2023 NFL Draft: Could one of these players fill a void on defense for Dallas?

The NFL draft is now 25 days away, and the Dallas Cowboys have put themselves in a prime position to draft the best available players with the great offseason they’ve had.

The team did saw defensive linemen Carlos Watkins sign with the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday.

Although it was tough to see he go after reports said the team was trying to bring him back, they did resign Johnathan Hankins a few days prior.

With Watkins gone, one void I would love to see them focus on in this years draft is on the defensive line. With the team grabbing Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks via trade, this is one the biggest needs for Dallas.

As I’ve been looking over the draft board, I have seen a few players I would love to see the Cowboys take with the 26th overall pick and beyond.

With as great of an offseason the team has had, they now can look to grab a possible player in the first round at pick 26. Maybe we can hope they get lucky outside the first round and find a player like Jared Allen, Jason Taylor or Elvis Dumervil.

Nonetheless, let me dive into two players who I think could be a real possibly for the Cowboys. One that could go first round, and another they may be able to steal in the next couple of rounds.

These two players could be listed as a defensive linemen or as an edge rusher, but here are two names I think the Cowboys could strike gold with

BJ Ojulari

BJ Ojulari is a Junior from LSU, I didn’t get to watch him much in college, but his older brother currently plays for the Giants.

Wouldn’t that be great if they both got to play each other twice a year in the NFC East? In the past two seasons at LSU he totaled more than 100 pressures and 17 sacks.

He is 6’2, 248, he was First Team All-Sec in 2022. Even with as deep as this draft is, the edge rushers are probably going to so early and often in this draft, so if he is still sitting for the Cowboys at 26 in the first round, I would take him.

I have a few others above Ojulari on my board, but I just don’t think they are going to make it near the bottom of the first round.

LB/EDGE/iDL who tell me the #Cowboys have/will meet with them:

Derick Hall (Auburn)
DJ Johnson (Oregon)
Demarvion Overshown (Texas)
BJ Ojulari (LSU)
Dee Winters (TCU)
Tyrus Wheat (Miss. St)

Gervon Dexter (Florida)
Dante Stills (WVU)
DJ Dale (Bama)
Keondre Coburn (Texas)
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) March 3, 2023

Mazi Smith

Mazi Smith is a guy I LOVE in this years draft. Smith can play in both the 3-4 and 4-3. While the Cowboys run the 4-3, he could play nose tackle for Dan Quinn.

He really doesn’t have great pass rush skills, but he could be a great piece for Dallas in sub packages. The best thing about him? He is one of the BEST run defenders in this draft.

I originally thought maybe Dallas should take him at pick 26, but he just doesn’t posses enough skills to rush the passer to be a first round pick. If the Cowboys can take him in the second or even third round, it would be an absolute win for them.

The Cowboys have a ton of options in this years draft. They addressed the major needs via trade, and can now bulk this team up with young depth to try and make a run at a Super Bowl title.

Buckle up, it is going to be a fun next few months.