Our Dallas Cowboys Mock: Tyron Smith Replacement & Dak Prescott Weapon

Can the Cowboys find immediate starters in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft?

Jan 31, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National wide receiver Ricky Pearsall of Florida (11) during practice / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 NFL Draft is officially less than a month away. How will the Dallas Cowboys attack it after a dormant free agency period? As Dallas needs to address multiple needs at key positions, let’s go ahead and dive into a projected three-round mock draft conducted on Pro Football Network’s simulator.

24 - Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma (RAS = 9.71)

The Tyron Smith era is over at left tackle, one that was filled with consistent production but inconsistent playing time. A massive hole now rests at Dak Prescott’s blindslide, but luckily for Dallas this is one of the best offensive line classes in recent years. There will be a run earlier in the first round before No. 24 overall, but there’s a good chance one or two remain that could be in serious consideration.

In this scenario, Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton slides into the left side of the line alongside Tyler Smith. Although Guyton played right tackle for the Sooners, his elite athleticism grade — 9.71 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) — at least opens the possibility to flipping him across immediately.

Guyton is one of this year’s best overall pass-protectors, but the biggest strength within his portfolio are the overall measurements. Standing at 6’8” and 322 pounds with 34 1/8” arms, Guyton checks every physical box desirable to scouts and league personnel. If Guyton can build upon a solid first year starting for Oklahoma, there is Pro Bowl upside to mine here.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy mentioned Tuesday at NFL owners meetings that they felt comfortable keeping Smith at his current left guard spot. If that’s the case, Dallas might already have their eyes on a few prospects to take at this selection.

56 - Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida (RAS = 9.91)

Simply put, Dallas needs another weapon to add within their offense. CeeDee Lamb can handle 170-plus targets, but what’s the plan for the future outside of him? Jalen Tolbert figures to play a role, but he still needs more refinement to see consistent playing time. Brandin Cooks only has one year remaining on his contract, too, opening the door for Dallas to prepare with a Day 2 selection.

Pearsall is viewed as an elite route-runner, but the former Florida Gator began to turn heads and rise his stock at the NFL Scouting Combine. Pearsall blazed a 4.41 40-yard dash, 42-inch vertical jump, 10’9” broad jump, and 6.64 three-cone. All of these marks were elite, placing the Florida product on the radar for second-round consideration.

Placing Pearsall into the slot would provide Prescott another weapon who can get open with speed and savvy route-running capabilities. If Cooks also moves on after this season, Dallas would then have two pass-catchers on rookie deals (Tolbert and Pearsall) for what plans to be a record-setting extension upcoming for Lamb.

87 - Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan (RAS = 8.38)

Dallas finally adds a much-needed piece on defense with their third-round selection in this exercise. This pick also represents an upgrade over Jourdan Lewis, an upcoming free agent in 2025.

Coming off a national championship, Sainristil would allow Dallas another piece on defense with multi-positional versatility. Sainristil projects best in the slot as a nickel cornerback, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was moved around at safety sometimes as well.

Sainristil was one of the vocal leaders on Michigan’s roster, so the character box is checked off here as well.

A former wideout who just recently became a defensive back as of two years ago, there’s plenty of projection into the idea Sainristil can become an entrenched starter for Dallas in short order.