The 2024 NFL Draft is finally here. Thousands are in attendance and millions will watch the draft around the world.
Eminem even walked on stage alongside NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to start off the festivities in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan.
The draft started as expected when USC QB Caleb Williams was the first name of the evening called to the Chicago Bears.
Washington followed that up with QB Jayden Daniels from LSU and Drake Maye was drafted to the Patriots right behind him.
Three quarterbacks were taken in the first three picks in a 1st round that ended up setting a record with six taken in the first 12 selections.
There was also another record set when the first defensive player wasn’t selected until the 15th pick when the Indianapolis Colts called for DE Laiatu Latu from UCLA.
Through the first 15 picks, the Cowboys’ War Room had to have been rubbing their hands together.
At that point, only three offensive linemen had been drafted, a position considered the Cowboys’ biggest need.
The early run on quarterbacks and wide receivers with a tight end and some defensive linemen mixed in pushed talent down the board closer to the Cowboys’ pick.
Pick 18 saw the Cincinnati Bengals draft OT Amarius Mims from Georgia and a short two picks later, Pittsburgh selected OT Troy Fautanu.
Here is where the stress started. A stretch of three picks to teams who could all use offensive line help: Miami, Philadelphia, and Jacksonville.
Miami decided to take EDGE Chop Robinson at 21 and the Eagles happily turned in the card for the top cornerback in the draft, Quinyon Mitchell, who somehow fell to pick 22.
Jacksonville selected WR Brian Thomas Jr. from LSU and the clock finally started in the Cowboys’ War Room.
Surprise!
Dallas Cowboys journalist Nick Harris reported there were several offers on the table for the Cowboys to trade back in the draft and accumulate more mid-round picks in exchange for pick 24.
Much to the dismay of about 50% of Cowboys Nation, Dallas accepted one of these trade offers from the Detroit Lions to move back to pick 29.
The Lions sent the Cowboys pick 29 and pick 73 (3rd round) for the rights to draft Alabama CB Terrion Arnold with the 24th pick in the draft.
Dallas also sent a 2025 7th-round pick back to sweeten the deal.
After the trade, the Cowboys own picks 29, 56, 73, and 87 in the top 100 picks.
Picks 25-28
After the Lions drafted just the second cornerback of the 1st round, the suspense for the remaining offensive linemen on the board resumed.
We once again were at the mercy of other teams. Four this time, and three of which are looking to bolster their offensive line.
The first domino fell at 25 when the Packers selected Arizona OT Jordan Morgan.
Cowboys fans’ hearts were broken on the next pick when Tampa Bay selected OL Graham Barton from Duke, a Dallas fanbase draft favorite.
Arizona chose DE Darius Robinson from Missouri and the Chiefs traded up to pick 28 to select Texas WR Xavier Worthy, leaving the Cowboys on the clock for the second time in the round.
The Pick
After three and a half hours of waiting, the Cowboys finally made their pick in the 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The pick is Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton, and his selection had the Cowboys’ War Room celebrating.
Guyton played primarily right tackle at Oklahoma, but he was responsible for protecting the blind side of his left-handed quarterback.
The move likely means All-Pro LG Tyler Smith is staying put at his position, and the addition of Guyton gives the Cowboys a formidable left side on their offensive line for years to come.