It is hard to believe that the NFL draft is right around the corner.
The Dallas Cowboys season once again came to an end by losing to the Packers in the Wild Card round, and here we are again talking about the draft.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy also attended Notre Dame's Pro Day yesterday. Notre Dame's top prospects in this year's draft class:
Joe Alt, OT
Blake Fisher, OT
Audric Estime, RB
Cam Hart, CB
Javontae Jean-Baptiste, DE
Marist Liufau, LB— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 22, 2024
Dallas has signed ONE outside free agent, Eric Kendricks.
Jerry Jones direction for going “all-in,” clearly isn't the way most fans thought it would be, some believed him, others like me didn't.
We know Dallas will likely draft some type of offensive lineman in the first round at pick 24.
After that though, your guess is as good as mine.
I think they will probably go someone on offense like a wide receiver or running back, maybe even a defensive tackle.
They lost Johnathan Hankins to Seattle and I don't think enough people understand how HUGE of a loss that is going to be.
This team already lost 90% of their depth to Dan Quinn and Washington, and they couldn't stop the run to begin with.
Now their biggest body and best run defender is gone, and don't try and tell me Mazi Smith is going to make a second year leap, he is awful.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is attending Michigan's Pro Day today. Dallas used its first two picks on Michigan players last year (Mazi Smith, Luke Schoonmaker). Some of Michigan's top 2024 NFL Draft prospects:
J.J. McCarthy, QB
Junior Colson, LB
Roman Wilson, WR
Mike Sainristil,…— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 22, 2024
Keep An Eye On Them
Look for the Cowboys to add to the linebacker depth in the later rounds, someone like J.D. Bertrand from Notre Dame.
He is a good inside linebacker, His produced 102 tackles in 2021.
Improved pass coverage as a senior, highlighted by five passes broken up. Bertrand doesn't look like a day one starter, but with a coach like Mike Zimmer running the defense now, he very well could bring well needed depth for Dallas.
Another name people may have heard of is Jeremiah Trotter from Clemson, he projected to go as early as the 3rd and as late as the 5th.
He had 87 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, five passes defended and two forced fumbles during 2023.
Team sources said Trotter is a very good college player, but he faces some athletic limitations for the NFL.
I still think Trotter will translate to the NFL game he is great at rushing the passer from the linebacker spot.
His smaller frame allows him to get around bigger offensive lineman and get flush the quarterback out of the pocket.
Ty'Ron Hopper Is a project type player, he entered the NFL draft when he should have returned to Missouri for another year.
He recorded 55 tackles, three passes defended and three sacks. Before transferring he played at Florida, but didn't see the field much.
This is the type of player that could be a steal in round 5.
Don't Reach
Neither 3 of these guys should be touched before at LEAST the middle of the third round.
The Cowboys clearly have a need at defensive line, linebacker even with adding Kendricks, and offensive line.
Don't expect them to take a linebacker within the first two picks, that should be offensive line, and then either running back, wide receiver, or defensive line.
The draft isn't going to fix the Cowboys problems, yet Jerry Jones always thinks it's will.
He wants to do things his way, and it hasn't worked for 30 years.
He continues to waste Hall of Famers left and right.
After 13 seasons in Dallas, former Cowboys LT Tyron Smith plans to sign with the Jets, a person familiar with his decision said.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 16, 2024
I really hope the Jets at least make the AFC title game, so Tryon Smith can get a little taste of what winning in the postseason feels like.
In summary, I hate talking about the draft, because as much as it stinks, most of the players the Cowboys take outside of the first couple rounds, will fold.
I really think the Cowboys are going to take a HUGE step back, because Jerry won't make the moves with proven players and get them in the door.
