With a disastrous free agency period all but over, the NFL Draft is next on the horizon for the Dallas Cowboys, and they have major work to do if they are going to compete in 2024.
The Cowboys got worse since free agency started, that is not up for debate.
They lost countless starters, including All-Pro Left Tackle, Tyron Smith, and, to this point, have only brought in one external free agent.
It is hard to see a path for the current roster to compete against teams like the 49ers, Eagles, Lions, and Packers in 2024, but they can do their best to change that with an aggressive draft class this April.
At this point, Dallas has too many holes in the roster to solve every weakness.
What they can do is maximize the talent they have in-house at positions of need, and then draft at the spots that are too weak to bandage up with existing options.
The draft can’t solve all their problems, but they can still make the playoffs if they play their cards right in the draft.
Here are three ways the Cowboys can utilize the draft to fix the roster heading into 2024.
Trade Up with 2025 Picks
The one positive that comes from Dallas losing as much as they have is the compensatory picks they will receive for the 2025 NFL Draft.
They are set to gain two 5th-round picks for Tyler Biadasz and Dorance Armstrong’s departure and two 6th-round picks for the loss of Smith and Tony Pollard.
#Cowboys updated 2025 draft picks:
R1 allotted
R2 allotted
R3 allotted
R4 allotted
R5 allotted
R5 compensatory (Biadasz)
R5 compensatory (Armstrong)
R6 allotted
R6 compensatory (Pollard)
R6 compensatory (Smith)
R7 allottedLook for DAL to possibly dip into their ‘25 allotment…
— Dominic White (@DomWWhite) March 16, 2024
That gives Dallas a total of 11 draft picks in the 2025 draft class.
Simply put, it would be silly to wait until next year to use those picks.
The amount of draft capital they now have in next year’s draft gives Dallas a perfect opening to make moves in the 2024 draft.
With how deep this draft class is, the Cowboys could realistically trade up in the first, second, third, and even fourth rounds to bring in a starting caliber player at a position of need. This is a must if they expect to compete next season.
If Dallas expects to just use the picks they currently have, the roster will be in bad shape.
Because of the Trey Lance trade, the Cowboys currently have just three selections in the first 172 picks. That is not good at all.
If we were looking at a complete roster in Dallas, that would not be such a big issue, but with glaring holes on the offensive line, at wide receiver, and on all three levels of the defense, this could be more of a rebuilding season if the Cowboys don’t trade for more picks.
It would be a mistake to stockpile picks for 2025. They have to use those picks as leverage to trade up in this draft.
Draft Skill Positions Early
The expectation for the Cowboys draft class has been offensive line and linebacker as the first priorities, but that would be a mistake if they are looking to win in 2024.
Right now, Dallas has guys that can start on the offensive line next season.
By shifting Tyler Smith to LT and starting T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman on the interior, the Cowboys can go into 2024 with a young, high-potential starting offensive line without using their limit draft capital on a rookie lineman.
If the Cowboys had to play a game next week, their starting offensive line:
RT: Terence Steele
RG: Zack Martin
C: Brock Hoffman
LG: T.J. Bass
LT: Tyler Smith— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 16, 2024
The same goes for the linebacker position after the addition of Eric Kendricks.
With Kendricks in, DeMarvion Overshown set to make his debut after a rookie-season ACL tear, and Damone Clark heading into his third season, they have a suitable linebacker room.
The same can not be said for the wide receiver group, especially after the release of Michael Gallup, and the running back position.
Right now, Dallas has just two starting-caliber receivers and no running backs on the roster.
For the Cowboys to be successful, they have to have a high-powered offense. They can have that in 2024 if they go after a true WR3 and a starting running back in the early rounds of the draft.
With no star running back in this draft class, they can go after first-round receivers like Adonai Mitchell, Brian Thomas Jr, and Xavier Worthy, and follow up with one of the top RBs in the second round.
Texas WR Adonai Mitchell had a formal meeting with the Cowboys
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) March 1, 2024
It is not being greedy to go after the skill positions early, it is being resourceful.
Don’t Forget D-Line
There is an under-the-radar need for Dallas that is getting lost in the offensive line, linebacker, and wide receiver mix. The Cowboys are in desperate need of defensive line help.
After losing Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr, the depth at defensive end is gone.
Dorance Armstrong has agreed to terms with Washington a source said. Cowboys lose one of their young pass rushers.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) March 11, 2024
The team has also yet to bring back Defensive Tackle Johnathan Hankins, and they lost Neville Gallimore in free agency.
