Mel Kiper Jr. drafts offensive tackle, running back to Cowboys in two-round mock

In his latest two-round mock draft, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. projected that the Dallas Cowboys will snag two new offensive pieces in the first two rounds this month. The Cowboys have no shortage of needs in the 2024 NFL Draft, but some are more pressing than others. For starters, after the departure of veteran Tyron Smith to the Jets, Dallas needs a new starting left tackle.

Mike McCarthy’s offensive line could make do by sliding former first-rounder Tyler Smith back to left tackle from left guard, or, as Kiper suggests, they could draft a tackle high. With the No. 24 pick in the first round, the ESPN analyst mocked former Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton to Dallas.

Guyton made 10 appearances this season for Oklahoma at right tackle, including nine starts. For his efforts, he was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention. He was a cornerstone for Oklahoma’s offensive line, which only allowed 20 total sacks this season. Guyton, a 6-foot-7, 328-pound lineman, is a Texas native and he started his collegiate career at local TCU.

The Cowboys have shown signs of interest in drafting a first-round tackle. Though Taliese Fuaga will likely be off the board by the time the Cowboys pick at No. 24, the team hosted the Oregon State tackle for a top-30 visit. Also in need of a center, the Cowboys hosted Oregon star Jackson Powers-Johnson. They’ll host versatile tackle/center Graham Barton out of Duke as well before the draft.

Kiper predicts Brooks to Dallas in Round 2

After the departure of starter Tony Pollard this offseason, Texas Longhorns’ Jonathon Brooks could fit the bill for Dallas in this year’s draft. Kiper currently has the second-team All-Big 12 honoree going with the No. 56 pick to the Dallas Cowboys in the second round. Though he could still be a long-shot night one selection, Kiper believes it’s more realistic for Brooks to get a call on Day 2.

“As for running backs, I would say late second,” Kiper said. “Jonathon Brooks, to me, is the best back in the draft, just based on ability. He had the ACL on Nov. 11, when is he back? We don’t know that. How much of a factor will he be this year?

“Had he not been hurt – and I’m not a running back in the first round kind of guy – I would have had early to mid second.”

Brooks rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023. He also had 25 catches for 286 yards and one touchdown in the 10 games he played prior to his ACL injury. Despite his injury, the Texas native has had little wear and tear over the course of his collegiate career. In 2021 and 2022, he carried the ball a combined 51 times compared to 187 carries in 2023.