Cowboys' Top 30 visits do little to hide their plan for the first round of 2024 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys are a team known for putting a lot of weight into their Top 30 visits ahead of each year's NFL Draft and it's starting to look like 2024 is no exception.

Out of the 19 reported visits so far, the Cowboys are meeting with four offensive linemen that are widely considered first-round prospects. That's particularly intriguing as they're not meeting with many other prospects expected to go on Thursday.

Out of the known names at this point, only DL Byron Murphy (Texas) could be considered a consensus first-rounder. 

Considering O-line is their top need by a wide margin, this isn't surprising at all. The Cowboys are never really afraid of letting everyone know what their intentions are for better or worse (usually the latter). Below are the four first-round OL prospects the Cowboys are meeting with on Top 30 visits as of Tuesday.

T/G Troy Fautanu, Washington

• James Foster's OG rankings: 2
• James Foster's overall rankings: 23
• Consensus rankings: 18

Fautanu is a personal favorite of mine thanks to how pro-ready his technique looks. His footwork is top-notch and he tends to win reps with them before engagement even begins. Fautanu's use of hands is also very promising and Cowboys fans missing Tyron Smith's infamous snatch trap will be seeing it again if Fautanu is picked at 24th overall.

"Very effective snatch-trap technique to dismantle power rushers, active providing help & finishing blocks in pass pro, plays with a mean-streak & tries to finish blocks," details A to Z Sports' James Foster on his Big Board, although he notes Fautanu has struggled as a run blocker.

Some view Fautanu as an interior linemen but his arm length and film strongly suggest he can play tackle at the next level and if that means leaving Tyler Smith at guard, even better.

T/G Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

• James Foster's OG rankings: 1
• James Foster's overall rankings: 21
• Consensus ranking: 13

The Cowboys are in need of a stronger running back and if Fuaga is available when they're on the clock, they'll be intrigued. There's some question marks about whether or not he can play tackle, though. His arm length ranks in the 15th percentile.

"Elite power & grip strength as a run blocker," describes Foster on his Big Board while also noting he is a "dominant 2nd-level blocker with heavy hands, with very few missed assignments on tape ande excellent natural play strength, and rarely loses to power."

OC Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

• James Foster's OC rankings: 1
• James Foster's overall rankings: 25
• Consensus ranking: 23

A Senior Bowl riser, Powers-Johnson looks like a dream come true on film. He's tough and goes for the kill when the moment is right and while he's somebody we look at as a great run blocker, his pass pro film is elite, as well.

"Sturdy build, wide base, quality play strength," writes Foster. "Firm grip strength & nearly impenetrable anchor, nasty block finisher, redirects pass rushers & renovates LBs as a puller."

OG Graham Barton, Duke

• James Foster's OG Rankings: 3
• James Foster's overall rankings: 27
• Consensus ranking

Despite his playing outside in college, Barton's deficient arm length (29th percentile) likely makes him a guard at the NFL level. That isn't a problem as he's a prospect with many other things to be excited about.

"Explosive athlete, fits any running scheme," details Foster of the 3+ year starter at Duke. "Excellent slide quickness to mirror inside counters & carry speed rushers up the arc, patient & accurate hand usage, good zone blocker. Takes what the defender gives him & lets the RB make him right."