Examining Dane Brugler’s Cowboys picks in 7-round mock draft

We are officially seven days away from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell introducing the #1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

After months of preparation, it’s almost time for teams to gather in their war rooms for the most anticipated event of the offseason.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released his seven-round mock draft early Wednesday morning and it includes some familiar names tied to Dallas and others who haven’t been.

Let’s dive in and examine Brugler’s Cowboys’ picks in his first and last seven-round mock draft of the offseason.

Round 1 Pick 24, OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

It’s no secret that the Cowboys need offensive line help after losing long-time LT Tyron Smith and C Tyler Biadasz to free agency.

The Cowboys and first-round offensive linemen have gone together like peas and carrots, drafting All-Pros in 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2022.

Tyler Guyton is a huge human, standing 6’8″ tall and weighing in at 322 pounds.

Many will pause at this pick, wondering why the Cowboys would draft a right tackle with Terence Steele in the middle of his second contract.

What if I told you Guyton only played right tackle in college because his quarterback was left-handed?

He still protected his quarterback’s blindside with authority, and a move to left tackle wouldn’t be unprecedented.

Tyron Smith was also a right tackle in college. How did that one turn out?

Round 2 Pick 56, LB Payton Wilson, NC State

I would be ecstatic if this player somehow dropped down the boards to the Cowboys’ 56th pick in the 2nd round.

Payton Wilson is a first-round talent with injury concerns even though he hasn’t been injured since 2021.

He’s already had a handful of surgeries in college, but that’s the recipe for this Blue Light Special in the 2nd round where the Cowboys like to take chances.

Wilson has 4.42 speed and is a menace in the middle of the defense.

He would immediately step in as the starting middle linebacker for Dallas. Yes, even over Eric Kendricks.

Round 3 Pick 87, RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

The Cowboys fully intended to draft a running back higher than the 6th round last season, but they never felt the value was enough to pull the trigger.

This year, they are happy to see Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright still sitting on the board near the end of the 3rd round.

Wright is an explosive back with a compact frame built for bouncing off of tackles and turning on the jets once he’s in the open field.

In 12 games, Wright rushed for 1,013 yards on just 137 carries, earning him the nation’s top mark at 7.4 yards per carry.

After solidifying the left side of the offensive line in the 1st round, Dallas adds another playmaker in the backfield.

Round 5 Pick 174, C Matt Lee, Miami

This is the first time in any of the hundreds of mock drafts on social media that I’ve seen Matt Lee mocked to the Cowboys.

Lee has the talent and aggressive nature the Cowboys would like in their center but they probably aren’t in love with his weight.

He weighed in at just 288 pounds before the East/West Shrine game, and I doubt he was able to put on over 20 pounds to beef up the interior.

Round 6 Pick 216, WR Xavier Weaver, Colorado

After spending a 3rd-round pick on RB Jaylen Wright, the Cowboys decide to address another offensive skill position in the 6th round.

WR Xavier Weaver from Colorado is the pick and I think I’d take exception to it.

Even though CeeDee Lamb hasn’t come to terms with a new contract, I still don’t think that means Wide receiver is a need in this draft.

Especially for a wide receiver as slight as Weaver, who weighs in at just 169 pounds.

The Cowboys already have a wide receiver in that same vein and his name is KaVontae Turpin.

Round 7 Pick 233, CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington

Even though Stephon Gilmore left in free agency and Trevon Diggs is recovering from an ACL tear, the Cowboys don’t address the secondary until the 7th round.

For the second pick in a row, Brugler takes a slight player who can’t hit 180 pounds soaking wet.

CB Chau Smith-Wade might lack in size, but he makes up for it with instinct and a penchant for taking the ball away.

Round 7 Pick 244, DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame

With the final pick of the Dallas draft, Brugler has the Cowboys taking EDGE Javontae Jean-Baptiste.

This almost feels like a desperation pick because they went the entire draft without once addressing the defensive line until this point.

Jean-Baptise is a developmental player with the length Dallas likes in their defensive ends.

If Jean-Baptiste can develop into the player many think he has the traits to be, it will pay off for the Cowboys.