As a lead-up to the 2023 NFL draft, we've broken down the current depth chart of every NFL team and identified the biggest draft and team needs for the Dallas Cowboys.
You can find additional team-by-team draft needs articles and other draft content on our 2023 NFL Draft hub.
Who did the Cowboys pick in the NFL Draft?
The Dallas Cowboys selected Mazi Smith (DT, Michigan) with the 26th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys added Luke Schoonmaker (TE, Michigan) with the No. 58 pick.
Dallas selected DeMarvion Overshown (LB, Texas) with the 90th pick.
Cowboys Draft Needs: Top Positions of Need in 2023
- Tight End
- Linebacker
- Running Back
What Picks do the Dallas Cowboys have in 2023?
The Dallas Cowboys have seven picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, including:
- Round 1 (26)
- Round 2 (58)
- Round 3 (90)
- Round 4 (129)
- Round 5 (169)
- Round 6 (212)
- Round 7 (244)
Dallas Cowboys Draft Capital Stats
Our Sharp Draft Value Rank is a valuation of draft capital based on a combination of average performance delivered and average dollars earned on second contracts.
This is based on two public models: performance delivered based on draft slot (the AV model created by Chase Stuart) and contractual earnings in non-rookie deals based upon draft slot (the OTC model created by Brad Spielberger and Jason Fitzgerald).
- Cowboys Sharp Draft Value Rank: 25 of 32 teams
- Cowboys AV Model Draft Value Rank: 25 of 32 teams
- Cowboys OTC Model Draft Value Rank: 24 of 32 teams
Dallas Cowboys Draft Value vs Other Teams:
The Cowboys' draft value is 21% lower than the league average of all 32 teams. 24 other teams have higher draft value entering the 2023 NFL Draft.
Dallas Cowboys Draft Prediction:
The Cowboys are predicted to draft Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas) with their 1st round pick (#26 overall) according to the most recent mock draft from Ryan McCrystal.
Another mock draft expert, Brendan Donahue, has the Cowboys predicted to draft Michael Mayer (TE, Notre Dame) with their 1st round pick according to his most recent mock draft.
Dallas Cowboys Strength of Schedule, 2023
The Dallas Cowboys have the 10th hardest NFL strength of schedule for the 2023 NFL season.
Dallas Cowboys Offense: Depth Chart, Analysis & Draft Needs
Curtis Hirsch breaks down the offensive depth chart by position for the Dallas Cowboys, identifying areas where the team could improve in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
2022 Dallas Cowboys Offensive Rankings
Quarterback Depth Chart, Cowboys:
- Dak Prescott
- Cooper Rush
- Will Grier
Dak Prescott led the league in interceptions in 2022, which created a negative narrative in the media and on social media. The 29-year-old quarterback had an up-and-down season after fracturing his thumb in Week 1, forcing him to miss five games.
The Cowboys were 8-4 with Prescott under center. More impressively, after he returned from injury the Cowboys scored 24 or more points between Weeks 7 and 17.
Prescott finished the season with a 66.2% completion percentage and 23 touchdowns but struggled with turnovers, throwing 15 interceptions.
Despite the turnovers, Prescott finished the season with the eighth-highest EPA/play, finishing ahead of quarterbacks including Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert.
The Dallas offense led the league in the red zone scoring, notching a touchdown on 71.4% of trips inside the 20-yard line. The offense was fourth in points per game despite Prescott missing five games.
The 2023 offense will look different with Kellen Moore no longer on the team. Brian Schottenheimer took over as offensive coordinator with head coach Mike McCarthy potentially calling plays.
The Cowboys re-signed Cooper Rush to a two-year contract to back up Prescott.
Prescott is under contract for two more seasons, but an extension is likely as his 2024 cap hit is over $59 million and additional money has been pushed into void years after the contract.
The Cowboys could draft a quarterback in the later rounds. However, any pick in this draft would be a younger long-term backup option, which is important given Dak’s injury history.
Running Back Depth Chart, Cowboys:
- Tony Pollard
- Malik Davis
- Ronald Jones
- Rico Dowdle
The 2023 season will have a different look as Ezekiel Elliott will not be the opening-day starter for the first time since 2015, when Darren McFadden was the Cowboys' running back.
Tony Pollard earned the franchise tag and will now take over as the lead back. The explosive running back suffered a broken fibula in the NFC Championship game but will be ready for training camp.
Playing second fiddle to Elliott the past four years, Pollard has limited wear and tear with only 510 rushes on which he has averaged over 5.1 yards per carry. Despite having under 200 carries in 2023, Pollard was fifth among running backs with 31 rushes of 10 or more yards and was second in yards after contact per attempt.
Behind Pollard is a bit of uncertainty as Malik Davis returns and free agent acquisition Ronald Jones joins the running back room.
There are rumblings the team could add the hyped rookie Bijan Robinson in the draft, but committing a first-round pick and a franchise tag to running backs would be poor asset management for a team with a well-balanced roster.
