CowboyRoy
Whoa An Active DCCer
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what was so great about Hankins? He was a journeyman old guy that was another year older. He couldnt stop anyone in the Packers game.
2024 Cowboys Draft Chatter thread...
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Genghis Khan
The worst version of myself
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My point wasn't that they can't replace most of what they lost.
My point was that after they finish replacing what they lost there aren't enough resources left to actually get better from last year. Replacing what they lost just gets them back to square one.
But lest we forget, we got boatraced in the first round of the playoffs last year. There's a big need to upgrade some of the roster and they just haven't put themselves in a position to be likely to do that.
I'm not a doom and gloomer, I think barring injury they'll be a playoff team again. But I don't see a path to improving over last year.
Had they spent a little in free agency they had a real chance to improve though. Instead they are lying to us that they don't have the money for it, and that some of the depth players are good enough for bigger roles.
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He was better than Taco Mazi, that is what was so great about him.
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Final Dallas Cowboys 7-round NFL mock draft: Which positions warrant most attention?
By Saad Yousuf and Jon Machota
2h ago
After months of discussing, analyzing and pontificating about the NFL Draft, the week is finally here.
Round 1, Pick 24
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The best players available included Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton, Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, Missouri DE Darius Robinson and BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia. While we discussed Guyton, Barton ended up being the pick mainly because we wanted to see how the rest of the draft would unfold if offensive tackle wasn’t addressed in Round 1. In this scenario, the Cowboys would get an immediate plug-and-play starter at center or guard. Most likely, Barton would work at center. If that happened, Dallas could still attempt to get a starting left tackle in one of the next two rounds, but it would seemingly signal moving Tyler Smith from left guard to left tackle. T.J. Bass could then potentially be the starting left guard.
Guyton makes a lot of sense if Dallas thinks he can be its starting left tackle. There will be quality center options in the second and third rounds. Will that be the case at left tackle? The decision could come down to where Barton is on the Cowboys’ board. If he is significantly higher than any of the tackle options, he should be the pick. The last thing the Cowboys should do is reach for an offensive tackle just because it’s arguably their biggest need. It still seems like offensive line is the overwhelming favorite for Dallas’ first-round pick.
Round 2, Pick 56
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
The Cowboys added depth and experience to the running back room by signing Royce Freeman last week but it’s still a position that doesn’t have a featured playmaker. This selection is going to be fascinating because there are justifications for a few different directions. If one is to argue that taking a running back in the second round is a tad bit early because a comparable talent could be had in the third round, that’s a fair point. Landing a player like Jaylen Wright, or even Braelon Allen, in the third round would still add juice to the backfield. If the Cowboys can trade back and add a third- or fourth-round pick, that could be the route they go.
However, the second round is where the Cowboys may mostly be able to have their pick of any running back they want. In this mock, only Trey Benson had gone off the board when the Cowboys were on the clock. If the Cowboys had done a better job in free agency and not left so many other holes on the roster, picking Brooks here would be an even easier decision. Although Brooks is coming off a torn ACL late last season, he’ll add a dimension that is sorely lacking for this team. He’s an elusive runner, capable receiver and solid blocker. He can play all three downs, but would likely fit in more as part of a committee that could also include Rico Dowdle, Freeman, Deuce Vaughn and/or Malik Davis.
If used in the right situations, and with the right dosage, Brooks can be an exciting component of the Cowboys’ offense, much like Tony Pollard was before he was asked to be the bell cow.
Round 3, Pick 87
Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
If the Cowboys get out of the first round without drafting a tackle, be it at No. 24 or slightly later following a trade back, they will likely have made peace with Tyler Smith as their left tackle for 2024 and Bass as the leader in the clubhouse for left guard. Despite their insistence on wanting to keep Smith at left guard, the fallback scenario isn’t terrible for the upcoming season and it doesn’t mean that Smith has to make a permanent switch to the outside. It also doesn’t mean the Cowboys should just rip the tackle page out of their draft book and not add a player at the position with one of their premium picks.
With respect to Chuma Edoga and Asim Richards, Rosengarten would become a prime candidate to be the Cowboys’ primary swing tackle in 2024. Similar to other tackles discussed in recent weeks for the Cowboys, much of Rosengarten’s work recently in college came at right tackle, but he has a history at left tackle in high school and early in college. After getting his feet wet against NFL competition and getting more coaching, Rosengarten could become the Cowboys’ answer at left tackle. This is a selection that will require patience from the team and fan base, which doesn’t exactly align with the messaging this offseason. That can’t be held against Rosengarten and shouldn’t result in him being rushed into a role he isn’t ready for.
Round 5, Pick 174
Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State
This seemed like a great value late in the fifth round. The Athletic’s NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler has a third-fourth round grade on Eichenberg. Linebacker is a position of need, especially after Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones commented last week about Dallas’ defensive changes with Mike Zimmer as the new defensive coordinator.
“Philosophically, I think we’ll have more of a three-linebacker system rather than a two-linebacker and three-safety system,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “I think the other thing is we’ll probably look to be bigger and stronger in the middle.”
The Cowboys signed veteran Eric Kendricks to go along with Damone Clark and DeMarvion Overshown, but more linebackers are needed. It would be surprising if Dallas didn’t draft at least one this weekend.
Round 6, Pick 216
Jaden Crumedy, DT, Mississippi State
When Jones noted getting “bigger and stronger” in the middle of the defense, he was talking about defensive tackle. It’s no secret the Cowboys’ run defense has been an issue for several years. After losing Johnathan Hankins and Neville Gallimore in free agency, Dallas needs to draft defensive tackle help.
“His quickness and length show in the run game when he has lanes to pursue,” Brugler wrote about Crumedy in “The Beast.” “But he plays with inconsistent gap control and allows angle blocks to get too far into him. Overall, Crumedy’s tape is more sporadic than consistent, but if you grade the flashes, not many 300-pounders have his athletic movements and power potential, which will keep him around if his fire stays lit. He projects as a rotational three-technique in a 4-3 or five-technique in odd fronts.”
Round 7, Pick 233
Ryan Watts, S, Texas
Watts is the type of player in a draft who has sleeper potential because he has a lot of the tools that are hard to develop at this stage but he hasn’t quite put it all together yet. With the Cowboys losing depth (CB Stephon Gilmore and safety Jayron Kearse) in the defensive backfield, there will likely be internal upgrades from the special teams ranks, such as Juanyeh Thomas or Eric Scott Jr. Watts could be a solid candidate to slide into that primary special teams role and be an asset for John Fassel while he develops his skills defensively. The Cowboys would also have the option to start working with him at safety, cornerback or even a hybrid option.
Round 7, Pick 244
Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State
With most of the positions of need addressed, this seemed like a decent time to add more depth at linebacker. Even if Watson doesn’t immediately contribute on defense, the Cowboys could certainly use the help on special teams, another area where they are looking to get bigger compared to last season. Watson is considered a tackling machine, leading the SEC with 137 tackles last season and totaling 113 in 2022.
“Watson’s average agility and erratic instincts lead to inconsistencies, but he has size, quick reaction speed and tackling skills to fill up the stat sheet,” wrote Brugler, who had a sixth-round grade on Watson. “He will need to shine on special teams to lock up a backup role for an NFL defense.”
Unless the Cowboys add more picks, or make a trade for a veteran, it’s unlikely they come out of the draft filling all of their roster needs. Even then, it’s possible to feel good about how things look on paper in April, but the average hit rate of a draft haul indicates that it’s going to take more than what happens this week to address their needs. They were a flawed team that was exposed in the playoffs and their activity — or lack thereof — in free agency added to that.
Part of what the Cowboys will have to consider is the degree of vulnerability they have at the positions they need to address. Left tackle is arguably the most important position that’s a hole on the roster, but it’s also the position — of the obvious needs — that has the most reliable contingency plan in Smith. Running back is on the opposite end of the spectrum, a position that has increasingly been devalued but one that doesn’t have a reliable existing solution.
One of the most common debates this time of year relating to draft philosophy is whether a team should draft the best player available or set its eyes on positions of need. With the number of positions where the Cowboys have a need, they’ll have the unenviable task of combining the two ideologies to get quality players who can immediately fill those voids.
By Saad Yousuf and Jon Machota
2h ago
After months of discussing, analyzing and pontificating about the NFL Draft, the week is finally here.
Round 1, Pick 24
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The best players available included Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton, Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, Missouri DE Darius Robinson and BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia. While we discussed Guyton, Barton ended up being the pick mainly because we wanted to see how the rest of the draft would unfold if offensive tackle wasn’t addressed in Round 1. In this scenario, the Cowboys would get an immediate plug-and-play starter at center or guard. Most likely, Barton would work at center. If that happened, Dallas could still attempt to get a starting left tackle in one of the next two rounds, but it would seemingly signal moving Tyler Smith from left guard to left tackle. T.J. Bass could then potentially be the starting left guard.
Guyton makes a lot of sense if Dallas thinks he can be its starting left tackle. There will be quality center options in the second and third rounds. Will that be the case at left tackle? The decision could come down to where Barton is on the Cowboys’ board. If he is significantly higher than any of the tackle options, he should be the pick. The last thing the Cowboys should do is reach for an offensive tackle just because it’s arguably their biggest need. It still seems like offensive line is the overwhelming favorite for Dallas’ first-round pick.
Round 2, Pick 56
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
The Cowboys added depth and experience to the running back room by signing Royce Freeman last week but it’s still a position that doesn’t have a featured playmaker. This selection is going to be fascinating because there are justifications for a few different directions. If one is to argue that taking a running back in the second round is a tad bit early because a comparable talent could be had in the third round, that’s a fair point. Landing a player like Jaylen Wright, or even Braelon Allen, in the third round would still add juice to the backfield. If the Cowboys can trade back and add a third- or fourth-round pick, that could be the route they go.
However, the second round is where the Cowboys may mostly be able to have their pick of any running back they want. In this mock, only Trey Benson had gone off the board when the Cowboys were on the clock. If the Cowboys had done a better job in free agency and not left so many other holes on the roster, picking Brooks here would be an even easier decision. Although Brooks is coming off a torn ACL late last season, he’ll add a dimension that is sorely lacking for this team. He’s an elusive runner, capable receiver and solid blocker. He can play all three downs, but would likely fit in more as part of a committee that could also include Rico Dowdle, Freeman, Deuce Vaughn and/or Malik Davis.
If used in the right situations, and with the right dosage, Brooks can be an exciting component of the Cowboys’ offense, much like Tony Pollard was before he was asked to be the bell cow.
Round 3, Pick 87
Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
If the Cowboys get out of the first round without drafting a tackle, be it at No. 24 or slightly later following a trade back, they will likely have made peace with Tyler Smith as their left tackle for 2024 and Bass as the leader in the clubhouse for left guard. Despite their insistence on wanting to keep Smith at left guard, the fallback scenario isn’t terrible for the upcoming season and it doesn’t mean that Smith has to make a permanent switch to the outside. It also doesn’t mean the Cowboys should just rip the tackle page out of their draft book and not add a player at the position with one of their premium picks.
With respect to Chuma Edoga and Asim Richards, Rosengarten would become a prime candidate to be the Cowboys’ primary swing tackle in 2024. Similar to other tackles discussed in recent weeks for the Cowboys, much of Rosengarten’s work recently in college came at right tackle, but he has a history at left tackle in high school and early in college. After getting his feet wet against NFL competition and getting more coaching, Rosengarten could become the Cowboys’ answer at left tackle. This is a selection that will require patience from the team and fan base, which doesn’t exactly align with the messaging this offseason. That can’t be held against Rosengarten and shouldn’t result in him being rushed into a role he isn’t ready for.
Round 5, Pick 174
Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State
This seemed like a great value late in the fifth round. The Athletic’s NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler has a third-fourth round grade on Eichenberg. Linebacker is a position of need, especially after Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones commented last week about Dallas’ defensive changes with Mike Zimmer as the new defensive coordinator.
“Philosophically, I think we’ll have more of a three-linebacker system rather than a two-linebacker and three-safety system,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “I think the other thing is we’ll probably look to be bigger and stronger in the middle.”
The Cowboys signed veteran Eric Kendricks to go along with Damone Clark and DeMarvion Overshown, but more linebackers are needed. It would be surprising if Dallas didn’t draft at least one this weekend.
Round 6, Pick 216
Jaden Crumedy, DT, Mississippi State
When Jones noted getting “bigger and stronger” in the middle of the defense, he was talking about defensive tackle. It’s no secret the Cowboys’ run defense has been an issue for several years. After losing Johnathan Hankins and Neville Gallimore in free agency, Dallas needs to draft defensive tackle help.
“His quickness and length show in the run game when he has lanes to pursue,” Brugler wrote about Crumedy in “The Beast.” “But he plays with inconsistent gap control and allows angle blocks to get too far into him. Overall, Crumedy’s tape is more sporadic than consistent, but if you grade the flashes, not many 300-pounders have his athletic movements and power potential, which will keep him around if his fire stays lit. He projects as a rotational three-technique in a 4-3 or five-technique in odd fronts.”
Round 7, Pick 233
Ryan Watts, S, Texas
Watts is the type of player in a draft who has sleeper potential because he has a lot of the tools that are hard to develop at this stage but he hasn’t quite put it all together yet. With the Cowboys losing depth (CB Stephon Gilmore and safety Jayron Kearse) in the defensive backfield, there will likely be internal upgrades from the special teams ranks, such as Juanyeh Thomas or Eric Scott Jr. Watts could be a solid candidate to slide into that primary special teams role and be an asset for John Fassel while he develops his skills defensively. The Cowboys would also have the option to start working with him at safety, cornerback or even a hybrid option.
Round 7, Pick 244
Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State
With most of the positions of need addressed, this seemed like a decent time to add more depth at linebacker. Even if Watson doesn’t immediately contribute on defense, the Cowboys could certainly use the help on special teams, another area where they are looking to get bigger compared to last season. Watson is considered a tackling machine, leading the SEC with 137 tackles last season and totaling 113 in 2022.
“Watson’s average agility and erratic instincts lead to inconsistencies, but he has size, quick reaction speed and tackling skills to fill up the stat sheet,” wrote Brugler, who had a sixth-round grade on Watson. “He will need to shine on special teams to lock up a backup role for an NFL defense.”
Unless the Cowboys add more picks, or make a trade for a veteran, it’s unlikely they come out of the draft filling all of their roster needs. Even then, it’s possible to feel good about how things look on paper in April, but the average hit rate of a draft haul indicates that it’s going to take more than what happens this week to address their needs. They were a flawed team that was exposed in the playoffs and their activity — or lack thereof — in free agency added to that.
Part of what the Cowboys will have to consider is the degree of vulnerability they have at the positions they need to address. Left tackle is arguably the most important position that’s a hole on the roster, but it’s also the position — of the obvious needs — that has the most reliable contingency plan in Smith. Running back is on the opposite end of the spectrum, a position that has increasingly been devalued but one that doesn’t have a reliable existing solution.
One of the most common debates this time of year relating to draft philosophy is whether a team should draft the best player available or set its eyes on positions of need. With the number of positions where the Cowboys have a need, they’ll have the unenviable task of combining the two ideologies to get quality players who can immediately fill those voids.
Chocolate Lab
Mere Commoner
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"Some think"
Boy that's convincing.
Boy that's convincing.
Bill Shatner
Lock phasers on target
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It's draft week, fags.
So which OL expected to go in the first would be a mistake at 24?
So which OL expected to go in the first would be a mistake at 24?
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Guyton would be my choice. There is something odd with him.
Smitty
DCC 4Life
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Just got a news alert: "Eagles looking to trade up."
Of course they are. The Eagles are shrewd and know how to swindle people. They win these trades and they come out ahead on value. Again and again.
We just punt and then wonder why we are behind the 8 ball.
We are losing out on assets vis a vis all the teams who smartly acquire more. One of those teams is our main rival in the division.
Morons.
Of course they are. The Eagles are shrewd and know how to swindle people. They win these trades and they come out ahead on value. Again and again.
We just punt and then wonder why we are behind the 8 ball.
We are losing out on assets vis a vis all the teams who smartly acquire more. One of those teams is our main rival in the division.
Morons.
Genghis Khan
The worst version of myself
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Yep. He wasn't great but he was bare minimum and we don't even have that anymore despite the fact that he would've been cheap to retain.
Instead we're going to walk a high wire without a net by hoping Mazi steps up. We don't even have a backup plan.
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Bill Shatner
Lock phasers on target
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The feel goods were about as far as it went with the runt.
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Nobody could stop anything in the Packers game, but he's a hell of a lot better than the guy they replaced him with.
