Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft: Dallas Drafts Dalton Schultz Replacement
By Hunter Haas
In our final mock draft for the Cowboys, Dallas finds a replacement at tight end for the recently-departed Dalton Schultz.
The Cowboys fell short in the playoffs yet again after a strong 2022 regular season. With offensive coordinator Kellen Moore moving on to the Chargers and Brian Schottenheimer taking his place, the offense should have a new identity in 2023.
Not to mention Ezekiel Elliot no longer roams the backfield for Dallas. Tony Pollard is expected to be 100% and take over the starting gig, but do not rule out the Cowboys taking a running back early in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The pass-catching group lost a key piece as Dalton Schultz moved elsewhere in the Lone Star State, signing with the Houston Texans and leaving a void on the depth chart for Dallas. Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot can both play, but a higher-upside piece could make sense for the team in a stacked tight-end class.
CeeDee Lamb proved himself as a bonafide No. 1 option, but Michael Gallup looked like a shell of himself. Luckily, the front office made a savvy move to land veteran Brandin Cooks for pennies on the dollar. Dak Prescott can put up some gaudy numbers with these weapons at his disposal.
On the defensive side, former All-Pro Stephon Gilmore was acquired for a fifth-round pick. The move was a no-brainer for Dallas, pairing the well-respect veteran with young ballhawk Trevon Diggs. The duo should give opposing quarterbacks constant headaches throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.
Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft: Dallas Drafts Dalton Schultz Replacement
Micah Parsons holds down the front seven, but this presents the most glaring weakness on the roster. The trenches need a few more bodies, plus another linebacker wouldn’t hurt anything either. Thankfully, the Cowboys are well-equipped to address these issues in the 2023 NFL Draft.
In our final mock draft for Dallas, Jerry Jones brings in more offensive firepower and adds a couple of difference-makers on the defensive line. Without further ado, the Cowboys are now on the clock at No. 26 overall.
Round 1, No. 26: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Cowboys take the most complete tight end they’ve had since the Jason Witten era. Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer is an all-around threat, exhibiting special hands and a deceptive ability to create yards after the catch. Mayer excels in contested catch situations and is more than capable of holding his own as a blocker. He is a day-one starter for Dallas.
Round 2, No. 58: Sydney Brown, SAF, Illinois
The defensive side of the ball takes center stage with the second pick of the mock draft. Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown would slot in perfectly to the secondary. Stephon Gilmore and Trevon Diggs provide steady play at corner, while former first-rounder Malik Hooker looks like a solid starter at free safety.
Brown is a high-class athlete who displays unparalleled range in coverage and is always down to lay out a big hit when necessary. He can slide in next to Hooker and provide versatility for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
Round 3, No. 90: DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
The Cowboys have been linked to DeMarvion Overshown all draft season, with the star-studded prospect out of Texas saying as much in interviews. The fit is intriguing, as Overshown is slightly undersized as a linebacker but makes up for it with his fearless style of play.
The former Longhorn is rangy and hits like a Mike Tyson right hook. He can blitz on occasion and is a tone-setter for any locker room. Watching Overshown compete with Damone Clark for the WILL linebacker spot would be a blast.
Round 4, No. 129: Chase Brown, RB, Illinois
Why settle for one Brown Twin when you can have both? The Cowboys cut Ezekiel Elliot earlier in the offseason, and there is uncertainty behind Tony Pollard on the depth chart. The group is littered with players who have little-to-no NFL experience.
Enter Illinois running back Chase Brown. The explosive running back is a home run threat every time he touches the ball, flexing some of the best top-end speed in the class. Brown can cut on a dime and has untapped potential as a pass catcher. He must improve as a blocker, but the 209-pound ball carrier boasts a bell-cow frame and a work ethic that makes him worth betting on this late in the mock draft.
Round 5, No. 176: Habakkuk Baldonado, EDGE, Pittsburgh
Habakkuk Baldonado owns an NFL-sized frame, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 251 pounds. His 33-inch arms and explosive first step allow the former Pittsburgh standout to hunt the quarterback all game. Baldonado needs improvement in shedding blocks in the run game and finishing tackles, but he can be a situational pass rusher from day one.
Round 6, No. 212: McClendon Curtis, OL, UT-Chattanooga
McClendon Curtis fits the DNA of a Cowboys lineman. He is a physical specimen that boasts iron-clad technique as a blocker. He served as the left tackle for Chattanooga but profiles best on the right side or even kicked inside to the interior. At the end of this mock draft, Dallas gets Curtis in the building and gives him an opportunity at a spot on the 53-man roster.
Round 7, No. 246: Steven Gilmore, CB, Marshall
We already paired two brothers in this mock draft, so let’s cap it off with another family reunion. Stephon Gilmore was traded to Dallas in March, and now his brother, Steven, joins him. The Marshall alum is a former track star and offers some of the trademark Gilmore technique in coverage.
His lack of size can hurt him against more physical receivers. Getting a training camp under his belt and some NFL weight training could transform Gilmore as a player. It is a dart throw, but only a few prospects available this late in the mock draft have a comparable ceiling.