It strikes me that a great number of Cowboys fans (and haters for that matter) are of the false impression that the team just buys up veteran players if it wants to fill holes and build up their roster. In reality nothing could be further from the truth. Jerry Jones might like to do it the old fashioned way when he just paid top dollar and created the America’s Team image, but in this millennium it has been primarily through solid scouting and drafting that stars like DAK, WITTEN, ZEKE, LAMB and many others have been added to the roster. In fact might interest you to know that since the 2018 Draft the team has added 14 starting players through their Drafts, not to mention that another 16 other Draftees were on their 2022 roster as back-ups. Of the 90 players on the current post-Draft 2023 roster, 68 have started their pro careers as Cowboys either as Draftees or Rookie Free Agents.
I am sure you get the drift here… the Cowboys scout, draft and sign most of their roster these days. Let’s plunge into their 2023 Draft effort, which I found NOT to be up to their usual standards.
Round 1, Pick 26 MAZI SMITH DT Michigan 6’3/325 PP Rank 47 Topped the Athletic’s Freak List of college players last Fall. But after watching the past two seasons I would say his play has been pretty average. He may need individual motivation to be special in the NFL. They want him primarily to plug the middle of the line-of-scrimmage which allows their LB and Edge defenders to think pass first. Given his actual college output this is one round early, at least. Where is ROD MARINELLI when you need him?
Round 2, Pick 58 LUKE SCHOONMAKER TE Michigan 6’5/250 PP Rank 85 Again a Round too soon, but he did emerge as true pro prospect last Fall for Michigan (see a pattern here?). He can and will block inline, and showed soft hands as a receiver. Combined with 2022 Rookies FERGUSON & HENDERSHOT, he should give them a solid young TE group of Big Ten alums.
Round 3, Pick 90 DeMARVIN OVERSHOWN LB Texas 6’3/230 PP Rank 146 A really good athlete who has gotten bigger and better during his Longhorn career. He made a ton tackles (96 last season) during his college career. But to make those tackles he has tendency to run to the ball no matter where his assignment says he should be. And in the NFL that lack of accountability, or understanding of the scheme, may hold him back as a pro. Once again, at least a Round too early IMO.
Round 4, Pick 129 VILIAMI FEHOKO DE/E San Jose State 6’4/265 PP Rank 222 Once again early to my eyes, but has some pass rush to his game, and will work to set the edge. Cowboys are always looking for young players to add depth to their ER group and here is this year’s model.
Round 5, Pick 169 ASIM RICHARDS OL UNC 6’4/305 PP Rank 152 First player on this list who I have ranked higher than when they took him. Added to Senior Bowl roster a bit late and showed well all week and in game action. Might be better suited for OG than OT due to marginal height of 6’4, but he does have 34″ arms. I’m not sure he’ll ever win a starting slot as a pro, but his versatility to play OT or IOL may earn him roster spot as a multiple position back-up.
Round 6, Pick 178 ERIC SCOTT CB Southern Miss 6’1/195 PP Rank NR Never got on my radar, so I never actually scouted him.
Round 6, Pick 212 DEUCE VAUGHN RB Kansas St 5’5/180 PP Rank 215 Almost dead on in agreement with this selection here. Is son of a Cowboys scouting department member. Did everything for the K-State football team. His size will limit his touches if he makes the team. He is quicker than fast, but has broken a few ankles of defenders with his fakes. 9 1/2″ hands help him as a receiver. Had just under 2, 000-yards from scrimmage last year including 42 receptions. He should have a solid shot at making their RB group.
Round 7, Pick 244 JAELN BROOKS WR South Carolina 6’1/205 PP Rank NR Not exactly sure why this player got a Combine invite and was drafted. More than a few scouts talk about his long speed, but he ran a 4.62/40 at the Combine. I know LB who go faster than that. Raw potential is mentioned but I don’t see the need to draft him. Wasted pick IMO.
I am not impressed, in the least, with this effort. If more than half of these guys make the Cowboys roster it will only be because they will pretty much make Rookie minimums to help with Salary Cap issues.
Grade: C-
Cheers
Pigskin