Cowboys' Team Needs to Fill in 2023 NFL Draft

With the early stages of NFL free agency complete, we have a better understanding of the needs teams will look to fill in next month's draft. The Dallas Cowboys haven't been particularly active on the open market, but they've targeted two major needs via trades.

Dallas acquired wideout Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans in a trade that gives it a quality third receiver next to CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. They also snagged cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the Indianapolis Colts. Gilmore will replace Anthony Brown—who is coming off a torn Achilles and remains unsigned—as a starter in the secondary.

Needs remain, though, and the Cowboys have seven draft selections with which to address them, including the 26th overall selection.

Here, we'll dive into Dallas' top needs and potential targets for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Interior Offensive Line

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Minnesota OL John Michael Schmitz

Dallas lost versatile interior lineman Connor McGovern—who started 15 games last season—when he signed with the Buffalo Bills. While the Cowboys should have their starting five in Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin and Terence Steele, it would behoove them to add some depth along the line.

Injuries have heavily impacted Dallas' offensive line in recent years.

This probably isn't a position that the Cowboys will target in the first round since their starters are established. However, a Day-2 prospect like Minnesota's John Michael Schmitz would make plenty of sense.

"Overall, Schmitz has the play strength, understanding of leverage and mental processing to be a solid starter right away in a multiple run scheme," Brandon Thorn of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote. "His grip strength and hard-nosed playing style allow him to steer, displace and finish defenders at a high level."

Dallas knows a thing or two about having to play a rookie lineman early, as Tyler Smith stepped in for an injured Tyron Smith at the beginning of last season. It would be a surprise to see the Cowboys pass on too many linemen with rookie-starter potential, even if they're being precautionary.

Other potential Day-2 targets include North Dakota State's Cody Mauch, Wisconsin's Joe Tippmann and Notre Dame's Jarrett Patterson.

Tight End

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Utah TE Dalton Kincaid

Tight end is a position Dallas could target on opening night. The Cowboys used the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard this offseason—he recently signed his tender—but they allowed tight end Dalton Schultz to depart.

Schultz, who received the tag last year, has agreed to a deal with the Houston Texans, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

The Cowboys have a fair bit of production to replace at the position, as Schultz had 57 catches, 577 yards and five touchdowns in 2022. Fortunately, this year's draft is deep with tight end talent.

Dallas may be picking too low to land Notre Dame's Michael Mayer, the top tight end on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's draft board. However, several prospects with early starter potential should be available on Day 1 and into Day 2.

These include Georgia's Darnell Washington, Utah's Dalton Kincaid, Oregon State's Luke Musgrave and Iowa's Sam LaPorta.

Barring a surprising signing or another trade, this is a position the Cowboys will likely target within the first three rounds.

Running Back

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Texas RB Bijan Robinson

Though Pollard will be back in 2023, the Cowboys should target a complementary running back early in the draft. After tagging Pollard, they decided to part ways with longtime offensive standout Ezekiel Elliott.

Pollard is an excellent back, who can run, catch and provide explosive plays. However, he's never really served as Dallas' bell cow, and keeping him in a committee role would be ideal.

If Dallas decides to trade up in Round 1, running back would be a logical position to target—more specifically, Texas' Bijan Robinson would be a player to target. Robinson is the fourth-ranked prospect on the B/R board and is arguably the best incoming back since Saquon Barkley.

"He should step in right away and be able to carry the workload for a rushing offense, as well as contribute in the passing game," Derrik Klasssen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "Robinson has the potential to be a multi-time Pro Bowler and one of the better backs in the NFL."

As is the case at tight end, the rookie running back pool is deep. If Dallas doesn't go all-in on Robinson, a prospect like Alabama's Jahmyr Gibbs, UCLA's Zach Charbonnet, Texas A&M's Devon Achane and Tulane's Tyjae Spears could immediately help fill the void in the Cowboys backfield.