We are less than a week away from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announcing the #1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears.
After several mock drafts leading up to the big day, today is the day I release my final Cowboys mock draft before the main event starts this Thursday.
As always, I utilized the Pro Football Focus Mock Draft Simulator with all the settings on median level to complete this mock.
Round 1 Pick 28 *From BUF*
**Trade**: DAL gets 28 and 60; BUF gets 24 and 87
Selection: OL Graham Barton, Duke
The first round couldn't have gone any better for me as the imaginary Dallas Cowboys' GM.
By trading back four spots with the Buffalo Bills, I acquired an extra pick in the top 60, making it three picks for me in the first two rounds.
There were only six offensive linemen taken before the clock started for the Cowboys, giving me the confidence to trade back four spots and still acquire a starting offensive lineman.
My confidence was rewarded when the Bills selected C Zach Frazier at 24. The Packers chose T JC Latham followed by two wide receiver selections from Arizona and Tampa Bay.
The versatile Graham Barton is my selection at 28, and I couldn't be happier.
His position flex means he can be considered a tackle or a center selection in round 1, giving me flexibility later to take either position.
Round 2 Pick 60 *From BUF*
Selection: LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
After executing yet another trade of the 56th pick (to be detailed later) the next pick for me is the 60th pick, and I'm excited to take LB Edgerrin Cooper from Texas A&M.
I was tempted by OT Kiran Amegadije from BYU as well as the explosive potential of WR Malachi Corley from Western Kentucky, but linebacker is too important to this defense.
With the news that the Cowboys will be moving to a more three-linebacker look on defense, Cooper could come in and immediately start.
Round 2 Pick 63 *From SF*
***Trade***: DAL gets 63 and 94; SF gets 56, 216, and 233
Selection: T Blake Fisher, Notre Dame
When the clock started on the 56th pick, I had a trade offer from the San Francisco 49ers to move back to pick 63.
After some back-and-forth negotiating, I acquired another top-100 pick near the range of the 87th pick I originally sent to Buffalo.
I also sent 6th and 7th-round picks to sweeten the deal because I'm comfortable drafting top-heavy in a draft where the Cowboys need as many impact players as possible.
It was difficult to pass on WR Malachi Corley and RBs Jaylen Wright and Trey Benson but I'm determined to fix the offensive line.
My selection is T Blake Fisher from Notre Dame. At first glance, you might ask why I would draft a right tackle when Terence Steele has that position locked up.
Fisher was initially recruited by Notre Dame as a left tackle but an injury sidelined him long enough for another draft prospect, Joe Alt, to replace him.
He still has the tools to play left tackle in the NFL, and drafting him allows Graham Barton to slide inside to be the starting center.
Round 4 Pick 101 *From CAR*
***Trade***: DAL gets 101, 142, 2025 7th; CAR gets 94
Selection: CB Jarrian Jones, Florida State
I was hoping that USC RB Marshawn Lloyd would fall to me at 94 but my dreams were dashed when he was selected by the Houston Texans with pick 86.
With no players I liked available to me in that range, I decided to accept an offer from the Carolina Panthers for the 94th pick.
Carolina drafted DT Brandon Dorlus and I received a 4th and 5th round pick in return.
With the first pick of the 4th round, I select CB Jarrian Jones from Florida State.
Jones is a slot specialist who can spend a year under current slot specialist Jourdan Lewis before taking over the job in 2025.
He might even see significant playing time this season considering the lack of depth beyond the top three on the depth chart.
Round 4 Pick 142 *From CAR*
Selection: DT Leonard Taylor III, Miami
Having addressed offensive line (twice), linebacker, and cornerback, I was happy to see DT Leonard Taylor III available for me with the second 4th-round pick acquired from Carolina.
The defense is under Mike Zimmer now, and he is intent on getting bigger and stronger in the middle of the defense.
Enter Taylor, and dominant force in the middle whose biggest problem is remaining consistent with his play.
Zimmer can get the best out of him and with Osa Odighizuwa in a contract year, he could eventually be his replacement.
Round 5 Pick 174
Selection: RB Kimani Vidal, Troy
My 5th-round selection at pick 174 is the first original selection of my Cowboys draft since I have traded up and down the entire draft.
I finally get my running back when Kimani Vidal from Troy is available to me.
Vidal is a shorter back, standing at just 5'8″ tall, but he has a compact 218-pound frame perfect for bouncing off of tackles.
He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the combine, and he looks even faster on the field.
Vidal and Dowdle can make a good tandem for 2024, and Vidal can take over the starting role in 2025.
Round 7 Pick 244
Selection: WR Lideatrick Griffin, Mississippi State
The final selection of my mock draft is WR Lideatrick Griffin from Mississippi State University.
A wide receiver from Prescott's alma mater, Griffin has a ways to go in his development as a receiver, but that's not why I drafted him.
Griffin is a return specialist in the mold of KaVontae Turpin, and the new kickoff rules will give them the opportunity to be on the field at the same time.
It could give the Cowboys an advantage that no other team in the NFL has.
Results
I really enjoyed this final mock draft, and feel that I hit on all of the team's immediate needs without reaching or putting need over value.
The offensive line is fixed with new starting C Graham Barton and starting LT Blake Fisher.
Zimmer will be happy to insert LB Edgerrin Cooper and DT Leonard Taylor III into the middle of his new-look defense.
The rushing attack could look more dynamic with Kimani Vidal taking carries, and I even managed to draft the slot CB replacement for Jourdan Lewis after 2024.
Pro Football Focus graded my draft an A-, and I have to agree. Three trades might seem unlikely, but I felt it was necessary to immediately improve the team for a championship run in 2024.
