The 2023 NFL Draft is three months away for the Dallas Cowboys.
Leading up to the draft is a time I call lying season. NFL teams like the Dallas Cowboys will not reveal who they want and people will spread false information. I believe nothing I read or hear.
I don’t like the NFL combine and refer to it as the summer Olympics. The game tape of college prospects is more important for me.
I couldn’t care less how fast you run, how high you jump or how well you do on the 3-cone drill. Some people are fans of this. I am not one of those people. Show me the game tape.
I am going to spot light potential draft targets for the Dallas Cowboys. I have hundreds of hours of game tape that I need to look at. There are plenty prospects I still have had a opportunity to study.
Still, mock drafts seem to be the rage these days.
Why not have some fun and do a 7-round mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys using Pro Football Network’s draft simulator.
We can check out some of the draft prospects who may be available for the Dallas Cowboys in this year’s draft. Since the Dallas Cowboys have only six official picks at this point, I made some deals to acquire more to address needs, insert youth, and provide competition.
I may change my mind three months from now. These targets aren’t set in stone.
As I continue to compile more data, things will change, players will rise and fall.
Let’s have some fun.
Dallas Cowboys Round 2, Pick 34 – Anton Harrison – OT Oklahoma
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315 |
Trade w/ Arizona.
The Cardinals received: Pick 26 and 163
Dallas received: Pick 34 and 66
Harrison is an explosive athlete. He moves easy in space and can cover a lot of ground when attacking defenders. Heavy hands, strong and nimble.
Oklahoma LT 71 Anton Harrison declared for the 2023 NFL Draft today. An example of him looking clean in pass protection. pic.twitter.com/LMtsm2ooEl
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) December 1, 2022
Run blocking is not his strength, but he worked on getting stronger this summer. In a pass-driven league. Pass blocking tackles are a premium in the NFL.
The Cowboys lack a young promising tackle outside of Tyler Smith. Josh Ball is better suited playing right tackle
Harrison can play the right side if Terence Steele is not ready coming off his season ending injury. If Steel isn’t ready for training camp.
I would love to move Harrison to LT and move Tyler Smith inside to LG and let them abuse people’s kids on Sunday for the next 10 years.

Dallas Cowboys Round 3, Pick 66 – Mazi Smith – DT/NT Michigan
Dallas Cowboys Round 3, Pick 66 – Mazi Smith – DT/NT Michigan
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 337
If you didn’t see the impact big Johnathan Hankins had on the defense. Get your eyes checked.
I am fine with resigning Hankins to a 2-year deal. But I am going to pair him with a young alpha space eater inside. One that he can mentor, too.
Dallas would be well advised to add a young nose tackle who can handle double teams. Cue the draft card.
Impressive push-pull from Mazi Smith (Michigan IDL 58). pic.twitter.com/oTfOBezNLr
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) January 11, 2023
At 6’3″, 337 pounds, Mazi Smith is a physical freak and violent bully inside who is highly disruptive. He has a naturally well-built frame he uses to shrug off chip blocks and absorb double-teams.
I have seen him forklift offensive lineman with no effort. Adding Smith will up Osawaru Odighizuwa to deal with one-on-one blocking.
Dallas Cowboys Round 3, Pick 67 – Eli Ricks – CB Alabama
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
Trade w/ Denver
The Broncos received: Pick 58
Dallas received: Pick 67 and 108
The Cowboys have a serious void at cornerback. Kelvin Joseph Jr has proven he’s better as a special team’s ace than cornerback. You hope to get more than that from your 2nd round pi’s not an exact science.
Nahshon Wright has physical limitations and still needs further development. I am not waiting for the light to turn on for either player.
Ricks is a high-wired cornerback with a competitive streak. He plays with an edge.
There’s a ton of value in big, physical cornerbacks in the NFL right now. Eli Ricks was sticky in coverage all game against Mississippi State. pic.twitter.com/ZrI84msHlV
— Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) October 23, 2022
Capable of playing man or zone coverage. He loves to be physical with receivers. Very sticky in coverage. He will challenge a receiver all game.
Possesses the traits you want from your cornerback. Outstanding ball skills, confident, instincts and high football IQ.
Some people question his vertical speed. I don’t. With more development and proper NFL coaching, he will iron out the rough edges in his game.

Dallas Cowboys Round 3, Pick 90 – Tank Bigsby – RB Auburn (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys Round 3, Pick 90 – Tank Bigsby – RB Auburn
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 214
Tank Bigsby is an exciting blend of vision, speed, power and inventive running instincts. He plays with a physicality in his game that is fun to watch.
You’re too low on Tank Bigsby 🎥
— Tyler_FF (@Tyler_FF_) January 16, 2023
This is a different level of grown man strength to stiff arm someone to the ground and then proceed to step over him as 3 of his teammates are trying to tackle you… but you still drag them 4 more yards with you. pic.twitter.com/2LlW1gYnDR
The Auburn product has excellent processing speed, and can rapidly feel cutback lanes and run to them instinctively. A patient runner with fast feet that can evade big hits, explode to the second level in a hurry.
Tank Bigsby. First play back from delay 🫡💯 pic.twitter.com/5vnOy8kDWB
— Jacob Snyder (@ImJacobSnyder) September 4, 2022
Tank Bigsby is a complete back and he would be a day 1 starter in Dallas.
Dallas Cowboys Round 4, Pick 108 – Zach Harrison – EDGE Ohio StateHeight: 6-6 | Weight: 271
Tank Lawrence is not getting any younger. Plus, while I love deploying Micah Parsons as an edge rusher. I want to get him back into his role as a unicorn. Save him from some physical wear and tear.
Dorance Armstrong proved to be good value, but he tapered off late in the season. Dante Fowler is a free agent. I will let him test the market.
Harrison is exactly the versatile defensive lineman that the Dallas Cowboys covet. He possesses size, with a long, brawny frame, and an elite wingspan.
ZACH HARRISON WITH THE STRIP AND HASKELL GARRETT WITH THE SCORE WOOOOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/71cAc2tpfL
— Barstool Ohio State (@BarstoolOSU) September 3, 2021
Elite raw power is his game, but he can cover a lot of ground with his first step. I have seen him jolt tackles with his long arms and bull rushes. He is strong point at the attack run defender.
He flashes some pass rush ability, but he needs to more tools in his kit. I believe he can be a fine rotation player if he puts it all together.

