Dallas Cowboys mock draft: 2024 final 7 round projections fix O-line

The 2024 NFL Draft is just over a week away, and mock draft season is nearing its end. Before we close the book on all the speculation and speculation about what the Dallas Cowboys will do with this year's draft picks, I thought I'd throw in one more prediction for fun.

Rather than approach this mock draft from a Cowboys team mindset, I'm doing the opposite and selecting players with my general manager hat on. Acquiring more draft capital is the real move, but for this exercise, we're just using the picks available.

The mindset heading into the 2024 NFL Draft is to get bigger and better on both sides of the ball in the trenches. This alone should have a positive ripple effect, improving the productivity of the entire team in both offense and defense. That will be the basis for the following selections.

*Player rankings are based on data from Dane Brugler 2024 Draft Guide, The Beast

1.24 – OC Graham Burton, Duke

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Graham Burton offers a five-position flex that allows him to play almost any position on the offensive line, but projects best along the inside as a guard or center. He will be challenged to start from day one as the immediate replacement for Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz.

When the Cowboys have time, Barton is very likely the best player available on the board (BPA). He is Dane Brugler's top-ranked OC and is ranked 18th overall in the Top 100 rankings. Dallas is in dire need of offensive line help now and in the future, and this selection is definitely a big step in the right direction.

According to Dane Brugler,

Barton needs some adjustment moving inside, but with his athletic feet and strong hands, he works hard to stick to the block between whistles. He is projected to be an above-average NFL starter at guard or center (reminiscent of Aaliyah Berra-Tucker).

2.56 – OT Brandon Coleman, TCU

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Brandon Coleman played both left guard and tackle during his time at TCU and has the positional flexibility to play either position at the next level. His size, agility, length, and power are reminiscent of Tyler Smith, whom the Cowboys already have. Between the two, Dallas could decide whether to play LG or LT.

Coleman seems most comfortable in the LT and has the agility and length (34-inch arms) to get the job done. But like most rookies, there will be ups and downs as he adjusts to NFL speed. He ranks No. 9 in OT behind Dane Brugler and No. 66 overall in the Top 100 rankings.

According to Dane Brugler,

Coleman needs to improve his technical stability, but his mobility, spatial awareness and length are components that offensive line coaches covet. He has traits that allow him to stay on the outside when tackling, while providing positional flexibility when guarding.

3.87 – RB Jalen Wright, Tennessee

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Jalen Wright is perhaps the fastest, most explosive running back in the entire 2024 draft class. Unlike Jonathan Brooks and Trey Benson, he has never had a lower leg injury in his career, which is a big plus. He has three-down ability and has a lot of tread on his tires despite having less than 400 total offensive touches in his college career.

The former Tennessee running back could be a more explosive version of Tony Pollard for the Cowboys. Whenever he touches the ball as a runner or receiver, there's a big play waiting to happen. He was coach Dane Brugler's No. 4 running back this year and came in at No. 83 overall in the top 100 rankings, putting him within striking distance for the Cowboys.

According to Dane Brugler,

Wright needs to develop a better feel for using tempo to make the most of what's there, but his running ability, balance, and ability to cut/weave at top speed will help him get the most out of the ball. It is dangerous to hold it in your hand. He is projected to be a versatile back in the scheme (similar to Jerome Ford in style) who can play on all three downs.

5.174 – LB Jaylan Ford, Texas

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Jaylan Ford was one of the most productive linebackers in the country over his final two seasons at the University of Texas. He's a bit of an old-school, old-school LB who isn't going to wow anyone with his athleticism. But he's a smooth mover and one of the most instinctive players at his position in the entire 2024 draft class.

Even after signing Eric Kendricks in free agency, the Dallas Cowboys could use more depth at the Mike LB position. At 6-foot-2 and 239 pounds, Jaylan Ford has the typical size that Mike Zimmer likes, a position he played at UT in Pete Kwiatkowski's 4-3 scheme. . I really like him as a depth LB and core special teams player. Cowboys.

According to Dane Brugler,

Ford doesn't play with tremendous explosiveness or speed, but his instinctive approach to the game puts him in position to make plays and hasn't let him down yet. He projects to be somewhere between an NFL reserve and rotational middle linebacker.

6.216 – WR Ainias Smith, Texas A&M

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Ainias Smith is a versatile offensive weapon who can play as a wide receiver on the outside or in the slot, as well as take handoffs out of the backfield as a running back. He is also one of the better punt returners in the 2024 draft class and has experience returning kickoffs. He is somewhat similar to Deebo Samuel in his versatility.

Smith may not be the biggest (5'9″, 190) or fastest (4.55 40-yard dash), but he has the skill set and characteristics that earned him a versatile offensive role with the Cowboys as a rookie. He continued to develop his skills in a variety of ways as a “gadget” player early on, earning a six-round grade from Dane Brugler.

According to Dane Brugler,

While Smith doesn't have the ideal size or catch radius, he is an instinctive athlete with sharp gear changes and competitive toughness who is productive with the ball in his hands. He has the potential to be the team's top punt returner as a rookie, and his offensive skill set shows similarities to Elijah Moore.

7.233 – DT Christian Boyd, Northern Iowa

Christian Boyd was looked down upon at the combine, but he was more than capable of having a long-term NFL career. Some see him as a next-level nose tackle, while others see him as a 3-technique. That kind of versatility could prove invaluable for the Cowboys, who desperately need more depth at the DT position.

Personally, I hope the Dallas Cowboys target the DT position much sooner than this, but all is forgiven if they get Boyd here, and it could be a steal in the draft. He could potentially force Mazi Smith into a streak at nose tackle, or at least provide needed depth behind both him and Osa Odighizuwa.

According to Dane Brugler,

Boyd can get caught on the block against long-armed resistance, but he's a solid run stuffer who consumes space and has pass-rushing potential. He will be interested in different schemes as a piece of quality and depth.

2.244 – CB Chigozie Anousiem, Colorado

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Chigozi Anousiem has impressive intangibles that make him worthy of taking the Flyer as the Cowboys' final draft pick in 2024. At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds and 4.39 speed, he has the size/length/speed combination teams covet in an outside cornerback position. He works best in press man coverage, but also has zone experience.

The former Colorado State cornerback provides much-needed depth at cornerback and will become a mainstay on special teams as he develops. He could step in right away and compete for the CB4 position behind Trevon Diggs, Daron Brand, and Jordan Lewis early as a rookie, possibly becoming another late-game steal for the Cowboys. .

According to Dane Brugler,

Anusiem's ​​lack of on-ball performance is concerning, but he plays with an edge and has the blend of height, weight and speed that NFL teams covet. He will serve as a rotational press man corner with zone experience.