FRISCO ( SILVER STAR NATION ) — The 2024 NFL Draft is just over the horizon, bringing the promise of new talent to all 32 franchises in the National Football League.
SILVER STAR NATION: Tobin’s wish list for the Dallas Cowboys 2024 NFL Draft For three straight seasons, the Cowboys have finished the regular season with a 12-5 record. For three straight seasons, the Cowboys have made the NFC playoffs. And, for three straight seasons, the Cowboys ended the season in disappointing fashion, exiting the playoffs early.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy enters his fifth year at the helm of America’s Team, and despite the franchise’s regular season success during his tenure, postseason wins have eluded the Cowboys, leading many to question McCarthy’s future in Dallas.
Fortunately, the Cowboys have taken advantage of the NFL Draft year after year, adding massive playmakers to their roster, and in 2024, they’ll look to do just that.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, beginning on Thursday, April 25, and concluding on Saturday, April 27.
- Thursday, April 25 — Round 1 — 7:00 p.m. Central
- Friday, April 26 — Rounds 2-3 — 6:00 p.m. Central
- Saturday, April 27 — Rounds 4-7 — 11:00 a.m. Central
First round picks could be on the trading block on Day 1 of the NFL Draft The opening round of the 2024 NFL Draft promises to be one of the more exciting in recent memory, with several potential franchise quarterbacks set to be taken off the board early, followed by generational talent at other positions.
Many NFL analysts are also predicting many picks could be traded in the first round, making Thursday night all the more intriguing.
When are the Cowboys making their 2024 picks?
Barring any trades, the Cowboys will make seven selections during the 2024 NFL Draft:
- Round 1 — Pick 24 ( 24 Overall )
- Round 2 — Pick 24 ( 56 Overall )
- Round 3 — Pick 23 ( 87 Overall )
- Round 5 — Pick 39 ( 174 Overall, Compensatory pick )
- Round 6 — Pick 40 ( 216 Overall, Compensatory pick )
- Round 7 — Pick 13 ( 233 Overall, via trade with Las Vegas )
- Round 7 — Pick 24 ( 244 overall )
How are draft picks assigned to NFL teams? What moves did the Cowboys make in free agency?
Jerry Jones, the enigmatic owner of the Cowboys , has made statements assuring Cowboys Nation that the team is “all-in” on winning a Super Bowl in 2024. However, their activity during free agency, or lack thereof, has fans of the franchise frustrated.
Following the 2023 season, the Cowboys parted ways with two former standout playmakers who many thought would be the future faces of the franchise after the release of WR Michael Gallup and the medical retirement of LB Leighton Vander Esch .
After those two losses, several key members of the 2023 Dallas Cowboys roster signed deals with other teams:
Cowboys fans may notice three of the seven players listed above signed with the NFC East rival Washington Commanders. But they aren’t the only ones leaving the Metroplex for the District of Columbia. Former beloved defensive coordinator Dan Quinn took the head coaching job in Washington after three remarkable seasons in Dallas.
Even with those heavy losses, the Dallas Cowboys have only signed a few players during free agency:
The lack of spending by the Dallas front office this offseason could have something to do with the massive paydays looming for the franchise’s three biggest stars, QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb, and LB Micah Parsons.
AP MOCK NFL DRAFT: 8 trades, including 2 in the top 5, highlight final mock draft What are the Cowboys needs in the 2024 NFL Draft?
The Dallas Cowboys have a long list of needs heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, thanks in part to the players lost in free agency. While the Cowboys have taken the best player available in recent years, having multiple roster holes means the best player on the board will likely fill a position of need.
There are five major positions the Cowboys will likely look to add depth in the 2024 NFL Draft.
5. Defensive Tackle
With Gallimore and Hankins moving on to new teams and 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith still in need of development, the Cowboys could use a starting-caliber run-stopper on its interior defensive line.
