Category: 2023 Draft

2023 NFL Draft Order: Cowboys’ loss locks in spot, plus comp picks

A look at Dallas’ comp pick haul and the thus-far first-round order for the 2023 draft. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys’ 19-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers ends another long journey prematurely. While many observers predicted a down year for the Cowboys following their early exit in last season’s playoffs, the team was resilient and bounced back. In fact, that was their theme for the year as they avoided back-to-back losses for the first time since 1994. But disappointment finds them nonetheless as the team had an opportunity they failed to capitalize on.

Now the offseason begins, and while the club has several free agency decisions to make internally, the front office has long ago decided that won’t be their main method of talent improvement. That will come in the draft, where the club now knows they’ll be drafting No. 27 in each round.

Here’s a look at the Cowboys’ draft picks, including their projected compensatory picks, as well as the full first-round order as its known now.

2023 Mock-Draft Roundup: Cowboys sent 11 prospects across 15 mocks

A look at where draftniks see the Cowboys’ needs and who could fill them in the first round. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys still have a game to play, and hopefully a few more after that. But more than half of the NFL is on the outside looking in on the first Sunday of ball following the regular season. The first 18 picks of the NFL draft order are in, with three more teams being eliminated via Sunday’s action.

With the college football season in the rearview mirror and numerous prospects declaring or returning to school, the draft world is beginning to creep into the forefront of many fan’s minds.

We checked in on 15 different mocks and there were a total of 11 different players assigned to Dallas. The Cowboys were slotted to pick anywhere from 25 down to 31 based on the individual site’s projections of how the playoffs will go.

Of the 15 mocks, 7 think Dallas will go defensive back, 6 offensive skill position and two sites identified the same edge presence. Five of the picks had Dallas staying in the state of Texas for their selections.

Cowboys wise to focus on these draft-eligible Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday

Here’s a look at the top draft prospects out of the biggest draft factory in CFB. Wit the SEC Championship on deck, you’re running out of chances to watch. | From @TimLettiero

Georgia is once again the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, and for good reason. Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs have cakewalked the 2022 season thanks to the insane amount of talent they have on roster. Ranging from true freshmen to redshirt seniors, they have dozens of names who will eventually see playtime on Sundays, and more than likely see a lot of snaps early in their careers. The gulf between them and most other programs is both obvious on the football field on Saturdays and draft weekends in April.

Over the past three cycles, 31 Bulldogs have been selected, eight of whom went in the first round, including 2022 first overall selection Travon Walker. This recent run even surpasses stalwarts such as Alabama and Ohio State and is tied with LSU. 2023 will be no different. On Saturday, Georgia will face off against those Tigers in the SEC Championship game. Here are five draft-eligible Bulldogs to keep a keen eye on.

4 Cowboys prospects to watch in USC-Utah matchup

A look at the prospects of major interest in USC-Utah. | From @Ju_BeLegendary

As we put a bow on another fantastic college football season the last week of the regular season didn’t disappoint us as we saw a handful of top ten teams fall along with some exciting finishes to rivalry games. Now that championship weekend is upon us, we have a clearer picture as to how the teams in contention will make the College Football Playoff.

Everyone loves a good rematch, and it appears USC is one win away from punching their ticket to the College Football Playoff, the only thing standing in their way is a Utah team who defeated them 43-42 earlier in the season.

Utah is looking to ruin USC’s redemption story and repeat as PAC-12 champions, punching their own ticket to a New Year’s Six bowl. If they can, it will likely be a second straight Rose Bowl appearance.

Today we take a look at the four most impactful, draft eligible players in Friday night’s PAC-12 Championship battle between (4) USC Trojans and the (11) Utah Utes, along with why the Cowboys will be keeping a close eye on these prospects leading up to the draft.

 

6 prospects for Cowboys to watch in TCU-Texas battle

A look at the pro-ready performers in the key Lone Star battle of CFB Week 11. | From @Ju_BeLegendary

It’s shocking just how quickly Week 11 of the college football season has arrived. As the contenders for the College Football Playoff continue to separate themselves from the pack there isn’t much room for error. TCU is one of those teams that if they should lose it would eliminate any chance at competing for a national championship.

This week boasts a huge BIG 12 matchup between the undefeated Horn Frogs (9-0) and a very talented Texas (6-3) team more than capable of pulling off the upset.

TCU currently sits atop the BIG 12 with a 6-0 conference record and while it’s almost a certainty they will be in the BIG 12 title game, they have bigger aspirations than just a BIG 12 Championship.

Texas on the other hand sits in a three-way tie with Baylor and Kansas State for second place in the division with a 4-2 conference record. They are looking to win their first conference championship since 2009 and a win against TCU would go a long way to making sure they secure a spot in the title game.

