Dallas Cowboys mock draft: 7 rounds with a balanced approach

When the Dallas Cowboys are on the clock it’s assumed that they are going to go after some of the top offensive talent available in order to get more balance on that side of the football. But after the success of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn the front office may defer to adding a defensive player based on the success Quinn has had finding players since joining the team.

Whichever way the Cowboys go there’s one thing we can always expect from a Cowboys draft, a balanced approach, players with position flexibility, taking a risk on a player with injury or off-the-field concerns, and movement whether it be up to get a player they really want or down to stockpile draft picks.

The Cowboys’ front office feels like they aren’t that far off from having a championship roster so this is going to be a very important draft in terms of the makeup of this team’s roster going into the future and the head coach Mike McCarthy. So let’s see how they could make out in this mock draft.

Cowboys 7- Round Mock Completed using “The Beast” draft guide by Dane Brugler and Fanspeak’s mock draft simulator.

With the No. 26th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select:

Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas

Height: 5’11  Weight: 215lbs

Career Stats:  3,410 rushing yards, 6.3 yards per carry, 60 receptions, 805 receiving yards, 41 combined touchdowns

The reality of Robinson falling to the Cowboys at 26 is a bit of a stretch but stranger things have happened in the NFL Draft in years past. If he does end up falling it could be due to the fact that teams don’t believe a running back is worth a first-round pick and that wouldn’t bother me at all. Their restraint helps the Cowboys get one of if not the best players in this draft class and a weapon with the ability to affect the potency of the offense much like former first-round pick Ezekiel Elliott was able to almost immediately.

A dynamic weapon like Robinson being infused into this offense helps both the running game and passing game thanks to his ability to be very effective at both. His presence on the field would also take a ton of pressure off quarterback Dak Prescott giving him another running back that will force teams to once again honor the Cowboys’ rushing attack. Can you just imagine the pairing of Robinson and Tony Pollard also? Wow…

Dane Brugler Breakdown:

"Overall, Robinson is the complete package as both a runner and receiver with vision, instincts and elusive traits that will translate well to the NFL. He is one of the most talented players in the draft class."

NFL Player Comparison: Jonathan Taylor

*Trade Alert* – The Cowboys have sent the 58th pick to the Bengals and received the Bengals 60th and 163rd pick (Fifth Round)

With the No. 60th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select:

Cedric Tillman, Wide Receiver, Tennessee

Height: 6’3  Weight: 215lbs

Career Stats:  109 receptions, 1,622 receiving yards, 14.9 yards per reception, 17 touchdowns

The talk when it comes to the receivers out of Tennessee seems to be all about Jalin Hyatt who is a speed demon on the football field. But Tillman deserves some respect as well, where Hyatt has the speed, Tillman has the desired height and weight teams love out of receivers. He also has enough long speed to separate from defenders and make plays on intermediate and deep routes at the NFL level.

The Cowboys worked out both receivers and I have a feeling that while many think it was to get a good look at Hyatt, they were really there to look at Tillman in an effort to get a better read on what he can and cannot do. From that workout and them taking him in the second round here, he did enough to make himself worthy of the pick in their eyes.

Dane Brugler Breakdown:

"Overall, Tillman might be limited to a linear route tree, but he is a big target with the acceleration, play strength and ball skills to exploit perimeter matchups. He has NFL starting traits as an X and should develop into a solid No. 2/3."

NFL Player Comparison:  Zach Pascal

*Trade Alert* – The Cowboys have sent the 58th pick to the Browns and received the Browns 98th and 126th pick (Fourth Round)

With the No. 98th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select:

Cory Trice, Cornerback, Purdue

Height: 6’3  Weight: 206lbs

Career Stats:  105 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 20 passes defended, 5 interceptions

The Cowboys love finding defensive players with position flexibility and Trice would give them that at a position of need now and in the future. Trice was recruited from college as a safety and transitioned to cornerback after redshirting in his first year. Trice brings the height and length that defensive coordinator Dan Quinn loves in defensive backs, he also has enough speed to keep up with receivers and make plays on the football.

On obvious passing downs, Trice thanks to his size can be moved onto tight ends and would be able to gain the upper hand thanks to his speed. That type of versatility is tough to find but the Cowboys somehow are always able to find players that can, and they do once again with Trice.

Dane Brugler Breakdown:

"Overall, Trice might never be a high-level technician, but he has exceptional size, speed and change-of-direction skills to be a disruptive cover man both early and late in the rep. He offers position versatility with starting potential in press-man or Cover 3 schemes."

NFL Player Comparison: Patrick Surtain

With the No. 126th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select:

Byron Young, Defensive End, Tennessee

Height: 6’2  Weight: 250lbs

Career Stats: 83 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 interception

The Cowboys have always had an affinity for players on the defensive line that go all out in an effort to make a play and Young is another player they could covet for that fact. He had the ideal size you’re looking for in a pass rusher and though he might be a bit shorter than most it isn’t a detriment to his game. It allows him to bend lower and get under and around offensive tackles much better.

Youngs’ motor and skill set would be a welcome addition to a group of pass rushers whose sole purpose is to set the edge and hit people.

Dane Brugler Breakdown:

"Overall, Young can be engulfed in the run game, and his rush stalls too quickly at contact, but his energy and pass-rush flashes lead to backfield plays. Though he has limitations in the run game, he has the potential to make a living as a glorified sub-rusher in the NFL."

