Oklahoma Sooners offensive tackle Tyler Guyton (60) NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Way-too-early Dallas Cowboys 2024 NFL Draft preview

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 3/2/24

The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon.

After another disappointing playoff loss, Cowboys fans are losing patience. These potential draft picks could give them hope.

2023 record: 12-5 | First-round pick: No. 24 | Team needs: OL, LB

Potential first-round picks: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma; Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia; Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

With their starting center (Tyler Biadasz) and starting left tackle (Tyron Smith) becoming free agents, an offensive lineman (or two) should be the Cowboys’ top priority on draft day.

Guyton started his college career at TCU where he was also used as an H-back before transferring to Oklahoma in 2022. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just two sacks with no hits in 400 snaps that year on 191 pass-blocking plays.

He made nine starts at right tackle in 2023, earning an honorable mention of All Big-12, but only some consider the raw, 6-foot-7, 327-pound lineman a finished product. USA Today’s Ayrton Ostly says, “Entrusting Guyton as a Day 1 starter could be dicey, but his high-end traits might prove too alluring to pass up."

Another somewhat risky option is Mims. Georgia’s former right tackle had just eight starts over the past three years but while also 6-foot 7, he’s 13 pounds heavier than Guyton with a 7-foot-1 wingspan.

Projected first round pick Georgia OT Amarius Mims is a monster. pic.twitter.com/9nh09ClrwB
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) March 2, 2024

Mims allowed zero sacks and just five total pressures across 372 career pass blocks according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. who has him going to the Cowboys in his latest mock draft. But what about the defense?

Linebacker Micah Parsons could use some help at his position. After losing Leighton Vander Esch — now contemplating retirement — midway through the season, Markquese Bell and Damone Clark couldn’t fill the void while playing out of position.

PFF named Cooper as PFF’s college football's most valuable linebacker in 2023 after the Texas A&M linebacker finished the year with 83 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery while leading the SEC with 17 tackles for loss.

Once considered a second-round talent, Cooper improved his draft stock with the second-fastest 40-time (4.52) among linebackers, a 9-foot-10-inch broad jump and 34.5-inch vertical leap at the combine.

He could still fall to the second round, but if Dallas can’t find an offensive lineman to their liking on draft day, Cooper deserves serious consideration.

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