Dallas Cowboys rumors: Insider tips franchise to pick Georgia’s defensive stud in 2023 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys have some work to do if they want to catch the reigning NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles. They have already begun by trading for Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks, but the draft is still coming up.

Dallas picks 26th, but what prospects might Jerry Jones and company be looking into? A range of impact players could be available there, including Georgia standout Nolan Smith.

The linebacker was excellent this season and an NFL insider believes he's going to be the pick for the Cowboys in the first round.

Cowboys reporter Jon Machota predicts Smith to Dallas based on the latest The Athletic mock:

"Smith was the pick because it gives defensive coordinator Dan Quinn a potentially huge weapon to mix and match up front with Parsons but also drop into coverage. Smith can impact the game on every down. If Quinn wasn’t the DC, this might not be the pick. But judging by how he has utilized players like Parsons, Donovan Wilson and Jayron Kearse, if Smith is there at 26, this would make a lot of sense for the Cowboys."

The Cowboys are a pretty well-rounded team, especially after adding Gilmore and Cooks, but Smith could be a key piece to the puzzle. The standout defensive player could be optimized by Dan Quinn's coaching and scheme, as Machota pointed out.

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Dallas Cowboys draft rumors: Who else could America's team target?

The Dallas Cowboys may not be able to select Nolan Smith in the first round. He is very good and there's a strong chance some team will take him well before the 26th pick.

Could Nolan Smith go to the Dallas Cowboys?

If not, the Cowboys have also been linked to Bijan Robinson. He's been tabbed as a potential successor to Ezekiel Elliott. With Tony Pollard only on the franchise tag, he could be the future backfield workhorse for the Cowboys too.

Now that they have Cooks, the Cowboys don't need another wide receiver, but there are a lot of positions they can shore up in the upcoming draft. Will they target another defensive stud or continue to work on making Dak Prescott's life easier?