Dallas Cowboys Round 4, Pick 108 – Ainias Smith – WR Texas A&M (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys Round 4, Pick 108 – Ainias Smith – WR Texas A&M
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 190
Every year you can shake a tree and find receivers. I am looking to add weapons that will not only help Dak Prescott but compliment our resident number one wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb.
It is time to add some juice outside of Lamb and Tony Pollard (who I expect Dallas to resign).
Ainias Smith was an electric multifaceted weapon at Texas A&M and I see no reason why he won’t be in the NFL.
Ainias Smith: electric ⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/vfJLWU4igV
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 3, 2021
He has elite speed and explosiveness in space. He can cover a lot of ground with each cut he makes. A true play-maker and coverage magnet.
Smith has a similar skill set as Tony Pollard. A dynamic play-maker and game changer.
Dallas Cowboys Round 5, Pick 170–DJ Turner–CB Michigan
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
Tucker is a true boundary corner with steady sticky coverage skills. He can easily turn outside without losing speed and run with receivers.
DJ Turner with the self tip drill interception 😲 pic.twitter.com/hfL12l32q6
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) October 23, 2021
He doesn’t have elite size, but he’s not afraid to be physical. He has a knack for being around the football all of the time.

Dallas Cowboys Round 6, Pick 191 – Joe Tippmann – OC Wisconsin
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 312
Trade w/ NYG
The Giants received: Pick 176 and 2024 DAL 7th
Dallas Received: Pick 191, Pick 208, Pick 242
Joe Tippman is a versatile interior lineman with starting potential. Classic Wisconsin offensive lineman with his size and raw strength.
Sooo this @BadgerFootball C Joe Tippman is 6’5 315lb, pulls a ton andddd he’s insanely strong?!
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) December 15, 2022
Alright alright…. pic.twitter.com/6DP9a9Wscu
I want to cover myself at center but I want to create competition at the position, too. Tippman can flex over to either guard spot, too. He has to work on his balance while playing. He moves well while creating holes in the running game.
Dallas Cowboys Round 6, Pick 208 – Aidan O’Connell – QB Purdue
This is the Ron Wolf way.
Wolf has been recognized as one of the finest personnel men in pro football. His most notable stamp on modern scouting is his view on quarterbacks.
"“While there’s only room for one starter, you can never acquire too many.”–Ron Wolf"
In Wolf’s world, it is worthwhile to draft a QB every year, no matter the current roster situation. I agree with this whole heartily. Aidan O’Connell is worth a flier for me.
Aidan O’Connell is an accurate passer with smarts and good enough arm strength to invest in as a developmental QB. He may rise higher with a strong senior bowl showing.

Dallas Cowboys Round 6, Pick 213 -Dorian Williams- LB Tulane
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 230
Williams is a rangy linebacker with 4.5 speed, muscular frame, long arms and gigantic hands. He can provide depth at linebacker and special teams.
Tonight was my first viewing of #Tulane LB Dorian Williams and he impressed me big time. Shows natural instincts attacking the line of scrimmage, play recognition and displays some closing speed.
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) October 8, 2021
Recognized a screen, made the play, then scrapped to make tackles in run game. pic.twitter.com/6f5fR1bJ6a
In four seasons at Tulane, he has played over 700 reps on special teams. He doesn’t display the most natural instincts but when he sees a play, he can fly to get in the action.
If he can get stronger, it is possible. He develops into a starter later down the road.
High character kid and respected leader in the locker room.
Dallas Cowboys Round 7, Pick 242 – Elijah Higgins – WR Stanford
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235
Dallas has been missing a bully receiver since they parted ways with Dez Bryant.
Higgins is a bully. He is a huge wideout measuring 6’3″ and tips the scales at 235 pounds. He is football fast with a 40 time of 4.55.
A natural receiver possessing excellent hands. Snatching balls outside his body.
He will big boy CBs and runs through traffic with the ball in his hands. Has some nuance in his route running, but he can still add more his tree.
A RedZone threat with an extensive catch radius.
Dallas Cowboys Round 7, Pick 246 – Kemari Averett – TE Bethune Cookman
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 260
A player with rare size, length, soft hands, and leaping ability. Those traits are enticing enough to take a chance on this late in the draft.
Another potential RedZone threat who can be a matchup problem at the next level.
A high-risk low reward draft pick with major upside.

