Draft week is upon us and the Dallas Cowboys' selection at 24th overall is quickly approaching. It's a pick the team cannot get wrong as the roster still has way too many holes and the front office stayed put during free agency.
So what could they be thinking for their first-round pick?
The likeliest position they'll address is offensive line, not only because they had multiple question marks up front but because a quick glance at their Top 30 visits shows how badly they want a starting OL in the first round.
They hosted six players who could be considered first-round prospects, four of whom where offensive lineman. All are listed below plus some non-OL names to keep in mind.
OT/iOL Troy Fautanu, Washington
Fautanu would be the ideal pick for the Cowboys. NFL teams disagree on whether or not he's a tackle at the next level but the Washington's left tackle has the kind of footwork you love to see on Sunday's and he's got violent hands that helped Fautanu dominate competition even in the biggest of stages. He handled Michigan's DL without breaking a sweat.
The big question is if he'll make it to 24th. But if he does, Fautanu would be an A+ grab. Plus, he'd provide a possibility of leaving Tyler Smith at guard if they're up to playing Fautanu on the outside.
iOL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
A fan-favorite prospect following a dominant Senior Bowl, Powers-Johnson is the best pass-protecting center of the class. He also provides the physicality to spark some life into the running game and he'd make perfect sense for the Cowboys.
"JPJ checks the boxes to be a starting center in the league for a decade plus," writes A to Z Sports' Rob Gregson on his scouting report. "He may not have the high-end athleticism like recent prospects including Tyler Linderbaum and Creed Humphrey but he has excellent strength, and plays with a cerebral understanding that will bode well for his NFL projection."
iOL Graham Barton, Duke
Barton's stock continues to rise as many view him as the best center of the class. He's got the experience and versatility having played center, guard, and tackle in college football. Barton might just be the man to add if the Cowboys want to spark some life into a mediocre running game.
He'd be a plug-and-play lineman to replace Tyler Biadasz at center with the flex to play guard if Dallas prefers.
OT/iOL Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Fuaga is another run-game impact maker the Cowboys could add if he's there at 24th overall. With his play strength and overall bully-ness, he might be a pick that resembles Tyler Smith a couple of years ago.
"Taliese Fuaga is an intriguing prospect because of his length and brute play strength, both of which project him to be a bully in the run game at the next level," writes Gregson on his Fuaga scouting report. "Some teams believe he can continue to play and thrive at tackle, while others think a move to guard is more appropriate for his skillset. Either way, he won’t have to wait long to hear his name called come the draft."
Non-OL on the wishlist
- DL Byron Murphy, Texas: Also a Top 30 visit of the Cowboys, Murphy could be a steal at 24th and might make more sense than some think considering Osa Odighizuwa is on a contract year.
- WR Brian Thomas, LSU: At 24th, there'd be great value for Thomas, who's got the size to separate him from many others in this year's class. Could the Cowboys perceive WR as a bigger need than fans think?
- EDGE Darius Robinson, Missouri: The Cowboys could use some legit depth on the defensive line and Robinson has flexibility to play inside and outside. He was a Top 30 visit for Dallas, which makes him a legit target on Day 1.
- WR Xavier Worthy, Texas: A WR with unique speed can't be ruled out. Worthy would be a scary deep threat for the Cowboys and NFL insider Peter Schrager curiously mocked him to Dallas last week.
- WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas: Also from Texas but different: Mitchell has the "size, speed, and fluidity" that you can't teach, in the words of A to Z Sports' James Foster.
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