Dallas Cowboys Top NFL Draft Needs 2024

Here are the Dallas Cowboys’ top NFL Draft needs for their upcoming 2024 season campaign. The Cowboys have been quiet this free agency after losing a variety of key players this year but they could change it around this draft. The only notable addition this offseason is former Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks. However, the Cowboys focused on bringing players back on at least a one-year deal.

Re-signing players such as cornerback Jourdan Lewis and running back Rico Dowdle. The team lost a few starters on their defensive front like Dante Fowler Jr., Dorance Armstrong and Stephon Gilmore. This doesn’t mean the Cowboys are looking to tank this season, according to speculation. The Cowboys have a strong roster that could go on the same run as they did last season, winning at least 12 games.

Rebuilding mode has always been the foundation of this team from this draft so there’s no secret of what they expect to do. They aren’t going to spend big-time money on a low-cost veteran so this means they are looking to bring in young talent to boost their team. The Cowboys have seven total selections, including the 24th overall pick with possible trades this time around. However, there is the possibility that America’s team could get aggressive this year by trading some of their players to receive more picks.

The Cowboys aren’t going to be against it since there have been rumors that the team will explore third-string quarterback Trey Lance or Cooper Rush in a trade. Don’t expect them to be aggressive on night one of this year’s draft, they may just want some mid-round picks. With a deep class, securing top talent from the 2024 group should be the main priority for the Cowboys.

Top NFL Draft Needs for Dallas Cowboys

Offensive Tackle

The Cowboys decided to move on from long-time veteran and starting left tackle, Tyron Smith. This means that the team will look to address the offensive tackle position with the first-round selection. Dallas has always been the team to rebuild their offensive line by committing to one pick that helps bolster the line for their franchise quarterback, Dak Prescott. This was what the Cowboys were attempting to do when Tony Romo was with the team but it was a little too late.

However, the good news is that this year’s offensive line draft class is so deep that the Cowboys could grab as many as they want. They may want to be strategic so there’s enough to address other needs with their other six picks. The Cowboys may be going aggressive in the first round after Smith’s exit.

This year’s top NFL Draft prospects include Joe Alt, Olumuyiwa Fashanu and Troy Fautanu. However, Alt and Fashanu are expected to be off the board before the Cowboys get the chance to select them. This means that Dallas could look to trade up to least the No. 15 pick to acquire Fautanu. Drafting him could allow the Cowboys to have some competition at training camp between him and Tyler Smith.

The good news is that no matter who wins it, they’ll have depth at the position after losing their key veteran.

Running back

The Dallas Cowboys have been quiet this free agency by not acquiring a running back since Tony Pollard’s departure. However, this could all change on day two of the NFL Draft. The need is to provide the team with a solid running back that could be ready on week one for the Cowboys. The team can’t necessarily rely on Dowdle or Vaughn to be starters since they’re still unproven.

According to the Bleacher Report Scouting Department, Florida State’s Trey Benson is the top-ranked running back and he could garner interest on day two. However, the Cowboys should have a backup plan in case the players they want are taken off the board early. The good thing is that there are other backs to consider, which are Texas’ Jonathan Brooks and Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen.

Linebacker

This position is probably the most important that the Cowboys would want to address this NFL Draft. Leighton Vander-Esch retiring and only signing Eric Kendricks this offseason most likely won’t help the team. They have DeMarvion Overshown coming back from injury but he hasn’t played a snap in the league. This leaves Kendricks and Damone Clark as the only healthy starters with experience.