When the Dallas Cowboys drafted former Texas Longhorn, DeMarvion Overshown in last year's draft, it was their first in-state draftee since 2019.
Straying from Texas colleges is a new trend for the Dallas front office.
They previously used picks on in-state prospects in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019.
Is there a reason the Cowboys have changed that trend? It's tough to say for certain.
One thing is clear, however.
Dallas would be smart to go back to their old ways when it comes to the 2024 NFL Draft.
It is hard to overstate just how stacked this year's draft class is for colleges in Texas, and it seems the Cowboys have taken notice of that fact.
Of the known players on Dallas's top-30 visit list, five are from in-state schools.
That number could also grow as the rest of the list gets leaked.
Between the top-30 list and the Cowboys' annual “Dallas Day” workout, where the team invites local prospects into the facility, there is quite a bit of Texas talent coming through the door heading into the draft.
It seems unlikely the team won't hit the Texas well of talent at least once with their seven draft picks.
So, let's take a look at the five best in-state options for the Cowboys in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Texas DT, Byron Murphy II
You can hear the groans already from Cowboys fans who hate the idea of drafting a defensive tackle in the first round in back-to-back drafts.
However, if Dallas goes that route by picking former Longhorn, Byron Murphy II, it could be a worthwhile pick for the long-term success of the defense.
Murphy is one of the top two defensive tackles in this draft class, and he is a top-30 visit for the Cowboys.
It is rare to get a chance on that high of a prospect all the way down to 24th overall.
It seemed impossible just a few months ago when Murphy dominated the NFL Scouting Combine that he would get even close to the Cowboys pick, but it seems likely now.
Murphy is an elite athlete; running a 4.87 40-yard dash at 300 lbs puts him in rare company.
When you combine his speed and quickness with nearly 30 bench press reps of 225 lbs, you've got yourself a rare talent on the inside of the defensive line.
He is an All-American, First-team All-Big 12 player, coming off an 8.5 tackles for-loss season with the Longhorns.
If Dallas gets an improved Mazi Smith in his sophomore season with a talent like Murphy complementing veteran Osa Odighizuwa, they might have a true force on the interior.
Texas A&M LB, Edgerrin Cooper
Former Aggie Edgerrin Cooper is perhaps the most well-circulated name in Cowboys draft circles over the last few months.
It is not just the need for a young linebacker that is causing this hype either.
Cooper might be the best linebacker in the entire draft, and the Cowboys seem to have taken a liking to him.
Dallas met with Cooper as a top-30 visit in the facility and as a formal visit at the combine.
He is the most likely candidate to be the Cowboys' first pick if the team trades back, and he could even be a trade-up candidate in the second round.
This means there is more than one way for Cooper to find himself staying in-state.
If Dallas does pull the trigger on this kid, fans would get to see true sideline-to-sideline ability, pass-rush potential, reliable tackling skills, and the kind of athleticism teams are looking for in linebackers right now.
Cooper managed to put up 205 total tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions in his four-year career with Texas A&M.
Can you imagine how nice it would be to have that kind of production at linebacker again?
With the retirement of Leighton Vander Esch, it might just be time to take another swing on a first-round linebacker.
If Dallas does go that route, staying in-state with Cooper would be their best bet.
Texas RB, Jonathon Brooks
Speaking of names you've heard a lot this offseason, let's take a look at former Longhorn and the potential RB1 in the 2024 draft, Jonathon Brooks.
Brooks is another top-30 visit for the Cowboys, and they spent extensive time with him both at his pro day and during the combine.
Dallas's interest in him is very real.
The team is in desperate need of a starting running back after losing Tony Pollard in free agency.
Right now, they are looking at Rico Dowdle and a potential reunion with franchise legend, Ezekiel Elliott.
While we all love Elliott, even if they do bring him back, the team will still not have a true RB1.
Brooks can fill that role and then some.
He is a smooth runner who can stop on a dime to make you miss, and his pass-catching ability could be huge for his potential in the NFL.
The issue with Brooks is his knee, as he tore his ACL late in the 2023 season.
Reports have come out that Dallas is comfortable with the injury, however, and that could be a huge indication that they are targeting him to be the next great Cowboy running back.
There are risks to drafting Brooks, but his upside is massive.
Texas Christian OT, Andrew Coker
In contrast to Murphy, Cooper, and Brooks, odds are you haven't heard much about Katy, TX native, Andrew Coker.
It is no secret the Cowboys need offensive linemen, and a four-year starter at right tackle with plus strength, mobility, and huge size, plus strength and mobility could be exactly what they are looking for.
Coker has the experience and build to compete in the NFL.
The other good news for Dallas, if they target Coker, is that they do not need to spend one of their high draft picks on him.
He is projected to go in the middle-to-late rounds of the draft because of fears he is more of a project than anything else.
With how good the Cowboys are at developing offensive linemen, however, this could be a home run pick.
It seems likely the team got an up-close look at Coker during the Dallas Day workout.
If the Cowboys liked what they saw, they could target a starter on the offensive line early, and then double-up with Coker in the later rounds to ensure depth now and potential in the future.
Texas Tech SAF, Tyler Owens
If the name Tyler Owens rings a bell, it is likely because you're a Red Raiders fan.
The other explanation could be you remember his viral comments at the NFL Scouting Combine where he said he did not believe in outer space.
While Owens gained national media attention for his comments, it is his other-worldly athleticism that should be the bigger story.
A hamstring tweak ended his combine performance early, but Owens was on his way to a historic performance.
Leaping 41″ on the vertical jump and 12′ 2″ on the broad jump is unheard of.
His speed, size, and physicality will give him a chance to be something special in the NFL, even if his college tape shows a work in progress.
Owens is raw when it comes to the football side of things.
After all, in five years of college football, he only has 54 total tackles and 39 games played.
With aging safeties in Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson making up the secondary, a late-round flyer on an athletic freak like Owens could be a perfect match for the Cowboys.
There seems to be interest from Dallas as well, as he was a participant in the Dallas Day workout.
This pick would be a developmental one.
But that doesn't mean his athleticism and potential would not be fun to watch.
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