Is Cowboys’ early focus on offensive line in the draft a must?

The only certainty going into next week’s draft is that Dallas has so many needs they can’t miss with their first pick.

Unless they pick another tight end. But not even Jerry Jones is that crazy.

Is he?

The majority of the mock drafts flooding the internet with 10 days to go before the first pick has the Cowboys taking an offensive lineman.

With the departures of tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz – and Zack Martin hitting his mid-30s – it makes sense. The line needs reinforcements.

I’m on record as saying Brock Hoffman will be the starting center and T.J. Bass will play guard with Tyler Smith sliding over to left tackle in 2024.

Asim Richards could be a solid back-up. Then Dallas could address other needs first and pick-up additional lineman later to develop.

I seem to be in the minority in that camp.

If Dallas does goes o-line in the first and second rounds, the running backs and wide receivers who could make an impact for the team will be long gone by the third round.

Again, as with the earlier positions we’ve highlighted, we’ll have a better idea of the Cowboys long-term plans after the first pick.

If they do draft o-line early then don’t expect a playoff run in 2024. Because the running back and wide receiver rooms right now are paper-thin with few weapons.

The Top Prospects

Right now, Notre Dame’s walking mountain – Joe Alt – looks to be the first offensive lineman off the board a week from Thursday.

At 6-9 – yes that’s nine inches and not a typo – and 321 pounds, the offensive tackle’s only downside might be his height. His quarterback might not be able to see over him.

Alt is going to be a great tackle. But he’s likely to be long gone before Dallas picks at No. 24 in the first round. Unless they move up.

Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu is 6-6 and 312 pounds, Alabama’s J.C. Latham is also 6-6 but 342 pounds and the tackles should quickly follow Fashanu off the board.

Fellow tackles Taliese Fuaga (6-6, 324, Oregon State) and Washington’s Troy Fautanu (6-4, 317) round out the top five offensive lineman prospects.

Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson (6-2, 328) is the top-ranked center in the draft. Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe is the highest-ranked guard.

If Dallas Does Go O-Line

Powers-Johnson could fall to Dallas at No. 24. He makes the most sense if the Cowboys are going to go offensive line in the opening round.

The one area of concern is his tendency to draw holding calls because he gets too grabby on his blocks.

That’s something that has plagued the Cowboys in the past.

But, if Tyler Smith is destined to move to tackle, Dallas will likely pick a center. Powers-Johnson would be a solid answer.

If however, Dallas intends to keep Smith at guard and go o-line on the first round, there is a likely target at tackle that should be there.

BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia stands 6-5 and weight 326 pounds. He can play both left and right tackle.

He would be playing in his junior year this fall if he’d stayed in school.

Which means he’s young and could be around for a very long time.

It also means he’s young, and could make a whole lot of mistakes. Especially if he’s thrown to the wolves as a starter on opening day.

So Which Way Jerry?

As far as what Dallas actually will do? Who knows.

Again, my perfect scenario is a trade back into the second round and grabbing a running back, wide receiver, and then an offensive lineman on Friday’s second day.

But I’m not Jerry Jones. So who knows?

Last year Jones was talked out of drafting an offensive lineman in the first round and they took Mazi Smith instead at defensive tackle.

They will go into this draft still looking for a defensive tackle.

Let’s hope, whichever position they take on opening night, they at least get it right this year.