After a successful free agency, what are the Dallas Cowboys’ needs in the 2023 NFL Draft?

After their most active, aggressive and successful free agency period in more than a decade, the Dallas Cowboys are heading into the 2023 NFL Draft with the peace of mind of not having to force a need, especially with the 26th pick in the first round.

The Cowboys did the heavy lifting in March by filling their holes via trades and signings in free agency.

The Cowboys acquired two starters in trades: cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the Indianapolis Colts and receiver Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans.

They re-signed linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, safety Donovan Wilson and nose tackle Johnathan Hankings in free agency and they placed the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard to keep him off the market.

They Cowboy got 8-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith to take a pay cut and move permanently to right tackle. Tthey signed offensive lineman Chuma Edoga in free agency to potentially be an option at right guard following the loss of Connor McGovern to the Buffalo Bills. They signed running back Ronald Jones to give them a veteran option behind Pollard following the decision to release two-time NFL running champion Ezekiel Elliott.

As a result, the Cowboys don’t have to force a position in the draft but they do have some areas that could use reinforcements.

The Cowboys have a pick in each of the seven rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, set from April 27-29.

Here is a look at some areas of need:

Right guard

The Cowboys covered themselves at left guard by signing Chuma Edoga, who has experience playing the position. But he has just 13 career starts in four seasons and missed most of last season with an injury. The team will give right tackle Terence Steele at look at guard in the offseason. This is a position that is ripe for the right rookie to walk in and start.

Notable draft options: TCU’s Stephen Avila, Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence, UCLA’s Atonio Mafi and Hawaii’s Ilm Manning

Running back

The Cowboys plan to elevate Tony Pollard to the No. 1 role but he needs a running mate. He will see more touches but there is a threshold to his workload, and he is coming off a fractured ankle that will have him out until training camp. Veteran Ronald Jones was signed to a one-year deal as insurance. But vice president Stephen Jones acknowledged the team wanted a bigger back, similar to the departed Ezekiel Elliott, to complement Pollard. Texas’ Bijan Robinson makes the most sense if he falls.

Notable draft options: Texas’ Bijan Robinson, Texas’ Roschon Johnson, TCU’s Kendre Miller, Ole Miss’ Zach Evans, Tulane’s Tyjae Spears and Texas Tech’s SaRodorick Thompson

Tight end

The Cowboys let Dalton Schultz walk in free agency after three productive seasons as quarterback Dak Prescott’s most reliable target, partly because of the emergence of 2022 rookies Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot and because of the depth of talent at the position in the draft. The Cowboys like Ferguson and Hendershot but they could use another body at the position and could take one anywhere between the first and fourth rounds.

Notable draft options: Utah’s Dalton Kincaid, Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, Georgia’s Darnell Washington, Alabama’s Cameron Latu and Oklahoma’s Brayden Willis

Defensive tackle

The Cowboys have bodies at defense tackle but they lack a differencemaker in the middle as a run stopper or pass rusher. Jonathan Hankins is a stopgap option at nose tackle on a one-year deal. Neville Gallimore is in the final year of his rookie contract and has yet to make an impact. Osa Odighizuwa has been solid. This is a position that needs depth as well as some upgrades if the Cowboys want to truly be an elite defense. The Cowboys would not be disappointed if character concerns allow Georgia standout Jalen Carter to fall into their lap at 26.

Notable draft options: Georgia’s Jalen Carter, Iowa State’s MJ Anderson, Florida’s Gervon Dexter, Oklahoma State’s Tyler Lacy, LSU’s Jaquelin Roy and Alabama’s Byron Young.

Linebacker

The Cowboys brought back Leighton Vander Esch on a two-year deal. He was second on the team in tackles last season despite missing three games with an injury. Injuries remain a concern with Vander Esch. Damone Clark showed a lot of promise as a rookie and should take a big jump in Year Two with the benefit of a full offseason. Of course, Micah Parsons remains part of the conversation at linebacker, but he is the team’s best pass rusher and will continue to line up at edge. The Cowboys need bodies at the position for depth and special teams. Jabril Clark has been a disappointment so far.

Notable draft options: Arkansas’ Drew Sanders, Texas’ DeMarvion Overshawn, TCU’s Dee Winters and Clemson’s Trenton Simpson

Receiver

The Cowboys added Brandin Cooks in a trade from the Texans and seem set at the top of the depth chart with Cooks, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. But the Cowboys don’t have a proven fourth option on the roster and they seem intent on adding to the position based their pre-draft visit list. Four of the top five receivers in the draft have come to the team’s headquarters for personal interviews and inspections.

Notable Draft Options: Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, TCU’s Quentin Johnston, Boston College’s Zay Flowers, Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt, North Carolina’s Josh Downs, Ole Miss’s Jonathan Mingo and SMU’s Rashee Rice

Quarterback

The Cowboys have openly discussed taking a quarterback in the 2023 draft. They are not looking to replace starter Dak Prescott, who is going to be here for years and has a contract extension on the horizon. The Cowboys want a developmental option to potentially groom as a backup to Prescott. Cooper Rush is back as the incumbent understudy but the Cowboys want a young guy in the room. Look for them to target a quarterback in the final three rounds.

Notable Draft Options: TCU’s Max Duggan, Houston’s Clayton Tune and Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell.