Cowboys NFL Draft Plans: 'Focus' on TE Dalton Kincaid & 2nd-Round CB?

Two positions - and players - have emerged as favorites to headline the Dallas Cowboys' 2023 NFL Draft class, according to ESPN.

With the 2023 NFL Draft just under two weeks away, the Dallas Cowboys' board is beginning to take shape.

Faced with the challenge of getting over the playoff hump, it's a crucial time for the Cowboys ... but what will they do once on the clock come draft day?

According to ESPN, Dallas is expected to be "aggressive" in its pursuit of a tight end in the first round before turning its "focus" to cornerback on Day 2 - with a particular name in mind.

"The Cowboys understand Stephon Gilmore might be just a one-year solution and could groom his eventual successor while he's still on the roster," ESPN writes. "Darius Rush (South Carolina) has been mentioned frequently in connection with Dallas."

Rush, who stands 6-2, 198 pounds and has over 33-inch arms, arrived at South Carolina as a receiver before transitioning to cornerback ahead of his second season.

The 23-year-old Rush had a breakout redshirt senior year, starting nine of 10 games played and logging 38 tackles, two tackles for loss, a pair of interceptions and seven pass breakups.

Rush fits the mold of corners that Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has historically targeted, and he hails from the same school as Cowboys 2021 sixth-round pick Israel Mukuamu.

A standout pre-draft process marked by impressive showings at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine have Rush firmly in the mix to be a second-round pick, putting him in play for Dallas at No. 58 overall.

But which tight end could be the apple of the Cowboys' eye at No. 26?

Per ESPN, Utah's Dalton Kincaid is "one name to watch" as Dallas seeks to find a "dynamic option" to replace Dalton Schultz, who signed with the Houston Texans in free agency.

Despite being a limited participant throughout the draft process due to a back injury, Kincaid is still viewed as a first-round pick and would give quarterback Dak Prescott a "safety blanket and a seam-stretcher."

Will the Cowboys ultimately start their draft with Kincaid and Rush?

That answer won't be in until late April - but the clock is ticking, and both players certainly seem to be highly thought of inside The Star.

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You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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