Did Cowboys Just Reveal Their First-Round Pick Plan in NFL Draft?
The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the NFL's better-drafting teams in recent years, as they've been able to get the most out of players at multiple positions.
From Tyler Smith to Micah Parsons to CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys have hit on most of their first round picks over the past several years. They've also gotten good value out of their later-round picks such as DaRon Bland and Tony Pollard.
With Dallas still looking to solve their postseason woes, the team will look for another strong draft class come the end of April. ... and maybe they'll do it as they often have, by drafting the "best player'' rather than for "need.''
Certainly in the cases of Parsons and Lamb, that was the idea. But ... Maybe not so much last year with Mazi Smith and Luke Schoonmaker as the top two picks.
And now? As we approach the NFL Draft, the Tyron Smith news may have just revealed the Cowboys first-round plan.
Offensive tackle seems the most likely focus for the Cowboys ... and if that is indeed the case, then the Cowboys are in luck. The 2024 draft class is loaded with talent at offensive tackle, so much so that there could easily be six or seven taken in the first round.
The top three tackles in the class, being Notre Dame's Joe Alt, Penn State's Olu Fashanu and Alabama's JC Latham, will almost certainly be off the board by the time Dallas selects at No. 24 overall. However, other quality options such as Georgia's Amarius Mims and Arizona's Jordan Morgan should still be available, and the Cowboys could also trade up to ensure they get the player they want. (See our evaluations of some of the seven tackles with whom Dallas has had formal Scouting Combine visits here.)
Tyron Smith, a stalwart on the offensive line for over a decade, will likely not return next season. Losing a franchise legend like him will certainly hurt, but if the Cowboys can find a suitable replacement in the draft, it should help soften the blow a bit.
We should note this, too. The pick doesn't have to be a tackle, because Tyler Smith can slide over from left guard. So Dallas could draft a guard. Oh, and Tyler Biadasz is a free agent ... so Dallas could draft a center.
No, "drafting for need'' is not usually optimal. But there is no hiding the fact that right now, somehow, some way, Dallas needs O-line help.
