7 Dallas Cowboys players that could lose starting roles, roster spots through 2024 NFL Draft

The NFL Draft is always an exciting time for fans as it's easy to get your hopes up with fresh faces joining the team.

However, it can be stressful for current players as it means they're welcoming in direct competition for starting gigs and sometimes, even spots on the 53-man roster.

Below are seven Dallas Cowboys players that stand to lose the most in the 2024 draft depending on which picks the front office makes. 

1. LB Damone Clark

The Cowboys seem interested in adding a linebacker in Day 2 of the draft, as they're hosting several of the top linebackers in the class including Edgerrin Cooper (Texas A&M), Payton Wilson (N.C. State), and Junior Colson (Michigan) on Top 30 visits.

As of right now, Clark is a projected starter alongside Eric Kendricks, the lone outside free agency addition the Cowboys have made so far. With DeMarvion Overshown coming back from injury, a Round 2 linebacker could put Clark's starting gig in serious jeopardy ahead of 2024.

2. T.J. Bass & Brock Hoffman

I'll cheat a little bit and do two-for-one here. These two young second-year players are currently trending to be starters on the Cowboys' offensive line. However, that's likely to change for one of them depending on what the front office picks at 24th overall.

Picking a center like Jackson Powers-Johnson or Graham Barton (who many view as a center) would hurt Hoffman the most, while going with a tackle/guard would hurt T.J. Bass more. It's highly unlikely both get a starting role on the team. The question is who's hurt most in the first round? 

3. WR Jalen Tolbert

This is a sneaky one. Tolbert is currently penciled in by many as the undisputed WR3 following Michael Gallup's release earlier in the offseason but Tolbert's stock could take a hit if the Cowboys go wide receiver early on.

Despite expectations for the Cowboys being OL in the first, this strong WR class could lead to a surprise at 24th if Brian Thomas or Adonai Mitchell, among others are on the board. Even if they make a WR addition in Day 2, Tolbert would be looking at some significant competition in the WR room.

4. NT Mazi Smith

Currently on track to be starting nose tackle following Johnathan Hankins' departure to the Seattle Seahawks, Smith has done very little to prove he should be uncontested for the starting gig.

There are multiple nose tackle prospects the Cowboys could end up adding in Day 2 of the NFL Draft, and the team formally met with several big guys at the Scouting Combine.

5. EDGE Viliami Fehoko Jr.

With Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. out of the picture, Fehoko is currently on track to be the fourth edge rusher on the team behind Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Sam Williams.

The issue is he's got zero snaps in 2023 to back him in a potential roster battle. Adding an edge rusher anywhere in the early or middle rounds could push Fehoko right into the roster bubble in late April.

6. RB Deuce Vaughn

If the Cowboys add a running back in the second or third round of the draft, there's a high likelihood they'll move past Vaughn in the depth chart and settle alongside Rico Dowdle in an even match for RB1. 

And even if it's a later addition, Vaughn will have to fight for his spot on the rotation after struggling in pass protection as a rookie. Obviously, Vaughn's upside is still impossible to dismiss as he can become a big-time playmaker thanks to his traits. But we also can't act like he's a lock to be RB2, especially if the team goes running back early, which they're expected to do. I don't view Vaughn as a 53-man roster lock. 

7. CB Eric Scott Jr.

The Cowboys clearly liked Scott Jr. last year as they moved up in the sixth round in order to secure him. But since he was a raw prospect, he didn't get his shot as a rookie, accumulating no snaps at all in 2023.

Now, he's closer to earning a spot on the backfield rotation. However, adding a cornerback at any point of the draft could shoot his stock way down.