DALLAS — 2024 NFL draft week has finally arrived, a time that Dallas Cowboys fans have circled on the calendar. The festivities kick off on Thursday night with round one and the proceedings represent the best opportunity for the team to make its biggest improvements this offseason.
After waiting out a lackluster free agency and doing very little to retain their own players, the Cowboys get their chance to hand pick the replacements for the litany of starters they’ve lost. But much like when the games start, 31 other teams can spoil their plans.
Nevertheless, the organization has spent the last few months putting together its draft board, and its needs are well-known. Reading the tea leaves, here’s a best guess at what the Cowboys can accomplish this weekend with their seven draft picks:
Round 1, pick No. 24: Duke OL Graham Barton
This really feels like a year where the Cowboys will trade back to pick up extra selections, and that’s the best guess at what they’ll actually do. (*NOTE: If they do trade back, this pick changes to LT Kingsley Suamataia of BYU)
However, by sticking to picks with their draft slot, the Cowboys get the best interior line prospect in the draft. He can play anywhere on the offensive line, but Barton’s a good bet to play center in Dallas and would give the offense their best player at the position since Travis Frederick was in his prime before he suffered with Guillain-Barre syndrome. The combination of agility, power, and IQ for the position would make Barton a homerun selection.
Round 2, pick No. 56: Texas RB Jonathon Brooks
Everyone knows the Cowboys are on the hunt for a starting running back and that could lead them to the consensus best RB in the draft. Brooks has quick feet, the acceleration, balance,
and speed to be the No. 1 RB in Mike McCarthy’s offense. He’s also got good hands and is a weapon out of the backfield.
The knock on Brooks is he’ll be coming off an ACL injury that occurred in November and he only has one season of experience as a workhorse. Brooks isn’t a physical punisher as a runner, but he’s still young and will turn 21-years old just before training camp.
The best is yet to come for Brooks, who could be the RB that the offense has been missing since the early days of Ezekiel Elliott. Few picks fit a team better than Brooks to the Cowboys.
Round 3, Pick No. 87: Washington OT Roger Rosengarten
Due to it being such a deep class at tackle, the Cowboys can look in a different direction early and still get a starting quality one like Rosengarten. Good in pass protection, with quick feet and strong hands, Rosengarten is solid in all facets of his game. He does lack the elite athleticism and strength that some of the top options have, but Rosengarten is still a starting caliber potential LT.
While playing mostly at RT at Washington, he’ll have to flip sides for the Cowboys. The belief is that shouldn’t be an issue and Rosengarten likely would be the day 1 starter at LT on a rebuilt line in Dallas.
Round 5, pick No. 174: Kentucky LB Trevin Wallace
Wallace has been a prospect seen as rising on draft boards, so he might not last until the fifth round, but the Cowboys could be the beneficiary if he does. The team has a big need at the position and Wallace might be exactly what they covet.
Wallace is an explosive athlete who can go sideline to sideline as a run and hit LB while offering some pass rushing skill as well. The knock on Wallace is his football instincts, but his skill set is exactly what the Cowboys’ defense needs.
Round 6, pick No. 216: Texas A&M DT McKinnley Jackson
The Cowboys might take another shot on a big, run-stuffing defensive tackle and after missing out on some of the top options early, Jackson could be available later. Standing at 6-foot-2 inches and weighing 325 lb., Jackson has the power in the middle to help against the run, while offering a little pass rush in the process.
Jackson isn’t as stout a player as he should be with his size and power, but if new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer can mold him as he did with Geno Atkins, who was a fourth-round pick-turned All-Pro with Zimmer in Cincinnati, the Cowboys could have a steal. The tools are
there for Jackson to outperform his draft status. If not, he should be a good rotational piece in the middle.
Round 7, pick No. 233: Michigan DE Jaylen Harrell
An underrated need for the defense resides at edge rusher, where Harrell could help as a situational pass rusher. Harrell has the pedigree – his father played in the NFL for eight years – and traits to be a contributor, so taking a flier on a talented player in the seventh round is never a bad idea.
Harrell has impressive wingspan, burst, has a feel for blitzing, and is good against the run, he just isn’t elite in any area. But his length could help on punt and field goal units, something the team lost when Dorance Armstrong departed in free agency.
The Cowboys tend to prefer players from Michigan, where they play in a pro-style system and Harrell can help in a few areas. Being good in the run game and being able to pitch in on special teams fits with Dallas as a late-round pick.
Round 7, pick No. 244: Miami WR Tyler Harrell
In the last round of the draft, you look for specific traits, and speed is one standout trait possessed by wideout Harrell. The Cowboys’ offense could use an influx of explosiveness and Harrell blazes the field.
The former Alabama and Louisville product bounced around to three schools and doesn’t have much production to show for it, but if Harrell puts it together, he gives the Cowboys a deep threat they’re missing.
Would you be satisfied with his draft class for the Cowboys? Share your thoughts with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.