Cowboys: Three questions that will define NFL Draft strategy

The 2023 NFL Draft is getting closer and closer for the Dallas Cowboys. And tonight, we'll dive into some of the questions surrounding the team that could impact their plans with the 26th overall pick. Currently, many people expect the team to draft an offensive lineman or even a tight end. But their Top 30 […]

Mauricio Rodriguez Dallas Cowboys News Writer
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The 2023 NFL Draft is getting closer and closer for the Dallas Cowboys. And tonight, we'll dive into some of the questions surrounding the team that could impact their plans with the 26th overall pick.

Currently, many people expect the team to draft an offensive lineman or even a tight end. But their Top 30 visits suggest they could also be leaning wide receiver or targeting even more defensive help. 

These are only a few questions that could shape those decisions. 

#1 What would help the running game more?

Elite running back Bijan Robinson or an offensive lineman like Steve Avila or O'Cyrus Torrence? 

As unlikely as it appears for Robinson to be available when the Cowboys are on the clock, the team should be ready to answer such a question if the Texas Longhorn falls.

When it comes to Robinson, there's no legitimate concern about him as a player. He really appears to be a great running back who's ready to go and change any offense he's added to. 

But the concerns about positional value have become so legit that several teams could pass on him. Think about it. NFL teams are going for it like never before and making more and more data-driven decisions both on and off the field.

The Cowboys, as a franchise that heavily values offensive line play, have a key decision to make. If their goal in drafting Robinson is to upgrade the offense, do they ultimately decide an offensive lineman is more beneficial?

After moving on from Ezekiel Elliott this offseason, I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case. 

#2 Is it offensive line no matter what?

While many fans pound the table in favor of the "Best Player Available" draft strategy, not every NFL team does so, even the Cowboys. Just last year, they knocked out each of their biggest team needs over the first four rounds of the Draft.

We might be underrating just how badly they need an offensive lineman here. With Terence Steele dealing with a significant knee injury, it's unclear when he'll be back in action. 

Right now, the Cowboys are expected to start Tyron Smith at right tackle. If we pencil in Tyler Smith at left tackle, that leaves question marks at LG and RT considering Tyron's injury history.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys pass on other prospects in order to add help in the trenches.

#3 What do the Cowboys want in a tight end? 

Another top need for Dallas lies at tight end. Despite impressive rookie seasons from Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot, the team lacks a legit threat at the position. Dalton Kincaid, Michael Mayer, or Darnell Washington could change that in the first round.

But if the Cowboys decide to address the position by picking a tight end, they'll have to decide what type is their type. 

Kincaid is the best receiving tight end, proving to be a vertical threat for Utah and a guy who can mess with opponents' defensive structures. Notre Dame's Mayer looks like the more balanced prospect with reliable hands and better blocking. 

And then there's Washington, out of Georgia. At 6-foot-7, he's a raw prospect that could become one of the toughest tight ends to defend in the league. But he's more of a projection considering he doesn't have the routes and the technique fully down yet. 

These are just a few questions that could define how the Cowboys approach the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

For more on the Cowboys, check out my nightly live show A to Z Sports Dallas Primetime below!

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