FRISCO (Silver Star Nation) — The 2024 NFL Draft is just around the corner, bringing with it the promise of new talent for all 32 National Football League franchises.
The Cowboys finished the regular season with a record of 12 wins and 5 losses for the third consecutive season. For three consecutive seasons, the Cowboys advanced to the NFC playoffs. And for the third consecutive season, the Cowboys ended the season in disappointing fashion and were eliminated from the playoffs early.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy enters his fifth year at the helm of America's Team, and despite the team's regular season success during his tenure, the Cowboys have yet to win in the postseason. Many are questioning McCarthy's future in Dallas.
Fortunately, the Cowboys use the NFL Draft every year to add a ton of playmakers to their roster, and they look to do just that in 2024.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
The 2024 NFL Draft will begin Thursday, April 25th and end on Saturday, April 27th in Detroit.
- Thursday, April 25th — Round 1 — 7:00 p.m. Central
- Friday, April 26th — Rounds 2-3 — 6:00 p.m. Central
- Saturday, April 27th — Rounds 4-7 — 11:00 a.m. Central
The opening round of the 2024 NFL Draft will be the most exciting round in recent memory, as several franchise quarterback prospects are set to be cut from the roster early, followed by generational talent at other positions. It is expected that it will be one of the
Many NFL analysts also predict that a number of first-round picks could be traded, making Thursday night even more interesting.
When will the Cowboys acquire the 2024 pick?
Barring a trade, the Cowboys will have seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft:
- round 1 — Select 24 (Total 24)
- round 2 — Select 24 (Overall 56)
- round 3 — Select 23 (Overall 87)
- round 5 — Select 39 (174 Overall, Compensated Pick)
- round 6 — Select 40 (216 Overall, Compensated Pick)
- round 7 — Select 13 (233 overall, via trade with Las Vegas)
- round 7 — Select 24 (Total 244)
What moves did the Cowboys make in free agency?
Cowboys' enigmatic owner Jerry Jones released a statement assuring Cowboys Nation that the team is “fully committed” to winning the Super Bowl in 2024. However, their activities during or during free agency have captivated the team's fans. I was irritated.
Following the release of WR Michael Gallup and the medical retirement of LB Leighton Vander Esch after the 2023 season, the Cowboys will be returning to two former standout playmakers who many thought would be the future face of the franchise. I knew the people.
After those two losses, several key members of the 2023 Dallas Cowboys roster signed with other teams.
Cowboys fans may note that three of the seven players listed above are signed with the NFC East rival Washington Commanders. But they're not the only ones heading to the District of Columbia from the Metroplex. Former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn took the head coaching job in Washington after three great seasons in Dallas.
Despite those big losses, the Dallas Cowboys only signed a few players during free agency.
Does Dallas' front office's lack of spending this offseason have anything to do with the huge paydays looming for the franchise's three biggest stars, QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb, and LB Micah Parsons? Maybe.
What do the Cowboys need in the 2024 NFL Draft?
The Dallas Cowboys have many needs heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, thanks in part to the players they lost in free agency. The Cowboys have acquired some of the best players in recent years, but having multiple holes on the roster means the best players on the board will likely fill the needed positions.
There are five key positions where the Cowboys will look to add depth in the 2024 NFL Draft.
5. Defensive Tackle
With Gallimore and Hankins moving to new teams and 2023 first-round pick Madge Smith still needing development, the Cowboys could use a starting-caliber run stopper on their interior defensive line. .
The 2024 draft class is not rich in defensive line talent, but there are several players in the top 100 that could make the Cowboys' roster.
- Byron Murphy II — Texas
- Johnny Newton — Illinois
- Chris Jenkins — Michigan State
- Luke Oloholohoro — Clemson
4. Running back
Dallas' backfield currently looks like a timeshare of free agent addition Royce Freeman, returning backup Rico Doodle and 2023 sixth-round NFL Draft pick Deuce Vaughn. His father works in a franchise.
Some rumors have surfaced about a reunion with Ezekiel Elliott.Cowboys reportedly met with former tailback on WednesdayNo deals have surfaced yet, meaning Dallas could still use an addition to the backfield.
The 2024 running back class isn't very deep, but there are a few names worth noting.
- Jonathan Brooks — Texas
- Blake Corum — Michigan State
- Trey Benson — Florida State
- Jalen Wright — Tennessee
- Braylon Allen — Wisconsin
3. Wide receiver
Once a huge asset for the Cowboys, Dallas' wide receiver room looks a little empty heading into the 2024 season.
Indeed, CeeDee Lamb is coming off one of the best seasons in franchise history, Brandin Cooks appears to have carved himself out as the clear second option, and the Cowboys have no idea how many players to fill out the roster. There is a possibility that they will use that talented pass catcher.
The most talented receivers in the 2024 class like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabors will likely be off the board by the time pick 24 rolls around, but the Cowboys still have a few options in the early rounds. There is.
- Adonai Mitchell — Texas
- Keon Coleman — Florida State
- Roman Wilson — Michigan State
- Ricky Pearsall — Florida
- Xavier Werty — Texas
2. Linebacker
The Cowboys currently only have three linebackers on their roster, with Leighton Vander Esch ending his career early with an injury and Micah Parsons playing primarily as an edge rusher.
Adding a veteran like Eric Kendricks certainly helps, as does the promise of 2023 third-round pick Demarvion Overshawn, who missed the entire season with an injury during training camp. But the Cowboys still need at least two more linebackers on the roster.
The second and third rounds offer some interesting options at linebacker. Cowboys fans should keep in mind a few notable members of the 2024 linebacker class.
- Junior Colson — Michigan State
- Edgerrin Cooper — Texas A&M
- Trevin Wallace — Kentucky
- Peyton Wilson — North Carolina
- Cedric Gray — North Carolina
1. Offensive line
The holes left in Dallas' offense by the losses of Tyler Biadasz and Tyron Smith cannot be overstated and are not easily overcome. Mr. Smith has remained a mainstay of the unit for more than a decade.
Fortunately, the Cowboys have future Hall of Fame right guard Zach Martin and versatile Pro Bowler Tyler Smith back in action.
The 2024 draft class has an incredible amount of talent, as Dallas has a history of success with acquiring offensive linemen early in the draft, and the Cowboys have one or more players on the line. They should be able to acquire multiple quality additions.
In a perfect world, most players on the board like Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt, Duke center Graham Burton, Washington guard Troy Fautanu, and Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson. At least one talented offensive lineman could fall to the Cowboys.
Even if that doesn't work out, there are still plenty of options that could be available to Dallas in the first two rounds.
- OT Tyler Guyton — Oklahoma
- OG Jordan Morgan — Arizona
- C Zach Frazier — West Virginia
- OG Cooper Beebe — Kansas State
- OG Christian Haynes — Connecticut
- OT Patrick Paul — Houston
- OT Brandon Coleman — TCU
- OG Dominique Puni — Kansas State
Follow Silver Star Nation's coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft
Silver Star Nation will provide detailed coverage of all seven players selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2024 NFL Draft.
KFDX Sports Director Tobin McDuff and Sports Anchor MJ Baird will be at The Star in Frisco to provide live coverage and reaction as each nomination is made. Digital reporter Josh Hoggard publishes in-depth analysis of each new player added to the Cowboys' roster.
Check back with Silver Star Nation on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the latest updates on the 2024 NFL Draft.