There is no shortage of NFL talent on both these rosters. There is a good chance both these teams will be represented in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Today we take a look at some prospects the Cowboys scouting staff will be keeping an eye on during this game.

Cowboys scouts get look at top LSU, Alabama draft prospects under the lights

A look at the 2023 draft prospects set to play in the SEC rivalry game, along with @TimeLettiero’s HBCU spotlight game, Alabama St vs Bethune Cookman.

This is a matchup of two top-10 teams who have such a strong history, them being the two top teams is a fall from grace. SEC heavyweights Alabama and LSU square off in Week 10 of the CFB schedule on Saturday at 6 pm CT, and although they have performed well, they’ve been caught by other schools looking to build their own dynasties.

LSU has struggled to find their feet since the loss of their elite 2019 roster while Alabama, winners of six of the last 12 championship games, have looked a step behind their past selves. With other schools possessing a large uptick in talent, these two powerhouses have had to step up their game.

This does not mean either school lacks talent however. Both LSU and Alabama boast a plethora of players who will undoubtedly hear their name called in the 2023 NFL draft and beyond. Here are some players from both squads who could help the Dallas Cowboys.

Cowboys CFB Spotlight: Texas Longhorns of interest for 2023 NFL draft

A look at five draftable players from the Longhorns who could fit Dallas’ needs come the offseason. | From @TimLettiero

The Texas Longhorns are one of the first schools many think of when it comes to college football. Their rich history and storied tradition lead to a strong love and passion for the university. Over the years they have consistently produced talent for NFL rosters and even gave the Dallas Cowboys their best coach of all time, the legendary Tom Landry.

As of late, however, success has evaded them as a whole. 2010 was the last time they finished the season ranked in the top 10. The talent has always been there but they simply have struggled to string together wins and have been unable to maintain status as one of the best programs in the country. This season, they have started out 5-3 with an extremely young roster so their future is incredibly bright. Most of the talent isn’t yet draft eligible, but some are. Here are five names propelling this program and how they could fit with the Cowboys.

Cowboys CFB Watch: Oregon-UCLA gives midday glimpse of 7 top prospects on top-10 teams

A look at the 2023 draft prospects in a key Pac-12 showdown, who just might be of interest to Dallas. | From @TimLettiero

No. 9 UCLA (6-0) versus No. 10 Oregon (5-1) sees two of the best the Pac-12 has to offer this season go at it as both top-10 ranked teams vie for the top spot in the conference. In what easily could be a bowl or championship game later in the season, this matchup has a lot to offer. Kickoff time is 2:30 pm Central, so fans looking for Pac-12 After Dark glory will have to get acclimated sooner than usual.

Both schools are noted for their ability to churn out high-level prospects. The number of players who have made an impact at the next level are could make this a 30-minute read.  Dallas doesn’t currently have any former Ducks on their roster but Osa Odighizuwa and Anthony Barr rep the Bruin blue. Here’s a look at seven players across the two schools who look to have plus pro potential and should be closely watched in Saturday’s clash.

Cowboys CFB Draft Watch: Tennessee vs LSU prospects

A look at the draftable players Dallas should be focused on in one of the key SEC matchups of the day. | From @Ju_BeLegendary

As the halfway point of the college football season approaches, Power 5 teams will get into the thick of conference schedules, making for fantastic matchups that not only have huge implications on division winners but the CFB playoffs. Week 6 offers up some intriguing matchups starting with Texas A&M traveling to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama, which is sure to offer up some fireworks after the back-and-forth this summer between Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban.

With the start of conference matchups comes rivalry games and arguably the most prominent rivalry takes place when Texas and Oklahoma hook up in Dallas for the Red River Rivalry. There is also a trio of top 25 conference matchups starting with (17) TCU vs. (19) Kansas, and a PAC-12 battle between (11) Utah and (18) UCLA. However, our game to watch this week is a SEC showdown between (8) Tennessee and (25) LSU who both have some fascinating draft eligible prospects who the world should take notice of.

5 draftable TCU Frogs the Cowboys should keep an eye on

A look at five prospects from the TCU program who Dallas should consider come April. | From @TimLettiero

The TCU Horned Frogs are celebrating their 126th birthday this year and have quietly produced a ton of NFL talent. Included are two current Cowboys in OT Aviante Collins and electric return man KaVontae Turpin. Other current players in the league include DE Jerry Hughes, CB Jason Verrett, WR Jalen Reagor, S Tre’Von Moehrig and former Cowboys QB Andy Dalton.

Historically, TCU also boasts some big names in two Cowboy legends Bob Lilly and Larry Brown as well as the renowned Davey O’Brien and Sammy Baugh. The rich history doesn’t stop there as a handful of guys on their current roster will find their places in the league soon. Here are a handful the Cowboys’ scouts and fans should have their eyes on for the remainder of the season.