Cowboys 2023 draft class finally starting to become regular contributors

After being considered a bust, Cowboys 2023 draft class is trending upwards.

It wasn’t long ago the Dallas Cowboys 2023 draft class was looking like an all-time bust, but recently things have started to change for those draftees. Believe it or not, it’s looking as if they could have several of these players turning themselves into regular contributors, quite possibly starters.

Ideally teams want to hit on every single one of their draft picks and the Cowboys have been better than most and doing just that. It wasn’t looking as if it would apply to their 2023 draftees, however, the arrow is trending upwards for several of them the further we get into the 2024 season.

Today, we’re going to identify a handful of these players who are finally starting to become the players they were drafted to be. Whether they continue to trend upwards from here on out is unknown, but as of now things certainly look encouraging moving forward.

Dallas Cowboys 2023 draft class

Round 1, Pick 26 – DT Mazi Smith

The former 2023 first-round pick was the one player from this draft class who was expected to play a significant role for the Cowboys in 2024. He has started all 12 games this season and played 49.17% of the defensive snaps so far this year. He hasn’t exactly lived up to his first-round billing, but he has been able to make himself available by staying healthy and looks to be improving week in and week out.

Round 2, Pick 58 – TE Luke Schoonmaker

Schoonmaker had fallen out of favor with the coaching staff and was barely playing prior to Jake Ferguson sustaining a concussion against the Houston Texans a few weeks ago. Since then he’s become a reliable target in the passing game for QB Cooper Rush and is putting up his best numbers. Once thought to be a waste of a draft pick, the former Michigan TE is looking more and more like a starting caliber player.

Round 3, Pick 90 – LB DeMarvion Overshown

Overshown has far outplayed anybody else from the Cowboys 2023 draft class. He has arguably been the team’s Defensive MVP this year and looks to be a superstar in the making. He’s been one of the few bright spots for the team this year on the defensive side of the ball and is someone they can continue to build around for years to come. He started out as a flash player, but has now become a consistent playmaker.

Round 5, Pick 169 – OL Asim Richards

Richards’ continued development could have him in line to play a significant role as a potential starter as soon as next season. When given the opportunity, he has looked the part of a starting caliber tackle and could potentially compete for a job next year. Even if that doesn’t happen, he’s proven to be a versatile reserve offensive lineman capable of filling in at both guard and tackle so far in his first two seasons with the Cowboys.