With a disappointing season by Mazi Smith in 2023, the team is left with virtually no defensive end depth and perhaps only one starting-caliber defensive tackle in Osa Odighizuwa. That could be a killer for the Cowboys in 2024.
The draft is where Dallas can solve this problem, especially in the middle rounds.
If they can pick some scheme-fitting, middle-round gems, they can let Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence carry the strength of the line while getting support from the rookies.
As I said, the Cowboys’ weakness on the defensive line isn’t being talked about enough.
Without a draft strategy to improve there and at every other spot mentioned, 2024 could be a rocky season for the Cowboys organization.
Odig, dt, had a high PFF rating. While most commentators mention only the impending contracts of Dak, Lamb and Parsons, Odig should be in their consideration as well. I would to lose him as Dallas has not shown a good ability to draft dts for some time.
Rookie dts usually face struggles. Let’s hope Mazi can improve with another offseason. We failed to be able to run and to stop the run in the playoffs during the last two years. I still favor drafting another dt, like Sweat. Kendricks and better dt run-stopping should make a big difference. PFF had Pollard rated as the best RB in the NFL from week 11 onward. It took awhile from sustaining his playoff injury to regain his birth. WR is needed. I am hopeful the rookie FAs, Bass and Hoffman, can do the job, but the odds are long that both will be suitable.
What do you mean free agency period being all but over? We’re less than a week into the new season… Are we happy with the additions/resignings in the first week? No, but let’s not act like like we don’t still have 95 percent of the offseason to go. It’s not like we missed out on anything too crazy. A DT would’ve been nice, but I’m happy with Kendricks. I’m fine passing on an expensive RB, were still paying dead money for Zeke. Go get a cheap JK Dobbins, bring Rico back, and then get a draft pick. I think the biggest loss is Tyron. If you’re going to say “all in” I feel like that was the one player to definitely bring back. But who are we so sad we didn’t sign in FA? A 30 year old RB? Really? How about playing 13M a year for an RB? Those numbers don’t add up. This article is very doom and gloomy. Also, I would definitely still consider using a first round pick on OLine. We’ve drafted multiple first round linemen in the past few years and they’ve all been all-pro (Tyron, Tyler, Zack, Travis). Late round Oline, play for a couple years and then find contacts elsewhere (both Connors, Biadish, Collins). I’d rather rely on an undrafted or late round receiver or running back than a late round offensive tackle or guard. It will be interesting to see how Dallas fills all the roster holes with fewer picks this year, but I wouldn’t dip into next year’s picks. We did that last year for Eric Scott and (this year’s 5th for a 7th last year), and he ended up not seeing the field, so I’d prefer an early trade down to pick up more day 1/2 selections.
I agree with everything you said except the part about Tyron Smith. He is set to make as much as $20 MIL with the Jets. Cowboys were never going to pay him that sort of money. Not at that age with the associated injury risk.
Oh Yeah, you are correct and I totally agree. I love Tyron and wanted him back, but that was way too costly. I’m very happy for him though that he got that money, but very upset for the Cowboys. I’m curious to see if they bump Tyler Smith out or draft a OL first round. I feel like that’s the toughest hole to patch in FA.
So the Jones have finally either completely lost their mind, which is highly likely, or they have decided that 2024, 2025 will be a rebuilding season without telling anyone. Either possibility is equally likely, but with the egos of Jerry and Steven Jones clearly on display I think option one is most likely. These guys think, and have thought for many years, that they are the smartest guys in the room, and that they can simply pull rabbits from a hat through the draft, or the scrap heap of players released during training camp and preseason games and still field a Super Bowl contender. The Dallas Cowboys will not see another Super Bowl until, the good Lord willing, something possesses them to sell this team! Boy do I long for the 90s when Jimmy Johnson was running this franchise!
They aren’t going to fill all those needs in the draft. You’re lucky to hit on more than one player each year during their rookie season.
This mock may fill some holes early on and keep them in the mix. Solidifies the center position (don’t necessarily trust a UDFA cut by the Commanders). Keeping Tyler outside eliminates a need for drafting an OT. Two DT to shore up the leaky middle of the D-line. Fills gaping hole at RB. Gets super high motor, high production LB and high potential, speed/size threat WR. Three players from National Champs.
OC Jackson Powers-Johnson, OR
DT Kris Jenkins, MI
RB Blake Coram, MI
LB Tommy Eichenberg, OH State
WR Cornelius Jenkins, MI
DT Evan Anderson, FAU
DE Gabriel Murphy, UCLA