Dallas will likely add another running back in the draft, and that will likely be a bigger-bodied rusher to compliment Pollard. Just how much draft capital Jerry Jones will commit to the position is yet to be seen.
Wide Receiver Depth Chart, Cowboys:
- CeeDee Lamb
- Brandin Cooks
- Michael Gallup
- Jalen Tolbert
- Kavontae Turpin
- Simi Fehoko
- Dennis Houston
- Antonio Callaway
- Dontario Drummond
The Cowboys were campaigning for Odell Beckham Jr. during the season because beyond CeeDee Lamb the lack of talent and depth of the receiving room was a concern following the Amari Cooper trade.
The Cowboys have since added disgruntled Texans receiver Brandin Cooks.
Cooks has compiled six 1000-yard seasons in his nine-year career, but the Cowboys will be the fifth different team he suits up for.
The emergence of Lamb was a bright spot for this offense last year.
The third-year receiver had 156 targets (fourth) 107 receptions (fifth), 1,359 yards (sixth), and 9 touchdowns (sixth). Lamb has positioned himself as a top-10 receiver in the league for years to come.
Behind Lamb was a concern.
The next closest wide receiver was Noah Brown with 43 receptions. Brown has since left for the Houston Texans via free agency.
Michael Gallup returned from a serious ACL tear and struggled, managing 39 receptions despite playing 14 games.
The team did not have another wide receiver on the roster register more than 10 receptions in 2022.
The addition of Cooks alleviates some of the concerns regarding receiver depth, but he is 29 years old and only under contract until the end of the 2024 season. Gallup restructured his contract and will likely be back in 2024 since the Cowboys would be on the hook for $13 million in dead money.
Third-round rookie Jalen Tolbert struggled to get onto the active roster and managed just two receptions during his rookie campaign. The sophomore is a year removed from a 1,474-yard season in South Alabama, and the Cowboys are hopeful the youngster can play a bigger part of the offense with another offseason under his belt.
With the lack of depth and CeeDee Lamb due for a giant second contract, the Cowboys should entertain a wide receiver on Day 1 or 2 of this draft.
Tight End Depth Chart, Cowboys:
- Jake Ferguson
- Peyton Hendershot
- Sean McKeon
- Ian Bunting
- Seth Green
Kellen Moore’s offense targeted tight ends on 23.4% of passes in 2022.
Dalton Schultz left in free agency, and he was a big part of this offense as he accumulated 89, 104, and 89 targets in his final three seasons as a Cowboy.
With Schultz gone, the Cowboys' top two tight ends have 30 receptions combined.
Jake Ferguson is likely to lead the way, and it is likely management is high on him after letting Schultz depart. The fourth-round rookie hauled in 86% of his 22 targets and was targeted on 25.6% of his routes.
Undrafted rookie Peyton Hendershot managed 11 receptions on 16 targets, but he is more likely to be a depth player for the upcoming season.
Dallas did not add a veteran tight end during free agency. There is a good chance they add someone to this room in a draft with solid tight end depth.
Offensive Line Depth Chart, Cowboys:
LT: Tyron Smith/Matt Waletzko
LG: Tyler Smith/Chuma Edoga
C: Tyler Biadasz/Brock Hoffman/Alec Lindstrom
RG: Zack Martin/Matt Farniok
RT: Terence Steele/Josh Ball/Alex Taylor
Another year, meaning Tyron Smith and Zack Martin become a year older as this once dominant offensive line adds fragility with two key players now 32 years old.
The Dallas offensive line finished 28th in ESPN’s pass block win rate (53%), but Pro Football Focus had them 14th in collective pass blocking grade.
The run blocking was more closely correlated, with Dallas ranking 7th in run block win rate at ESPN (73%) and 11th in run blocking grade at PFF.
The Cowboys drafted Tyler Smith in the first round last year.
Considered raw by many, the Cowboys hoped for him to learn behind or beside Tyron Smith, but that changed as the older Smith suffered a severe injury in training camp.
The rookie was thrown right into the fire and played in all 18 games, allowing pressure on 6.0% of his plays in protection. Smith was also called for 13 penalties in his rookie season.
Starting center Tyler Biadasz played all 18 games and was PFF's 30th-ranked center.
With key starters aging, Terrance Steele yet to officially sign his restricted free agent tender, and a need for depth, the offensive line is an area of need for the Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys Defense: Depth Chart, Analysis & Draft Needs
Curtis Hirsch breaks down the defensive depth chart by position for the Dallas Cowboys, identifying areas where the team could improve in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
2022 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Rankings
Interior Defensive Line Depth Chart, Cowboys:
- Osa Odighizuwa
- Neville Gallimore
- Johnathan Hankins
- Quinton Bohanna
- Isaac Alarcon
- Chauncey Golston
The Cowboys were 9th in yards before contact per rush, 21st in yards after contact per rush, 4th in EPA per rush against, and 4th in rush success rate, per TruMedia.
The defensive rush metrics were solid despite ranking 24th in ESPN’s run stop win rate.
