The Dallas Cowboys are coming off another ugly end to their season, losing to the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Wild Card Playoffs.
Dallas enters the 2024 NFL Draft with a number of needs on both sides, even though owner Jerry Jones has indicated Dallas intends to go all in this offseason. They were the least active team during free agency. Add in the fact that the Boys lost several starters on both sides of the ball and have a lot of work to do here.
If the Cowboys are to live up to expectations of competing for a Super Bowl title next season, they absolutely need to be the ace in the draft. Here we take a look at the top five Cowboy needs for the annual event later this month.
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5. Center
The Cowboys lost former Pro Bowler and starting center Tyler Biadasz to the division rival Washington Commanders in NFL free agency. As of now, 2022 undrafted free agent Brock Hoffman is slated to start at center in front of Dak Prescott. He has started both games.
One of the problems with Dallas' salary cap situation is that they can't really retain their core free agents. Biadasz was just that for Dallas before signing a three-year, $29.25 million contract with Washington. It wasn't an unreasonable request. It's also possible that the Cowboys have more need than value.
- Potential draft targets for the Dallas Cowboys: Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon), Dylan McMahon (North Carolina), Tanner Bortolini (Wisconsin)
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4. Defensive Tackle
Two young players, Osa Odighizuwa and Maji Smith, are expected to start at defensive tackle for the Cowboys next season. This comes after Dallas gave up 1,900 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. This was an absolute weakness for coach Mike McCarthy's team.
Certainly, Odighizuwa and Smith have room to grow. But to compete with the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers in the NFC next season, the Cowboys will need to be even better against runs. This is not even an open question at this point.
- Potential draft targets for the Dallas Cowboys: Johnny Newton (Illinois), Kris Jenkins (Michigan), Leonard Taylor (Miami)
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3. Linebacker
Signing former All-Pro Eric Kendricks in NFL free agency will help Dallas in the short term. Granted, he's not the same player he was with the Minnesota Vikings. But he knows defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's plans for the T dating back to their time together in the Twin Cities.
Still, Dallas needs depth and young blood at linebacker. It would make sense to take a potential starter in the middle of the round, along with Damone Clark and Demarvion Overshawn. That's especially true since Overshawn missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL after the Boys made him a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
- Potential draft targets for the Dallas Cowboys: Peyton Wilson (North Carolina), Jaylan Ford (Texas), Tommy Eichenberg (Ohio State)
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2. Safety
Is Malik Hooker a free and safe long-term solution for the Cowboys? I'm not too sure. Donovan Wilson has played well at the other safety positions, but the same questions exist regarding him.
Dallas has the cornerbacks it needs to be successful moving forward. But the idea of adding a potential Pro Bowler into the mix at one of the safe positions early in the draft is something Jerry Jones and company should seriously consider. There are some nice options.
- Potential draft targets for the Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Nubin (Minnesota), Kamren Kinchens (Miami), Tykie Smith (Georgia)
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1.Running back
After Ezekiel Elliott left for the 2023 season, Tony Pollard didn't perform well as Dallas' running back. He tallied just over 1,000 yards and averaged 4.0 yards per rush. This isn't necessarily achievable in today's NFL, which has a 17-game schedule.
Still, sending him to the Tennessee Titans in NFL free agency would create a huge hole in Dallas' backfield. The team is rumored to have ties to free agent players such as the aforementioned Elliott. However, they will need to add a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft. After all, Rico Doodle (361 yards) is Dallas' leading return rusher.
- Potential draft targets for the Dallas Cowboys: Jonathan Brooks (Texas), Trey Benson (Florida State), Audric Estim (Notre Dame)
