After months of discussing, analyzing, and celebrating the NFL Draft, this week is finally here.
• Will the Dallas Cowboys draft a left tackle of the future?
• What are the prospects going back to 2024?
• What position does Tyler Smith play?
athletic The Dallas Cowboys have conducted multiple mock drafts in recent weeks, winning writers John Machota and Saad Yusuf. In the finale, both writers teamed up to tackle the Pro Football Draft on his network's Draft simulator. For the purposes of this exercise and the type of proposals generated, transactions were not considered.
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NFL Draft 2024 “The Beast” Guide: Dane Brugler’s Scouting Report and Player Rankings
Round 1, Pick 24
Graham Burton, OL, Duke
The best players available included Oklahoma State OT Tyler Guyton, Oregon State center Jackson Powers-Johnson, Missouri State DE Darius Robinson, and BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia. We were talking about Guyton, but Burton was ultimately selected mainly because we wanted to see how the rest of the draft would play out if we didn't address an offensive tackle in the first round. Body. In this scenario, the Cowboys would immediately get plug-and-play. Play as a starter at center or guard. Barton will likely work at center. If that happens, Dallas could try to start at left tackle in one of the next two rounds, but that would seem to be the signal to move Tyler Smith from left guard to left tackle. In that case, TJ Bass could become the starting left guard.
If Dallas thinks Guyton can be the starting left tackle, that makes a lot of sense. There is a Quality Center option in the second and third rounds. Will that be the case at left tackle as well? The decision could depend on Barton's position on the Cowboys' board of directors. If he's significantly higher than any tackle option, he should be the pick. The last thing the Cowboys should do is reach for an offensive tackle just because that's probably their biggest need. The overwhelming favorite for Dallas' first-round pick still appears to be on the offensive line.
Round 2, pick 56
Jonathan Brooks, RB, Texas
The Cowboys added depth and experience to their running back room by signing Royce Freeman last week, but it's still a position without a high-profile playmaker. This choice will be interesting, as several different directions can be justified. If anyone argues that taking a running back in the second round is a little premature, as there could be comparable talent in the third round, that's a valid point. Acquiring a player like Jalen Wright or even Braylon Allen in the third round would add even more momentum to the backfield. If the Cowboys can trade back and add a third or fourth round pick, that could be the path for them.
However, the Cowboys could almost draft the running back they want in the second round. In this mock, only Trey Benson was off the board when the Cowboys had time left. If the Cowboys had done a better job in free agency and didn't leave too many other holes on the roster, selecting Brooks here would have been an even easier decision. Brooks returned from a torn ACL at the end of last season and will add a dimension to this team that was greatly lacking. He is an elusive runner, a capable receiver, and a solid blocker. He can play on all three downs, but would likely be a better fit as part of a committee that could also include Rico Doodle, Freeman, Deuce Vaughn and Malik Davis.
Used in the right situation and at the right dose, Brooks could be an exciting addition to the Cowboys' offense, much like Tony Pollard was before he was asked to become a bell cow.
Round 3, pick 87
Roger Rosengarten, Ottawa, WA
If the Cowboys are able to get past the first round without drafting a tackle, whether it's at No. 24 or a little later after a trade back, they'll likely draft Tyler Smith as a left tackle in 2024. And he will have to make peace with Bass as the league leader. Clubhouse for Saemon. Despite their insistence on keeping Smith at left guard, next season's fallback scenario isn't too dire, and it doesn't mean Smith has to move to the outside permanently. It also doesn't mean the Cowboys shouldn't take the tackle page out of their draft book and add a premium pick at that position.
As for Chuma Edoga and Asim Richards, Rosengarten will be the top choice to be the Cowboys' primary swing tackle in 2024. Like other tackles discussed for the Cowboys in recent weeks, much of Rosengarten's recent work in college has been at right tackle. However, he has a history of playing left tackle in high school and early college. Now that he's getting his feet wet for the NFL game and has received more coaching, Rosengarten could be the Cowboys' answer at left tackle. It's a choice that will require patience from the team and fan base, but it doesn't exactly match the message this offseason. That's not a disadvantage to Rosengarten, and it shouldn't result in him being rushed into a role he's not ready for.