Osa Odighizuwa, a 2001 third-round pick, led the way on the interior line. Odighizuwa led the interior in tackles on rushes, tackles for a loss, and pressure rate.
The versatile Chauncey Golston was the Cowboys' highest-rated player on the interior, but his size is not ideal for an every-down interior lineman.
This defense is fairly well-rounded on this team, the interior line could be bolstered even after Johnathan Hankins re-signed.
Additions via the draft or remaining free agents are likely before the start of the season.
EDGE Depth Chart, Cowboys:
- Micah Parsons
- Demarcus Lawrence
- Dorance Armstrong
- Sam Williams
- Dante Fowler Jr.
- Takka McKinley
The strength of the Cowboys’ defense is the ability to create pressure on the quarterback. The Cowboys led the league in pressure rate last season while finishing third in sacks, per TruMedia.
Micah Parsons is an absolute game-wrecker and will be entering his third season.
Despite limping off the field and missing several practices last year, he created havoc for quarterbacks on a regular basis. Parsons finished the season with 13.5 sacks, 29 quarterback hits, and a 19.3% pressure rate without being completely healthy.
Currently the betting favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, Parsons will be fun to watch in his third NFL season.
The aging Demarcus Lawrence is still a force on the edge both as a pass rusher and run blocker.
Lawrence had the highest run stop win rate among all edge defenders according to ESPN and created a 13.8% pressure rate.
The 31-year-old defender has two years remaining on his contract. He is still effective when on the field, but has battled injuries throughout his career.
Dorance Armstrong was next with a 13.0% pressure rate while racking up 8.5 sacks.
Sam Williams was a pleasant surprise. Although limited to 265 snaps, the second-round rookie produced a 13.9% pressure rate and tallied four sacks. Williams will likely be called upon to play a bigger role in his second season.
Dante Fowler was also very successful after reuniting with Quinn, recording a 16.7% pressure rate and six sacks.
The Cowboys could add on the edge for an eventual replacement for Demarcus Lawrence, but this is not a need.
Off-ball Linebacker Depth Chart, Cowboys:
- Leighton Vander Esch
- Damone Clark
- Jabril Cox
- Devin Harper
- Malik Jefferson
- Devante Bond
The Cowboys retained former first-round pick Leighton Vander Esch to a reasonable deal in free agency.
Outside of Vander Esch, the Cowboys are quite inexperienced at linebacker and would have a huge hole if Vander Esch were to miss time with an injury.
Anthony Barr, who played 707 defensive snaps last year, remains unsigned. Damone Clark is a fifth-round sophomore. Jabril Cox has played 45 snaps on defense in two seasons.
Dallas needs to add more depth to the position whether via the draft or via free agency.
Cornerback Depth Chart, Cowboys:
- Trevon Diggs
- Stephon Gilmore
- Jourdan Lewis
- Nahshon Wright
- DaRon Bland
- Kelvin Joseph
- Isaac Taylor-Stuart
- C.J. Goodwin
A year after recording 11 interceptions, Trevon Diggs only had three but improved his yards per reception allowed dramatically from 18.7 to 12.1 in 2022.
The Cowboys added Stephon Gilmore, PFF’s 7th-ranked coverage corner in. He gives them a solid duo on the outside.
Gilmore has rebounded from a disastrous 2020 season riddled by injury and boosts a secondary that was decimated by injury at the end of the season.
Jourdan Lewis is entering his seventh season in the league and the final year of his contract. Lewis and DaRon Bland were the primary slot corners for the Cowboys in 2022.
Lewis outperformed Bland, allowing a reception every 10.1 coverage snaps and 0.85 yards per coverage snap compared to Bland’s 6.6 coverage snaps per reception and 1.37 yards per coverage snap.
Neither slot corner ranked in the top 30 in the league in either statistic.
The Cowboys are in the market for a slot corner to play behind Lewis and potentially replace him. Dallas has met with more than a handful of cornerbacks at the Combine, Pro Days, and top-30 visits.
Safety Depth Chart, Cowboys:
- Malik Hooker
- Donovan Wilson
- Jayron Kearse
- Israel Mukuama
- Juanyeh Thomas
- Sheldrick Redwine
- Tyler Coyle
- Markquese Bell
Dallas ranked 11th by EPA per play when opponents attempted a pass of 20 or more air yards, per TruMedia. Malik Hooker was PFF’s 21st-ranked safety, while Jayron Kearse was ranked 36th and Donovan Wilson ranked 43rd.
All three return this season for the Cowboys, who have solid depth at the safety position with the resurgence of Hooker, a former first-rounder.
Kearse is entering the final year of his contract and could move on after this season. Wilson signed a three-year deal this offseason.
The Cowboys have brought in multiple players including Marte Mapu in their top-30 visits, which signals the Cowboys could be searching for Kearse’s eventual replacement.
The Cowboys played the fourth-highest rate of Cover 2 last year according to TruMedia. Under Dan Quinn, the importance of safety play has increased.
It would not be surprising to see the Cowboys draft a safety or player Quinn can play in a hybrid role.