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Yeah great feels and all but sort of looks like a wasted pick.
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Cowboys NFL Draft big board: 50 targets, plenty of O-linemen and running backs
By Jon Machota and Saad Yousuf
7h ago
With the NFL Draft beginning Thursday night, we’ve updated our Dallas Cowboys big board with 50 players, broken down by the three days of the draft. It’s 10 players who make sense on Day 1 (first round), 20 players on Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) and 20 players on Day 3 (Rounds 4-7).
This group has been compiled based on fit for the Cowboys and also interest shown by the team. For example, all of the team’s official 30 pre-draft visitors are included.
With the Cowboys not picking until No. 24 and not expected to trade up, we left off several of the top players in this class. For example, we don’t expect top offensive tackles like Joe Alt or Olu Fashanu to still be there when Dallas is on the clock, so they were not included.
Day 1
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas. It’s most likely that the Cowboys will address offense with their first-round pick, but Murphy could certainly improve the middle of a defensive line that needs upgrading.
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State. A right tackle in college, Fuaga has history at left tackle, and even playing guard, which could make for a great set of options alongside Tyler Smith. However, it’s unlikely Fuaga is still on the board in the latter part of the first round.
Graham Barton, OL, Duke. The highest-rated center by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Barton has some position flexibility in his history but looks to be the answer to a need at center for the long haul.
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia. One of five tackles viewed as a true first-round talent, it’s more likely than not that he’s off the board by No. 24.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon. The medicals are causing him to slip a little bit but Powers-Johnson would be an immediate plug-and-play option in the middle of the offensive line.
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma. A right tackle in college, Guyton is capable of switching over to the left side and has the kind of physical attributes that, when polished, can translate well to the NFL.
Jordan Morgan, G, Arizona. The Cowboys gave significant thought to drafting Syracuse OL Matthew Bergeron last year in the first round. Brugler on Morgan in this year’s draft guide: “Though he can survive at tackle in the NFL, his skill set projects much better inside at guard, similar to Matthew Bergeron.”
Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia. If the Cowboys want to trade back, Frazier would be a candidate to be selected and immediately fill the vacancy at center.
Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri. It’s unlikely that Robinson would be the pick at No. 24. But if the Cowboys trade back and get wiped out of offensive players they like, Robinson could help improve the pass rush.
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU. He’s a late riser. If the Cowboys are able to find a trade partner and move to the back of the first round, Suamataia would be a tackle capable of being a Week 1 starter on the left side.
Day 2
Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State. In a scenario where the Cowboys don’t address their offensive line in the first round, Beebe would make sense if he’s still there in Round 2.
Junior Colson, LB, Michigan. Linebacker is one of Dallas’ biggest needs, so a tackling machine like Colson would immediately upgrade the group. He is ranked as Brugler’s No. 1 off-the-ball LB in this class.
Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M. He was an extremely productive player last season for the Aggies, leading the team in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas. Brugler’s top-ranked running back, Brooks is one of the most complete backs in this class and has potential to be the face of an NFL backfield, when cleared medically.
Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky. Capable of fitting into an NFL scheme that offers some complexity and become a reliable receiver from the slot.
Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas. Projects as more of a guard than a tackle but has experience playing both, which can give the Cowboys options on how to allocate personnel to get their best starting five.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas. A receiving tight end who can supplement Jake Ferguson and help the Cowboys address the void at receiver, albeit from a different position.
Patrick Paul, OT, Houston. A pure left tackle with the frame and strength to be effective but could benefit from getting his feet wet in the NFL as a swing tackle as opposed to a Day 1 starter.
Maason Smith, DT, LSU. Dallas wants to get bigger in the middle. Adding the 6-5, 305-pound Smith would definitely help in that area
Brandon Coleman, OL, TCU. Has shown guard and tackle flexibility, which would allow the Cowboys to mold him into wherever he can be most successful in a pairing with Tyler Smith.
Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington. He was a two-year starter at right tackle in college so he could protect the blindside of lefty QB Michael Penix Jr. The Cowboys could see him as a better fit at guard or give him the chance to make the transition to left tackle.
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan. He’s a smaller back at 5-8, 205. The Cowboys are likely looking for someone with a little more size. But he was extremely productive in college, rushing for 45 touchdowns in the last two seasons.
