Dallas Cowboys Complete 7-Round Mock Draft 2023: Bullies and playmakers

Dallas Cowboys Round 5, Pick 161 – Marte Mapu – LB Sacramento State

Height: 6 – 2 | Weight: 217

Trade w/ Texans.

The Texans received: Pick 141 and 244

Dallas received: Pick 161, 188 and 201

Marte Mapu has great athleticism, with a long and lanky body, and is not only able to play the run but also adept at defending against passes.

He is exceptionally talented in terms of the passing game, he can recognize the complexity of passing route concepts and he always shows a great deal of discipline when he is in coverage.

His physique may not be suitable for a more traditional thumping linebacker role, however his extraordinary versatility and talent make him an invaluable asset to any defensive scheme. He has the talent and proficiency to take on either the role of a modern day weak side linebacker or a “big” safety.

Everyone is aware of the fact that Dallas has a penchant for deploying larger safeties on their team. Mapu is listed at 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed approximately 220 pounds.

Dallas Cowboys Round 6, Pick 188 – Calvin Avery – NT Illinois

Height: 6 – 1 | Weight: 345 |

Calvin Avery is perfectly suited to the role of nose tackle in terms of size and strength. He has great flashes of linear burst and power on the attack. A true bully.

His pro day measurements included 6-foot-1 and 345 pounds, with an 82″ wingspan and 31 reps in the bench press.

During the 2022 season, Avery saw action in all 13 games with 12 starts at nose tackle. He had a total of 24 tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss, one pass breakup, two QB hurries, and one forced fumble throughout the season.

Last season, Avery caused difficulty for the two leading centers in the 2023 NFL draft, Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz and Wisconsin’s Joe Tippmann

Dallas Cowboys Round 6, Pick 201 – Brayden Willis – Tight End Oklahoma

Height: 6 – 3 | Weight: 241 |

Brayden Willis, a tight end prospect, is an alpha male. His approach to the dirty work is something that coaches truly appreciate.

He takes great pride in blocking and playing the game with a physical edge, both as a receiver and a ball carrier. He has strong appeal as a move tight end. He will put forth incredible effort each second of every play.

He was a five year senior, commended by his coaches as a “program guy” who is a vocal leader that will make sure his teammates are held responsible. He was well-versed in special teams (845 career snaps) and was a go-to for kick returns and punt coverages (one blocked punt in his career).

Last season, Willis had a career-high 39 receptions for 514 yards and the most touchdowns on the team with seven. He made 10 carries with the football for a total of 26 yards and threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Major, the running back.

Heck of a football player.