Cowboys Players Who Will Be Most Impacted by 2023 NFL Draft Picks
While Dallas Cowboys fans and the front office are looking forward to the 2023 NFL draft with anticipation and excitement, it's fair to say that not every player on the team is feeling the same way.
The veteran's view of the talent grab is one that's rarely considered.
While outsiders and front-office staff are only looking at the draft as a way to upgrade the team, some players will be wondering if they are going to be replaced or get some needed help.
Whether it's because their job is on the line or because they are in need of help, these names are going to be following the draft with a more vested interest than their Cowboys teammates come April 27-29.
TE Jake Ferguson
1 of 3
We're about to find out why the Cowboys felt comfortable with letting Dalton Schultz walk in free agency without a clear replacement in place. They didn't pick up anyone in free agency.
So, either the Cowboys feel Jake Ferguson is ready for the role of TE1 within their offense or they are eyeing up a talented tight end class.
Ferguson was a fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft. He had a minor role in the offense last season, playing 40 percent of the offensive snaps and catching 19 of the 22 targets thrown his way for 174 yards.
It's a modest statline but tight ends can come along a little more slowly than other positions because they have to be both a good blocker and a good receiver.
The problem for the 24-year-old is that this is an exceptionally good class at his position.
There are three tight ends in the top 32 of Bleacher Report's latest big board and five in the top 50. So, if Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid or Darnell Washington are available when Dallas gets on the clock at 26, then Ferguson could be sweating.
If the Cowboys miss out on those three and pass on Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, then it's a huge vote of confidence in the Wisconsin product.
WR Jalen Tolbert
2 of 3
Similar to Jake Ferguson, wide receiver Jalen Tolbert is going to find out what the Cowboys really think of him in this year's draft.
The 24-year-old's rookie season was a disappointment compared to expectations. He was only a third-round selection but had a prime opportunity to get involved in an offense that desperately needed help at receiver.
Instead, Tolbert was a non-factor. He played in eight games but only saw three targets with two receptions.
With James Washington out for most of the season and Michael Gallup struggling to get back to full form after his ACL tear in 2021, the South Alabama product had every opportunity to seize a role in the offense.
As a third-round pick, the Cowboys are invested enough to keep giving Tolbert chances but not so invested they can't draft direct competition. The arrival of Brandin Cooks likely gives them a No. 2 receiver.
If they take a receiver in the first three rounds, it's a sign they don't trust Tolbert to take over as the No. 3 option.
Edge Micah Parsons
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No one is taking Micah Parsons' job...obviously. But the draft could impact the star Dallas defender in two ways.
First, it could aid in transitioning the 23-year-old to a full-time edge defender. After spending more snaps at linebacker than on the line in his rookie season, he spent way more time getting after quarterbacks than playing linebacker, per Jon Machota of The Athletic.
The problem is that Parsons still played a monstrous 919 total defensive snaps.
If he's going to be an edge defender, the Cowboys should look to lighten his load so he can stay fresh all season. If they are going to insist that he continues to play linebacker as well, then they need to find even more help at defensive end.
Both issues could be addressed in the draft.
The Cowboys could utilize one of their first three picks to find a defensive tackle. It would give them an interior presence they don't currently have, which would make it more difficult for teams to focus all of their pass protection on Parsons.
They could draft a linebacker who makes them comfortable they don't have to play the Penn State product there any more. They could draft another edge defender to help them control his snap count while still boasting a good pass rush.
Either way, the Cowboys could help Parsons continue to be the anchor of the defense by giving him additional help.
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