Trey Benson, RB, Florida State. An immediate contributor to the offense, both as a runner and pass catcher out of the backfield. He has excellent size and speed with big-play potential.
Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee. A three-down back with the tools to be a playmaker, Wright may be the best running back on the board, if the Cowboys wait to address the position until the third round.
Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky. A sideline-to-sideline athlete who could immediately provide linebacker depth alongside Eric Kendricks, DeMarvion Overshown and Damone Clark, and be a significant contributor on special teams.
Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State. The type of productive player any team would love to have, however, concerns about his medical history could cause him to fall in the draft.
Jared Wiley, TE, TCU. Really intriguing tangibles, along with reliable hands, which make for a lot of potential for production in the red zone.
Marshawn Lloyd, RB, USC. Brugler’s No. 5 RB in this class is shorter than Brooks, Benson and Wright, but he weighs more (220 pounds). He has big-play potential as a runner and receiver.
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin. Originally committed to Wisconsin as a safety, Allen has an aggressive mindset and play style. Despite three seasons in college, Allen, playing a young man’s position, will be just 20 years old his entire rookie season in the NFL.
Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame. He’s coming off a monster season where he rushed 210 times for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns. He’s a physical downhill runner with excellent size to do damage between the tackles.
Day 3
Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon. A shifty back with a lot to offer to an NFL offense, as long as the committee of backs he joins can supplement his skills and not physically wear him out.
Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky. A very productive college player, rushing for more than 1,000 yards over each of the last two seasons. There are some concerns about his workload. He had 746 college carries. By comparison, Brooks had 238.
Jase McClellan, RB, Alabama. If the Cowboys get a nimble runner in the earlier rounds, McClellan has potential to be a decent complement back with a role to grind out the clock late in games.
Emani Bailey, RB, TCU. A hometown kid from up the I-35 in Denton, Bailey has some juice as a runner but needs more development to become a multi-dimensional player.
Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall. Speed and acceleration make him an intriguing option to take a chance on, but there are legitimate questions about his durability and ball security.
Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin. If the Cowboys don’t grab a center in the first round, they will likely do so somewhere in the middle of the draft. Bortolini will probably be gone by the fourth round. This is where it would really benefit Dallas to trade back in Round 1 and add a third- or fourth-round pick in the process.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, C, Georgia. Another potential option if the Cowboys don’t address center earlier. Van Pran-Granger has started 44 games at center over the last three seasons.
Beaux Limmer, C, Arkansas. The former guard made the move to center last season. He could offer flex to be able to play both positions in the NFL.
Hunter Nourzad, C, Penn State. A very smart player who is a bit up in age but, as mentioned in Brugler’s “The Beast,” he “might be this year’s Tyler Biadasz,” for better or worse.
Delmar Glaze, OT, Maryland. Worth being a little cautious with how the medical history will carry over but could be a productive player playing next to talent on the line that is better.
Andrew Coker, OT, TCU. A smart player who lacks many of the physical tools required and will have to learn how to compensate for his limitations at the NFL level.
Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh. Better in the pass game than run blocking but capable of providing solid depth across various positions on the offensive line.
Jordan Magee, LB, Temple. Brugler has a fourth/fifth-round grade on Magee, who ranks eighth among off-the-ball linebackers. He’s projected to be an immediate standout on special teams with the upside to contribute defensively in Year 1.
Ty’Ron Hopper, LB, Missouri. He might not be an every-down linebacker but could offer enough playmaking to interest the Cowboys as depth and help on special teams.
Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame. The late rounds seem like a great time for the Cowboys to add depth to a linebacking core that’s expected to change with Mike Zimmer as the new defensive coordinator.
Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas. He’s had more than 100 tackles in each of the last two seasons. He’s known for playing the position with exceptional instincts.
Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State. An extremely productive linebacker who is also a quality pass rusher. He led the SEC in sacks (10) and tackles (137) last season.
Jontrey Hunter, LB, Georgia State. Could be a target in the seventh round or as a priority undrafted free agent. He had 96 tackles in 12 starts last season.
Josh Newton, CB, TCU. There are several other needs much more important than corner this year. But one could be added at some point to potentially pair in the future with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.
Ryan Watts, DB, Texas. He played cornerback in college, but at 6-3, 215, his best spot in the NFL could be at safety.
