draft due to his size. A lot of general managers are still against drafting smaller WRs.
But Flowers’ playmaking ability is undeniable, making him worthy of a second round selection. Flowers caught 78 passes for 1,077 yards in 2022. His 12 touchdowns were tied for fifth-most in CFB.
Another weakness the Cowboys dealt with in 2022 was a lack of WR depth. CeeDee Lamb had a great year, but Dallas can’t rely on him to do it all. Lamb had more receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns than every other Cowboys WR combined.
Round 3, no. 90: Emil Ekiyor, Alabama G
Connor McGovern was the Cowboys top option at LG last year, but he’s a free agent this offseason and Dallas may opt to let him walk to allocate money elsewhere.
Doing so would make sense with Tyron Smith expected to start at LT and Tyler Smith at LG. But with Tyron aging and injury prone, Dallas must build depth along the interior offensive line.
Enter Emil Ekiyo Jr. At 6’3, the Indianapolis-native has tremendous reach, which gives him an edge when blocking DTs. Ekiyo also possesses the quickness and footwork to create running lanes for ball carriers.
Round 4, no. 127: P.J. Mustipher, Penn State DT
At 6’4, 315-pounds, P.J. Mustipher is excellent at clogging rushing lanes along the interior offensive line. When rushing the passer, his strength makes him capable of collapsing the pocket with a bull rush.
The Cowboys struggled stopping the run in 2022, so they made a midseason deal to acquire DT Johnathan Hankins. The move was a success and Hankins helped patch up Dallas’ rushing defense.
But Hankins is a free agent this offseason, making Mustipher a viable option to fill his large shoes.
Round 5, no. 159: Dontay Demus Jr., Maryland WR
The WR free agency class is limited, so don’t be shocked if Dallas double dips on pass catchers in the draft.
Dontay Demus Jr.’s specialty is high-pointing passes and making catches in heavy coverage. His 6’4, 215-pound frame gives him a natural advantage in that area. Demus’ 4.5 40-yard dash isn’t the quickest, but doable given his size.
Round 7, no. 223: Dee Winters, TCU OLB
Similar to the Mustipher selection, grabbing Dee Winters in the final round provides help in stopping the run. Additionally, if the Cowboys don’t re-sign Anthony Barr, LB will instantly become a position of need.
Winters has great size and lateral quickness, allowing him to track down down opposing RBs. Then once he meets the RB, Winters has great tackling technique which limits missed tackles.
The one knock on Winters is his ability in pass coverage, but it’s impossible to find a perfect prospect in the seventh round.
