Top NFL Draft expert's latest mock suggests popular Cowboys pick isn't going to happen

One of the best in the game has spoken. ESPN's Mel Kiper has released his new mock draft ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft and the route he's taking for the Dallas Cowboys isn't exactly surprising but the circumstances around it are.

In the two-round mock, Kiper has the Cowboys going offensive line and running back, which falls directly in line with our expectations for the team.

At 24th overall, Kiper has the Cowboys going for a tackle as the team gears up for life after Tyron Smith. 

Round 1, Pick 24: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

This has to be a tackle, right? Tyron Smith is gone, and Tyler Smith, a first-round pick in 2022, has played extremely well at left guard. Would Dallas move Tyler Smith outside and take the risk that he's only an above-average left tackle? If I was the general manager, I'd take Guyton, one of the most physically impressive players in this class. At 6-foot-7, 322 pounds, he moves like a tight end. He played mostly right tackle in college, but he could make the move to Dak Prescott's blind side for the Cowboys. - Mel Kiper

The pick itself is far from surprising. In fact, Guyton one of the Top 3 most mocked players to the Cowboys, per NFL Mock Draft Database. Additionally, there's no question the Cowboys have been successful picking linemen in the past and the Oklahoma product fits the mold they like to work with. 

However, here's the surprising bit: In mock picking Guyton, the Cowboys are passing on Georgia's Amarius Mims and Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson, who falls all the way down to 47th in Kiper's mock. 

This last tidbit of information is intriguing as Kiper isn't the first draft expert to allude to the fact that the NFL might not be as high on the Oregon center. It's now heavily expected that Graham Barton will be going earlier than Powers-Johnson and it seems entirely possible that the latter falls all the way into the second round.

It's been rumored that the center who rose through the ranks after a dominant Senior Bowl had some medical concerns during the draft process, which might be hurting his stock. He's a Top 30 visit for the Cowboys and the team badly needs a center but I'm starting to believe JPJ at 24th won't happen. It's worth noting Guyton isn't a known Top 30 visit so far. 

Round 2, Pick 56: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas

This has been a popular pairing based on Dallas' offseason plan at running back. It doesn't have a lead back on its roster. Brooks, who rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns before tearing an ACL in November, has the tools to be an impact player as a rookie. He showed some upside as a pass-catcher, too. He's my top-ranked back. - Mel Kiper

This is expected to be the pick that's called months before the Draft even starts. It makes sense in so many ways but I wouldn't be surprised if the team goes elsewhere with pressing needs at LB, DT, and even need for depth at DE and WR. 

The Cowboys have never shied away from taking injured players in the second round and a quick look at the film shows why they'd like Brooks. He'd immediately become RB1 thanks to his outstanding vision and patience to make plays.