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Dallas Cowboys Mock Drafts Feature Jalin Hyatt, O’Cyrus Torrence, and Bijan Robinson Most Often

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America’s Team builds its roster through the NFL draft more exclusively than most. Over 81% of the Dallas Cowboys‘ 53-man roster heading into Week 1 last season were homegrown talents through the draft or undrafted free agency. They’ve remained relevant as a franchise because of their ability to draft well.

What players are Cowboys mock drafters selecting most often for in Round 1? How does each of the top players fit a need or the Cowboys’ scheme?

Dallas Cowboys Mock Drafts

The Cowboys quenched their thirst for a wide receiver and cornerback after trading for both Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore. This allows Dallas to take more of a “best player available” approach.

MORE: FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades

Another receiver wouldn’t hurt, and there are questions about who will play guard, who will be starting at tackle, and who the team’s second linebacker will be. Dallas has seemingly always needed a beefy nose tackle, but suggesting they’d spend any significant draft capital on one would be ignoring the team’s long history of ignoring that position in the draft.

Currently, mockers draft these positions most often for the Cowboys in Round 1:

WR – 25.7%
RB – 15.6%
G – 13.8%
DT – 9.2%
LB – 7.6%
OT – 7.5%

The most-mocked players to Dallas in Round 1 are as followed:

WR Jalin Hyatt – 14.9%
G O’Cyrus Torrence
– 13.7%
RB Bijan Robinson – 11.2%
LB Trenton Simpson – 6.4%
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba – 6.2%

Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt

Mock drafters continuing to take Jalin Hyatt well after the trade for Cooks is interesting. It makes sense because there’s a good chance that he’s the top receiver available on the board by the time Dallas picks. However, adding more speed to Dallas’ offense — particularly after last season — wouldn’t be the worst idea.

This would allow Cooks to play a more significant role as an underneath and intermediate route runner to ensure he’s not always on downfield decoy duty. He’s a talented route runner, and adding Hyatt would let him be that guy.

Hyatt is not without questions, though. He was used almost exclusively (87.2%) from the slot in passing situations this season and was given free releases almost without fail all year. With this in mind, Dallas may have better options at 26.

LSU Guard O’Cyrus Torrence

LSU guard O’Cyrus Torrence is the top-ranked guard on PFN’s Big Board and sits 23 spots higher than the next-best guard on the consensus board. Torrence is a big, powerful, and instinctual blocker who could be a bowling ball for Dallas in the run game. He also possesses great strike timing and power in pass protection.

But if Dallas is going to draft a guard, he won’t be without positional flex, most likely. That brings us to the better fit for Dallas, TCU’s Steve Avila. Avila’s not going in many first-round mock drafts, but he played all five spots while at TCU, and the Cowboys covet positional flexibility more than any team in the league. Avila’s time included over 1,000 snaps playing center, which could mean Dallas has a new starting left guard and backup center rolled into one.

Texas RB Bijan Robinson

The Round 1 running “debate” has turned into a one-sided screaming match between the old and the young. The running backs don’t matter crowd is loud and has outstanding numbers. But at what point does the value match?

Is it when a player such as Bijan Robinson — one of the 10 best in the class — is available late in the first? After all, we don’t like to pay runners, but drafting one at the end of Round 1 grants four incredibly cheap seasons and another decently inexpensive year through the fifth-year option.

MORE: Bijan Robinson Lands With the Cowboys in Latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft

It’s all about where the talent meets the value of the player at the position lacking value. We must also remember that the Cowboys want to run the ball a lot, and Tony Pollard is playing on the franchise tag. It’s also important to note Dallas loves drafting guys they feel are the best player at their position in the draft.

“Tony Pollard is coming off that fractured leg,” Joel Klatt said on his podcast. “He was franchise-tagged, Zeke Elliott is gone, that was running its course. I love this selection. I love the fact that if Jerry Jones falls in love with a guy, which he might fall in love with Bijan Robinson, he might move up and get them. I love the fit of Bijan in Dallas because of all the things he can provide not only to Dak but to the organization and the offense as a whole.”

Clemson LB Trenton Simpson

No LB prospect has had a higher peak ranking in the consensus big board. Currently, Trenton Simpson ranks 42nd as the second linebacker behind Drew Sanders. On PFN’s Big Board, Simpson is the top linebacker with a ranking of 32.

He’s on the smaller side, which is very modern. Many of the league’s best linebackers are former college safeties, and Simpson played everywhere for Clemson. He’s rushed the passer from the edge, played in the slot, and even has a few reps from a safety alignment in 2021.

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound linebacker ran a 4.43 and jumped 40.5 inches. Simpson also possesses arms over 32 inches, so length at the position is not a huge issue for Dallas, who likes their length and versatility.

Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

It’s hard to imagine Jaxon Smith-Njigba making it to 26. The best receivers in this class are all Mighty Mouse impersonators, and the other top receiver (Quentin Johnston) is about as raw as sashimi.

Smith-Njigba could be knocked for missing almost all of the 2022 college season and not being the top target on Ohio State’s roster even when he was healthy. However, both of Ohio State’s other receivers are likely even better prospects than he is right now and could be the top two receivers drafted next offseason.

During the NFL Draft Combine, Smith-Njigba said, “I think I’m a top-five player in this draft, not just a top-five WR.”

Adding Smith-Njigba would likely take CeeDee Lamb out of the slot and out wide more often. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, considering Smith-Njigba is already a professional route runner. But we come to expect that from receivers taught by Brian Hartline.



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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said. 

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted. 

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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