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Trey Lance, the Cowboys' 2024 fourth-round pick, will be a huge asset as the big summer approaches.
Round 5, pick 174
Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State University
This seemed like great value late in the fifth round. The Athletic's NFL draft expert Dane Brugler has Eichenberg in the third to fourth rounds. Linebacker is a position of need, especially after Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones commented last week about changes to Dallas' defense with new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
“Philosophically, I think it's going to be a three-linebacker system instead of a two-linebacker, three-safety system,” Jones said on Dallas' 105.3 The Fan. “I think the other thing is we're probably going to look bigger and stronger down the middle.”
The Cowboys signed veteran Eric Kendricks in addition to Damone Clark and DeMarvion Overshawn, but they need more linebackers. It would be surprising if Dallas doesn't draft at least one player this weekend.
Tommy Eichenberg had 82 tackles in 10 games last season and will total 120 tackles in 13 games in 2022. (USA Today)
Round 6, pick 216
Jaden Cramedi, DT, Mississippi State
When Jones noted that he's gotten “bigger and stronger” in the middle of the defense, he was talking about defensive tackles. It's no secret that the Cowboys' run defense has been an issue in recent years. Dallas needs to draft help at defensive tackle after losing Jonathan Hankins and Neville Gallimore to free agency.
“His speed and length come into play in the run game, where there are lanes to chase,” Brugler wrote of Krumedi in The Beast. “However, he plays with inconsistent gap control and allows angle blocks to get into him too much. Overall, Kurumedi's record is more sporadic than consistent, but when evaluating flashes, There aren't many 300-pounders with his athleticism and power potential, and if the fire stays on they can keep him. We are planning to do so.”
Round 7, pick 233
Ryan Watts, South, Texas
Watts is the type of player who has sleeper potential in the draft because he has a lot of tools that are difficult to develop at this stage, but he hasn't put it all together yet. The Cowboys are losing depth in their defensive backfield (CB Stephon Gilmore and safety Jaylon Kearse), so there could be an internal upgrade from the special teams ranks like Juanie Thomas or Eric Scott Jr. is high. Watts could be a solid candidate to slide in there, taking on a key special teams role and helping John Fassel develop his defensive skills. The Cowboys would also have the option to start working with him at safety, cornerback or a hybrid option.
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Breaking down what the Cowboys could do with their first round draft pick
Round 7, pick 244
Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State
With most of the positions of need addressed, it seemed like the right time to add more depth at linebacker. Even if Watson can't contribute immediately on defense, the Cowboys could certainly use his help on special teams. This is another area where they are looking to improve even more compared to last season. Watson is considered a tackling machine, leading the SEC with 137 tackles last season and logging 113 total tackles in 2022.
“Watson's average agility and erratic instincts lead to some inconsistency, but he has the size, quick reaction time and tackling skills to fill the stat sheet.” Watson's 6th round grade Brugler, who left behind, wrote. “He will need to shine on special teams to secure a backup role on an NFL defense.”
Unless the Cowboys add more picks or trade for veterans, it's unlikely they will come out of the draft and fill all of their roster needs. Still, while it's possible to feel good about the situation on paper in April, the average hit rate of draft picks suggests it will take more time than what will happen this week to address needs. They were a flawed team that was exposed in the playoffs, and their activity, or lack thereof, in free agency added to that.
One thing the Cowboys will have to consider is the degree of vulnerability at the position that needs to be addressed. Left tackle is arguably the most important spot to fill on the roster, but it's also the position of clear need where Smith has the most reliable contingency plan. Running back is on the other end of the spectrum, a position that is becoming less and less valuable, but without a reliable existing solution.
One of the most common debates this time of year related to draft philosophy is whether a team should draft the best player available or focus on positions of need. The Cowboys have a lot of positions of need, so they face the unenviable task of combining two ideologies to acquire quality players who can fill those holes right away.
(Top photo of Jonathan Brooks: Chris Leduc / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
