The one certainty heading into next week’s draft is that Dallas has so many needs that they cannot afford to miss with their first pick.
Unless they choose another tight end. But not even Jerry Jones is this insane.
Is he?
The majority of the mock drafts filling the internet with 10 days until the first pick show the Cowboys taking an offensive lineman.
It makes sense, given the departures of tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz, as well as Zack Martin’s mid-30s age. The line need reinforcing.
In 2024, Brock Hoffman will start at center, T.J. Bass at guard, and Tyler Smith at left tackle, as I have already stated.
Asim Richards could be a reliable backup. Then Dallas might address other issues first and then acquire more linemen later to develop.
I appear to be in the minority in that position.
If Dallas goes offensive line in the first and second rounds, the running backs and wide receivers who could help the team will be gone by the third round.
Again, like with the previous positions mentioned, we’ll have a clearer understanding of the Cowboys’ long-term objectives following the first choice.
If they pick offensive linemen early, don’t expect a playoff run in 2024. Because the running back and wide receiver rooms are currently paper thin, with few weapons.
The Top Prospects
Joe Alt, Notre Dame’s walking mountain, appears to be the first offensive lineman off the board one week from Thursday.
At 6-9 – yes, that’s nine inches, not a typo – and 321 pounds, the offensive tackle’s lone disadvantage may be his height. His quarterback might be unable to look above him.
Alt is going to be an excellent tackle. However, he will most likely be gone by the time Dallas picks No. 24 in the first round. Unless they go up.
Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu is 6-6 and 312 pounds, Alabama’s J.C. Latham is also 6-6 but 342 pounds, and the tackles will soon follow Fashanu off the board.
The top five offensive lineman prospects include Taliese Fuaga (6-6, 324, Oregon State) and Troy Fautanu (6-4, 317) from Washington.
The top-ranked center in the draft is Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson (6-2, 328). Cooper Beebe of Kansas State is the most highly regarded guard.
If Dallas Does Go O-Line
Powers-Johnson may slip to Dallas at No. 24. He makes the most sense if the Cowboys choose offensive line in the first round.
One source of concern is his proclivity to draw holding calls because he is too grabby on his blocks.
The Cowboys have previously struggled with this issue.
However, if Tyler Smith is set to go to tackle, Dallas will most likely select a center. Powers-Johnson would be an excellent choice.
If Dallas intends to keep Smith at guard and move to the offensive line in the first round, there is a plausible target at tackle.
Kingsley Suamataia of BYU measures 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 326 pounds. He can play both right and left tackle.
If he had continued his education, he would have been a junior this fall.
Which suggests he is youthful and could be around for a long time.
It also indicates that he is young and prone to making several mistakes. Especially if he is thrown to the wolves as a starter on the first day.
So Which Way Jerry?
As for what Dallas will actually do? Who knows.
Again, my ideal situation is to trade back into the second round and choose a running back, wide receiver, and offensive lineman on Friday’s second day.
But I am not Jerry Jones. So, who knows.
Last year, Jones was talked out of picking an offensive lineman in the first round, and they instead chose Mazi Smith at defensive tackle.
They will continue to seek a defensive tackle in the upcoming draft.
Let’s hope that whatever stance they take on opening night, they get it right this season.
