• Dallas Cowboys invest in interior all defensive line early. Jarzan Newton would help immediately strengthen Dallas' underperforming interior defensive line.
•Trey Benson replaces Tony Pollard. Benson's presence would immediately help Dallas' running game, allowing it to maintain and even improve production without Pollard.
• try PFF Mock Draft Simulator: You can trade picks and players to draft to your favorite NFL team.
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As we charge toward the 2024 NFL Draft (get it?), our seven-round team mock draft series continues as follows: dallas cowboys.
Round 1, Pick 24: DI jazan newton, illinois
Newton, named the 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, is listed at just 6 feet 1.5 inches tall and 300 pounds, but he often makes up for that with his quickness. There are few pass rushers who can unblock as well as he does. He likes to play with blockers and use push-pull and arm-over moves to win. He brings a wide range of pass rush moves and counters.
In run defense, he raises his hands and shoots inside, throwing off-balance linemen aside. If you don't win right away, you may be controlled at a lower weight. His run defense performance is more due to gap shooting than line-keeping, and he is not consistently able to maintain it against double teams.
Round 2, Pick 56: G Christian Haynes, connecticut
Haynes was the starting right guard for four years in college. He has the ideal size for an Interior offensive lineman, being short and able to use leverage, but tall and with long arms. His weight is also well distributed, especially in his lower body, allowing him to anchor bull rushes and throw off lighter defenders.
He has an excellent first step off the line of scrimmage, which allows him to make impactful blocks as a puller and zone blocker. His overall athleticism is good, but he can be off-balance in space. He is not one to move people around with plans to block people or gaps. He also doesn't sit as low as he should in pass protection.
Round 3, Pick 87: RB trey benson, florida
The Benson's acceleration and top speed are both excellent, with track speed coming right off the tape. His explosiveness allows him to convert his speed into power to break tackles.
He's a little stiff when it comes to change of direction and agility. His athletic advantage is a good thing, but it affects his mentality, vision, and patience in the rushing lane. He is more intent on getting to the sideline and outrunning defenders than finding cutback lanes.
Round 5, Pick 174: C Hunter Nurzad, pennsylvania state university
Even if he isn't selected until Day 3, Nurzad is a good enough prospect that he could compete for Dallas' starting center spot early in his career. Nurzad's ability to thrive in zone running plays will be a boon to the middle of Dallas' offensive line.
