Dallas Cowboys draft tight end, linebacker in new two-round mock draft
The Dallas Cowboys‘ offseason moves have given them the flexibility to attack the 2023 NFL Draft without many major holes to fill for the 2023 roster.
In ESPN analyst Todd McShay’s newest two-round mock draft, the Cowboys secure the future at the tight end spot with their first-round pick after letting Dalton Schultz walk and sign with the Texans.
With their second-round pick, McShay has Dallas going for one of the best available in their pick range.
Team owner Jerry Jones recently discussed his organization’s flexibility in this year’s draft. Dallas currently has seven picks to work with later this month – one in each round.
“We’ve got ourselves in real good shape to get us some picks that can play immediately,” Jones said. “And that’s the goal here. If you get yourself in a position where you can draft some players you can put on the field, and be a position selective a little bit, you’re doing it (right). Now you never want to pass on the guy you ought to be taking, but still be position selective. And that’s, I think, where we are. I feel good that we can take any position there.”
Check out which top prospects Todd McShay predicts the Cowboys will go for in his latest two-round mock draft.
Todd McShay’s first, second-round Cowboys mock picks
Round One, Pick No. 26 – Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
The Cowboys haven’t selected a tight end in the first round of the draft in the 2000s but it’s certainly a position of need. Dalton Schultz was a powerful weapon for the Dallas offense and Mayer is a prospect almost guaranteed to replace the former Cowboy’s production.
“(Mayer) 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,” McShay writes. “At 6-foot-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.”
Round Two, Pick No. 58 – Clemson ILB Trenton Simpson
Trenton Simpson is a very legitimate option for the Cowboys at No. 58 overall. In fact, Dallas is hosting Simpson for a top-30 prospect visit this week.
One of the top ILB’s in this year’s draft, he finished his junior season with 77 tackles for Clemson. Simpson also had 4 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He opted out of Clemson’s bowl game to begin prep for the draft. Prior to last season, he posted 10 sacks over 2020 and 2021.
“Despite re-signing Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas could look to add to the linebacker corps,” McShay writes. “Simpson is a good value pick for the Cowboys here, and he brings versatility, man coverage skills and range against the run.”
More on the 2023 NFL Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event location this year is the plaza just outside of Union Station.
Round 1 of the NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft broadcast runs throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.
Following two trades that cost them two fifth-round compensatory picks (No. 161, No. 169), these are the seven draft picks left on the Cowboys board for April.
- Round 1, No. 26
- Round 2, No. 58
- Round 3, No. 90
- Round 4, No. 128
- Round 5, No. 176*
- Round 6, No. 212*
- Round 7, No. 243
*denotes compensatory pick