After one of the most volatile and uncertain drafts in years, the Dallas Cowboys found themselves with a bevy of potentials options when it came their turn to pick with the 26th selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
They simply trusted their draft board and took the best player available in Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
According to a report, the Cowboys turned down trade down offers from Kansas City (31) and Las Vegas (38), but they resisted and made the 6-foot-3, 337-pound Smith the first defensive tackle taken in the first round by the franchise since Russell Maryland in 1991.
It was a nod to defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and continued to quest to shore up the team’s run defense and give them a pass-rushing push from the up the middle.
The Cowboys took Smith even though coveted tight ends Michael Mayer and Sam LaPorta were on the board. Tight is a deep position in the draft and they most likely will address in the position in the coming days.
The draft resumes on Friday with second and third rounds with the Cowboys owning picks 58 and 90.
They have four picks on Saturday when the draft concludes with rounds four through seven.