By Jon Machota and Saad Yousuf
7h ago
With the NFL Draft beginning Thursday night, we’ve updated our Dallas Cowboys big board with 50 players, broken down by the three days of the draft. It’s 10 players who make sense on Day 1 (first round), 20 players on Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) and 20 players on Day 3 (Rounds 4-7).
This group has been compiled based on fit for the Cowboys and also interest shown by the team. For example, all of the team’s official 30 pre-draft visitors are included.
With the Cowboys not picking until No. 24 and not expected to trade up, we left off several of the top players in this class. For example, we don’t expect top offensive tackles like Joe Alt or Olu Fashanu to still be there when Dallas is on the clock, so they were not included.
Day 1
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas. It’s most likely that the Cowboys will address offense with their first-round pick, but Murphy could certainly improve the middle of a defensive line that needs upgrading.
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State. A right tackle in college, Fuaga has history at left tackle, and even playing guard, which could make for a great set of options alongside Tyler Smith. However, it’s unlikely Fuaga is still on the board in the latter part of the first round.
Graham Barton, OL, Duke. The highest-rated center by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Barton has some position flexibility in his history but looks to be the answer to a need at center for the long haul.
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia. One of five tackles viewed as a true first-round talent, it’s more likely than not that he’s off the board by No. 24.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon. The medicals are causing him to slip a little bit but Powers-Johnson would be an immediate plug-and-play option in the middle of the offensive line.
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma. A right tackle in college, Guyton is capable of switching over to the left side and has the kind of physical attributes that, when polished, can translate well to the NFL.
Jordan Morgan, G, Arizona. The Cowboys gave significant thought to drafting Syracuse OL Matthew Bergeron last year in the first round. Brugler on Morgan in this year’s draft guide: “Though he can survive at tackle in the NFL, his skill set projects much better inside at guard, similar to Matthew Bergeron.”
Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia. If the Cowboys want to trade back, Frazier would be a candidate to be selected and immediately fill the vacancy at center.
Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri. It’s unlikely that Robinson would be the pick at No. 24. But if the Cowboys trade back and get wiped out of offensive players they like, Robinson could help improve the pass rush.
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU. He’s a late riser. If the Cowboys are able to find a trade partner and move to the back of the first round, Suamataia would be a tackle capable of being a Week 1 starter on the left side.
Day 2
Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State. In a scenario where the Cowboys don’t address their offensive line in the first round, Beebe would make sense if he’s still there in Round 2.
Junior Colson, LB, Michigan. Linebacker is one of Dallas’ biggest needs, so a tackling machine like Colson would immediately upgrade the group. He is ranked as Brugler’s No. 1 off-the-ball LB in this class.
Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M. He was an extremely productive player last season for the Aggies, leading the team in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas. Brugler’s top-ranked running back, Brooks is one of the most complete backs in this class and has potential to be the face of an NFL backfield, when cleared medically.
Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky. Capable of fitting into an NFL scheme that offers some complexity and become a reliable receiver from the slot.
Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas. Projects as more of a guard than a tackle but has experience playing both, which can give the Cowboys options on how to allocate personnel to get their best starting five.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas. A receiving tight end who can supplement Jake Ferguson and help the Cowboys address the void at receiver, albeit from a different position.
Patrick Paul, OT, Houston. A pure left tackle with the frame and strength to be effective but could benefit from getting his feet wet in the NFL as a swing tackle as opposed to a Day 1 starter.
Maason Smith, DT, LSU. Dallas wants to get bigger in the middle. Adding the 6-5, 305-pound Smith would definitely help in that area
Brandon Coleman, OL, TCU. Has shown guard and tackle flexibility, which would allow the Cowboys to mold him into wherever he can be most successful in a pairing with Tyler Smith.
Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington. He was a two-year starter at right tackle in college so he could protect the blindside of lefty QB Michael Penix Jr. The Cowboys could see him as a better fit at guard or give him the chance to make the transition to left tackle.
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan. He’s a smaller back at 5-8, 205. The Cowboys are likely looking for someone with a little more size. But he was extremely productive in college, rushing for 45 touchdowns in the last two seasons.
Trey Benson, RB, Florida State. An immediate contributor to the offense, both as a runner and pass catcher out of the backfield. He has excellent size and speed with big-play potential.
Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee. A three-down back with the tools to be a playmaker, Wright may be the best running back on the board, if the Cowboys wait to address the position until the third round.
Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky. A sideline-to-sideline athlete who could immediately provide linebacker depth alongside Eric Kendricks, DeMarvion Overshown and Damone Clark, and be a significant contributor on special teams.
Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State. The type of productive player any team would love to have, however, concerns about his medical history could cause him to fall in the draft.
Jared Wiley, TE, TCU. Really intriguing tangibles, along with reliable hands, which make for a lot of potential for production in the red zone.
Marshawn Lloyd, RB, USC. Brugler’s No. 5 RB in this class is shorter than Brooks, Benson and Wright, but he weighs more (220 pounds). He has big-play potential as a runner and receiver.
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin. Originally committed to Wisconsin as a safety, Allen has an aggressive mindset and play style. Despite three seasons in college, Allen, playing a young man’s position, will be just 20 years old his entire rookie season in the NFL.
Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame. He’s coming off a monster season where he rushed 210 times for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns. He’s a physical downhill runner with excellent size to do damage between the tackles.
Day 3
Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon. A shifty back with a lot to offer to an NFL offense, as long as the committee of backs he joins can supplement his skills and not physically wear him out.
Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky. A very productive college player, rushing for more than 1,000 yards over each of the last two seasons. There are some concerns about his workload. He had 746 college carries. By comparison, Brooks had 238.
Jase McClellan, RB, Alabama. If the Cowboys get a nimble runner in the earlier rounds, McClellan has potential to be a decent complement back with a role to grind out the clock late in games.
Emani Bailey, RB, TCU. A hometown kid from up the I-35 in Denton, Bailey has some juice as a runner but needs more development to become a multi-dimensional player.
Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall. Speed and acceleration make him an intriguing option to take a chance on, but there are legitimate questions about his durability and ball security.
Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin. If the Cowboys don’t grab a center in the first round, they will likely do so somewhere in the middle of the draft. Bortolini will probably be gone by the fourth round. This is where it would really benefit Dallas to trade back in Round 1 and add a third- or fourth-round pick in the process.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, C, Georgia. Another potential option if the Cowboys don’t address center earlier. Van Pran-Granger has started 44 games at center over the last three seasons.
Beaux Limmer, C, Arkansas. The former guard made the move to center last season. He could offer flex to be able to play both positions in the NFL.
Hunter Nourzad, C, Penn State. A very smart player who is a bit up in age but, as mentioned in Brugler’s “The Beast,” he “might be this year’s Tyler Biadasz,” for better or worse.
Delmar Glaze, OT, Maryland. Worth being a little cautious with how the medical history will carry over but could be a productive player playing next to talent on the line that is better.
Andrew Coker, OT, TCU. A smart player who lacks many of the physical tools required and will have to learn how to compensate for his limitations at the NFL level.
Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh. Better in the pass game than run blocking but capable of providing solid depth across various positions on the offensive line.
Jordan Magee, LB, Temple. Brugler has a fourth/fifth-round grade on Magee, who ranks eighth among off-the-ball linebackers. He’s projected to be an immediate standout on special teams with the upside to contribute defensively in Year 1.
Ty’Ron Hopper, LB, Missouri. He might not be an every-down linebacker but could offer enough playmaking to interest the Cowboys as depth and help on special teams.
Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame. The late rounds seem like a great time for the Cowboys to add depth to a linebacking core that’s expected to change with Mike Zimmer as the new defensive coordinator.
Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas. He’s had more than 100 tackles in each of the last two seasons. He’s known for playing the position with exceptional instincts.
Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State. An extremely productive linebacker who is also a quality pass rusher. He led the SEC in sacks (10) and tackles (137) last season.
Jontrey Hunter, LB, Georgia State. Could be a target in the seventh round or as a priority undrafted free agent. He had 96 tackles in 12 starts last season.
Josh Newton, CB, TCU. There are several other needs much more important than corner this year. But one could be added at some point to potentially pair in the future with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.
Ryan Watts, DB, Texas. He played cornerback in college, but at 6-3, 215, his best spot in the NFL could be at safety.
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We really need to trade down. This team is so thin we need like 15 picks.
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