Cowboys Country

NFL Draft Grades: Cowboys Receive Mixed Marks for Class

Experts are torn on how the Dallas Cowboys did in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Tim Kelly

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The reigning NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles were lauded for their 2023 NFL Draft Class, receiving universal praise for a group headlined by defensive tackle Jalen Carter and EDGE Nolan Smith. 

As the Dallas Cowboys look to reclaim the top spot in the division, there was less of a consensus on their 2023 selections, which included defensive tackle Mazi Smith, tight end Luke Schoonmaker and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. 

Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN: B

The OG of NFL Draft analysis pointed out that there wasn't a ton of "flash" in the picks that the Cowboys made, but added "I can't knock many of these selections -- Dallas did well." 

Chad Reuter of NFL Media: B+

While the focus immediately after the NFL Draft always goes to the top of the class, Reuter was specifically bullish on the selections of offensive tackle Asim Richards (No. 169) and cornerback Eric Scott Jr. (No. 178). As the Cowboys have found out with the likes of Dak Prescott, Tony Pollard and DeMarco Murray, stars can emerge from any point of the draft. 

Pro Football Focus Staff: C+

PFF gave the Cowboys the lowest grade of any of these national outlets, calling Schoonmaker "a bit of a reach" for the 58th overall pick. Dallas needed to replace tight end Dalton Schultz -- who departed for Houston in free agency -- but seemingly got leapfrogged for Dalton Kincaid by the Buffalo Bills in the first round. 

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports: A

Prisco did a list before the draft that he called his "Better-Than Team," which ultimately included three Cowboys draft picks. At the forefront is fourth-round pick Viliami Fehoko, who Prisco believes "has the ability to get six to seven sacks a season." Also appearing on his list were the aforementioned Smith and Schoonmaker. 

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Tim Kelly
TIM KELLY

Tim Kelly is a contributor to SI's NFL team sites. Additionally, Kelly covers the Philadelphia Phillies as the Editorial Director for PhilliesNation.com. Previously, Kelly has been a producer at SportsRadio 94 WIP and a content producer for Audacy Sports, with written content syndicated to WIP, WFAN, WEEI and some of the biggest sports radio stations in the country. Kelly also has contributed to Bleacher Report, Just Baseball, Sports Talk Philly and Section 215, FanSided's Philadelphia affiliate. Kelly is a 2018 graduate of Bloomsburg University, with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in political science. 

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