The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2024 NFL Draft at a crossroads. Questions swirled around Dak Prescott's contract and a roster in need of upgrades, increasing pressure on head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff. Did they use eight 2024 NFL Draft picks to shore up an aging and now depleted offensive line? Or did they prioritize other areas of need? Let's break down the Cowboys' draft picks and analyze and assess whether they addressed the team's core deficiencies.
Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft Grade: B+
The Cowboys' 2024 NFL Draft strategy was one of calculated risk and addressing one of the Dallas NFL Draft's many priorities. With eight picks at their disposal, the focus was on strengthening the offensive line and improving the pass rush. He clearly accomplished that with his first three picks, and he accomplished more later in the draft.
Two areas of need that the Cowboys were unable to address were the backfield and wide receivers. The loss of leading rusher Tony Pollard and wideout Michael Gallup leaves both positions weakened and lacking depth. Many mock drafts had the Cowboys targeting speedy Texas receiver Xavier Worthy in the first round and one of the many running backs selected in the second round.
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Neither position seemed to have been considered in the draft, leaving many scratching their heads at Dallas' plans. But ironically, passing on a flashy skill position player was probably the right decision. The Cowboys solidified their offensive line and added pass rushers to a defense that struggled to get home except for Micah Parsons and Tank Lawrence.
| draft picks | choice |
|---|---|
| Select Rounds 1 – 29 | Tyler Guyton, Tennessee – Oklahoma State |
| Rd 2 – Pick 56 | Marshawn Kneeland, Edge – Western Michigan |
| Round 3 – Pick 73 | Cooper Beebe, G – Kansas |
| Round 3 – Select #87 | Marist Liufau, LB – Notre Dame |
| Rd 5 – Pick 174 | Kaylen Carson, CB – Wake Forest |
| Rd 6 – Pick 216 | Ryan Flournoy, WR – SE Missouri State |
| Rd 7 – Pick 233 | Nathan Thomas, T – Lafayette, Louisiana |
| Rd 7 – Pick 244 | Justin Rodgers, DT – Auburn |
Cowboys strengthen trenches early in NFL Draft
The first-round pick surprised some, with Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton going 29th overall. While not the most flashy of picks, Guyton fills the void left by Tyron Smith's departure and rejuvenates an aging position group.
The emphasis on the trenches continued in the second round, with Western Michigan defensive end Marshawn Kneeland selected. Nyland brings a strong pass-rushing presence that should take some of the pressure off DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons. This was a decent acquisition by Dallas considering many early mock drafts had Nyland going late in the first round or early in the second round.
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The Cowboys continued their commitment to the trenches even further in the third round, working on the depth of their interior offensive line with Kansas State's Cooper Beebe. Beebe is a versatile interior lineman who can play guard and center, which the Cowboys need to replace last season's starters.
Reached middle linebacker in the third round
While the offensive line and pass rush were priorities, the Cowboys didn't ignore other areas of urgent need. They need someone like middle linebacker, the position vacated by Leighton Vander Esch's early retirement. In hopes of replacing him, Dallas selected Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau with their second third-round pick, No. 87 overall. Liufau is an offensive player who started every game for the Fighting Irish the past two seasons. This was a bit of a reach for Dallas, as Marist was often mocked in the fourth or fifth round. But I think it makes a little more sense considering the Boyz don't hold a fourth-round selection.
slow to find depth
The final four picks ranged from the fifth to seventh rounds, giving the Cowboys depth at corner, wide receiver, and both the offensive and defensive lines. Credit to Jerry and the team for targeting a much-needed area instead of flashing and loading up on trenches that don't have enough depth. Overall, the Cowboys did what they were supposed to do instead of looking for headlines. It was the right decision and they deserved the high rating we gave them.
