The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the better drafting teams in the NFL in recent years, as they are able to get the most out of players at multiple positions.
From Tyler Smith to Micah Parsons to CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys have acquired most of their first-round picks over the past few years. They also have high praise from late picks such as Daron Brand and Tony Pollard.
With Dallas still trying to resolve its postseason woes, the team will be looking for another strong draft class at the end of April. …and perhaps they'll do it by drafting the “best player” rather than “need,” as is often the case.
Indeed, in the case of Parsons and Lamb, that was the idea. But…maybe it wasn't that much last year as Maji Smith and Luke Schoonmaker were the top two picks.
and now? Tyron Smith news may have just revealed the Cowboys' first-round plans as the NFL Draft approaches.
It seems like offensive tackle will likely be the most important focus for the Cowboys…and if that is indeed the case, the Cowboys are in luck. The 2024 draft class is loaded with offensive tackle talent and could easily include six or seven picks in the first round.
The top three tackles in the class, Notre Dame's Joe Alt, Penn State's Olu Fashanu and Alabama's J.C. Latham, will almost certainly be left out by the time Dallas selects them 24th overall. However, other quality options should still be available, such as Georgia's Amarius Mims and Arizona's Jordan Morgan, and the Cowboys could also trade up to ensure they get the players they want. is. (See here for evaluations of some of the seven tackles that Dallas officially visited the Scouting Combine.)
Tyron Smith, who has been a mainstay on the offensive line for more than a decade, is unlikely to return next season. Losing a franchise legend like him will certainly hurt, but if the Cowboys can find a suitable replacement in the draft, the blow should be softened a bit.
This is also worth noting. Tyler Smith can slide in from left guard, so the pick doesn't have to be a tackle. That allowed Dallas to draft a guard. Oh, and Tyler Biadasz is a free agent…so Dallas could draft a center.
No, “draft as needed” is usually suboptimal, but there's no hiding the fact that somehow, somehow, Dallas needs O-line help right now.
