10:20 p.m. Thursday
The Dallas Cowboys selected Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith with the 26th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Smith is a two-year starter who manned the middle of the defensive line for a team that won back-to-back Big Ten championships and made two consecutive appearances in the College Football Playoff.
He made 88 tackles during his career and was first-team All-Big Ten and Michigan’s Defensive MVP in 2022 while playing on an elite defense.
The pick was the only selection the Cowboys were scheduled to have during Thursday’s first round.
Dallas will be back on the clock with the 58th overall pick in the second round Friday.
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5 p.m.
The Dallas Cowboys have the 26th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which begins tonight in Kansas City.
This draft is the first time the Cowboys have held the 26th pick since 2007 when they traded up to the spot to select Purdue DE Anthony Spencer — who played with the team for eight seasons.
The last five players selected 26th overall were:
2022- NY Jets: Jermaine Johnson, DB, Florida State
2021- Cleveland Browns: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern
2020- Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
2019- Washington Commanders: Montez Sweat, DL, Mississippi State
2018- Atlanta Falcons: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Last year, Dallas selected Tulsa offensive tackle Tyler Smith 24th overall.
The Cowboys need a tight end, as starter Dalton Schultz signed as a free agent with the Houston Texans. Dallas could also use some offensive linemen, a complementary running back with a more powerful running style, a defensive tackle, and a deep wide receiver.
Here are some of the latest first-round projections for the Cowboys from national experts:
Mel Kiper Jr, ESPN: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Todd McShay, ESPN: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Matt Miller, ESPN: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: Steve Avila, C, TCU
Peter Schrager, NFL.com: Will McDonald IV, DE, Iowa State
Charles Davis, NFL.com: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Eric Edholm, NFL.com: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Jacob Camenker, The Sporting News: Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson
Peter King, NBC Sports: Joey Porter Jr, CB, Penn State
Chris Simms, NBC Sports: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Mike Florio. NBC Sports: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Conor Rogers, NBC Sports: Will McDonald IV, DE, Iowa State
Eric Froton, NBC Sports: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Kyle Dvorchak, NBC Sports: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Outside the first round, the Cowboys have six other picks this weekend:
Round 2: 58th-overall
Round 3: 90th-overall
Round 4: 129th-overall
Round 5: 169th-overall
Round 6: 212th-overall
Round 7: 244th-overall