Cowboys 7-round projection with trade into Top 20

The Cowboys could get aggressive and trade into the Top 20 for a premier talent, which is how this 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft for Dallas kicks off. 

In most iterations of the NFL Draft, picking at the end of the first round is an overall good thing and the Dallas Cowboys with the 26th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft would be sitting pretty. There is a lot of flexibility to move around for players that fit value and needs, it means the team is coming off of a solid season, and let’s not forget the ever-important factor that some tough decisions have already been made for a team.

The issue with that in the 2023 draft is that this isn’t a deep class. There are very few true elite prospects in the player pool this year and the Cowboys picking at No. 26 would perhaps be left taking a project or a less than sure thing. That’s not a fun spot, especially for a franchise that has whiffed on the likes of Taco Charlton recently in this pick range.

One trade can solve that all.

There’s one name that, for better or worse, the Cowboys have been connected to throughout the entire offseason draft discourse. He’s one of the truest elite talents in the draft and, for that reason alone, could be worth it. In this 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft for Dallas, that’s exactly what Jerry Jones and Co. do.

Table of Contents

Cowboys NFL Mock Draft 2023: Dallas trades into Top 20 in 7-round projection

1

Bijan Robinson is destined to join the Cowboys even if it takes a trade to do it

Bijan Robinson, of course, is the player in question. Even after putting the franchise tag on Tony Pollard and hoping to ink him to a long-term deal, the Cowboys have always highly valued the running back position. So for a seemingly can’t-miss talent like Robinson — out of Texas, no less — to be there, it’s too much to pass up.

The big key, though, is that Robinson is going to come off the board early by running back standards. So Dallas will have to be aggressive if they are truly all-in on him. That’s why they trade up nine picks to No. 17, giving up their second-round pick, with the Steelers in order to make the move.

Cowboys Get

First-Round Pick (17)

Third-Round Pick (80)

Steelers Get

First-Round Pick (26)

Second-Round Pick (58)

2024 Fifth-Round Pick

Robinson is a pure every-down running back. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has said the 5-foot-11, 215-pounder could be a slot receiver if he wanted to be. He runs with power, elite balance, unreal quickness and change of direction ability, and defenders just seem to bounce off of him when they try to bring him down in space.

Not only could Robinson come in right away and fill the hole left by Ezekiel Elliott in a massive way, but he could be the future, especially if the Cowboys are unable to work out a long-term contract with Pollard. The Texas star is a special talent and, if the Cowboys can only essentially given up their second-rounder to get him, it’s a deal well worth it.

The only tricky part would be if Robinson goes much sooner, which isn’t out of the question.

Rounds 4-5 | Rounds 6-7