The 2024 NFL Draft is 22 days away and all NFL teams are preparing for the next influx of young talent.
At The Star, the Cowboys are hyper-focusing on the draft as their only real option to improve the team.
If you ask Stephen Jones, he will tell you the salary cap situation is tight. It might be, and if that's the case, the Cowboys need to hit on every one of their picks in the draft.
The rest of the NFC East is drafting, too, and although the Cowboys can't play defense during the draft, they can hope that their division counterparts make terrible choices.
Teams like the Washington Commanders have failed in the draft year after year but this season could be different.
They are under new ownership and have poached Cowboys former DC Dan Quinn as their head coach, and several players from Dallas have joined him.
It could be that the franchise is at a turning point to change the narrative from what it was under Dan Snyder.
Over the next few days, I will write a short series of articles with mock drafts for division rivals that could give the Cowboys trouble.
We start today with the Washington Commanders, who own a whopping six picks in the top 100.
Round 1 Pick 2
Selection: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
This selection would surprise the rest of the NFL since the Commanders' quarterback room consists of Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel, and Jake Fromm.
They need an influx of talent for the entire team, though, and Marvin Harrison Jr. is arguably the best player in the entire draft in terms of talent and ceiling.
He is the son of his father by the same name. A player who helped turn Peyton Manning into one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
The kicker is that the younger Harrison can be better than his father was.
The 6'4″ tall route technician has Hall of Fame traits, and if Washington can solve their quarterback problem, that duo could be a problem for the Cowboys for the next decade.
Speaking of quarterbacks…
Round 2 Pick 36
Selection: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
This is a dream scenario for Washington. They take the best offensive weapon in the draft with the second overall pick, then still get the quarterback they covet in the second round.
J.J. McCarthy is a National Champion quarterback at Michigan who displays all of the pro-style traits NFL teams covet.
There were rumors of the Commanders choosing McCarthy with their second overall pick so I wouldn't be surprised if they package a couple of picks to move back into the first round.
The Commanders now have their QB/WR duo of the future.
Round 3 Pick 40
Selection: DE Darius Robinson, Missouri
With their offensive coaches satisfied, Quinn only has to wait four picks before his first defensive selection with Washington.
The pick is Darius Robinson, a defensive end from the University of Missouri.
Robinson is a versatile lineman who can line up on the edge as an excellent run-stopper with developing pass-rush traits.
He would likely immediately take over the starting role of right defensive end over Dante Fowler Jr.
Round 3 Pick 67
Selection: LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
With their first of three 3rd-round picks, Washington again addresses the front seven of their defense.
The pick is LB Edgerrin Cooper from Texas A&M, and he's a playmaker on defense who uses his speed and instincts to always be in the right place.
Dallas needs linebackers and many have mocked Cooper to the Cowboys so this selection by Washington would sting twice.
Cooper might sit a season behind Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, and Jamin Davis, but he could be ready to take over in the middle after the 2024 season.
Round 3 Pick 78
Selection: T Blake Fisher, Notre Dame
With their second 3rd-round pick, Washington addresses the offensive line to protect their newest investment at quarterback.
Blake Fisher from Notre Dame can compete with veteran Cornelius Lucas at left tackle for the right to protect McCarthy's blindside.
Round 3 Pick 100
Selection: S Kamren Kinchens, Miami
Cowboys fans know exactly how much Dan Quinn likes his versatile safeties.
Even though they added Jeremy Chinn in their free agency frenzy, Quinn can't pass up the playmaking ability of Kamren Kinchens from the University of Miami.
Kinchens would immediately upgrade the free safety position for Washington, likely winning the job over Percy Butler, the team's current listed starter.
Round 5 Pick 139
Selection: G Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Washington doesn't have a fourth-round pick. 39 picks after taking Kinchens, they again address the offensive line.
Cooper Beebe is another player rumored to have interest from the Cowboys so this selection would anger Dallas fans.
Beebe can step in and compete for a spot at either guard spot on the line, and can likely wrestle the starting job away from free agent acquisition Nick Allegretti.
Round 5 Pick 152
Selection: TE Theo Johnson, Penn State
With their second 5th-round pick, Washington drafts a tight end to study under newly signed Zach Ertz.
Theo Johnson possesses the physical traits to be a monster over the middle of the field versus linebackers and safeties.
Johnson stands 6'6″ tall and 259lbs with a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and a 39.5″ vertical.
He's raw and unpolished, but if he can put it together, he will be a threat to the Cowboys for years to come.
Round 7 Pick 222
Selection: C Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin
With their final selection of the draft, Washington adds more depth to the interior of the offensive line.
C Tanor Bortolini is the pick from the University of Wisconsin.
Washington just signed free agent and former Cowboy Tyler Biadasz but that doesn't stop them from adding some competition should Biadasz not work out.
Results
Pro Football Focus rated my Washington Commanders draft an “A”, and I have to say I agree with that assessment.
Washington, with the luxury of six picks in the top 100, added some firepower and foundational pieces on offense to go with a new quarterback.
They also gave Quinn some weapons on the defensive side of the ball to help curb the playmaking ability of the Cowboys' weapons.
If the Commanders can pull a draft like this in real life, the Cowboys shouldn't feel too happy about it.
