Dallas Cowboys stumble upon best case scenario in A to Z Sports' 2024 NFL mock draft

Our very first collective A to Z Sports' NFL mock draft is out now and I got to sit in the imaginary general manager chair for the Dallas Cowboys.

Each pick was made by a beat writer focused on the corresponding team and when the Cowboys were on the clock to make a pick at 24th overall, it didn't take long for me to write the name on the card.

In fact, the selection fit right into both team need and best player available so it was somewhat of a no-brainer. 

With the 24th pick, the Cowboys select... offensive tackle J.C. Latham, from Alabama

Below is the breakdown of why I made the pick with the following notable OL players off the board: 

• Tailese Fuaga
• Jackson Powers-Johnson
• Amarius Mims
• Troy Fautanu
• Olumuyiwa Fashanu
• Joe Alt

Basically, it came down to Latham and Tyler Guyton and Graham Barton, with the following making the difference for me: 

The Cowboys have forced themselves to pick offensive line in the first round following the departures of Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz. This is a best-case scenario with Latham, who provides great value at 24th overall. His size and length provide a ton of upside for him to develop into a top-tier lineman.

Latham should be able to transition from playing on the right side to manning the left side of the offensive line and Tyler Smith provides flexibility on whether Latham becomes a guard or stays at tackle. 

Best case scenario?

Latham is a Top 10 prospect on A to Z Sports' own film specialist James Foster's Big Board. Foster perceives Latham as a prospect with the following strengths: 

• Flexible hips & impenetrable anchor
• Routine inside hand placement
• Elite grip strength, once he latches on the rep is over
• Hand usage is patient, controlled, & refined
• Creates serious displacement on down blocks & double teams
• Nasty finisher in both phases. More kill shots in pass pro than anyone in this class
• Combines finesse & power at the 2nd level. Impressive location skills in open space, with strength & tenacity to finish
• Shows good body control & understanding of angles as a reach blocker

Foster does point out that Latham has limited experience taking deep vertical sets, which could concern front offices. He questions Latham's movement skills and points out he's got limited experience blocking wide zone. In other words, there's some rawness to Latham as a prospect but it's easy to fall in love with his potential.