The 2023 NFL Draft is quickly approaching for the Dallas Cowboys and every other NFL team, which means mock drafts are heating up.

More specifically, insiders like ESPN's Todd McShay start shaking up their simulations because of one very important thing: information.

Remember, mock drafts from those in the know are all about what they're hearing and not what they're seeing in the prospects. The latter is reserved for the "Big Boards."

At worst, these mocks provide a relative idea of where a team might be leaning in several scenarios. Let's dive into the two players McShay mocked to the Jaguars in his latest mock draft.

Pick #26: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

Whispers about the Cowboys drafting a tight end in the first round of this year's draft aren't new. Earlier in the offseason, McShay, Mel Kiper, and more insiders had Dallas taking Dalton Kincaid, out of Utah. 

At the time, it felt particularly relevant because it happened right after the Combine. Or as you might also know it, the league's yearly who's who in Indianapolis. 

Well, those whispers keep getting louder even weeks removed from the Draft.

In this scenario though, the Cowboys get the best-rounded-out tight end of the class in Mayer. The Fighting Irish product is considered one of the best blocking tight ends prospects of the year.

Below is McShay's breakdown of the pick:

Dalton Schultz out, Mayer in. The latter is the most complete tight end in this draft class and could be a plug-and-play starter as Dak Prescott's new security blanket. At 6-5 and 249 pounds, Mayer is a legit blocker who would provide Tony Pollard with more running lanes. And while he's not much of a vertical threat, his excellent ball skills would open up the offense at the intermediate level. Mayer posted back-to-back seasons with at least 800 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, and he's a bulldozer after the catch.

Even if Mayer isn't recognized as a deep threat tight end, A to Z Sports' draft analyst Tyler Browning believes he's very reliable in contested catches situations:

"(Mayer) has a great frame and can extend his hands away from it and make tough catches. Reliable middle-of-the-field threat. Can use his frame to create the ideal window to catch a pass. Fights through contact exceptionally well."

Every Cowboys fan would likely feel much better about the offense with Mayer in it as it'd provide a new safe target for Dak Prescott. However, it's intriguing that many well-known prospects were left on the board on this one. 

Notable passed-on names:

• OL Steve Avila, TCU
• WR Jordan Addison, USC
• DT Mazi Smith, Michigan
• OL O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida
• DT Bryan Breese, Clemson
• DB Brian Branch, Alabama

Pick #58: ILB Trenton Simpson, Clemson

Simpson has "FOR DAN QUINN ONLY" written all over him as a prospect. He's a versatile defender who looks like a safety. He could fit the mold of Quinn's hybrid defenders.

Here's McShay's breakdown:

Despite re-signing Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas could look to add to the linebacker corps. Simpson is a good value pick for the Cowboys here, and he brings versatility, man coverage skills and range against the run.

"Simpson pound for pound is one of the best athletes in this draft. He is rangy and can get sideline to sideline with ease," writes Browning. "He shows promise in coverage but his technique needs refinement."

You can read Todd McShay's full mock draft here.