The 2024 NFL Draft is now 18 days away and the air is thick with anticipation throughout Cowboys Nation and the rest of the NFL.
Will McClay & Co. have been working tirelessly because the draft is the main pipeline to improve the Cowboys' roster.
Jerry and Stephen Jones have emphasized the draft and developing their own guys as opposed to utilizing free agency for talent.
It's a frustrating strategy. Especially this offseason where the fanbase wants the Cowboys to be “all-in”, yet they once again only signed one cheap outside free agent.
That player was former Viking LB Eric Kendricks, and you have to believe he wouldn't have been brought in without the familiarity with new DC Mike Zimmer.
The draft buzz is loud when it's the only thing to look forward to currently and the fanbase expects the best draft the Cowboys have ever had.
Today, I add another installment to my #MockDraftMonday series, where I play the Cowboys' general manager and attempt to trot out the best draft class for the 2024 roster.
The way the draft fell for me today, I believe the draft started with three gifts in the first three rounds, and Cowboys Nation will be happy with the first half of the draft.
I want to make it known that I have a hunch the Cowboys will be willing to trade UP in the draft instead of trading back and accumulating more picks.
If their favorite left tackle falls anywhere past the 15th pick, look for Dallas to make a move for the cornerstone of the offensive line for the next decade.
I won't be trading at all in this mock draft, but I'm not ruling it out for future versions of this article.
Round 1 Pick 24
Selection: C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
There were reports earlier this week from “sources within the organization” that the Cowboys were “very high” on C Jackson Powers-Johnson from Oregon.
Naturally, I had to take him at 24 since he was available. This was a difficult decision because fan favorite Graham Barton was also available.
I fully believe Barton would be the pick in real life in that situation, but for the sake of the report earlier this week, let's roll with JPJ.
Either way, I was given a gift by the draft gods with my next selection in the 2nd round.
Round 2 Pick 56
Selection: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
I was surprised when my laptop screen refreshed on the 56th pick in the draft and OT Jordan Morgan was sitting there.
Morgan doesn't project as a left tackle in the NFL. There are reports that teams view him as more of an interior player at the guard position, and that's where he will play with Dallas.
In this scenario, Tyler Smith would kick out to left tackle and Morgan would battle with TJ Bass for the starting left guard spot.
The draft couldn't have fallen any better for me, as I'm able to plug the two biggest holes on the offensive line with my first two picks.
Round 3 Pick 87
Selection: WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Another surprise was when my screen refreshed on the 87th pick, WR Malachi Corley was still available in the 3rd round.
Many have Corley projected as a 2nd round pick, and he draws comparisons to 49ers' WR Deebo Samuel, who was a 2nd round pick in 2019.
I'd say Samuel has worked out well for the 49ers, lining up as both wide receiver and running back in his All-Pro career.
Corley is a big, physical player who could also contribute as a running back in special packages, and just give the offense a playmaker unlike what they've had in several years.
Round 5 Pick 174
Selection: S Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest
There were other positions to address with the 174th pick such as linebacker, running back, or cornerback but I couldn't pass up the value of S Malik Mustapha.
Mustapha is a prospect who is just now starting to attract attention from teams, and although he projects as an in-the-box safety, I believe Zimmer and Al Harris can help him develop his coverage skills.
He is slightly undersized, but has great instincts and is a sure tackler, something the Cowboys lacked from the position in 2023.
Round 6 Pick 216
Selection: LB Jaylan Ford, Texas
Even though his ADP is right where he was taken, this was the first pick of the draft where I felt I sacrificed need over value.
I selected LB Jaylan Ford from Texas with the 216th overall pick because the linebacker position was dangerously thin by that point.
There were cornerbacks I liked more, but Dallas desperately needs quality depth pieces at linebacker, and Ford can contribute on special teams immediately.
Round 7 Pick 233
Selection: DT Keith Randolph Jr., Illinois
I hated waiting until the 7th round to address the defensive tackle position but the value just wasn't there at previous picks.
Keith Randolph Jr. might have trouble making the roster as a 7th-round pick but the need at the position might elevate him to the 53-man roster if the Cowboys don't add any veterans to compete with him.
Currently, only Mazi Smith and Carl Davis project as 1-tech defensive tackles on the roster so the 6'4″ 296lb Randolph might end up being a key contributor as a rookie.
Round 7 Pick 244
Selection: RB Rasheen Ali, Marshall
With the final pick of the draft, I again feel like I'm addressing a position too late in the draft.
RB Rasheen Ali from Marshall is the pick, and he very well may be an undrafted player when it's all said and done, but today he's my selection for the Cowboys.
Ali is a physical back who possesses deceptive elusiveness, and perhaps most importantly, he's a willing and able pass blocker.
He's a patient runner who is adept at finding the hole and then breaking tackles to extend plays.
Results
I'm happier with the start of this mock draft than I am at the tail end of it so I'm surprised Pro Football Focus graded this draft an “A”.
The first three picks are such incredible value that those picks alone may salvage the entire draft.
There are so many holes on the roster to fill that we need to condition ourselves to be happy with the holes that can get filled and not focus on the others.
If this mock draft happened in real life, I think Cowboys Nation would be happy with it.
