Every year, we read the tea leaves and look for any other foreshadowing of what the Dallas Cowboys will do in the NFL Draft. No matter what you think about the end result, there seems to be a pretty clear process. That particular part is one of the most predictive of what they will actually do during the draft. This is the 30th official visit they have hosted at The Star. While these are currently ongoing, our intrepid staff has tracked down 20 names of potential visitors as reported by reliable sources.
Given past history, some of these names could have been sent to the podium by Dallas during the draft. Last year, Maji Smith, Viliami Fehoko, Demarvion Overshawn, and Eric Scott all showed up in Frisco before being taken by the Cowboys. The year before, Sam Williams, Daron Brand, Marquise Bell and Malik Davis all visited team headquarters.
If you look back at how they acquire these players, they are not only using visits to look at players to acquire for premium spots, but also using some players for more speculative prospects. You can see. So far this year, we've learned all the players expected to go into the seventh round, including 13 who appear to be first- or second-round talent. Players they will likely be interested in on Days 1 and 2 of the draft, considering the Cowboys currently only have seven picks and are missing one in the fourth round. It seems. Among the 10 names we haven't heard yet are players that we're probably looking at late in Day 3 and players that could be priority targets for UDFAs, as was the case with Bell and Davis. right.
Not only is it beneficial to know who might be targeted somewhere in the draft, but it's also important to pay a lot of attention to the positions teams are taking. This year, a few flashing neon signs seem to indicate what the team stands for. The team wants it.
Of the seven highest-rated players on the list, five are offensive linemen and four appear to be worthy of the Cowboys' first pick at age 24. This includes both tackle and interior line prospects, both of which the team could use. Tyler Smith has a bit of flexibility and can stay at guard or move to tackle. That could depend on who they can nab in the early rounds this year. Smith came in and became a Day 1 starter, and would expect the same if they can acquire offensive talent with their current first-round selection.
As mentioned earlier, there are two other players who are ranked by analysts as first round or close to it. Both are defensive linemen, one DT and one EDGE rusher. Unless Dallas throws a curveball (which is entirely possible considering Smith never came before being a first-round pick), their first draft pick will be active in the trenches. We can expect him to become a big player.
That intention is clear from their known visits, and there are almost equally clear signs of what they intend on the second day. The next six names on the list are all seen as second-round talent, in order: three linebackers, two running backs and a wide receiver. Logically, it can be interpreted that the team's intention is to follow up with a lineman in the second and third rounds at linebacker and running back, preferably on offense. The lone wideout looks like a hedge against the board getting wiped out at that point.
There are still 10 names left that might give a better indication of whether they are considering other options for a third-round pick, but the picture is already clear. This is a needs-driven draft, with the ability to go outside or inside the offensive line, adding a bit of the best player available in the first round.
Strictly from a needs perspective, this is beyond reproach for many people. The holes on the offensive line, linebackers and running backs are probably the most glaring. However, Tom has a contrary opinion. He agrees that teams should never take a running back before the third day. It's probably the position that can be best filled by a late-round player with little impact on the running game's overall effectiveness. There are some very good college backs that come in their rookie year and make big contributions. We saw how Ezekiel Elliott performed in the best first season of his career in Dallas. However, his yards per carry have clearly trended downward throughout his time with the Cowboys, which argues against taking a running back early. Other positions can increase in value over time, and linemen often have long and productive careers. Linebackers also tend to develop in their first few seasons, and wide receivers tend to peak in their third year and sometimes continue to develop, like CeeDee Lamb as a completely random example.
Unfortunately, that's not how the team's owners think, at least in Tom's eyes. And with Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones in charge of general manager duties and the final say on picks, it wouldn't be surprising to see them acquire a running back on Day 2.
Looking back at the team's last 30 visiting lists, this year is one of the clearest indications of what the team is going to do with the draft. They may pay lip service to the best players available, but need is almost always the real driver here. This year, they have created some very pressing ones, but lack the draft capital to fill them. After a very poor performance in the 2023 draft, they can't afford to miss out on a pick in the first three rounds this year. Visits are just one part of the board building process. It gives you the opportunity to evaluate intangible things like a player's personality and attitude. Although inherently less accurate, it can make a difference in prioritizing leads.
Of course, sometimes a visit isn't necessary to get your name exalted on your board, as we saw with the example of Smith, who was a little surprised he wasn't invited. But when you add in the names and titles they actually brought to the table, the results become clear. And it is expected that at least a few of the names on this year's list will come to Dallas to sign with the team.
