Cowboys 2023 draft the antithesis of legendary 2020 version

At first glance the Cowboys 2023 draft looks completely different from their highly regarded draft class of 2020. At first glance… | From @ReidDHanson

The Cowboys 2020 draft was a thing of beauty. At a time when a global pandemic caused the earth to seemingly stand still, sports fans needed a pick-me-up like the NFL draft. Dallas fans got that and more when the Cowboys picked banger after banger in one of their most feel-good drafts in recent memory.

From the first pick to the last, Dallas adapted and reacted to the landscape, getting extreme value throughout and becoming the darlings of the NFL in the process. That was decidedly not the case in 2023.

As many will remember, the club had their sights set on LSU defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson with their pick at 17. But after CeeDee Lamb (a player who was widely considered WR1) fell into their laps, their plans went out the window and they pounced on opportunity.

They continued their opportunistic ways throughout the draft, snagging highly regarded players like Trevon Diggs, Neville Gallimore, Reggie Robinson and Bradlee Anae along the way. They even traded to pick up Tyler Biadasz on Day 3.

At the end of the day, fans and the Cowboys scouting department rejoiced,  even if there were some reported grumblings from coaches. It was one of the most talented draft classes in years, maximizing value at nearly every corner and filling needs along the way.