No matter how you look at it, the Dallas Cowboys had a troubled first half of the offseason. They lost tailback Tony Pollard to free agency and then didn't sign one of the many big-name running backs available.
They lost longtime mainstays like tackle Tyron Smith, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and receiver Michael Gallup.
Dallas' plan appears to be saving money to sign star players like Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, and Dak Prescott to new contracts, but this doesn't help the Cowboys fill immediate needs. He has also indicated that he intends to rely on the upcoming draft.
Where is the NFL Draft?
Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
What are the Dallas Cowboys' draft needs?
According to the Dallas Cowboys' official website, “We believe our biggest needs are left tackle, center, running back, defensive tackle, and perhaps linebacker. However, if we release Tyler Smith… You can't completely fire cornerbacks, wide receivers and probably guards.''So this team has a lot of needs. ”
For those keeping count, I'll list all positions except safety, defensive end, and tight end.
The bottom line is that Dallas has the flexibility to draft as needed, so the “best player available” will likely fit somewhere with the Cowboys.
Here are some possibilities.
2024 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Dallas Cowboys Predictions
The consensus is that Dallas will begin rebuilding its offensive line, but there is disagreement over whether that means guards, centers (these two positions are IOL, or inside offensive line), or tackles. ing. Here's what experts think Dallas is doing with the No. 24 draft pick.
Bleacher Report: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
NBC Sports: Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon State
ESPN: Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma
PFF: C Graham Burton, Duke
NFL.com: Xavier Wirth, WR, Texas
CBS Sports: Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon State
Sports Illustrated: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft 7th Round Prediction
Digging deeper, everyone agrees that Dallas intends to use multiple offensive linemen and running backs.
Boys Blog: 1.24 – OC Graham Burton, Duke 2.56 – OT Brandon Coleman, TCU 3.87 – TB Jalen Wright, Tennessee 5.174 – LB Jaylan Ford, Texas 6.216 – WR Aeneas Smith, Texas A&M 7.233 – DT Christian Boyd, Northern Iowa 7.244 – CB Chigozie Anusiem, Colorado
PFF:1.24 – DT Jayzan Newton, Illinois 2.56 – G Christian Hayes, Connecticut 3.78 – TB Trey Benson, Florida 5.174 – C Hunter Noorzad, Penn State 6.216 – LB Jaylan Ford 7.233 – S Trey Taylor , Air Force 7.244 – T KT Leveston, Kansas
The Athletic: 1.24 – OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma State 2.56 – LB Peyton Wilson, NC State 3.87 – TB Jalen Wright, Tennessee State 5.174 – C Matt Lee, Miami 6.216 – WR Xavier Weaver, Colorado State 7.233 – CB Chow Smith-Washington State Wade 7.244 – DE Jabontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame
Which running back will the Dallas Cowboys draft?
The best player with the No. 24 pick probably isn't a running back, but Dallas could move to one in the next two rounds. USA Today's Cowboys Wire suggests these potential second-day picks and where Dallas could get them.
Round 2: Jonathan Brooks, RB Texas
Round 2: Trey Benson, RB Florida State
Round 2: Braylon Allen, RB Wisconsin
Round 3: Jalen Wright, RB Tennessee
Round 3: Blake Collum, RB Michigan
Round 3: Marshawn Lloyd, RB USC
How to watch the 2024 NFL Draft:
when: April 25-27, 2024
time: Thursday 6pm (Montana time), 7pm (Central time). Friday 5pm CT, 6pm CT. Saturday 10 a.m. (Central Time), 11 a.m. (Central Time)
where: Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
cable: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
Streaming: NFL+, ESPN+, Hulu+ Live TV, FuboTV
What is the NFL draft order?
Here it is.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com. @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
