The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft is over, and Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton is a member of the Dallas Cowboys. The selection came after the Cowboys moved down five spots and acquired an additional third-round pick at No. 73 overall. That will be crucial to how teams attack on day two of the draft.
As the second round gets ready to begin, the Cowboys have quite a few players they can and should target. The extra picks make your work a little more flexible. Without further ado, here are 10 players you can target on the second day of the draft.
2nd round
Jackson Powers Johnson, California – Oregon
A little over a month ago, the idea of the Cowboys taking on Jackson Powers-Johnson seemed impossible. The idea that they would pass on him a second time was pure fantasy. Nevertheless, Dallas did just that, and other teams around the league did as well.
Powers-Johnson has some injury concerns, but his talent is undeniable. Would the Cowboys feel better if the Oregon State center fell to them in the second round? After all, they still needed a center, and many experts were grading him in the first round.
Zach Frazier, California – West Virginia
Speaking of centers, Zach Frazier saw his name cross the Cowboys' radar late Wednesday night when Insider's Michael Gehrken published his profile. Gehrken's article highlighted the fact that Zack Martin gave Frazier his stamp of approval.
That alone should strengthen the idea that Frazier, a fourth-year starter at center for the Mountaineers, is a target for the Cowboys. It remains to be seen whether he will be available with the 56th pick or if the Cowboys could potentially trade for him.
Jonathan Brooks, RB – Texas
It seems inevitable that the Cowboys will draft Jonathan Brooks. All signs point to a desire to move heaven and earth. Brooks returned from a torn ACL last November, but even before that his playmaking ability was consistently on display.
Brooks will return to Dallas as a leader right away, but he could be a part of the committee early while he gets his feet under him again. It would be a shock if they did, as every report suggests that Jerry Jones wants to make Brooks look bad. please do not Get him at this point.
Edgerrin Cooper, LB – Texas A&M
The Cowboys didn't shy away from their needs at linebacker, even after signing veteran Eric Kendricks. While some may question the idea of valuing a linebacker so highly, some believe Edgerrin Cooper is the best linebacker in this draft.
Cooper fits into coach Mike Zimmer's Cowboys' defense as a big, downhill defender. He has room to grow in pass coverage, but that's where playing alongside Kendricks will be beneficial. Cooper oozes good qualities and could be a strong addition to his team.
Christian Haines, G – University College
Wait, what are you thinking? We don't need a guard, we need a center!
That's right, Tyler Guyton's first round pick probably means he will play left tackle and Tyler Smith will play left guard. Coincidentally, Christian Haynes has only played right guard at the collegiate level anyway, so he won't be a threat to Smith.
That said, Haynes spent a lot of time playing center at the Senior Bowl earlier this year, and by all accounts, he improved with each rep. Haynes was a standout lineman at UConn and became the third All-American in program history. Haynes is already preparing for a potential move, so the Cowboys could try to utilize his talents at center.
3rd round
T'Vondre Sweat, iDL – Texas
Tyvondre Sweat caught the attention of many at the combine when he ran the 40-yard dash in 5.27. This may be the slowest 40 of any defensive tackle this year, but it's impressive considering Sweat accomplished it at 366 pounds.
The huge nose tackle was momentary, but that moment faded when he was arrested for drunk driving earlier this month. Sweat's appeal is primarily as a run stuffer, and his draft availability is already limited, but the arrest further complicates matters. Still, the Cowboys have expressed a desire to get bigger in the trenches, and Sweat would provide divine value in the third round.
Trey Benson, RB – Florida State
The Cowboys are widely expected to select a running back at some point in this draft, with Jonathon Brooks being the most likely choice. That said, even if Brooks couldn't make it to Dallas, Trey Benson received a lot of interest from the Cowboys and appears to have responded.
“I feel like the Cowboys have the same plan as Florida State, so I think it's a good fit for me,” Florida State running back Trey Benson said of formal talks with the Dallas Cowboys. .” pic.twitter.com/ivW8T0bFxR
— John Machota (@jonmachota) March 1, 2024
Benson was an explosive playmaker at Florida State and would be a natural fit in Dallas. Most projections have Benson going early in the third round, so the fact that the Cowboys added a pick in that range on Thursday night could be a big factor in acquiring a running back. There is.
Jalen Wright, RB – Tennessee
Trey Benson isn't the only running back heavily involved with the Cowboys. The University of Tennessee's Jalen Wright was another high school prospect, and like Benson, he too has been frequently mocked as an early third-round pick.
Once again, the Cowboys' strategy of adding a third-rounder early in the first round could pay dividends in terms of finding a suitable running back prospect for them.
Tanner Bortolini, California – Wisconsin
If the Cowboys don't find a center in the second round, it would seem like a lock to take one of the two picks Tanor Bortolini currently has in the third round. After Bortolini's show at the combine, his stock skyrocketed, and the Wisconsin draft center is exactly the role the Cowboys want to play.
In reality, Bortolini is probably a fourth-round candidate — The Athletic's Dane Brugler gave him a late-third-round/early-fourth-round grade — but the Cowboys have There is no fourth-round pick. Therefore, targeting him in the third team seems quite reasonable.
Trevin Wallace, LB – Kentucky
Notice a trend here? The Cowboys' needs in this draft are very clear, and they will have plenty of options to address those needs on day two of the draft. Trevin Wallace has a wealth of athleticism, but he is still fine-tuning his ability to read offenses.
That seems to be exactly the type of playmaker Mike Zimmer looks for in a linebacker, and pairing him with savvy veteran Eric Kendricks should ease his transition to the NFL. Dallas will likely draft a linebacker at some point this weekend, and it will be hard to go beyond Wallace in the third round.
