Cowboys insider names three first-round targets to watch
The 2023 NFL Draft is just one week away, and the Dallas Cowboys will be making their first-round selection at No. 26 overall. It remains unclear which direction that the team will go on the first night. Tight end is a position gaining steam. But, wide receiver, defensive back, offensive line, and even running back […]
The 2023 NFL Draft is just one week away, and the Dallas Cowboys will be making their first-round selection at No. 26 overall.
It remains unclear which direction that the team will go on the first night. Tight end is a position gaining steam. But, wide receiver, defensive back, offensive line, and even running back are other possibilities that Dallas could draft early.
Cowboys insider Jane Slater is plugged in, and she named three prospects that are worth keeping a close eye on. All three would have the potential to fill in and play a key role as a rookie.
Texas running back Bijan Robinson is the first name that Slater mentioned. Robinson is viewed as the best prospect at his position in the class and would fill the void left by Ezekiel Elliott immediately.
However, running backs continue to lose value. Robinson's stock is difficult to pin down given to how teams view the position. That said, it seems like the Cowboys would have a hard time passing on the Longhorns star if he is still on the board.
Next up, Slater brought up Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer. Mayer was arguably the best tight end in college football while with the Fighting Irish. His stock has been as high as top-15 in some mock drafts, while others have him going late in the round.
Mayer would step right in and replace Dalton Schultz at tight end. Dallas does have Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot on the roster, but the Cowboys have done their homework on tight ends in this class. In fact, The Athletic and ESPN both have Mayer being the pick at No. 26.
Finally, Slater points out Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright. Wright had a breakout season at right tackle last fall. There's some thought that he could be an even better guard. Either way, Wright is considered one of the best in the trenches.
Such a pick would have the Cowboys leaning on a successful strategy in the first-round – bolstering the offensive line. Which is far from the worst idea, especially with the injuries the team had up front last season.
These three names are worth paying close attention to over the next week. There's a good chance that the Dallas Cowboys come away with one of them in the first-round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
