Dallas Cowboys snag Clemson star Bryan Bresee in latest NFL mock draft

The Dallas Cowboys‘ moves this offseason have set them up with a wide variety of options for their first-round pick in the NFL draft. With the 26th pick, it’s possible that many of the team’s favorites are already off the board by the time they get to make their first selection, but without many immediate needs for the 2023 starting lineup, their pool of candidates is large.

In USA Today‘s latest mock draft, the Cowboys select Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee at No. 26 overall. The selection makes a lot of sense as the Dallas defensive line could use some depth on the interior.

“With the trades for cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Brandin Cooks addressing their most pressing needs, the Cowboys are a difficult team to peg in the draft,” Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz writes. “While injuries prevented Bresee from producing at the level expected of a former No. 1 overall recruit, the 6-6, 298-pounder – if healthy – could serve as the punishing interior presence capable of further elevating Dan Quinn’s defense.”

In 2022, Bresee played 320 snaps and had 3.5 sacks and 18 total tackles while dealing with his younger sister’s passing and a kidney infection. He previously tore his left ACL and played four games in 2021. Over three seasons for the Tigers, he had nine sacks.

Bresee is the No. 4 defensive tackle on ESPN’s best-available board heading toward the draft. The Clemson standout has had a top-30 visit with the Cowboys’ NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, among others so far.

After the NFL Scouting Combine, ESPN Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said he believes, Bresee made himself a clear first-round pick.

“Bresee had a great workout Thursday, dispelling any questions about his physical tools,” Kiper said. “He moved well, running a 4.86-second 40-yard dash, which ranked fourth among the defensive tackles. At 298 pounds, he looked fresh and healthy.”

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event location this year is the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft broadcast runs throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

Following two trades that cost them two fifth-round compensatory picks (No. 161, No. 169), these are the seven draft picks left on the Cowboys board for April.

• Round 1, No. 26
• Round 2, No. 58
• Round 3, No. 90
• Round 4, No. 128
• Round 5, No. 176*
• Round 6, No. 212*
• Round 7, No. 243

*denotes compensatory pick