NFL Player Comparison:  Shaka Toney

With the No. 129th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select:

Zack Kuntz, Tight End, Old Dominion

Height: 6’7  Weight: 255lbs

Career Stats:  88 receptions, 862 receiving yards, 9.8 yards per reception, 5 touchdowns

One area of the field that has been an issue for this Cowboys offense has been in the red zone and they needed to find a way to fix that issue. That’s where Kuntz comes in. At 6’7″, Kuntz’s size advantage is quite apparent and is something that Prescott will be able to use in the red zone to put points on the board. But his height isn’t the only problem for opposing defenses with Kuntz, he’s very fast for a man his size running a 4.5 at the combine.

Combine that and you have the makings of an offensive weapon that could be very tough to stop at any area of the football field. A welcome addition to this revamped Cowboys offense.

Dane Brugler Breakdown:

"Overall, Kuntz is unrefined as a route runner, blocker and pass catcher in traffic, but he has rare size/speed tools waiting to be cultivated. He is a developmental No. 3 tight end."

NFL Player Comparison: Logan Thomas

*Trade Alert* – The Cowboys have sent the 163rd and 244th picks to the Cardinals and received the Cardinals 168th and 213th pick (Sixth Round)

With the No. 168th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select:

Jon Gaines II, Guard/Center, UCLA

Height: 6’4  Weight: 303 lbs

Career Starts:  25 right guard, 3 center, 1 left guard, 1 right tackle

Yet another player with the ability to play multiple positions for the Cowboys, this time along the offensive line with Gaines II. He’s spent time at every position except for left tackle during his time at UCLA and the running game thrived no matter where he lined up for the Bruins. Drafting Gaines II is important for two reasons. First, you get a guard that came come in and competes for the starting left guard job, and secondly, you get a player that can take over at center if Tyler Biadasz goes down with an injury like last season or eventually leaves in free agency.

This move for the Cowboys effectively gives them cover now and in the future along the offensive line. A smart move for a team that knows just how important it is to have all your bases covered in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Dane Brugler Breakdown:

"Overall, Gaines’ inconsistent technique is a gateway to strength and balance breakdowns midrep, but his length, foot quickness and mental capacity give him intriguing upside. His position-versatile experience should help him find an NFL home as an interior backup."

NFL Player Comparison: Connor McGovern

With the No. 169th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select:

Jerrod Clark, Defensive Tackle, Coastal Carolina

Height: 6’3  Weight: 334lbs

Career Stats:  105 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 3 passes defended

It’s taken the Cowboys a while to understand that having defensive tackles that weigh over 310 pounds is a good thing. When Johnathan Hankins arrived there was a noticeable improvement in their run defense and the Cowboys are looking to build on that success. Clark is a big-bodied defensive tackle that many would call a space-eater and he can do just that for Dallas.

Adding Clark and pairing him with Hankins on early downs would give the Cowboys two big physical defensive tackles with the ability to hold at the point of attack and take on two defenders allowing linebackers to stay clean and make plays on the football with more regularity.

Dane Brugler Breakdown:

"Clark relies more on his raw strength than technical skill to win trench battles, but his package of size, length and foot quickness is worthy project for an NFL defensive line coach. He has the tools to become a rotational NFL nose tackle."

NFL Player Comparison: Johnathan Hankins

With the No. 212th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select:

Max Duggan, Quarterback, TCU

Height: 6’1  Weight: 207lbs

Career Stats: 9,618 passing yards, 60.3% completion percentage, 73 touchdowns, 28 interceptions, 1,856 rushing yards, 28 rushing touchdowns

We know the Cowboys are on the hunt for a quarterback, not to replace Dak Prescott but to develop behind him with the possibility of him coming in and running the offense if Prescott got hurt again. Duggan has been linked to the Cowboys for some time now and for good reason. They’ve been able to follow his success with him already being in the state and you’d think more teams would be interested in a quarterback that was in the national title game too. He’s a dual-threat quarterback with a similar skill set to Prescott and with some coaching under McCarthy, he could be a very good backup and possibly a future starter for Dallas.

Don’t be surprised if the Cowboys take Duggan a bit earlier if there is a second run on quarterbacks on Day 3.

Dane Brugler Breakdown:

"Overall, Duggan’s pocket skills and downfield passing lack the necessary refinement for the NFL game, but he is a courageous competitor with dual-threat talent and calm confidence. He is an intriguing project for a patient NFL coaching staff."

NFL Player Comparison: Taylor Heinicke

With the No. 213th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select:

Jeremy Banks, Linebacker, Tennessee

Height: 6’1  Weight: 220lbs

Career Stats:  219 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 8 passes defended, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble

The Cowboys need a new special teams ace and backup at the linebacker position and Banks has the ability to check both boxes. He’s a downhill linebacker that can make plays mainly in the running game but is a work in progress in the passing game. The Cowboys have a few linebackers on the roster that is able to fill in that gap so that shouldn’t be an issue.

Banks in this situation will be seen as a replacement for Luke Gifford who left in free agency and was a great special teams player for Dallas. Adding Banks would fill the void left by Gifford’s departure.

Dane Brugler Breakdown:

"Overall, Banks leaves too much production on the field, and the character interviews will be crucial to his draft grade, but he maneuvers well in the front seven to be a downhill force player. His tools should translate well to special teams."

NFL Player Comparison:  Tahir Whitehead