Cowboys meet with North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs, Houston's Tank Dell
The Dallas Cowboys have had a busy offseason of deal-making, and with more than a dozen contracts signed, they can now turn their focus to the upcoming NFL Draft. Although the Cowboys added a veteran wide receiver in Brandin Cooks from the Texans, it’s also highly likely that they provide another boost to that room via the draft.
Dallas recently met with North Carolina star Josh Downs following his Pro Day. According to Downs, his agent has told him to expect to come off the board between pick No. 25 and No. 45, putting him right in the Cowboys’ range at No. 26.
The former Tar Heels standout has met with upwards of 20 teams. After posting back-to-back 1,000+ yard receiving seasons, the 5-foot-10 wideout has a lot of eyes on him leading up to the draft. He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the combine.
If the Cowboys don’t grab him a little high at 26, perhaps Downs is still on the board when their second pick comes around. They have the No. 58 pick in the second round.
Another wide receiver with smaller stature the Cowboys have their eyes on is Houston star Nathaniel “Tank” Dell.
Cowboys host Tank Dell
Dallas hosted Tank Dell at the Star on Tuesday for a workout, following his workout with the Bills and visits with Houston and Cleveland.
“I did most of my formal interviews at the Senior Bowl,” Dell told Draft Network. “I’ve also met with so many teams that I can’t remember every meeting I’ve had (laughs). It’s been crazy. It’s been non-stop. I can remember some of them, but I’d be leaving a few out.”
Like Downs, Dell also posted consecutive 1,000+ yard seasons in 2021 and 2022. After starting his career at Alabama A&M, the 5-foot-10 wide receiver transferred to Houston for the 2020 season. He broke out a year later with 1,329 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Dell topped that performance the next season with 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns. At 109 receptions, he had the second-most catches among college receivers and was No. 1 in receiving touchdowns. Dell had two more scores than Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt.
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