While the 2024 draft class isn’t rich with defensive line talent, there are a few players in the top 100 that could make a spot on the Cowboys roster:
- Byron Murphy II — Texas
- Johnny Newton — Illinois
- Kris Jenkins — Michigan
- Ruke Orhorhoro — Clemson
4. Running back
The backfield in Dallas currently looks like a timeshare between free-agent addition Royce Freeman, returning backup Rico Dowdle, and the story of the 2023 NFL Draft, sixth-round selection Deuce Vaughn , whose father works for the franchise.
While some rumors have surfaced regarding a reunion with Ezekiel Elliott, with r eports that the Cowboys met with their former tailback on Wednesday , a deal has yet to surface, meaning Dallas could still use an addition to the backfield.
While the 2024 running back class isn’t particularly deep, there are a few names worth keeping an eye on:
- Jonathon Brooks — Texas
- Blake Corum — Michigan
- Trey Benson — Florida State
- Jaylen Wright — Tennessee
- Braelon Allen — Wisconsin
3. Wide Receiver
Once a massive strength of the Cowboys, the wide receiver room in Dallas is looking a little empty heading into the 2024 season.
Sure, CeeDee Lamb is coming off one of the best seasons in franchise history and Brandin Cooks looks to have separated himself as the clear second option, the Cowboys could use some talented pass catchers to fill their roster.
While the most talented receivers in the 2024 class, like Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Malik Nabers, will likely be off the board by the time Pick 24 rolls around, there are still several options for the Cowboys in the early rounds:
- Adonai Mitchell — Texas
- Keon Coleman — Florida State
- Roman Wilson — Michigan
- Ricky Pearsall — Florida
- Xavier Worthy — Texas
2. Linebacker
With Leighton Vander Esch’s career ending early due to injuries and Micah Parsons primarily playing as an edge rusher, the Cowboys only have three linebackers currently on the roster.
The addition of a veteran like Eric Kendricks certainly helps, as does the promise of 2023 third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown , who missed the entire season after suffering an injury in training camp. However, the Cowboys still need at least two more linebackers on the roster.
The second and third rounds provide some intriguing options at linebacker. Cowboys fans should make a mental note of a few notable members of the 2024 linebacker class:
- Junior Colson — Michigan
- Edgerrin Cooper — Texas A&M
- Trevin Wallace — Kentucky
- Payton Wilson — NC State
- Cedric Gray — North Carolina
1. Offensive Line
The holes left in the Dallas offensive line by the losses of Tyler Biadasz and Tyron Smith cannot be overstated and will not easily be overcome. Smith has been a cornerstone of the unit for more than a decade.
Luckily, the Cowboys have a future Hall of Fame right guard in Zach Martin and the versatility of Pro Bowler Tyler Smith returning to the line.
Dallas has a history of success when taking offensive linemen early in the draft, so with an incredibly deep well of talent in the 2024 draft class, the Cowboys should be able to pick up one or more quality additions to their line.
In a perfect world, at least one of the most talented offensive linemen on the board, like Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt, Duke center Graham Barton, Washington guard Troy Fautanu, or Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, could fall to the Cowboys.
Assuming that doesn’t work out, there are still a plethora of options that will likely be available for Dallas in the first two rounds:
- OT Tyler Guyton — Oklahoma
- OG Jordan Morgan — Arizona
- C Zach Frazier — West Virginia
- OG Cooper Beebe — Kansas State
- OG Christian Haynes — Connecticut
- OT Patrick Paul — Houston
- OT Brandon Coleman — TCU
- OG Dominick Puni — Kansas
Follow Silver Star Nation’s coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft
Silver Star Nation will be providing in-depth coverage of all seven of the Dallas Cowboys’ picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
KFDX Sports Director Tobin McDuff and Sports Anchor M.J. Baird will be at The Star in Frisco, providing live coverage and reactions as each pick is made. Digital Reporter Josh Hoggard will publish in-depth analysis of each new player added to the Cowboys roster.
Stick with the Silver Star Nation for updates from the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
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