Cowboys Take Michael Mayer, Raiders Get CB in Mel Kiper's 2023 NFL Mock Draft 4.0

The Dallas Cowboys found their replacement for Dalton Schultz in Mel Kiper Jr.'s newest 2023 mock draft.

The ESPN draft expert projected the Cowboys to select Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer with the No. 26 pick. Mayer caught 180 passes for 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns in three seasons with the Fighting Irish.

Kiper also had the Las Vegas Raiders strengthening their secondary by adding Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon with the seventh overall pick. Witherspoon was a consensus All-American and honored as the Big Ten's top defensive back in 2022.

Considering the Cowboys haven't signed a tight end in free agency, it stands to reason they'll address the position at some point in the draft.

Mayer would be the optimal solution. Bleacher Report NFL scout Derrik Klassen compared him to another former Notre Dame standout, Tyler Eifert, and wrote how he "has prototypical size for the position and all the traits of a dominant receiving tight end."

"Mayer is a smooth, comfortable route-runner who understands how to use his physicality in subtle ways to help create separation," Klassen wrote. "He is just as effective working short quick-game routes as he is finding space down the seam or on corner/sail routes."

Availability might be an issue, though. Mayer is the No. 5 overall player on Bleacher Report's 2023 big board. Kiper is less bullish and ranked him 24th on his latest big board, down from 18th.

As with the Cowboys, the Raiders would be focusing on a clear area of need. They allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (242.9) and ranked dead last in opponent quarterback rating (98.8).

Witherspoon is the No. 8 player and the top cornerback on B/R's big board, with scout Cory Giddings drawing a comparison to two-time Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander.

"Devon Witherspoon is an active cornerback who has shown to make plays all over the field," Giddings wrote. "He is a fluid cover defender who is able to play from multiple schemes and alignments. ... He can play the man from press or off coverage. He shows to have a controlled pedal, which allows him to quickly get his feet in the ground and react to what he sees."

Plenty of Raiders fans will hold out hope Las Vegas can get one of the top quarterbacks in the class. Assuming Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis are all off the board, pivoting to defense and taking Witherspoon would be a smart call.