Happy Friday, Cowboys Nation. With the NFL draft now behind us, I have had a few weeks to look into each player and try to give my best guess as to where to rank them.
Everyone will have their own thoughts and opinions, but as we sit a couple of weeks away from June, let’s look at who I have at the top and the bottom.
I did leave off a few players — you’ll see why as you go.
I am clearly not inside the Cowboys camp; this is just based on what they did in college and what the Cowboys need going into 2023.
Mazi Smith
Mazi Smith, the Cowboys’ first-round pick, is No. 1.
Smith helps address the Cowboys’ primary need immediately.
We may see him limited until he learns better pass-rushing abilities because, at this level, you have to have at least a few, even as a defensive tackle.
Still, he becomes a bigger key earlier than others.
Cowboys rookie DT Mazi Smith: “A lot of people talk about my pass rush in college, but I never had a pass-rush plan, so we’re gonna get a plan and see what I can do. I was a run-stopper. If we were going to win the game, I was gonna have to stop the run. And that’s what I focused…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 12, 2023
Standing at 6’3 323 lbs., Smith is exactly what this team needs to help slow down the run.
The team re-signed Johnathan Hankins, so now they have a real shot at containing the run — much better than the last few years.
With the INSTANT impact that Mazi Smith should make for this team, he sits atop my rookie rankings from the 2023 NFL Draft.
This very well could change once the season starts, but he holds the top spot right now.
Deuce Vaughn
I have gone back and forth with the second spot.
Deuce Vaughn was electric at Kansas State. Yes, he is small, but 1,936 yards from scrimmage with 12 touchdowns last season is no joke!
The Cowboys let Ezekiel Elliott go, signed Ronald Jones, and still have Malik Davis and Rico Dowdle.
The backup running back spot behind Tony Pollard is WIDE open.
Vaughn clearly lacks being able to pass block, etc., but he has shown he can run and catch the football at a high level.
The @dallascowboys’ newest RB: Deuce Vaughn!
📺: 2023 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/D3EqkrKLy4 pic.twitter.com/54eo3Do31F— NFL (@NFL) April 29, 2023
With the No. 2 spot behind Pollard still in question, that is why I have Vaughn in the spot I do on the list.
Luke Schoonmaker
Luke Schoonmaker is interesting, but with how the Cowboys run the offense, his role should become larger as the season progresses.
Right now, he is a developmental prospect. With Dalton Schultz gone, he joins a group including Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot.
What does that mean?
Well, whoever is hot from week to week may see more snaps.
His size, field-stretching ability, and his blocking ability could be something the Cowboys can build on.
“I’m excited to see him in the room, I’m excited to meet him and see what he can bring to this room. The four horsemen just added another one, so it’s going to be exciting.” -Jake Ferguson on the addition of the Cowboys newest TE Luke Schoonmaker pic.twitter.com/wYebgFQgiv
— Jess Nevarez (@JessNevarez_) May 4, 2023
Viliami Fehoko
Man, I changed my No. 4 two different times.
I settled on Viliami Fehoko over DeMarvion Overshown because I think Fehoko will see the field earlier and more often than Overshown at the start.
Let me clarify, though, you can’t go wrong with either player!
Fehoko should be able to THRIVE on the edge with Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and the rest of the crew.
His strength is going to be a great plus for this team. He is going to be able to wear down offensive guards and centers.
He had 24 reps at 225 pounds at the NFL combine.
Cowboys rookie DL Viliami Fehoko might need to gain 5-10 pounds, but that shouldn’t be a problem. (He’s currently listed at 267.) He went from 225 to 275 in a 6-month period in college.
What was he eating?
“Polynesian food. We eat a lot of crazy stuff. … Pork, beef, tacos…”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 12, 2023
Fehoko went to San Jose State, a team in the Mountain West conference. Dallas has had fantastic success with MWC talent over the years.
Lawrence, Leighton Vander Esch, and DaRon Bland attended schools inside the conference.
I can see Fehoko being another solid Mountain West player for the Cowboys.
As I mentioned, I left a few off who I don’t think will see playing time right away. Overshown is the only other rookie that Dallas drafted that I could see getting some snaps.
Eric Scott Jr. will probably make the team as a special teams player. Asim Richards could get his chance at some point to help the offensive line. While Jalen Brooks won’t even make the team.
